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[quote user="MidlandMike"] [quote user="Sam1"] ... There is no reason that route has to be operated by Amtrak, although the American Association of Railroads has said that the freight carriers will not deal without anyone other than Amtrak. The courts probably could fix that issue.   <div style="clear:both;">[/quote]</div> IIRC the Amtrak legislation specified that if a RR turned their passenger trains over to ATK, they had to let ATK use their tracks.  The courts can't rewrite a law, and I doubt Congress will pass a law requiring private railroads to accept other passenger trains.  Of course RRs could allow other passenger operators on their lines, but probably just not at the bargain prices ATK enjoys. [/quote] Lets expand my point.  Congress could rewrite the law.  In fact, I may be wrong, but it sticks in my mind that the law has been modified.  Up to two of Amtrak's long distance routes can be bid out to other potential operators.  There have, of course, been no takers.  No money in long distance trains except to lose heaps of it.   I am not a lawyer, but I suspect push come to shove the courts could rule that refusal to allow other passenger train operators access to a freight carrier's tracks ala Amtrak would be a violation of the Commerce Clause.  It has been used to justify heaps of changes.
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