CN "Counter" for KCS

Discussion on the CN (or Grand Trunk since it involves US properties) counter offer for KCS is moving forth at the CP Forum:

merger-announcement-canadian-pacific-bu ... l#p1569155

From the Trains news-wire: Canadian National Drops-pursuit of KCS, Clearing Way for Canadian Pacific/KCS merger.

KCS will pay $1.4 billion to CN as the escape fee.

The map included in the TRAINS report shows that the CN will continue to enjoy the superior Lakes to Gulf routing. Save some maybe 75 miles of "over hill and dale" in Southern Illinois, it's a "roll 'em on down to the sea" (on FRA Class 4).

By contrast, the KCS is reported (a one that got away in my train riding days) in sources such as TRAINS to be entirely "over hill..", and I'd be surprised if "my MILW" is anything more than Class 2 West of Elgin and on to KC.

In fact, there was a TRAINS article on the KCS that used the occasion to describe a "sawbuck" meet (two trains both too long for a siding; please don't ask me to describe it).

Amazing how rapidly this "landmark" deal has
moved forth when compared with the rediculously snail's pace movement in the Pan Am/CSX proposal.

The KCS deal is still playing catchup to the PanAm/CSX deal. We the Public just get to hear about it in an open manner before the STB filing of the merger application.

CP and KCS expect to file their merger application with the STB in October. The merger will be judged under the board’s less onerous pre-2001 merger rules. The STB review is expected to take about a year.