Coal rail transportation outlook. [1976 survey of railways' capability in 1980 to 1985]
The Federal Energy Administration's Office of Coal contacted 16 major railroads in the spring of 1976 to determine their ability to handle coal traffic projected for 1980-85. The study showed: All solvent railroads plan to acquire the equipment they will need to meet increased coal traffic; most railroads have already installed 130-lb. welded rails; the railroads will be capable of meeting only a normal demand growth projected by the National Energy Outlook. (Any sudden increase in coal rail traffic could result in backlogs and delays); the railroads, like the coal mines, seek a near-term, national policy solution to the environmental question: will high sulfur Eastern coals continue in widespread use; capital availability is not viewed by the railroads as a problem for either expansion of track or rolling stock; the railroads believe that slurry pipeline development would be a serious setback to railroad expansion and financing plans; and the ICC now permits only annual rate agreements (they are urged to permit long-term rate agreements to facilitate expansion of facilities). In short, the solvent railroads can handle future coal traffic without significant US Government help. The bankrupt railroads, now merged into Conrail, present other problems: by 1985, Conrail will need at least 10,000 new hopper cars; massive upgrading of existing track and rolling stock are needed; and although several billions of dollars have been made available to Conrail for these purposes, it is not year clear whether much, if any, of these funds will be used to upgrade coal hauling track or equipment. Close FEA attention to this problem is needed in the months ahead.
- Research Organization:
- Federal Energy Administration, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5982907
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/TIC-10536
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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