CSX Acquisition of Pan Am Railways

Saying the MEC to the Keag is "crappy" is an understatement. When was the last time a train went all the way to the Keag on this line? It would take millions to get that line up to "crappy".

I guess the question should be rephrased as...do they want any of the mainline east of Ayer? That seems just so hard for me to believe given NS's current hardcore PSR business model. They've been more than willing to axe lines and services with far more volume and potential than D1/D2.

fromway wrote:When was the last time a train went all the way to the Keag on this line?

Last week.

bostontrainguy wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 10:24 am Latest strongest rumor for what it's worth: Pan Am main line is sold to NS and the branches go to Watco.

"Here they come, spinnin' out of the turn":

Hold your horses . Lest we forget, this is only a rumor. I'd like to see NS take all of District 2 main line [up to Portland, Gilbert]. The Portsmouth Branch could go to another railroad. They could drop and pick up cars for NS at Rockingham Jct. Then there's the Northern. Give the new owner rights to Lowell for same. The locals out of Lawrence: would they get thrown over to a regional?

Outside of the sale there is an effort underway to rebuild the line to Keag... and yes it involves millions of dollars. Should be determined this month if it happens or not.

Question - enquiring mind wants to know!!!

What is the significance of Mattawamkeag ; who interchanges with who there. How could it impact the sale of Pan Am?

I thought both PA and CP-M interchanged with Irving Short Lines (Eastern Maine whatever) at Brownville Jct.

Yes, I did live in New England (well, if you call Greenwich that), but have been a "Chicagoland" resident since college ('70 grad). However as I've noted, I was a Fairfield Navy Cadet and did sail well "down" the Maine Coast - Isle Au Haut, Rockland, Somes Sound to name a few ports of call.

These two topics HAVE been an education for me; thank you "Yankees" for allowing me to participate.

Others can fill in the blanks.

Pan Am interchanges with the New Brunswick Southern there. Pan Am started having CMQ bridge this traffic for them Northern Maine Junction to Brownsville vs going to Keag due to deteriorating track conditions.

CP did not continue the agreement with Pan Am that the CMQ had moving their NBSR haulage from NMJ to Brownsville, therefor Pan Am doesn't really have much of a choice but to go back to interchanging with the NBSR at Keag. I would imagine sinking money into this line is on hold with a potential sale in the works.

FWIW the latest scuttlebutt out of Billerica is two Class Is are interested, and Watco is as well. I can see a slice and dice in the future.

Tim Mellon wants his money. He's not interested in taking more time to split the railroad up between NS and Watco.

So next rumor please...

newpylong wrote:FWIW the latest scuttlebutt out of Billerica is two Class Is are interested, and Watco is as well. I can see a slice and dice in the future.

Are there any surprises in the interested Class Is or are we pretty much "on track" with our understanding thus far?



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PBMcGinnis wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 3:47 pm Tim Mellon wants his money. He's not interested in taking more time to split the railroad up between NS and Watco.

I couldn't agree more PBM.

Watco's game plan appears to acquire lines from one Class I or the other serving a specific industry. FRA Class 2 trackage is fine for that purpose.

But so far as the Port of Saint John goes, that they will not be able to offer competitive routings to the US Midwest over not less than FRA Class 3 must adversely affect their "game plan" beyond being a Love Tub fantasy island and whatever Coastal shipping calls there. Apparently. the Irving refinery now gets Alberta crude I'd guess shipped over the circuitous CN route (Yeah on that over "Brent" from one Sheik or the other).

I know there is a worry about the transport of crude through Quebec, but did we recently have comments about the by-pass planned to go around Megantic? If we can get that solved, then I think it will open it up to unit oil trains again. Does anyone know the status of the by=pass?

PBMcGinnis wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 3:47 pm Tim Mellon wants his money. He's not interested in taking more time to split the railroad up between NS and Watco.

So next rumor please...

Plenty of time for plenty more rumors. But, I'll eat my shorts if it's a cut and dry 1 for 1 transaction.

gokeefe wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 4:31 pm

newpylong wrote:FWIW the latest scuttlebutt out of Billerica is two Class Is are interested, and Watco is as well. I can see a slice and dice in the future.

Are there any surprises in the interested Class Is or are we pretty much "on track" with our understanding thus far?



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No one knows who they are except those involved in the transaction. It's all guesses.

I don't think TM cares if it is split 1 or 10 ways. He is looking for the best sale price and what can get by the STB in a timely way.