[theluckycountry]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vtsnowedin', 'R')ather then spending billions to build a few high speed passenger links with doubtful profitability we should upgrade and improve the existing freight rail system to keep as much as the heavy freight off the highways which would surly return a profit.

[Newfie]

I have been out of the loop for a decade now, longer with regard to freight.

First one needs to understand in the USA there are 2 regulatory powers, the FRA
for freight lines and commuter rail that came from freight (Amtrak, PATH, etc.) and FTA which governs all the rest including light rail and subways. FTA oversight is molded on the highway system. When lines cross state lines then a joint commission is formed (WAMATA - MD/DC/VA). As near as I can tell these state commissions are bureaucratic institutions with little to no expertise.


When I was working on FRA properties they had real teeth and were active. There were regular inspections and tough regulations with fines. What I recently read leads me to believe that there has been a sever drawback in oversight powers. For example the Ohio wreck; the hot journal was detected two “Hot Box Detectors” but the train was ordered to continue. It may be that the temperature was below the mandated level calling for inspection, I can not tell from reports. But were it above this nominal threshold then the train would have been required to stop for inspection. The way I am reading the reports is that the REQUIREMENT has been dropped and replaced with recommendations, starting with Obama and continued with Trump.

The FTA system is a complete joke, never had any teeth. I have more recent personal experience in this field. Anything good that happens is because someone in the agency was trying to do their job, not because of effectual oversight.

Here is a generous snippet from WIKI. The situation is actually far worse than is indicated in this article.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'O')versight
Edit
The Tri-State Oversight Committee formerly oversaw WMATA, but had no regulatory authority. Metro's safety department usually was in charge of investigating incidents, but could not require other Metro agencies to implement its recommendations.[1] In October 2015, following several safety lapses, the Federal Transit Administration assumed oversight of WMATA with the authority to conduct inspections and impose sanctions.[84] The NTSB, which is charged with investigating every civil aviation accident and significant accidents in other modes of transportation, does not have the authority to set or enforce standards. This lack of authority has been scrutinized after NTSB recommended that WMATA take measures to increase crash worthiness of trains after collisions in 1996 and again in 2006.[85] WMATA did not take action on these recommendations, citing tax advantage leases and an eventual replacement around 2014.[86] NTSB, unable to compel action, classified the recommendation as, "Safety Recommendation R-06-2 Closed Unacceptable Action".

[theluckycountry]

As we move forward in time less and less resources are available to ensure safety and maintain these complex systems. Any government oversight will be largely ineffectual. The FDA is now simply a rubber stamp. Any pharmaceutical that wants to get a drug on the market simply bribes the officials on the board with lucrative jobs after the approval. It's well documented.

These trains need to make a profit on their loads or the company folds, but there are limits to what customers will pay, and the maintenance becomes more expensive over time, as does the diesel fuel to run them. Some systems are better left in the hands of government and the costs shared by the public purse. All Australian railways are publicly managed, the tracks, not always the trains. Most of our freight is now in corporate hands but at least the tracks are solid.

Again, there is no solution to this dilemma of decaying infrastructure. It was all built with oil and coal and most of it will not outlast the end of that age.

[Newfie]

Lucky,

Government management is no guarantee of safety or competence. Read my quote up above, the Washinto METRO is ignoring the TSB recommendations. No airline could do that.

For decades they have shown themselves to be incompetent in managing the technology of the system. But they, METRO managers think they are doing a grand job. They can not see their own failures. I spent a few years off lifesaving to improve that situation, with bonifde results, only to see them throw it away.

NOW they want to reinstate ATO (Automatic Train Operation) which they have never been able to manage before. I could fill reams.

Private industry by comparison needs to have insurance, and insurance is expensive, and wrecks raise insurance rates, which reduce profit. It does not Ave the satisfaction of passing a law, wich is unlikely to make anything better. But it is more effective.

In addition they will have to deal with a huge expense due to law sites. Yhese wrecks will cost them big bucks, and will have the full attention of the Directors.

It takes time but is more effective than interference from a bunch of lawyers turned politicians.

A quick example; freight railroads were getting killed with claims from auto manufacturers because brand new cars were being damaged in transit (vandalisium), insurance claims. The rail industry responded by developing new car carriers which kept the vandals away and by covering the autos with protective wraps.

For some reason the airline industry works to different standards and processes. And they seem to be doing better. So a alternative may be to put the railroads ad rail passenger traffic (including subways and light rail, etc.) under the same airline management system.

[theluckycountry]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', '
')For some reason the airline industry works to different standards and processes. And they seem to be doing better. So a alternative may be to put the railroads ad rail passenger traffic (including subways and light rail, etc.) under the same airline management system.