From the NS pdf (with emphasis added for following questions):
"Who Will Operate the Patriot Corridor?"
Pan Am Southern will contract with Springfield Terminals (ST) to operate all facets of the railroad, including maintenance, pricing, management, train operations, and other railroad functions."
""Other Matters"
NS will not be able to directly serve customers on the route"
There must clearly be an advantage to NS with this agreement, else they wouldn't have entered into it with PAR. Still, I'm not sure I understand the full benefit as presented. "Over the road" times would certainly improve with the rebuilding of the route but if NS has no access to local customers, if (current) ST management is maintained, and if ST continues to be responsible for train operations, what is the net advantage, so to speak?
Is there a reasonable expectation of change on the part of PAR/ST for pick-up/delivery of cars to local consignees, development of future business, better (customer oriented) operation, and so forth? As I read the pdf "tickler," PAR and NS will share an equal partnership (50/50) in the proposed corridor. Why the hope that PAS (through ST management and operations) will begin doing things in a different way to generate increased local business, timely distribution of freight to consignees and so on?
One lives in hope but wonders if this is really the promised panacea for problems inherent in New England railroading. Thanks for your thoughts.
Bob