On 5/10/2016 2:09 PM, sf wrote:
> On Tue, 10 May 2016 12:19:46 -0600, Orographic > wrote:
>
>> On 5/10/2016 11:59 AM, notbob wrote:
>>> On 2016-05-10, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Railroads have made a comeback for that reason.
>>>
>>> What? They can lay off employees, wholescale?
>>>
>>> The reason RR still are profitable is cuz 50% of their traffic is coal!
>>>
>>> nb
>>>
>> Not anymore it isn't.
>>
>> https://www.aar.org/pages/freight-ra...ffic-data.aspx
>>
>> Crude from the Bakken replaced it.
>>
>> Then it got nailed.
>
> Trains need to start running on time, so they can act as long distance
> carriers and trucks are only needed to take freight from the train to
> delivery point and for heaven's sake, maintain the tracks!
> https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0362
>

Intermodals are the way to go, yes.

Except where perishables are concerned, then a bit less so.

The other thing we need is MORE total trackage.

This is where passenger and freight come to no good balance in sharing.

For a great read on US passenger rail I recommend:

http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Train-.../dp/1603580646