Rail failed in Austin on Tuesday, again, and — given the emphatic “no” vote and the difficulty of bringing such a complex venture to the ballot — even the measure’s head cheerleader doesn’t see another serious proposal arising anytime soon.

“It’s dead until somebody revives it,” retiring Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said as disappointed rail supporters mingled quietly around him at a somber Threadgill’s election party. “And that will be a long period of time.”