Can you imagine how hard it would be to lay a mile of track nowadays?
My dad, AKBmzawy, is a retired locomotive engineer with BNSF. He once told me over 30 years ago that a mile of track costs around a million dollars. Today's money I'll let someone who knows that figure be posted later. I could guess at least 2 million or more.
Track is constantly being replaced. Have you ever seen the track train cars? It makes flatbed truck trailers look puny in comparison. Track goes through intense weather abuse all year long. Not just the track, the wooden ties, the fasteners, the ballast, and switches all get wear and tear. Construction crews work year-round on that.
The railroads have pulled up tens of thousands of miles of track over the past several decades. Mostly due to changes in the industry. Rail was the initial method of transportation from factory to distribution centers. Once the Eisenhower Interstate System became the dominant means of travel for people through automobiles, trucking became faster and convenient for short haul deliveries. Rail was left for long distance and mass bulk for cheaper rates.
That's a simplified explanation. Throw in 25 or more reasons for an intricate look.
How many years of Immanent Domain court battles would you have to fight for every mile.
That won't happen. The only reason to expand more track destination from a profitable future gain. There would have to be a breakthrough in technology and manufacturing. The diesel electric engines would need a higher form of energy capability to run the trains at a cheaper cost. Also, there would need to be a new form of allow that is way cheaper than steel and stronger and more weather durable to replace the track.
Most single track between destinations or rail yards in the country do have enough railroad property to place a second track beside the first track. The rail roads did think ahead in most regions in the Midwest and the West.
