Train film from 1956 - "The Right To Compete" by Association of American Railroads

[DaftStrings]

9:21 Lobbyists! I love the classic train footage film. I was surprised to hear in this vid that the idea of private, for-profit entities fighting over big gobment favoritism is nothing new. Wow! This problem in America has been entrenched longer that I thought!

[OldsVistaCruiser]

It took until 1980 to pass the Staggers Act which basically allowed railroads freedom to adjust their abilities to compete with other modes of transportation. It was far too late for any passenger service by the railroads, as Amtrak had taken over passenger service 9 years earlier. It was too late for the PRR, the NYC, the RDG, the LV, the CNJ, the EL and a host of other fallen flags. Today, we have less than 10 Class I railroads in the U.S.