So we could have joint running rights for the good of the economy

[Braveheart]

CN and CP were given the land....as far as being purchased thats questionable....

Riverhurst irrigation district has a 75 million dollar infrastructure that they supposedly own....but are still having the bills paid for by the government and the purchase price of the 75 million dollar asset.....one dollar...

Much the same as the railways....

The Rwys were given land to build railbed on and other land as well. Not much different than some mega projects nowadays. I'm sure there was a lot at stake including staking dominion over the West with Manifest Destiny hanging over North America. But you can't change the past. Railways are here. They don't work worth a shit and should be under more commercial rules than they are, but it doesn't take way from what exists as private property rights that need to be respected.

Besides, given the truly uncompetitive nature of both railways, does anyone think in their wildest dreams that the ability to run on someone else's track would make these companies more efficient? They don't run on their own tracks (blockades or not) so why would they jump to run on someone else's?

Put railways in a commercial system, bulldoze blockades, and arrest people that disobey court orders.