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Re: train people, get real about OR shortlines
Author: Sandy Coots
Date: 01-14-2008 - 20:42
This info only is a tip of the problem confronting the rail network as we know it.
The comment on regulating the railroads is a good start. However, on a national level, perhaps a look is needed at not nationalizing the railroads as that smacks free enterprise. To the point, is that any rail line currently in service that goes North/South or East/ West, touching either a sea port or international border should be as is the Interstate Highway System should be overseen (owned) by the US government.Intrastate right of ways would remain private.(A)Interstate lines should be double tracked, as is the highway system, a devided route.The interstate highway system would never have worked if every twenty miles there was a wide spot for traffic east bound to pull into so as to let the West bound go, seesawing across the nation. A per ton mile is to be paid in taxes as are the trucks now doing for the use of the system. The states could be charged with overseeing the maintenance of the lines within their borders, again as are the interstate highways. More competition, loco owner operators running coast to coast like trucks would move freight faster. Other related rail business's would spring up.
Thank you, Sandy Coots
The comment on regulating the railroads is a good start. However, on a national level, perhaps a look is needed at not nationalizing the railroads as that smacks free enterprise. To the point, is that any rail line currently in service that goes North/South or East/ West, touching either a sea port or international border should be as is the Interstate Highway System should be overseen (owned) by the US government.Intrastate right of ways would remain private.(A)Interstate lines should be double tracked, as is the highway system, a devided route.The interstate highway system would never have worked if every twenty miles there was a wide spot for traffic east bound to pull into so as to let the West bound go, seesawing across the nation. A per ton mile is to be paid in taxes as are the trucks now doing for the use of the system. The states could be charged with overseeing the maintenance of the lines within their borders, again as are the interstate highways. More competition, loco owner operators running coast to coast like trucks would move freight faster. Other related rail business's would spring up.
Thank you, Sandy Coots
