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From: rbowman <bowman@montana.com>
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers,comp.os.linux.misc
Subject: Re: The joy of actual numbers, was Democracy
Date: 5 Nov 2024 02:09:16 GMT
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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.