Tennessee Pass came up a couple of months ago, and discussion about why the UP isn't using it anymore. Rich Melvin commented that high maintenance cost is the major factor, with steep grades that require more maintenance (including shifting of track downhill that gradually happens on steep grades), the tunnel, and other factors that contribute to high cost of operation.
It's a beautiful line, so if some railroad can utilize it, that would be great. Hard to see how a short line can make the cost numbers run if the UP can't, but who knows?
