http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/09/26/canadian-national-not-amtrak-is-making-this-train-late/ The Sweeny Report takes you into the murky world of local, state and national politics. Political Editor Chuck Sweeny will try to de-mystify things for you -- once he figures it out himself, that is. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:36:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.4 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/09/26/canadian-national-not-amtrak-is-making-this-train-late/#comment-1133 Jim Loomis Sat, 27 Sep 2008 04:10:51 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/09/26/canadian-national-not-amtrak-is-making-this-train-late/#comment-1133 FYI, Freight railroads are required by law to give priority to Amtrak trains. Most of the time they do not, even though there is a system in place to hit them with fines when they delay Amtrak in favor of their trains. FYI, Freight railroads are required by law to give priority to Amtrak trains. Most of the time they do not, even though there is a system in place to hit them with fines when they delay Amtrak in favor of their trains.

]]> http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/09/26/canadian-national-not-amtrak-is-making-this-train-late/#comment-1131 Mark Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:39:33 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/09/26/canadian-national-not-amtrak-is-making-this-train-late/#comment-1131 First; let me start by saying I am an a HUGE fan of trains and would love to see them here in Rockford. That being said, I DO feel the need to comment on this article on behalf of the rail world in general. I don\\\\\\\'t know where the information came about that passenger rail is supposed to have priority over freight? I have spoke with workers at Union Pacific and let me tell you, Freight is where the money is; not passenger service! Granted, I want passenger service more than you can imagine, but lets be realistic! You are going to hold up a train pulling millions of dollars of cargo with maybe three engines pulling it that are burning five gallons of diesel for each mile to wait for a passenger train carrying 300 or so passengers paying under $20 on average? I don\\\\\\\'t think so! Freight gets priority.. because they are driving commerce! First; let me start by saying I am an a HUGE fan of trains and would love to see them here in Rockford. That being said, I DO feel the need to comment on this article on behalf of the rail world in general. I don\\\\\\\’t know where the information came about that passenger rail is supposed to have priority over freight? I have spoke with workers at Union Pacific and let me tell you, Freight is where the money is; not passenger service! Granted, I want passenger service more than you can imagine, but lets be realistic! You are going to hold up a train pulling millions of dollars of cargo with maybe three engines pulling it that are burning five gallons of diesel for each mile to wait for a passenger train carrying 300 or so passengers paying under $20 on average? I don\\\\\\\’t think so! Freight gets priority.. because they are driving commerce!

]]>