As with any discussion about rail service in Missouri, the prime topic is money.
At a Tuesday public meeting at East Elementary School in Jefferson City, Missouri Transportation Department officials heard comments from local residents on how to improve rail service in the state.
It was one of a number of meetings MoDOT will have across the state as they put together a future rail plan for freight and passenger service that could help the state get federal funding.
"We get about $8 million each year from the state and it is a battle to get rail funding," said Eric Curtit, who deals with rail service for MoDOT. "We do have support on the state highway commission for alternative modes of transportation - but we can't do things like use the gas tax, like other states do, to help pay for rail service. By our Constitution, that money can only be used for roads and bridges."