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BNSF to spend $4.1 billion on 2013 capital projects
Sounds like BNSF is ahead of the curve. With good service it might prevent pipelines from taking that business.
No mention of their deciding to do some upkeep on the Raton Pass route (the original line of the ATSF) across Kansas west of Topeka and into New Mexico. If the road is as far sighted as many claim, they would keep that line open as an alternate route to their southern line through Amarillo. But unless Amtrak is willing to pick up the entire tab for the upgrade and maintenance of that line, it appears as if BNSF will spend nothing on it, as the first step to abandonment. Maybe those Kansas towns will pick up the tab. But they are not big cities, they are not rich, and if Amtrak stops serving them, they’ll sink farther. I’d think in that $4 billion, BNSF could carve out a few million for the historic line. Naw, nevahappen!