Passenger Trains/ Freight Rails - Use STB's "Stand-Alone Railroad" for Fair Fees ?

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

The below is largely taken from a comment that I just submitted to one of Fred Frailey’s blogs from last Oct. 2010, because: it’s not likely anyone will go back and read it there; it has broader application than just the UP routes under discussion there; and the audience is broader here. I had this thought a while ago - like late last fall - but it slipped away before I could post it, so I’m doing so now while I have it ‘top of mind’ again . . . [:-^]

Use the Theoretical "Stand-Alone " per STB Methodology as a Fair Measure for Passenger Train Fees on Freight Railroads

Those who feel that the freight railroads - such as UP for the Illinois Chicago - St. Louis or Amtrak “Sunset” routes, or CSX recently, etc. - are demanding too much money to host more passenger trains (of any kind - HSR, conventional, commuter, etc.) on their lines should consider that in rate challenges by shippers before the Surface Transportation Board, the Board sometimes bases its analysis and decision on the basis of the construction or replacement cost and operating costs of a theoretical or fictional “stand-alone railroad” (or “SARR”) along the same r

2

I read Western Fuels a couple of years ago when BNSF got taken to the woodshed over coal rates. Not sure I am mentally prepared for another such discussion.

However, having read the article in Trains about China’s hi speed rail projects…WOW. I dont see how we can do that sort of project here.

Ed

3

Paul,

You are forgetting the first rule of the government In dealing with railroads since the days of Teddy Rosevelt which is, the government has no interest in fair or reasonable, especially when it is paying the bills. If it did the ATK enabaling legistation would not have held the carriers to being able to recover only their marginal costs.

To get where you propose to go will require a change to the law and a change to the principle of fair and honest dealing. Better to hope our financial mess puts the long distance trains out of our misery, and in my opinion a much more likely outcome.

Mac