Why Railroads Are Important to Kansas

The railroad industry was in danger of collapsing in the 1970's because some lines, such as the Rock Island, Penn Central and others were in bankruptcy. Kansas agriculture would be harmed without rail service to ship its products to market. Kansas Senators Dole and Pearson, later joined by Kansas Rep. Jim Slattery and Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum worked to create a method of deregulation in the form of the 4-R Act. Pat Hubbell, a lobbyist with the railroad industry described in this 17 minute excerpt from his 2025 oral history interview how "he was on a mission" to save the industry because of its importance and the need to transport Kansas coal and agricultural products. He recalls passenger trains of the past that have disappeared and mergers that left Kansas at the time of this interview with only two major railroads, the Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe. The Study Guide that is attached raises questions for students to consider.

Choices have Consequences; Middle School; Relationships between people, place, idea and environments are dynamic. (HGSS 5)