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the east coast. We have previously explained how. In the Northeast Corridor, it would be pure chaos. More than minor “ripple effects” would be felt elsewhere, as we have previous- ly explored in this column. The project (or something similar) is indis- pensable. Not only are the tunnels beneath the Hudson needed ASAP, the century-plus old Hackensack River bridge on the Jersey side is in dire need of a replacement. More space for increased traffic is required; part of that task will utilize the old Farley Post Office Building as a new train station, across the street from Penn Station (and with a tun- nel between the two depots). Amtrak hopes ultimately to construct a new high-speed rail line throughout the northeast. Dubbed the Gateway Project, the infra- structure rebuilding is being pursued, al- though funding for some parts of the under- taking were not completely identified. The project, whose unveiling was in 2011, began construction in 2013.
Coal Again
Much of the current concern in the freight rail industry is centered on the perceived govern- ment policy to destroy the coal industry in the name of “environmentalism.” We in this column won’t go there unless it affects the in- dustry that we are all about. In this case, it does. Coal has been one of the largest — in many cases the largest customer — ever since the earliest days of the U.S. rail industry in the early to mid-19th century. Just ask Norfolk Southern. Its numbers in
fourth quarter earnings took a disappointing slide. How come? Coal: Weaker demand, rev- enue off by 15 percent from last year at this time, and volume off by 6 percent. The rationale for trying to yank coal off the
market is that it is “dirty” albeit reliable. We are now in an interim “testing time,” between coal and whatever (if anything) ultimately re- places it — possibly liquid natural gas as this column has reported.
Filling Passenger Service Gaps
Meanwhile, in the southeast the Southern Rail Commission’s big project is a study which the National Association of Railroad Passen- gers, a donor to the analysis, defines as the first step towards reviving east-west passen- ger train schedules in the southern states, ab- sent from the Amtrak timetables since Hurri- cane Katrina in 2005. That disaster prompted Amtrak to end the New Orleans/Florida seg- ment of the Sunset Limited, now again con- fined to Los Angeles to New Orleans.
Haven’t You Heard?
Former Vice President Al Gore and former Mexican President Philippe Calderon say they want to ban automobiles from every ma- jor city in the world so as to make the cities denser leaving mass transit as the only op- tion. Estimated cost: $90 trillion. Really, gentlemen? Some worldwide au-
thority forces people out of their cars… At five times the U.S. debt? A perfect way to promote mass transit — if the aim is to discredit the cause. Don’t think so.
WES VERNON IS A WASHINGTON WRITER and veteran broadcast journalist. You can reach him with questions or comments at
capitollines@railfan.com.
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