[SoCal Pubbie]

For infrastructure improvements. Here’s one article:

http://norfolk.injuryboard.com/mass-transit-accidents/are-government-subsidies-to-railroads-serving-the-public-interest.aspx?googleid=235882

The Shellpot Bridge Replacement isn’t the Feds but rather a State DOT project:

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/publications/freightfinancing/sect3.htm

[Mr. Lucky]

If the payment to the railroad is a quid pro qoo for the railroad's transfer of property rights to the government, as in the CSX - Florida transaction, it's hardly a subsidy.

I would agree that any payments by a government entity for railroad infrastructure inprovements which are intended for the commercial benefit of the railroad (as opposed, say, to safty of the public at intersections) are subsidies and should be prohibited.