CN and CP are considering sharing trackage from Winnipeg to Toronto. Apparently meetings between the two rail lines have been progressing for some time now to rationalize their usage of tracks. (Branchline - January 2001 - p 14) This only makes sense, since I'm sure they have found it to be profitable to share trackage in the Fraser Canyon. They have been doing this for a year now. The results have been increased traffic, longer trains, with less tie ups and improved times. Since CP has announced it wants to sell its railroad, I am curious if CN will try and take most of it over so that in essence, we will have one major rail line (CN) much like in our air travel (Air Canada). There is humour in this possible amalgamation. CP rail start Canadian Pacific Air line, and now the air line has dissappeard. CP will sell of its railroad so the CP might disappear. If CN takes over, that means that CN will be the survivor. When you consider that CN started Air Canada, and that the railroad was a governmental amalgamation of three railroads, all on the brink of bankruptcy; and when you consider that to rail enthusiasts, CN were the bad guys (government run) and CP the good guys (private enterprise); I wonder who will have the last laugh.
Thanks for this interesting information RSN48. It would make finacial sense to have one national railroad as the airlines have done. Would that mean the end of the Yellowhead route? I guess there may be enough business in Saskatoon and Edmonton to keep the line to them but west from Edmonton could come to an end. Any thoughts? ------------------ Robin member #35 Maberly and Tayside
I will take this question to the Friday night operating group. One of them is a guy fairly high up in CN and retiring in less than a year, so more verbal with opinions than he might have been years ago. I will ask him (and them).
I work as a engineer out of Port Huron MI and there have been 2 trains , 1 east and 1 west between Sarnia Ontario and Chicago . #503 is the westbound , #504 is the eastbound . CN gets paid $10,000 per train by CP . I hope that there will be more CP trains . The only gripe I have is that CP Locomotives do not have a microwave oven like our CN engines !
Track sharing only works in isolated cases like the CN and CP in B.C.. They are using each others tracks, so if CN screws CP, CP can retaliate on their line and delay CN trains. Sort of like the Cold War, MAD or Mutually Assured Destruction. Ask anyone working for the DRGW about using the MP between Pueblo, Colorado, and Kansas City. The MP dispatchers would stab a DRGW train if an MP switch engine was turning a wheel anywhere between Pueblo and K.C. It's just human nature. It is even worse in Great Britain, where the track owner does not even run trains. The Wisconsin Central affiliate, English, Welsh & Scottish, was making significant inroads in getting freight off the road and back on the rail, but Railtrack let maintenance go, and there were some passenger wrecks. Since passenger can complain to Parliament and freight does not, the train "paths" available to EWS were reduced to permit maintenance. This has delayed service and run off 15 percent of the traffic, which overjoys Railtrack since this gives them more time to play with the track. Competition can be restored by breaking up the huge and now unmanageable rail systems we have today. But, will anyone have the courage to do it? Again, human nature says no. CEO's have infinite egos.
Actually instead of 1 CP train a day there is now 2 eastbounds between Toronto & Chicago . #503 & #535 . The other night I talked to the CP Engineer on #503 , the train I worked , and he said there was going to be up to 5 eastbounds per week , possibly more . Great job security for us on the GT District .
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gregg Mahlkov: Track sharing only works in isolated cases like the CN and CP in B.C.. They are using each others tracks, so if CN screws CP, CP can retaliate on their line and delay CN trains. Sort of like the Cold War, MAD or Mutually Assured Destruction. Ask anyone working for the DRGW about using the MP between Pueblo, Colorado, and Kansas City. The MP dispatchers would stab a DRGW train if an MP switch engine was turning a wheel anywhere between Pueblo and K.C. It's just human nature. It is even worse in Great Britain, where the track owner does not even run trains. The Wisconsin Central affiliate, English, Welsh & Scottish, was making significant inroads in getting freight off the road and back on the rail, but Railtrack let maintenance go, and there were some passenger wrecks. Since passenger can complain to Parliament and freight does not, the train "paths" available to EWS were reduced to permit maintenance. This has delayed service and run off 15 percent of the traffic, which overjoys Railtrack since this gives them more time to play with the track. Competition can be restored by breaking up the huge and now unmanageable rail systems we have today. But, will anyone have the courage to do it? Again, human nature says no. CEO's have infinite egos. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> \ It is working in the canyon, and it has actually unofficially spread from there, as I notice alot of Vancouver lines have also being used by all 3 or 4 railroads more so than before. There are several clauses in the contract, so one railroad really can't screw the other... or they would have to pay the other for lost revenues ect.. Maintance costs are taken care by the RRs self, except CPR has to pay CNR, as CPR runs more trains so wears CN track more the CN wears CPR track. I think it will work fine, and is a great step for the two railroads. Some local costumers may get left in the dust, but I don't think managment really cares that much about the small custumers Happy Railroading! Dane N.
I believe that the CP re-routes are for three years. I have read that this is so our Expressway can keep it's schedule. To upgrade our line, and possibly the Detroit river tunnel.
