I. Title
1. The title of this legislation shall be the Railroad Advancement and Investment for Long-term Sustainability Act, shortened to RAILS Act.
II. Railroad Restructuring
1. The Federal Railroad Administration shall be renamed the Consolidated Rail Administration, shortened to Conrail.
2. Conrail shall, at a fair price, purchase the main and branch line railroads of all Class I
and Class II railroads located within the 48 continental states of Atlasia.
3. All railroads owned the the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) shall be placed under the control of Conrail. 4. Conrail shall be responsible for maintaining and upgrading the railroads under its control, for constructing new railroads as it sees fit, and for facilitating the connection of new customers and rail yards to its network.
5. Conrail shall, for a reasonable fee, allow private operators of freight and passenger trains to utilize its network. Any operator shall be permitted to access all portions of the network, except for railroads which are restricted due to safety reasons or high passenger traffic, and no private operator shall be granted exclusive rights over any section of track.
6. Conrail shall, for no fee, allow publicly operated passenger trains to utilize its network.
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III. Railroads for the Future
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1. $5 billion shall be appropriated to Conrail for the purposes of electrifying and double tracking railroads under its control.
2. Operators shall only use electric locomotives on electrified rail lines owned by Conrail, except for distances under 50 miles or if granted a special permit by Conrail.
3. The purchase of electric locomotives shall not be subject to sales tax by any level of government.
4. Amtrak shall no longer be required to operate with the intention of earning a profit.
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IV. Timing
1. This act shall take effect sixty (60) days from the date of passage.[/s][/s]
