As far as the radio spectrum barriers – how hard did the railroads try to get additional spectrum? Have they sat on their thumbs to allow the redtape of government create a barrier. Did they notify anyone that they have problems with this?

Inter-operability – again in developing these technologies, the railroads have been aware of this as an issue from the beginning for years and have been working together to ensure the railroads work in concert to create a collaborative operations and hardware plan.

Smaller railroads do not have the specific requirements that the class I’s do, and they do not have to implement guidance unless they provide passenger and hazmat services (they can petition for hazmat route changes on their lines).

The railroads are making record profits. Almost all of them are boasting amazing operating ratios and profits. Mr. Buffett is begging to spend his money to help the government. I guess I would think he could use some of his billions to implement this system for the good of our country. That would be a noble and philanthropic act.

The railroads are touting the amount of business they are generating and the number of jobs they are creating in our anemic economy. Sticking to the current implementation date could create more jobs in the near term that would contribute to our recovery. Also, the many baby boomer workers who are beginning to retire have an exceptional wealth of knowledge and years of experience in railroading. I would think the railroads would desire to use their expertise in the next years to meet this mandate rather than loose their experience and therefore flounder even more with inexperienced workers.