FT 4-05: The Pacific Railway Act

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I thank the Speaker.

The bill before us is a proposal for the expansion of Fremont Rail, the high-speed rail network established earlier this year with the passage of PARTA. Under this bill, the Commonwealth would finance the construction of two new lines — a Central Railway stretching from Sacramento on the Pacific coast to Omaha in the midwestern heartlands, and a Northern Pacific Railway connecting the cities of San Francisco and Seattle — at a cost of $7.484 billion. With the enormous surplus promised by the 2018 Budget, this is more than within our means, and would serve both to foster economic activity and create many, many new jobs in construction and railway management. On these grounds, I proudly recommend its passage to the House.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Do we have a map of existing rail lines?

Orange   existing Southwestern line (PARTA)
Green   proposed Central line (CENORA)
Blue   proposed Northern Pacific line (CENORA)

Would the Fremont government be the owner of these lines, and if so, how would the fare structure work? Would the future operation of the lines be funded by taxes or tickets?

Yes, the lines would be owned by the Fremont government. The funding question is an interesting one — there are potentially several ways to do it, and I'd be happy to discuss this with the House and amend the bill accordingly.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Does the Speaker intend to propose an amendment?

I would also like to hear from someone besides Kamala. There are six voting members in this parliament; debates should not be the same two people talking to each other in every thread.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I concur with Speaker Kamala with regard to the course of the Central Line. I would also suggest that it may be to Fremont's benefit if we were to reroute the line (or perhaps create another branch originating from the Central Line) so as to cut through Wyoming and the Dakotas and into Minnesota, thereby covering our most critical energy states.

Well, we certainly have the funds to do so. From my perspective, it seems the clearest course would be to establish a third line running from Salt Lake City to Minneapolis, with stops in Casper (WY), Sioux Falls (SD), and Fargo (ND). Such would also leave open the possibility of a trans-regional connector with LincolnRail at Minneapolis, if we choose to pursue such in the future.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I offer the following amendment:

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[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Seeing no objection, the amendment has been adopted.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I'd prefer Sioux Falls remain on the Transdakotan line, but I'm not averse to adding Rapid City to the line as well.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Proposing an amendment:

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[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Seeing no objections, the amendment has been adopted.

If anyone would like to see further changes made to the bill, now is the time to say so.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Right, in lieu of further debate, I move for a final vote on this bill.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

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