Total railway balkanization

Not to be confused with Total railway baikalization.

Total railway balkanization is the preferred solution to the problem that is the North American freight rail industry. It seeks to divide the network into hundreds, maybe even thousands of smaller, more centralized companies that operate in their own specific region, and do not use Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR).

Ideas

• The lines formerly operated by the Broadway Limited and 20th Century Limited luxury train services are operated independently, bringing back competition previously contested by the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central Railroad between Chicago and New York.
• COASTER, San Diego's commuter rail line, remains intact.
• GO Transit, Southern Ontario's commuter and regional rail network, remains intact.
• Metra, Chicago's commuter rail network, is initially balkanized into four companies:
  • One company will take over the ex-C&NW lines.
  • One company will take over the ex-CB&Q lines.
  • One company will take over the ex-Milwaukee Road lines.
  • One company will take over the ex-Rock Island lines.
• The Northeast Corridor, the electrified Amtrak line from Boston to Washington, D.C., is operated independently. Chances are it operates under the Acela brand, given that the name currently applies to the line's high-speed train services.
• The Southern Transcon, the ex-ATSF line from Chicago to Los Angeles is operated independently.