Capability in Decline: A Historical Analysis of the Post-World War II Degradation of Domestic Railroads and the Impact on the United States Military
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to explore the risks the United States military has faced and is now facing due to the post-World War II degradation of U.S. domestic railroad capabilities. After 1946, the commercial railroads of the United States witnessed numerous mergers, bankruptcies, and abandonment of routes that contributed to the shrinking of the domestic rail network and associated service. This situation was compounded by competition from other rail-based commerce, other forms of transport (i.e., trucking companies and domestic airlines), and government regulations. The result was that the capability of the railroads to support military requirements declined along with the railroad industry well into the 1970s. This degradation has roots in the organization, infrastructure, and capital equipment of the railroads as well as of the military. While the railroads of the 21st century have since fully recovered from their difficult economic times, rail support for the military has not, despite it's strategic importance to the country. This thesis offers recommendations to lower the risk for the military to employ the domestic railroad industry effectively in 2006 and beyond.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA495249
Entities
People
- James L. Evenson
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College