With the price of gas ..?

Question

with gas prices so high will the railroad train make a comeback will people go back to riding the train?

Answer 1

Yeah I'd say it will. Most people like me don't live near tracks so I'd probably get on a plane

Answer 2

Freight business is looking bright for the nation's railroads.

They are all optimistic and investing money in infrastructure and improvements in their physical plants to handle more traffic.

As you probably realize, with trains built in efficiency, higher fuel prices is actually a blessing in disquise, it levels the playing field with the trucking industry.

Answer 3

I think it will.

Answer 4

Yes and no.  Actually it is a little of both.

First of all, let me explain; the world has a limited amount of liquid fuel (oil) and we've already past the peak point. Up till now  we could pump more than we demanded. Now we demand more than we can pump. That's why oil and gasoline is going up in price.  In about 15 years the demand will be about double of what we pump, and at that point oil will be around $800 per barrel, with gas at about  $25 per gallon.  Now there will still be some people who will pay that.  Others will take the train or they will drive electric cars that will run on    coal-generated electricity, which will also go up in price but only about half as much as gasoline's price.

Answer 5

As the price of fuel goes up we are going to start seeing some changes.  But on a political note, I have a feeling the next administration on Capitol Hill is going to get the blame for some issues that SHOULD have been addressed during the Bush Administration.

In any event, yes the railroads are going to be making a come back.  That includes Amtrak making better profits than they ever have.  As a matter of fact, this year alone their ridership has significantly improved.

As one other person mentioned, the increassing fuel prices is going to level the playing field in regard to the Trucking Industry.

How?

Train pull more tonnage than a Class A Semi Truck could ever hope to.

Better efficency?

You bet!  Have you ever seen 5 Semi Tractors haul a string of 99 trailers over Donner Summit?

I'd pay to see that.

Basically, when it comes to sheer tonnage, trains are the best example of brute force.

Answer 6

if people have access to trains a lot they might,most small places don't have train service,this would all depend on how far they was traveling and how much the train fare was,it could turn out to be higher than driving,who knows with the way things are going up these days,train fares will have to go  up also because of the cost of diesel fuel,good luck.