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.


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    Transcontinental railroads in the United States

    Hooper, William E. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1911


    Electric railroads of the United States

    Martin, T.C. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1887


    The railroads of the United States

    Engineering Index Backfile | 1897


    Railroads in the United States in 1891

    Engineering Index Backfile | 1892


    Federal valuation of railroads in United States

    Moore, B.H. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1952