If you are looking to start a commuter railroad
line in the Southwest, one serious consideration
is that of sharing tracks, signals, etc., with
the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (which owns
them) and Amtrak. Anti-rail forces in New Mexico
sometimes use this as an excuse for not having
any regional passenger rail service, in effect
blaming the BNSF for the lack of service.
We contacted officials of both Amtrak and the
BNSF, asking them for their "take" on the track
sharing issue. The BNSF has replied to our
inquiry by sending us their "Commuter
Principles." This document defines their
guidelines and restrictions concerning passenger
trains using their tracks. The list is long, but
remember:
- You can find almost as many clauses and
disclaimers on a rental agreement.
- These guidelines have not been impossible
for Denver, Dallas and Fort Worth to comply with.
They are all successfully running commuter and/or
light rail lines.