Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dave
Even better would be electrification of main lines. That way transportation could take advantage of coal or nuclear power and cut the importation of oil. This is within reach. The US has maybe 12,000 miles of mainline where most railroad fuel is used.
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Could start seeing major benefits by electrifying a lot less track than that, too. Just do the mountain passes, where additional engines are used for the climb, as for instance the ~100 miles between Sacramento & Reno, with a climb (eastbound) from sea level to about 7000 ft, then a descent back down to 4500. Electrify that, do regenerative braking on the downhills, and fuel consumption (& emissions) plummet. Then you can extend the electric line into the Bay Area, making the air quality folks happy...