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Trackage completed on rebuilt Scottish rail line
15 Million a mile on an existing right of way. Rail construction costs are way out of line.
137 bridges (42 new) the rest need to be regauged; seven new stations & associated buildings, with new high platforms; road access, lighting, cctv etc.; 42 mile of track, with associated turnouts cross overs (10 miles is double track); revamp the road bed, unused for 40+ years, needing new drainage; remedying geological anomalies, erosion etc.; signal systems; track laid to modern standards on deep ballast; new right of way in areas of habitation encroachment, compensation, public meetings, environmental legal work etc. etc.etc.
This is not a mile a day, slap it on the ground with green lumber with 15-25 mph speeds of the 19th century west.
NOTHING is cheap anymore, have you noticed that we have slid from talking in billions rather than millions in very recent years? They tell you all about it here….
http://www.bordersrailway.co.uk/project/how-to-build-a-railway.aspx