Expanding or shrinking?

[csxns]

Around here it is stale but will like to expand.

[Murphy Siding]

 

     Reading about railroads here, in Trains Magazine and in other lesser informed places, it's hard to get a gauge on North America's railroad system. For every news article about expansion of some service or line there's another discussing discontinuing a service or line. It reminds me of a building materials magazine I get. Page 1 lists all the expansions and new store openings. Page 2 lists all the bankruptcies and store closings. You’d think our industry is going full speed ahead jogging in place.

     On the whole, is the railroad industry expanding or contracting right now? What do you think? In my little corner of the plains, railroading seems prosperous and expanding slowly.