Goals:
1) Replace single-car long-haul trucking with high efficiency rail transport. (the teamsters would put out a hit on anyone suggesting this).
2) Reduce traffic/road-wear on public road and highway system.
3) Offer cost effective passenger rail transport between transport hubs.
Required:
1) Upgrade the track network to include a second set of rails. A wider footprint rail-set co-linear with existing lines to provide better stability at much higher speeds. The existing track is about 4'8” wide (about the wheel profile of a Prius), add a set about 7 or 8’ wide. Bridges and tunnels also need to be upgraded to accommodate the larger, wider payload. Legacy and light-load trains can still use the original (inner) tracks.
2) Install a system to quick-change cars from and to the car-string to enable very brief station-time. Loaded cars would be staged and ready before the train arrives. They would be inserted laterally where a car is vacated or at thend of the string. All the changing cars are inserted or removed concurrently. Like an airliner, station stops are minimized (you make money when freight is moving).
3) The appropriate number of passenger cars are located at the beginning of the string to accommodate usage. Passenger service is only provided between rail hubs.
4) Local delivery trucking increases (from rail hub to final destination). Shipyard-like freight exchange.
5) Introduce new technologies (fuel cell, high efficiency diesel, hybrid). Implementing an improvement to a single engine is equivalent to upgrading an entire fleet of trucks.
Who has the $$ and the influence and cahonies to pony-up?
I’ve always thought that larger trains would be a good idea.
They could haul a lot more, and maybe be more fuel efficient.