Mr. Moldover, what I'm at a loss to understand is that if SusieQ owns both the ERIE and the D&H South of Albany, why isn't she trumpeting that at her website?
http://www.nysw.com/
OK; Mr. Athol's photo, along with Mr. Barlow's explanation, established for me that tri-levels can operate through Hoosac. However, to chop more off the concrete lining needed for "double stacks", that I guess had been there since the B&M bored it with room, plus catenary, for anything running 100 years ago, would jeopardize the tunnel's structural integrity even more. Something along the lines of what Topper's predecessor, the SRY, did with their Cinci-Atlanta line, the Rathole, some 50 years ago would be needed.
Where in heaven's name would SusieQ come up with the capital to make PAS competitive with the B&A? With the reports here that it is Class 2 West of where the "T" has paid for Class 4 (and NNEPRA for same to Portland), there need be a stronger "benefactor" in place than Susie.
Now so far as getting the Maine Central up from its Class 2, and even Class 1 in some places, I would think such would require capital from both Chessie and Topper. I think a Shared Assets arrangement (Conrail "might or might not" be the operator) for everything East of Ayer or Worcester is the only way to have rail service in Maine so that the Port agencies - Portland, Searsport, and Saint John - can approach the maritime companies to "call at us" with your high value Containers and Bennies.