by SemperFidelis
Sort of Off-Topic
Interestingly enough, it would appear as though the advent of global warming (no matter what it is or might be caused by) has allowed for the potential realization of an age-old deaam: the year-round, ice-free Northwest Passage above Canada.
Retreating ice packs may well allow another, much shorter lane from certain parts of the Pacific Rim to North American markets.
Long story short: Tomorrow's rail traffic patterns aren't going to be as they are now.
On the bright side, perhaps (after decades of predictions) fuel prices and the truck driver shortage will be severe enough limitations to reopen shorter haul markets to railroads. Oddly enough, I've been reading that fuel prices have been at the root of a certain portion of the recent gain in manufacturing jobs. Manufacturers of certain widgets have found the high fuel prices to be reason enough to reintroduce a small amount of manufacturing into North America.
If fuel prices must be high, I suppose it's nice that there's a small silver lining for someone out there...
Interestingly enough, it would appear as though the advent of global warming (no matter what it is or might be caused by) has allowed for the potential realization of an age-old deaam: the year-round, ice-free Northwest Passage above Canada.
Retreating ice packs may well allow another, much shorter lane from certain parts of the Pacific Rim to North American markets.
Long story short: Tomorrow's rail traffic patterns aren't going to be as they are now.
On the bright side, perhaps (after decades of predictions) fuel prices and the truck driver shortage will be severe enough limitations to reopen shorter haul markets to railroads. Oddly enough, I've been reading that fuel prices have been at the root of a certain portion of the recent gain in manufacturing jobs. Manufacturers of certain widgets have found the high fuel prices to be reason enough to reintroduce a small amount of manufacturing into North America.
If fuel prices must be high, I suppose it's nice that there's a small silver lining for someone out there...
Be well. Do good work.
Semperfidelis
Semperfidelis