The dispute stems from a law that requires freight rail companies to give Amtrak “preference” on their tracks.
What happens on the rails has ripple effects because freight trains are the economy’s bloodstream, circulating products across the U.S.
CSX and others say they don't have time to install it by the end of the year.
Authorities want railroad owners to do a better job inspecting and repairing.
New York to Washington is the lone bright spot of profitable service.
Without mandatory regulation, the railroad industry looks to pricing as way to encourage safety.
