I really do not understand why NS or CSX or the Alabama State Docks are making this their absolute major stand on this particular route. It should have minimal effect on any of them. NS is very minimally involved and only in New Orleans itself, and any real or imagined interference with their operation could probably be remedied by the construction of a mile or so of new track. The CSX line is about as dead flat as any railroad in the country and apparently carries a few very long freights. Maybe construct a couple of 5 mile sidings and that would be good enough. After all, this segment is only about 145 miles between passenger stations, end to end. Of course with these underpowered trains, it probably takes them nearly a third of the distance to accelerate up to track speed, so once they finally get one moving they don't want it to have to slow down or stop. As to the Alabama State Docks, like NS they are only minimally involved and could probably become completely uninvolved by the construction of a couple miles of track along the waterfront. Plus, the Docks are an agency of the state of Alabama so, it is close to the state itself opposing the service, which makes absolutely no sense. I would think it would be better for all of these parties to save their fight for a situation where there could be real and provable harm to their operations.
