Choo Choo Lou is the nickname my collegues gave me for my interest in rail as both an advocation and vocation.  I have been involved with branchline railroading and passenger rail studies from the government side in Ohio for 33+ years.  My forte is freight branchline service and economics but I have also participated in the evaluation of two merger efforts, including the sale of Conrail to NS and CSX, as well as a variety of national freight issues including the production of the AASHTO "Freight Rail Bottom Line" report.  At present, I am following the CP offer to acquire NS with great interest and taking a lead role at AASHTO's rail committee on a new Rail Freight Bottom Line report.