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The National Electric Railroad Initiative
a hypothetical journey
By 2010, it was obvious that the U.S.A. had reached its limits, energy, fuel, debt, and patience. Something had to change, and the government was loathe to surrender its power. But a grassroots movement, a welling of populist support, and the threat of political unrest culminated in the National Electric Railroad Initiative.
It was quite simple, to curb the demand for petroleum, provide vital transportation of passengers and cargo, and conserve resources, the nation had to reverse decades of automobile based policy, and embrace the "Way of Steel".
The initiative was quite simple and forthright - instead of tax subsidy, all companies and their employees who were 100% involved in building, operating and maintaining any form of electric rail transportation were extended a complete tax exemption - including property taxes.
It was not without precedent. In the late 1890s, one can find the blossoming of electric rail mass transit. In those days, taxes were minuscule. No income taxes, and property taxes were minimal. These companies not only built thousands of miles of rights of way, but constructed electric power companies to power their tracks. By the 1920s, 90% of all trips were by electric rail.
Of course, we now know of the conspiracy of Big Auto, Big Oil, and others, to substitute oil consuming buses and automobiles for the efficient railways. And with the illusion of cheap and plentiful oil, Americans fell for the lies, and accepted that the streetcars were "obsolete" and "old fashioned". Progressive Socialist taxation slowly crippled the urban rail companies. Most were destroyed or taken over by government. Thus ended the first age of electric rail in America. Oil reigned supreme.
By the 1970s, it was obvious that the U.S.A. was no longer queen of oil, and that imports would be necessary to maintain levels of consumption. But nothing significant was done. After 40 years of failed government interference / influence, culminating in the bailout of Big Auto, Americans realized that government was the problem, not the solution. In addition, government was a poor master of the infrastructure, that it expropriated in the 20th century. The cost to subsidize the fuel inefficient trucks, buses, and cars was just beyond the capacity of the bankrupted States.
With that realization, Americans spoke their minds, and demanded that the government liberate them from the chains of mismanagement and "get back on track". Government acquiesced, reluctantly, after the debacle of the 2010 election.
In 2011, the flow of tax free investment money poured into electrifying mainline rail rights of way. With the burden of property taxes gone, new tracks were laid where they were once pulled out, as a tax saving measure. Urban and commuter rail projects jumped off the drawing boards and into the streets. With automated track laying machines (and maintenance of way), the construction process was done speedily. Though much was automated, employees were in huge demand - as were their tax exempt paychecks. With no taxes nor paperwork overhead, companies were able to fully utilize their personnel budget. (And ended any advantage to hiring "undocumented" aliens).
Again, overhead power distribution lines were lifted above city streets. This proved to be a double benefit. With powered streets, municipal governments could utilize hybrid trucks, buses, and even cars equipped with trolley poles to tap into the power grid. This extended the range of batteries in hybrid - electric cars, too.
By 2012, shipments of cargo on long haul trucks were reduced by 80%, as more and more was carried by rail. Short haul hybrid trucks began to handle the containerized freight coming from the rail yards. As part of the rail expansion, high speed corridors were constructed, providing timely delivery for perishables, that were once thought impractical for heavy rail.
By 2013, 88% of America's mainline railroad tracks were electrified, and all cities had growing networks of electric rail providing mass transit. The volume of automobiles dropped by 50% causing oil imports to drop from 75% to 40%. America's newest electric car company was making the "Grasshopper" named for its twin trolley poles extending upward. Grid lock and traffic jams were no longer an issue in most metropolitan areas.
To augment the transition, most companies were offering private bus service to and from the nearest rail stop. Though they consumed gasoline, a fully loaded bus was still efficient, when counting passengers carried per unit of fuel consumed.
By 2015, mainline railways were completely electrified. With that "rail grid" in place, alternative power providers (wind farmers) found a ready customer - and power distribution system - ready for business. The automobile census showed that the number of private vehicles on the road had dropped by 95%, leaving only about 11 million private vehicles in the nation. Oil imports dropped to less than 2% of domestic consumption.
In 2018, all imports ceased, and it was a celebration.
Thanks to the boom in construction and operation of rail, jobs were plentiful. As fuel consumption dropped, the balance of trade was improved. Cost for travel decreased, as the more efficient rail systems integrated into the landscape.
Due to the proliferation of rail equipment companies, and the application of aerospace technology, America became an exporter of high efficiency, lightweight rail cars and support machinery. As more of the world weaned itself from oil, there were political repercussions in the cash starved OPEC nations. But we will not dwell on their misfortune.
Today, in 2020, America has a broad mix of electric rail transportation. They range from high speed, light weight rail cars that average 300 km/h; middle speed express commuters that average 200 km/h; subways, light rail, that average 100 km/h; and suspended trams, monorails, and even single streetcars averaging 50 km/h. Air quality has improved immensely. Cities look cleaner, as the grit from disintegrating rubber tires is no more.
There are a quite a few changes. Suburban sprawl is no more. Compact rural villages, served by rail, have supplanted them. High population density development has boomed.
There was even a transformation of the airline industry as VTOL Gyroplanes have provided city centers with fuel efficient and space conserving air travel. The short haul city to city 'jumpers' have greatly reduced the congestion around the traditional airports serving long haul jets.
Yes, things have gotten better, and all it took was the realization that government makes nothing but more government, and that's something we all don't want.
It's the very last sentence that becomes the problem. The government DOES want bigger government. And unfortunatly, they're the ones pulling the strings, and yanking the chains.
A very nice scenario.
It's the very last sentence that becomes the problem. The government DOES want bigger government. And unfortunatly, they're the ones pulling the strings, and yanking the chains.
I think that if the common folk started rumbling this about, those who wish to retain or gain power, would bow to the masses.
Just look at the upheaval that one senatorial election caused! (Massachusetts voted for a -gasp- republican!)
Congresscritters are in terror, that they're about to be voted out of office - or worse.
If 1% of the population sent emails to the Congress expressing their support for a tax free rail industry, I suspect that it would suffice to initiate change.
And it might spur more tax reducing / power reducing measures...
Ah - to dream !
Dont the current railroads use electric :-)
While I agree some newer railroads would be nice I think the government needs to finish off the wars they are in, and stop spending money. I hear how we should invest in alt energy how about some alt government spending.
IMHO:
1. Petroleum based transportation systems are going to increase in cost of ownership and operation. (Automobile use and ownership is going to decrease as the century progresses)
2. Laws of Physics recommend steel wheel on steel rail, and electric traction power. (lowest coefficient of rolling resistance)
3. Rail requires less surface area to operate, and is ideal in high density population areas.
4. Unlike automobiles on roads, track capacity can scale up by adding cars to a train or increasing the frequency of their operation.
5. Rail and rolling stock have a proven record of durability and longevity in service.
6. We can't afford to keep exporting 400 billion bucks annually to feed our "oil habit".
7. Though maglev has less resistance, it consumes far more energy to levitate the vehicle, and since we have a finite fuel budget, it is not recommended at this time.
The Streetcar Conspiracy - How General Motors Deliberately Destroyed Public Transit (http://saveourwetlands.org/streetcar.htm - broken link) At the time [1920], 90 percent of all trips were by rail, chiefly electric rail; only one in 10 Americans owned an automobile. There were 1,200 separate electric street and interurban railways, a thriving and profitable industry with 44,000 miles of track, 300,000 employees, 15 billion annual passengers, and $1 billion in income. Virtually every city and town in America of more than 2,500 people had its own electric rail system.
Based on the assumption that we would rebuild twice as much track (88,000 miles) and buy 233 thousand rail cars (1000:1 ratio based on 233 million autos in the USA), and that the cost per mile was $20 million, and each train car was $1.5 million, a national electric rail initiative might cost: $3,869,500,000,000. (Almost 4 trillions)
Over ten years, that's "only" $386 billion per year.
On the other hand, we import 75% of our 7 billion barrel a year oil "habit".
At $100/barrel, that computes to $525 billion "exported".
At $75/barrel, that computes to $394 billion "exported".
HMMMMM.
Maybe it would be a GOOD IDEA to invest in a transportation system that is not dependent upon oil, especially imported oil. Spending that $386 billion / year in the USA to create a nationwide network of rail might be a wise expenditure.
Spend $386 billion - in the USA - for American jobs and American industries.
-OR-
Export $394 billion (or more) to import oil.
I think we should reconsider our priorities...
Maybe subsidizing "Big Auto" is a BAD IDEA.
Maybe we need to "Get Back on Track"...
No. Most mainline RRs in America use diesel-electric locomotives.
It is estimated that electrifying all mainline railroads increase load by 1.5 to 3% to the national grid. Add another 1% for an extensive streetcar and interurban network.
Quote:
While I agree some newer railroads would be nice I think the government needs to finish off the wars they are in, and stop spending money. I hear how we should invest in alt energy how about some alt government spending.
The initiative is for government to get out of the way of privately funded electric rail. Let's leave other topics for other threads.
Back to rail...
Government interference and subsidies have encouraged policies that are contrary to economic operation.
Transferring freight from truck to electrified rail trades 17 to 21 BTUs of diesel for one BTU of electricity. Simply electrifying existing rail freight would trade 2.6 to 3 BTUs of diesel for one BTU of electricity.
Any budget conscious enterprise would immediately recognize that electric rail represents the most cost effective means to move passengers and cargo.
Our future prosperity is dependent on doing more, with less, so more people can enjoy more. Electric rail mass transit accomplishes that goal.
No. Most mainline RRs in America use diesel-electric locomotives.
It is estimated that electrifying all mainline railroads increase load by 1.5 to 3% to the national grid. Add another 1% for an extensive streetcar and interurban network.
The initiative is for government to get out of the way of privately funded electric rail. Let's leave other topics for other threads.
Back to rail...
Government interference and subsidies have encouraged policies that are contrary to economic operation.
Transferring freight from truck to electrified rail trades 17 to 21 BTUs of diesel for one BTU of electricity. Simply electrifying existing rail freight would trade 2.6 to 3 BTUs of diesel for one BTU of electricity.
Any budget conscious enterprise would immediately recognize that electric rail represents the most cost effective means to move passengers and cargo.
Our future prosperity is dependent on doing more, with less, so more people can enjoy more. Electric rail mass transit accomplishes that goal.
Dont japan railroads run on magnetic... mostly but electric magnetic.
I would be for something like that.
Dont japan railroads run on magnetic... mostly but electric magnetic.
I would be for something like that.
You are referring to magnetic levitation - which is not in widespread use at this time.
Maglev (transport) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Perhaps the most well known implementation of high-speed maglev technology currently operating commercially is the IOS (initial operating segment) demonstration line of the German-built Transrapid train in Shanghai, China that transports people 30 km (18.6 miles) to the airport in just 7 minutes 20 seconds, achieving a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph), averaging 250 km/h (160 mph).
Interesting note - China has invested in new track and high speed rail, but not new mag lev projects.
High-speed rail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In China, the plans for the largest high-speed railway network in history were driven by a combination of capacity constraints on existing lines and a desire to shorten journey times across the nation, whilst promoting development along the route. The construction schedule was significantly accelerated due to additional funding in the 4 trillion RMB stimulus package of 2008 and a number of lines are due to be completed by 2013.
FYI -
50 km/h = 31 mph
100 km/h = 62 mph
200 km/h = 124 mph
300 km/h = 186 mph
Oil reserves in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Proven oil reserves in the United States are 21 billion barrels (3.3×10^9 m3), excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The U.S. Department of the Interior estimates the total volume of undiscovered, technically recoverable prospective resources in all areas of the United States, including the Federal Outer Continental Shelf, the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, and the Bakken Formation, total 134 billion barrels (21.3×10^9 m3) of crude oil. This excludes oil shale reserves, as there is no significant commercial production of oil from oil shale in the United States.
Due to the recession, oil consumption is down to 19 million barrels per day (2009). 134 billion barrels of domestic oil compute to 7000 days. Roughly 20 years. But the 21 billion barrel proven reserve only amounts to THREE YEARS at current consumption rates.
This underscores the urgency to transition away from petroleum based transportation ASAP.
We can't afford to import more and more oil, we can't afford repairing the infrastructure, we can't afford to build more and more highways, nor can we waste time, with partisan politicians fighting over the implementation of a national rail initiative.
Tell the candidates in 2010: "TAX FREE RAIL - or else don't run for office!"
Tell the candidates in 2010: "TAX FREE RAIL - or else don't run for office!"
Going by the numbers, it certainly appears that something WILL be done. One way or the other.
Didnt Buffett just close the deal on ownership/control of almost all the rail lines in the country just a week or two back? I'm sure he has his own plans.........
Yachtcare is wondering.......
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