HANDBOOK FOR PRESERVATION OF LOCAL RAILROAD SERVICE

Throughout the United States, there is an accelerating abandonment of redundant and/or unprofitable light density railroad lines. This abandonment can be economically harmful to both the shippers and the communities that were previously served. Although greater dependence upon truck transportation is a viable alternative in many cases, other situations indicate that the greatest priority should be attached to preserving some form of local railroad service. The objective of this research was to develop a Handbook to assist shippers, local and state governments, and rail planners when their Class I rail service is scheduled for abandonment. Two major options are detailed in the Handbook. The first regards innovative procedures which may be used by local groups in attempting to preserve service by the existing Class I carrier. The second approach considers the alternative of operating the particular line as an independent railroad.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the Office of University Research U.S. DOT. Project Monitor for this research was Mr. T. Murphy, U.S. DOT.
• Corporate Authors:

  Southeastern Transportation Center

  University of Tennessee
  309 Conference Center Building
  Knoxville, TN  United States  37996-4133
• Authors:
  • PATTON, E P
  • Langley Jr, C J
• Publication Date: 1977-1

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 114 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abandonment; Benefit cost analysis; Branch lines; Cost estimating; Estimates; Forecasting; Freight traffic; Handbooks; Profitability; Revenues; Short line railroads; State government; Subsidies; Traffic forecasting; Traffic managers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Shippers
• Old TRIS Terms: Short line
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Freight Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00164444
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-TST-77-34 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-OS-50125
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 9 1977 12:00AM