Re: The joy of actual numbers, was Democracy

On Mon, 4 Nov 2024 13:21:18 -0700, Peter Flass wrote:

I think in many cases it is. one stretch of I-40 parallels the BNSF(?)
mainline, and we’d drive along seeing one VERY long train after another
about 15 minutes apart. not high speed, but faster than cars on the
interstate.

I-90 parallels the former Northern Pacific tracks. Montana Rail Link had
been leasing it from BNSF but BNSF took it back in January. The plan is to
run eastbound trains on that section and westbound in the former Great
Northern tracks.  Anyway, there is a lot of traffic, with coal still going
west. If you are unlucky enough to not make it to the other side of a
crossing in time, you might as well turn the engine off and play with your
cell phone.

Anyway, outside of Missoula I-90 is 80 mph and the trains aren't going
quite that fast. I've paced them at closer to 65. Jst as well.

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/montana-rail-link-reopens-rail-line-
following-derailment

The bears were upset. They love it when grain cars derail. Cans of Coors
are hard for a bear to efficiently open. That one people could laugh
about.

https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20230727.aspx

That was on the Great Northern section and all on BNSF. MRL often
complained the BNSF was skimping on maintenance for the track MRL leased
but it wasn't any worse that BNSF's own track.

High speed rail requires a major investment to upgrade the track. There
are still a lot of grade crossings out west that would need to be
upgraded.

Being strictly freight the schedules are somewhat erratic but part of the
local knowledge is which streets have grade level crossings, which are
under or over passes, and how to route around Mr. Peabody's Coal Train.

Then there are the leftovers.

https://missoulacurrent.com/missoula-tracks-mrl-bitterroot/

The real consideration is if there are tracks buses have to stop prior to
crossing them. Label them out of service, pave over them, and the buses
have smooth sailing as does anyone behind the bus.

It was impressive to see miles of freight cars stashed on the Bitterroot
spur with a few gaps at crossings.  There are a lot of commuters from the
Bitteroot into Missoula so in a better world a light passenger operation
would make sense.