Re: Camas PRR and trains.

["JS M" <jbiggs50@hotmail.com>]

Here's an article from the Wall Street Journal.  Shipping costs are going 
up.  Maybe if rail could compete on the North-South route, then there could 
be passenger service.  But, I really don't think it's possible.  When was 
the last time a intrastate rail line was built from scratch?  I'd bet not 
since the 30's.  I priced the difference between rail and flights to 
California, and it's cheaper to fly.  The drive to Spokane is 2 hours, the 
flight to Boise is 1.5.  Can't imagine anyone would want to take a 6 hour 
train trip over a 3 hour plane journey purely for business.  Rail is 
history; it competes well for freight, but must be subsidized for passenger 
travel.
jm

Railroads Are Raising Hauling Rates
By as Much as 4% Amid Higher Costs
By DANIEL MACHALABA
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL


February 9, 2000
Railroads are starting to charge more for the freight they haul.

Some of the country's largest railroad companies are boosting rates as much 
as 4% this year, more than double the annual rate adjustments the companies 
have put through in recent years.

Railroads said they need the higher rates, because their fuel and labor 
costs have spiked upward. And they see an opportunity to raise them now, due 
to the continuing strong economy and shortages of track and equipment. It 
also helps that their chief competition, the trucking companies, are 
attempting to raise rates about 5% this year.

"Temporarily at least, railroads have some pricing power that they haven't 
had in a decade," said David Wyss, chief economist at Standard & Poor's, a 
unit of McGraw-Hill Cos., New York

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