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I don't think it can be argued that any single invention hurt the railroads, because the theoretical efficiencies inherent in modern railroading (the ability to move bulk commodities at speed) are still in place, and as yet no other transport mode has been able to match that dynamic. Trucks can move product at speed, but are inhibited by only being able to move up to 50 tons at a time, and frankly are restricted to 70 mph or less on most highways. Barges can move bulk commodities at will, but are limited to 7 mph and are restricted to areas with sufficient water draft. The problem with railroads is that they do not come close to realizing their potential due to federal regulations, mismanagement, regional monopolistic behaviors, et al. There is no logical reason why railroads cannot move 10,000 tons across the country at 80 mph or more, or better yet 125 trailers at 100 mph. Remember the average speeds of the Hiawathas, Zephyrs, M-100001s back in the 1930's being around 75 mph with top speeds of 100+ mph? You'd think that with today's technologies, TOFC consists would be able to match or beat those speed marks over much of the country. If so, the railroads would own 90% of cross country merchandise shipments, since they would be able to beat the long haul trucker's times. We don't really need any new inventions to accompli***his, just the willingness of railroad management and government regulatory bodies to allow the operation and maintenance of certain rail corridors to achieve these speeds. Railroads seem to have chosen the slow bulk movement option back in the early 1900's rather than furthering development of fast bulk movements. Look at the growth sectors in our economy, and you'll see the greatest growth potential is in fast merchandise movements, not slow bulk movements. Indeed, slow bulk movements are either a stagnant economic sector or even a dying economic sector (coal shipments notwithstanding). Rather than continuing the expensive development of mainline tracks to handle the 315k car, railroads should go back to the 263k standard (or maybe even the 220k standard) and combine that with speed logistics to achieve greater combined efficiency gains, and therefore take advantage of the growth sectors of our economy. Dave Smith
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