by Ken W2KB
A combination of heavy precipitation and built-up coal dust has been blamed for May's two derailments on a line jointly operated by Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana.
Electric utilities in many areas of the US have begun reporting shortages for their coal-fired power plants since a large percentage of freight trains will not be run over the next two or three months to allow for track maintenance.
A couple decades ago, the railroads succeeded in derailing efforts to construct coal slurry pipelines to deliver coal instead of using trains. The current railroad deferred maintenance resulting in the coal shortage has rekindled interest in building pipelines to compete with railroads for the long distance coal business.
Electric utilities in many areas of the US have begun reporting shortages for their coal-fired power plants since a large percentage of freight trains will not be run over the next two or three months to allow for track maintenance.
A couple decades ago, the railroads succeeded in derailing efforts to construct coal slurry pipelines to deliver coal instead of using trains. The current railroad deferred maintenance resulting in the coal shortage has rekindled interest in building pipelines to compete with railroads for the long distance coal business.
~Ken :: Fairmont ex-UP/MP C436 MT-14M1 ::
Black River Railroad Historical Trust :: [/url]
Black River Railroad Historical Trust :: [/url]