Kermit the Frog won our hearts singing "lovers, the dreamers and me," while Thomas the Tank Engine's "yes we can" encouraged us and Barack Obama's "Audacity of Hope" inspired us. These words also describe small-railroad entrepreneurs providing the first and last mile for one of every five carloads. Unlike the seven major railroads with which they partner, many smaller railroads—579 short lines; 24 regionals—are but a washout, derailment or customer defection away from financial calamity. Plus, like their major-railroad connections, they stand in harm's way of reinvigorated economic regulation; further liberalization of truck size and weight limitations; uncertainty as to trade and tax public policy; and government-mandated minimum train crew size lacking an evidence-based nexus to safety.
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机译：青蛙青蛙（Kermit the Frog）赢得了我们的心，他们唱着“爱好者，梦想家和我”，而汤姆斯（Thomas）坦克引擎的“是的”可以鼓励我们，巴拉克·奥巴马（Barack Obama）的“希望大胆”则启发了我们。这些词还描述了小型铁路企业家，他们每五辆货车中的第一辆和最后一英里就行驶一英里。与它们合作的七大铁路不同，许多较小的铁路— 579条短线； 24个区域-只是远离财务灾难的冲销，脱轨或客户叛逃。另外，就像它们的主要铁路连接一样，它们也阻碍了重新振兴经济监管的方式。进一步放宽卡车的尺寸和重量限制；贸易和税收公共政策的不确定性；和政府规定的最小乘务员规模，缺乏与安全相关的循证关系。
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