Do local lines have natural monopolies? I though they did. Maybe even by statute?  

I am curious if a consortium of e-plant could buy the rolling stock/power units and get on the local lines without any hassles.  It would seem most of this is regional and that more local control of transport could solve volatility (some "coast" problems requiring main line scheduling that maybe unavoidable at this point).  There is a good reason farmers have trucks that sit idle 10 months of the year; e-plants maybe learning this lesson right now.