All But Obsolete.

Due to the increasing popularity of air, auto, and truck transportation, the railroad industry during the 1950s became all but obsolete as a competitive form of passenger transportation. The railroads had to make massive new investments to keep up with its competition. By 1955 estimates placed the needed improvements at $3.3 billion, for twenty-one thousand new diesel locomotives alone. Track, rolling stock, and other capital improvements would be extra. That year the Interstate Commerce Commission chairman predicted the end of railroad passenger service without the help of increased government subsidies.

Congress Steps In.

Shortly thereafter the famous B&O (Baltimore and Ohio) Railroad requested permission from the state public-service commissions of Maryland and New York to discontinue all service on its Baltimore— New York City run due to that route's "enormous deficit." State governments had the ability to force...