DEPRECIATION POLICY AND FINANCIAL STRUCTURE IN AMERICAN RAILROADS.

The article discusses the mandatory depreciation accounting in the U.S. In 1936 the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission put into effect regulations extending mandatory depreciation accounting in U.S. railroads over road and structure accounts. The regulations were in reaction to pressures put on the railroad industry after the U.S.' economic depression in 1929. The industry faces new demands including cheaper, more complete freight carriage and high-speed passenger transportation. The railroads typically dealt with replacement policies for industry-wide changes. Analysts say the industry could benefit from adequate reserve accounting.