The physical characteristics of electric railways (or diesel railways electrified), demand inclusion of renewables source electric power. Generators to wires to wheels is the most efficient conversion of electric power to motion.

Because we are entering a decades long period of energy emergency, applying the renewables railway concept to practice demands careful choice of "Priority Corridors", avenues of commerce that must be kept functioning. So here we will look at US50 Trans-Sierra portion. US95 on the East Coast might be the first choice of an eastern USA reader for rail application to a Priority Corridor.

Picking the new trans-Sierra line because of the need for a time-competitive passenger alternative to interstate 80 (& 1869 rail line) is a good place to focus the concept in the USA, albeit arbitrarily. The tremendous truck traffic on I-80 will go to rail when the crisis comes, and the day passenger/night freight rail haul seen in Europe trans-Alps will come into being. Nevada sunshine combined with California Hydropower (in the American River Canyon alongside the proposed Railway) offer plentiful megawatts.

Another continent, another scenario. 1912 began construction of the Pilgrim Railway from Istanbul to Mecca, reaching Medina before the British, in the person of Lawrence of Oilrabia, put the railway out of focus. The renewables electric railway as a corridor that includes new cities enroute for Palestinians, plus fulfills the original vision of the railway to the Holy Shrines, is certainly timely and doable.

The European interests, shut out of Iraq, might commence at Mecca, working north to a golden spike ceremony in southern Jordan. Would such a project combining the needs of displaced persons, with the capacity to move many millions of Muslims annually to Mecca, be left alone by the feuding parties? Such a railway, solar electricity powered, would certainly be a prominent feature on the world stage as a practical application of renewables to a Priority Corridor.

To a casual reader, the possibility of a railway keeping a region functioning after a nuclear disaster, as in the case of the US50 line proposal, may seem a stretch. But, to put a different light on the matter, could a railway that softened the hearts of Muslims and provided habitat for Palestinians help prevent a nuclear confrontation?

With apologies for my choice of locations and framing of the issue. I stand by the exceeding desireability and worldwide application of electric railways linked to renewable energy as critical in establishing Priority Corridors to carry us thru the Oil Interregnum.

Our individual effort in this new energy paradigm is the use of renewable energy to propel a small fleet of about a dozen electric trams (trolleycars), to run from South Lake Tahoe Airport (TVL) to Stateline, and to waterborne link on Lake Tahoe. Still in the talking stage, but gaining momentum & support since 911DAY.

Gunnar Henrioulle, Associate, Tahoe Valley Lines, CA 96158-2289 USA (530-543-1259)