I think I read somewhere that the Suzy Q fought afainst being included in the formation of Conrail. Were there other railroads that were considered for inclusion when Conrail was created but opted to stay independent?
I have always had the impression that none of them really had a choice.
Their two options were:
1. Become part of Conrail.
or:
2. Go bankrupt and cease to exist, then become part of Conrail anyway, after you cease to exist.
(There was no reason to actually go to the trouble with option 2. it was never a real option.)
I dont think there was any choice to be made, for most of them. I believe Conrail was not a choice, but just an undeniable fact to be accepted, because there was no other option.
EL "tried" to stay out. they made a case for themselves, but in the end their case was not accepted, and they then had to also "join".
and again, I believe they had no real choice once that decision was made.
im looking forward to reading more about it though! this promises to be an interesting thread.
Scot