Ebbie, as far as I know passenger trains do still have priority in most cases over freight here in the US, as a safety issue more than anything.

The express freight uses containers quite heavily, over boxcars, but requires a container chassis on each end to get it to and from the train, as well as a tractor and driver.

For mega shipments a boxcar can hold as much as 8-10 containers if packed properly. Many of the companies that need that much material have had the foresight to build their factories where a siding existed or could be added.

Trains are rather efficient in many cases, but the idea of replacing even a significantly larger number of trucks than have already been replaced will not lower overall costs, it will most likely increase them.

Trucks and trains have a very symbiotic relationship in the US and probably elsewhere.

Intermodal shipments are a good thing. I would hate to think what the highways would look like with that many more trucks on the road, plus looking at the quality of drivers if that many more drivers had to be hired.

Trains aren't going to go away, and neither are trucks.

I think there really needs to be an emphasis put on passenger rail in this country, right now if not sooner, though.

Amtrack discontinued service to Wichita, the largest city in Ks, 30 years ago. To take a train now requires a 30 mile trip to get to the train, anyway I think you can still do that, and requires transferring to at least one other train to get anywhere you likely would want to go. Last time I checked, it was cheaper to fly, too.

I quit going to LA regularly due to traffic congestion. I find less traffic going to NYC. Maybe because fewer people drive as a result of having a plausible mass transit system?

California really needs to get on the ball with trains. It would solve a great deal of their congestion and pollution problems.

I think they might find it would help some of their social problems as well, as people in lower income areas would have an economical way to get to where a better job exists.

In the current automobile society, only those who can afford to get to the job get the job.

Most cities in the US need improved mass transit, of course some people will never use it, as then they wouldn't be able to show everyone their fancy car to show their imagined importance.

BHSC