Don't forget that the USPS OIG wants them to go back to rail; a Super C type train for them could be a fairly big revenue winner if it entices them over into making that switch.
If we do ever see freight electrification, I'd be surprised if it was a route other than the Southern Transcon, but I would expect it to be when BNSF needs to make a major locomotive purchase order. With electric locomotives able to produce >12,000 horsepower, and costing less to maintain as well, that's a fairly substantial savings in locomotive replacement costs, helpful for a route with >100 trains per day. That said, the future of American railroading is going to be natural gas power (given EIA predictions about oil and gas production), the only question is where it will be burnt.
If we do ever see freight electrification, I'd be surprised if it was a route other than the Southern Transcon, but I would expect it to be when BNSF needs to make a major locomotive purchase order. With electric locomotives able to produce >12,000 horsepower, and costing less to maintain as well, that's a fairly substantial savings in locomotive replacement costs, helpful for a route with >100 trains per day. That said, the future of American railroading is going to be natural gas power (given EIA predictions about oil and gas production), the only question is where it will be burnt.
