CSX Acquisition of Pan Am Railways

CSX ownership of Pan Am is a week away, 6/1/22. On or near that date, will there be any visible change in operations reflecting CSX is in charge? For example, should we expect that AYPO/POAY trains get re-symbolled to Q426/Q427 and CSX power that has ACSES II PTC capability (eg ET44AH and ES44AH) will operate all the way between Selkirk and Rigby? Will EDPO/POED get new symbols east of Ayer? Re: NS exercise of trackage rights over CSX Boston line for 22K/23K, I'm guessing that is a fairly long way off (if ever).

I will miss the ease of recognizing Pan Am's trains origin and destination from their symbols. I have always liked the PAR symbol practice.

johnpbarlow wrote: ↑Wed May 25, 2022 7:17 am ...Will EDPO/POED get new symbols east of Ayer?

As the rankest of outsiders, guessing that joint-venture traffic to and from E of 312 will pretty much disappear. What does remain can be handled at Ayer. Can see CSXT maximizing its ROI by working to get as much as possible onto Boston Line, especially after things get rehabbed up to Hill Yard.

The fact of the matter is that traffic is NS traffic, and the gateways are not supposed to change. So, if anything moves onto the B&A it is because NS loses the traffic. CSX cannot just route it that way and interchange with NS somewhere else.

I'm waiting for much needed trackwork to begin.The Wells siding project has gone 3 weeks now with no activity.

newpylong wrote: ↑Wed May 25, 2022 11:48 am The fact of the matter is that traffic is NS traffic, and the gateways are not supposed to change. So, if anything moves onto the B&A it is because NS loses the traffic. CSX cannot just route it that way and interchange with NS somewhere else.

Agree with this. In the various filings, csx agreed to move certain traffic over the Fitchburg post-acquisition

It sounds like some changes are already underway… I’ve heard that “nothing will change until Jan 1” but that seems like a far fetched dream in my opinion.

Also, Q426/427 are supposed to be changing to M426/427 and extending to Portland

Downside: Losing the PAR Blue
Upside: Losing the ex CSX scatterpaints
Downside: Gaining the boring CSX scheme

Paint doesn't move freight.

Not familiar with Pan Am then I take it...

Regarding extending Q426 to Portland, I've been told this will likely not happen until they've had a chance to rebuild Rigby and possibly the Worcester Main. Minimal changes are foreseen to start.

Dunno if CSXT is in the pre-handover process of re/qualifying crews on the Worcester Main, but 05-26-2022 XNG noises from ~0810 to post-0830 suggested that New Bond coulda been transited with a stop long enough to drop off a pilot.
Sry no deeper deets, but I was wrestling my yard into semi-shape.

Port Saint John and NBS major investments being made by the Canadian government:

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... -southern/

Apparently no money for Mattawamkeag.

Why would the Transport Canada spend money in Maine?

I don’t think csx will make big operational changes immediately. after the track speeds and conditions get improved, then I expect changes since they could run more mileage with fewer crews. I hope to see, and expect to see, significant mow work this summer