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The Railroads have always had a "Public Be D_mned" attitude. But that's not who is going to get d_mned. I've noticed that the public is generally returning the attitude right back. Seventy percent of all ton miles already go by truck. It is not surprising why this is so. NYMBYs (Irate neighbors) constantly give the railroads legal fits - as do the railroad's own customers. Even Republican Senator's are now getting on the re-regulation bandwagon. And the Coup de grace is yet to come. The railroad industry is now starting to line up at the goverment money trough - as we speak. They want help in rightofway investment - because they can't earn the marketplace cost of capital - again not surprising. Yea right - bite me and see how much I feed you! Add to this picture the Shafting California is already getting over the operation of the Capitol Trains. They park cuts of freight cars in the way on the two track main for days at a time (drives the poor dispatchers nuts), and fail to maintain the track until the FRA imposes speed restrictions (and the state imposes fines). Now I read where they are demanding the state pay for new tripple track in one stretch where they park several whole trains (unmanned) at a time on the main, waiting for the yard. This after the state already paid $80 million to upgrade the rail and provide CTC for the line. They also park cars on another tripple track section the state already built. You begin to wonder what credibility the railroads will have, since they already have taken significant public investment and then failed to run a credible service in return. Not one train has arrived on time in a month. Everyday I hear about irate passengers demanding refunds. In many communities there is already a ground swell of opposition to any remote control and to any high speed operations AT ALL over grade crossings. Railroading is my vocation, and my avocation, yet even I am also thinking it's time stick it too 'em - right back. I guess I am frustrated - you found one of my hot buttons! Sorry! My point is that a major political battle is brewing - which the railroads have not a ghost of a chance of winning. They may win a few skirmishes (mostly at the federal level), but not the war. State and local goverments are solidly with the public. Things will only get worse for them until they lose the public be d_mned attitude. Too bad our jobs depend on them! Oh well, I am too close to retirement - need to think about that, instead of this. Thanks for the vent. RmC
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