Obama plots huge railroad expansion
Railroads made Chicago, and now a Chicago-rich White House wants to return the favor: remaking rail with a huge new federal investment in high-speed passenger trains. Full Story »
Posted by Kaizar CampwalaReview
Very little of the article weighs national needs or cost and benefit values of a rapid passenger rail system; the implication that a tawdry freight system must continue to lose importance is counter-intuitive in an energy expensive future. Instead attention is focused on political posturing and maneuvering. Basic elements of the story are unclear; how much rail will $10 billion deliver?, why are rail companies uncooperative?, did Reid get $ billions for an LA to LV rail line?, are Republicans against it unconditionally?
For our coming energy-short future it is absolutely essential that semi-trucks take to the highways only where rail isn't operable, after small lines, long abandoned, are restored. I don't understand why rail companies are hostile to passenger rail, but haven't been aggressive in updating their freight service either.