jokuhl,

You said, it part, "... Rail Monopolies and Tycoons, which the Highways replaced, ironically enough, with a form of 'Commons'."

That is a VERY astute observation and one that is not often enough mentioned. The highway and automobile system (including trucking) in so many ways "democratized" transportation. That is why abandoning the ownership of and operation of private cars (and trucks, by millions of small businesses) is considered such a threat to Americans. Rail is good, very good, for many things, but it is not problem free.

RC

Part of solution is "govt. ownership" per EU. Too bad US can't learn to trust govt., (or develop a govt. worthy of?)