Yes, the resistance to this kind of change would be huge, Just as Lee quoted. I think the railroads would benefit just fine. Different business model but same company and same freight. However, there would be fewer workers from longshoremen to rig drivers and, therefore, the unions would fight hard against it. (I think a plan like this would have to include a retraining and placement program for displaced workers.)

As for passenger service, I don't think it precludes it at all. Nothing would prevent using the existing model of sharing the rails with Amtrak.

The major difference would be 100 car freight trains replaced by 100 tractor trailer rigs each drafting each other with tiny separation.

Peri

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------ Original Message ------
From: "EVDL Administrator" <[email protected]>
To: "Peri Hartman" <[email protected]>; "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <[email protected]>
Sent: 05-Dec-20 3:42:54 PM
Subject: Re: [EVDL] 'All's not well with UK public charging' / Autonomy

On 5 Dec 2020 at 20:21, Peri Hartman via EV wrote:

 But, imagine, self driving or not, having semi trucks line up and drive
 over a railway spur. Then, lower their steel wheels, and drive off as a
 train, of sorts.

I see the big positives here, but I also see a troubling side effect.
Freight is the lifeblood of rail service.  This scheme would effectively
kill traditional railroads, including passenger service.

I know, not many people still use passenger rail, but there are some.  Do
you think that any of them would want to ride a semi-trailer to Grandma's
house for Thanksgiving?  I certainly wouldn't.

David Roden, EVDL moderator & general lackey

To reach me, don't reply to this message; I won't get it.  Use my
offlist address here : http://evdl.org/help/index.html#supt

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                                     -- Edward R Murrow
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