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A single track, line frequency (60 Hz ac) medium voltage (15 kV class) electrification is little more than a series of larger single phase distribution feeders like you'd find in an urban district, and can easily be fed from the existing grid right now, in most parts of the country. A 5,000HP ac electric locomotive is about a 5 MVA load, which is not all that big from a utility system standpoint, plus with modern solid-state technology regeneration is easily accomplished. Superconductors aren't necessary. So why don't we do it? Because of all the other costs associated with the changeover, including changeover of signaling, installation of bonds, and installation of substations and control equipment, not to mention the new motive power, plus modification of bridges and overpasses for clearance and installation of tensioned catenary rather than the far less expensive single aerial conductor usually associated with a single phase distribution system. Several utilities figured out the stuff in the first paragraph above and did it at the mine mouth. But, they're limited point-to-point systems with minimal complication and work rules generally unlike any you'll find on the Class Is--e.g., TU Energy is semi-automated, remote-controlled, and is an IBEW shop, and has been all of the above for over 20 years. Once upon a time, we looked at main line electrification for a Class I who was hauling coal to the utility and saw an immediate business opportunity, and the numbers worked, with the utility owning the electrical plant, but not at the prevailing (at the time) fuel price. Traffic also plays a huge part in the justification under today's economic constraints in the US. By the way, having the utility own the overhead and substations with the railroad purchasing power at the wire is a feasible method for consideration when the numbers are right. There are a lot of good reasons to consider this. But, like maglev (which is a whole lot more complicated, incompatible and costly than is being reported in this thread), wholesale electrification requires conversion to and capitalization of what amounts to an entirely new infrastructure. Got the $$--go for it. Lots of $$ by RR standards. I don't anticipate seeing any large scale mainline electrification projects any time soon, as long as fuel prices remain even as high as they are. Hybrids in yard and switching service--definitely. Commuter districts in non-attainment areas, probably, because the traffic is there, the incentives are not just simple economics, and Uncle and the local taxpayers will likely be doling out the $$.. You have to remember that most of Europe got electrified (or re-electrified) thanks to (1) different national priorities in the European states and (2) the US taxpayer, who largely bankrolled it while at the time was also building the interstate highway system here and taxing the RRs. As I say, it's just a matter of national priorities.
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