Folks, IMO all this is the inevitable result of a system in which private companies own the track and structures, and the rolling stock (or at least all of it except Amtrak). Most other countries don't work this way. The trend in Europe, for example, is for the gov't to own the track and structures. then franchise (via a bidding process) companies to run the trains, both freight and pax. So, If we're going to bang our heads against brick walls, maybe we should try to at least bang our heads against the same wall with the same goal in mind? No promises we'll get anywhere, But I think it might help if we left these short-term problems aside for a while and discussed long-term fundamental challenges..
Cheers, Phil
PS: Mike, many thanks for your input. You're in touch with some good people at BNSF and It's helping a lot!