This study is designed to provide data relevant to the rail passnger sector for an intermodal National Transportation Policy Study. The current state of technology in the Canadian Rail passenger sector is described against a background of current and emerging technology worldwide. This review includes rolling stock, right of way, communications and control, terminals, procedures and regulations. A quantitative and qualitative assessment of the current performance of the sector includes development of a hypothetical cost model for use in analyzing technological alternatives. Expectations for such change in the 1975-1990 period are then described. The final section utilizes the previously developed cost model to analyze the alternatives. The study is a general and not route-specific examination.