Re: Why Third Rail? BIG CO$T, Little Gain

I started this thread with the hope to learn the status of the request or get someone who helped write the proposal to explain what they wanted, expected or planned. The discussion has been interesting but it has not answered what I hoped to learn. I expect that the SLRG wants to increase business (freight hauled, places served, passengers, something hauled in . . . ). With Obama expecting to spend his way out of the economic problems he has been handed, I would expect the SLRG to ask for a Christmas list of things they wanted and in the end, get a little something to create or save the current jobs. When the DRGW / SP / Union Pacific stopped using the Tennessee Pass line, the only actual business along the way that was affected was the stone plant in Salida. I am not sure how many are employed by the SLRG but it would impact the potato growers of the valley, the Antonito plant and others served along the line. The 3 rail idea probably will never fly but if they could speed up the La Veta ride (shorten the time), it may encourage some non-rail fan riders. What other possibilities are there for the railroad if they get some or partial funding.