Guys,The biggest problems right now is:
1.Terminal dwell time that can leave a loaded car set up to 39 hours.
2.Average train speed of 22 mph.
3.Track Maintenance windows that leads to a backlog of trains.
4.Rested crews.
5.Trains parked in sidings waiting for rested crews or yard entrance.
Nothing new there except the increase in freight traffic.
Reference for train speeds and dwell times:
RPM
For other reference see various Trains magazines.
Factor in the delays and difficulties with the airlines, and it sounds like our national transportation system is broken and on one knows how to fix it!
There is no shortage of people who know how to fix things; there is a shortage of people in charge who will let them do it.