CSX, just an interesting ad..
 

Saw CSX's ad for trains where they say:

"We move 1 ton 423 miles on a single tank of gas" Makes you wonder again why the US doesn't invest more in the rail system :dunno:

http://www.csx.com/?fuseaction=about.environment

I heard that at a conference a few weeks ago. Good hook though. 22 ton truckload, 84 gallons for a truck to go 423 miles versus 22 gallons on the train.

Funny how when fuel was up, they didn't use this approach. In some cases their fuel surcharge cost more than a trucks. Now they want freight so they're on the green bandwagon. I'm going to save this for when fuel goes up again and they try to justify high surcharges.

maybe because they are difficult to work with.

for those that don't know, not only are they a monopoly, but they can tell all other agencies of government what to do. they operate under a "we were here first, so we don't have to do anything" mode, authorized by Congress, that serves as a major impediment to things like implementation of inter-city passenger rail, major road projects, etc.

UG! What a government website! I can't stand websites that have 3000 things to read of click. Drives me nuts!

I wonder if the fuel efficiency stat includes power regenerated from braking on long descents? Don't mean to get off track, or anything.

You certainly know the answer to that.

If you are a politician and you were to even suggest this line if thinking, you can kiss goodbye any campaign funding you receive from the oil and oil service industries. And since most of congress receives quite a bit of money from such companies...... (you can finish that thought)

the problem with rail is two fold. one, rail is very slow. for example a truck from boston to LA takes 3 days. by rail 7-10 days. in a just in time inventory environment this requires more capital tied up in inventory. two, with a limited number of ramps (rail yards)that are accessible by truck and the lack of dependable rail schedules it can be a logistical nightmare getting freight from the ramp to the customer on time and in needed qtys.. finally (ok there are 3 issues) your tax dollars support all rail lines and railroads including CSX so untill they can make a profit with out massive tax payer assitance it doesn't make alot of sense to expand a losing(for now) venture.

Train system is still in dark ages in US as compared to Europe. Distance between NY to Dallas should be hours in Europe but days in US.

Amtark got money on the stimulus.

you're right europe has had to make a major transition to high speed rail. of course they are not the size of the US either. if you have ever ridden on amtrack you learn to love travel by auto. i rode on amtrack over 25 yrs.ago it sucked. 25 yrs later it still sucks. this of course is a predictable result of government support and no competition.

Nobody wants it. NIMBY. Arnold proposed a large scale system in Cali only to be shot down. That is the problem, people are just too dumb to survive :) It doesn't require the "Nation" to do it, states could by themselves, they choose not to.