2006 RR predictions

[joegreen]

QUOTE: Originally posted by techguy57

DM&E becomes a small class 1?

DME already got the go on the new line.............so yes DME/ICE will be a Class 1 railroad within the next year or 2.

I predict a mega merger...........like a BNSF/NS merger.

[techguy57]

DM&E becomes a small class 1?

QUOTE: Originally posted by dldance

Congress will investigate David Gunn's firing. A lot of money will be spent but the outcome will not change.

dd

Isn't that the truth!

Mike

[route_rock]

Hillary gets in BNSF better buy a route in Ireland as thats where I am going and I want to keep my seniroity.

[vsmith]

Criswell appeared to me in a vision and spoke, and said...

Short term

Business as usual till post mid-term 2006 elections, then...

Amtrak LD routes slashed by years end
Short distance and NEC route services funding severly reduced leading to the end of Amtrak service on most routes.

The end of transcontinental passenger rail service in the US after 137 years.

Somes short distance Amtrak lines will survive as commuter rail by being absorbed by regional commuter services.

Wholesale sell off of former Amtrak rolling stock, look for Genesis powered double stack trains, and former Amtrak cars scrapped or sold off to 3rd world countries for cheap.

Some scenic long distance routes will still see passenger service in the form of tourist excursion trains such as the American Orient Express, and like the AOE only the most well healed will be able to afford to experience.

Some former Amtrak funding used to bail out current failing airline companies who's lobbiest are generous with campaign contributions to the congress and the administration.


Long term

Demise of Amtrak will lead to an increase in small bus companies servicing the members of the population who cannot afford to fly or will not fly for health reasons and will operate on the interstate routes meaning more busses (often not very safe ones) operating on the nations hwys.

After Amtraks demise, there will be another 9-11 similar event that will close down the nations airline service again, yet with limited short distance rail services and without intermediate or long distance rail service to pick up part of the burden, the impact will be more severe as there will be far less options for those trying to get from A to B, more airlines will again face bankruptcy and some will fold but some will again be bailed out by a government more concerned with getting reelected then with coming up with a realistic national transportation policy that includes any form of intermediate or long distance rail services.

Government will also bail out GM who will continue to emphisis large SUVs and large trucks even as gas hits $3+ a gallon during summer months.

Any future intermediate intercity rail routes funding de-emphisised in favor of short haul air services and increased highway usage inspite of declining air terminal capacity and highway capacity to handle the increases.




Really going out on a limb...? Criswell says....

2008 : Jeb Bush vs Hillary Clinton
Extreme right wing of Republican party dissaffected by the last 4 years of scandal and dissappointed by whats percieved to be having their agenda ignored by a lame duck president runs extreme right wing 3rd party candidate, which splits the party vote to allow an easy Democratic party victory.

Criswell's predictions were accurate 87% of the time (at least the ones he reminded you about! )

[:O][;)][:P][:)]

edited to correct spelling to appease the Grammer Cops [B)][:o)]

[dldance]

Congress will investigate David Gunn's firing. A lot of money will be spent but the outcome will not change.

dd

[oltmannd]

2006 is here. What are your predictions for the big RR news of the year?

Frt RRs? e.g. CP sells US rails to NS
Passenger RRs? e.g. O'toole to head Amtrak
Locomotive news? e.g. UP orders more 6000 HP ACs
Bizarre RR news? e.g. Mars rover finds NYC J3a