[Mystlix]

When reading about this proposal the only thing that can justify it is scamming investors out of their money.

First of all this internet-packet-routing-like way of transporting goods would work only if almost every town in America had rail passing through it, or at least very near it, which isn't the case. Secondly if such a rail network were to be constructed it would pay off to just have it electrified and use these carts without a battery. Until that day what rail needs is maintenance, expansion and usage, not these silicon valley pipe dreams.

[throwawayboise]

A lot of towns used to have rail service with spur lines or short lines. A lot of those have been turned into bike or walking trails. Good luck ever getting those back to their original use; re-provisioning rail service to these places will mean acquiring and clearing new routes.

[machinerychorus]

I'm not sure if this is true everywhere, but I lived in a town with a "rail trail" and my understanding was that the railroad company was renting the land to the town, and could put it back into use whenever they wanted.