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cbt141, The points made regarding movements of export grain and the points regarding open access are not really related per se. The synthesis of the two subjects came about regarding a specific running argument of the potential viability of constructing an open access rail link between Missoula MT (and MRL/BNSF) and the barge port at Lewiston ID (where further westbound transportation options include UP and BNSF via the GNR nee-Camas Prairie RailNet, as well as Tidewater, Foss Maritime, Shaver, and Bernert barge lines to Portland OR and the deep water ports of the Lower Columbia River, hence the export grain angle). The point I had touched upon was the statement made on yet another thread regarding the potential role of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in developing new rail lines, much as they currently do with waterways, and my contention that the Lewiston-Missoula rail link would be the "perfect" testing ground for a Corps sponsored open access rail link. In short, the rail link would reduce overall rail mileage from the Midwest (areas south of the I-90/I-94 nee U.S. 10/ex-NP corridor) to the Lower Columbia by 100 miles vs MRL via Missoula and 200 mile vs BNSF via Shelby MT; would reduce rail mileage to "first" barge port by 200+ miles via Missoula and 300+ miles via Shelby; reduce fuel consumption by up to half a gallon per ton mile for unit grain trains/barge transload at Lewiston; and provide a vastly improved heavy haul transportation corridor through North Central Idaho. A few of the participants vehemently opposed this idea as a threat to BNSF and/or a rip off of the taxpayers, while I maintain that the link would be a boon to BNSF and would more than pay back it's costs in an improved fluidity of the nation's export infrastructure. As far as I know, there have been no official feasability studies of the idea, so either postition is heresay. That being said, I do understand the point you are trying to make. Whether barge lines on the Columbia-Snake Waterway currently have compartmentilization of their grain barges, or have the capability to compartmentalize if the need arises is something to research in more detail as time permits.
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