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IMHO open access could lead to something similar to the airlines after deregulation. A massive Class I price war at the first business downturn, regionals and startups with less debt and better labor agreements cherry-picking business, potential United Airlines style bankruptcies(CSX???) . It would be good for shippers and ultimately competition, but getting there could be pretty painfull and expensive and I really don't see it increasing capacity on the lines that have the most problems. Another issue not mentioned in relation to subsidies is they get cut when budgets are tight. The Interstates which the public see's are in need of pretty massive infrastructure improvement as a result of defered maintenance. Rail would fare even worse. An alternative I've been thinking about addresses a number of issues raised recently and I'm sure creates others I haven't considered, so fire away. This wouldn't double capacity by any stretch, but it would increase it significantly. Modern locos are more fuel-efficient and reliable than ever before. I'd use the savings to increase average train speeds by ~10 mph. Aside from just running them faster, I'd look at eliminating or automating un-necessary FRA-mandated stops and inspections that don't compromise safety. If fueling is an issue, I'd use auxiliary fuel tenders(didn't BN do this on the northern transcom at one time?). Some trains may have to be shorter, others may need more power. Double track in critical locations would also cut delays and the extra expense would be partially offset by longer rail life since tonnage is split over 2 tracks instead of one. Increasing train speeds allows the same miles in less time, so I'd put most of the train crews on a 12 hour on/12 off arrangement, leaving most of the crew change locations the same. This still isn't a regular 9-5 type work day, but it's better than what crews have now. The railraods get greater productivity and should be able to attract new hires. The railroaders don't have to take a massive pay cut. In terminals, particularly Intermodal, I'd speed up the loading/unloading process. In some places this might be as simple as more Mijack cranes, but I'd look to automate the process in larger terminals. With standard sized containers, ship to train should be possible with laser reflective reference markings on the ship, containers, and rail cars so the crane's computer would know exactly what's where. For train to truck transfers, a car-wash like guideway could be used to accurately position the trucks. Industrial robots do all kinds of precision laser guided operations on automated manufacturing lines, automated container transfers shouldn't be that difficult. Faster speed and efficiency should allow greater pricing power for some of the traffic and allow the railroads to go after new business they can't get now.
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