Re: PC: Conrail

[Tim Dowd <tdowd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

EMDSD80MAC wrote:
> 
> Tim,     Actually, CT is kinda lucky!  Lots of unprofitable lines there. With
> the rules and labor agreements as they were, Neither Penn Central, nor Conrail
> could make any money there. (We may not like the idea, but that's what they're
> in business for - to make money. We all kinda like to think that they're in
> business for US, the railfan!) But, The Providence and Worcester, itself a
> one-time PC, nee' New Haven Company, is a colorful and aggressive regional
> with the potential to become another Wisconsin Central. The spin-off of these
> unprofitable lines may not be over yet. The entire Massachusetts and Rhode
> Island operations were to be spun off by Conrail to P&W and Massachusetts
> Central (RailTex). The only thing that stopped it was the P&S agreement
> between Big-Blue and NS/CSXT. Protection under an STB agreement would not
> protect these areas forever. I don't know if  you have visited the
> Massachusetts Central....BUT.....The P&W is gorgeous compared to it!
> Providence and Worcester is a long-standing survivor! They went through two
> New Haven bankruptcies amd the Big one! (Penn Central)  Conrail tried to
> exercise their parent - company rights in about 1988 and take over the P&W to
> build a deep water port in East Providence, but P&W fought and won protection
> against CR - once again demonstrating that they WILL survive. Take a trip to
> Worcester MA to The P&W shops sometime and you'll be a believer.  Enjoy them!
> What does CSX promise? - Not really sure. But I know we'll be looking at Blue
> and gray for a long time!    Ed St. George
The reason it was unprofitable was that Conrail wanted to abandon it, so
they provided very poor service. The Canal line in Simsbury was very
profitable under the New Haven

TiM