by QB 52.32
Despite Dustin's successes, doubtful the B&M could have survived the 1980's given rail and trucking deregulation that increased competition and removed artificial benefits all the while during an economic recession that took a good swipe at New England's industrial base. Decent probability that this would have lead to inclusion into Conrail by the end of the decade despite the independent reorganization attempt under Dustin's leadership at Conrail's start. This puts into perspective that despite the negativity associated with Guilford, maybe, just maybe, they "saved" the B&M as a competing force within the Class 1 network to live another day.