Jody from St. Louis on 4/26/2006 1:31:54 PM:
It is a "political" matter. There is question about the interpretation of the agreements, and supposedly, the trail must remain ready to turn back to train traffic if needed. I believe the theory is that TWO breaches of the trail would negate the agreement, and there is already one in the St. Chas. area. That bridge keepes it "ready to turn back to rails", and we all know that train travel is really on the rise! It is really too bad, though, that we have gotten away from moving more freight on rail and barge. In Europe, freight and passenger trains usually use different tracks, so the passenger trains have a smooth ride, unlike Amtrak. I don't think there is any chance that those two modes of transport will ever revive. I was amazed to see people in small towns in Europe hopping the train every day to go to the next town to shop, which they seem to do every day. Many there still just buy food for the day, bread from the bakery baked today, etc. Not too efficient, but tasty!