gokeefe wrote: ↑Thu Nov 12, 2020 6:26 pm
... Access to Saint John, NB seems to be the only rationale they can hang their hat on ...
Mr. O'Keefe, much to the chagrin of the US East Coast port operators, either of these two Atlantic Province ports represent one to three days less sailing time, before the vessel's cargo is transloaded to land transportation (rail or highway). They are ice free year round, and could be competitive with better access to land transportation.
Halifax has FRA (equivalent) Class 4 in that there is (or until recently) a passenger train over such, and the route is direct to the markets.
Saint John has minimal rail, and for that matter highway, access. That two US Class I's seek access to Maine, for what reason beyond the potential of maritime traffic, escapes many an observer. But many, many, investor $$$, as well as some Loonies from Irving, will be needed to get the Maine Central and those two Irving Short Lines, up to FRA Class 4 to expediently handle high value traffic (Bennies, Bimmers, and Containers loaded with something more than garbage) to the US Midwest or South someone in Saint John has told them can come their way.