I heard a rumor that CSX may be considering abandoning the NO&M between New Orleans and Mobile. The rumor indicates that CSX is negotiating routing traffic over existing lines north of the Coast, even using foreign lines. The rumor says that CSX may announce a decision as early as the first of February. Has anyone heard anything concerning this?
Sounds like any rebuild cost, would be far more than any customers left along that line? Is the NO&M, any relation to the NOT&M??? Boxcab E50
The NO&M was originally the New Orleans & Mobile Railroad, absorbed by the Louisville & Nashville in the late 1800's or early 1900's. The information presented at a meeting Thursday was that CSX was not going to "build" anything, and that any abandonment would probably occur this coming year. We were told that CSX would make their announcement on or shortly after the first of February. What really caught our attention was being told that line-side property owners should prepare for buyout proceedings to be initiated before the end of next year. This land and the railroad ROW is to become a multi-lane limited access east/west roadway across the three Coastal counties of Mississippi. Also, that the initial segments through the most densely populated areas will be completed in five years. I can only assume that CSX is negotiating for some sort of rights with one or more of NS, KCS, CN/IC, BNSF, and/or some other company. Also, that the State already has a funding commitment from Congress under the Katrina Recovery process. Stay tuned.....
The following copyrighted article appeared in this week's National Corridors Initiative newsletter. Maybe CSX is trying to join this project so they can abandon the NO&M trackage. CSX interchanges with the Meridian Speedway at Birmingham, AL through NS trackage rights to Meridian, MS. "Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern form venture to upgrade Meridian Speedway. "KANSAS CITY, MO -- Railway operator Kansas City Southern reported to the Associated Press last Friday that it will form a joint venture with Norfolk Southern Corporation to upgrade the Meridian Speedway between Mississippi and Louisiana. "Financial terms were not spelled out in detail, the report continues, but Kansas City Southern will supply the 320-mile rail line and Norfolk Southern will spend $300 million over the next four years on capital improvements such as signal systems, sidings and stretches of double track to boost capacity. “ 'This partnership with Norfolk Southern allows us to offer shippers fast, competitive rail service along the shortest rail route into the Southeast from both Mexico and the Southwest,' Michael R. Haverty, Kansas City Southern president and chief executive, told the press. "Norfolk Southern president and CEO Wick Moorman was quoted in the report as saying '[the joint upgrade will] enhance fluidity' and 'improve connections among rail carriers.' ”
Hmmm... This has me wondering- Is this a hint of what we'll see in coming years? Could we be witnessing a future merger in it's infancy? Boxcab E50
I can see it being more efficient from an operating view to be throwing lots of trains down a 'common user' multi-track route (even if owned by one company with others 'renting space' on it), rather than 2 or 3 competing companies each with their own fairly low capacity single-track-with-passing-sidings routes. The downside I guess is that if something blocks it, you no longer have the diversionary routes.
Another downside could be that the dispatchers would owe allegiances to their employer (line owner) during issues of conflict, possibly to the detriment of the "foreign" users.
Or possibly combining and take over of the physical plant by a central agency, e.g. FRA, and allow any/all companies to run trains wherever. Any comments from Alan, Martyn, and others as to the UK's experiment with this concept?
Maybe - thinking about it there are other examples (though all much smaller) - the Alameda corridor, a brand new multi-user line replacing old routes, NS rerouting onto CSX right of way in Erie PA to get rid of street running, and another similar one somewhere else that I can't think of the location for? There are ways to get 'near' unbiased dispatching - letting the other railroads have a feed from the monitors wouldn't be hard to sort out and would give them up to date info - if the dispatcher is letting a train sit for hours while everything goes past he's likely to get a phone call from management of that company asking why! Over here there is less of a problem as almost everything is timetabled - signallers (dispatchers) only have to worry about fitting in anything not running to time, or other 'out of course' events. Provided there is enough capacity in the new 'super route' to let anyones trains run freely, there shouldn't be an issue over a single private company owning it (or jointly owning it, with one company responsible for looking after maintainence etc) Govt. ownership separate from train operating companies has good theoretical points, such as they can fund infrastructure as needed without 'subsidizing' private companies, in the same way that building a freeway does not 'subsidize' truckers or building an airport does not 'subsidize' airlines. If you like that would level the playing field for transport investment.
The down side is government can indeed readily fund. But it's via pilfering from the citizenry. Meanwhile, RR companies that no longer pay this, enjoy the increased profits. And my life style is constantly diminished. No thanks. We already have that kind of mess here. Airports for airlines that are constantly going bankrupt. USA- C of E for waterways, and their boondoggles. A highway system in constant shambles. And continual Amtrak funding fights. All subsidized by taxing me. Boxcab E50
If Amtrak restores the Sunset back to Florida, it could run on NS out of New Orleans to Hattiesburg, MS then down CN/IC to Mobile, AL. That was done a few years back while CSX was repairing the Rigolets Bridge at Lake Ponchartrain. However, this route would add a few hours to the schedule. First, because it would be 75-100 miles longer. Second, although the NS trackage is 79 mph for the most part and used by the twice-daily Crescent, the CN/IC to Mobile is a low priority freight branch with speeds in the 25-40 mph range.
Bring back the Gulf Breeze (IIRC) Birmingham, to Mobile then on to Orlando, Conections to the Crescent in BHM, Connects to the LTD in N'awlins.
