(erielack) Re: NS Buffalo Line Changes (fwd)

[Kevin DeGroff <kdegroff_@_starpower.net>]

> I suspect there is also going to be negative impact at Allentown. I would
> not be surprised if Allentown is closed within 2 years as a classification
> yard.


Not if the concept is pushing the traffic as far east/north as possible before
classifying it.  The only real threat to Allentown is the fact that Enola is
better situated at a key junction of various NS routes, something that Allentown
is not.  But remember Enola was initially closed because CR could push the traffic
farther east (Allentown) before it needed to be classified.  Allentown is the
eastbound equivalent to Elkhart, which classifies westbound traffic. 

 
> Norfolk Southern  is a north-south company, so getting the line to
> Mickeyville under the horsey flag is a good thing, even if it is only
> trackage rights. Wanna bet the horse is in Montreal by next year?


For being this "north-South" company, they sure haven't been marketing
the route's potential.  There are major hurdles in the form of Washington
and Baltimore tunnels that preclude use of the SOU route north, the hilly
and zig-zag "B-line", and the up-n-down Shenandoah Line.  None of them make
for truck-competitive service.  And where that intermodal traffic does
exist as a result of the new Atlanta terminal, none of that presently goes 
north of Harrisburg.  They certainly haul more intermodal east on the Pennsy, 
and coal east on the N&W and VGN, than they do hauling the piddly traffic
they have on the I-95 corridor.

 
> So, if Keating Summit was too much of a headache and dollar drain, you gotta
> think Gulf Summit is next, no?

Keating Summit was the only place on the CR system where 4 6-axle units were
required as helpers.  The Boston Line used 3, and Altoona required 2.  You can
be damn sure this is the worst hill for mainline trains on the system.  
Compounding things is the fact that the helper terminal at Olean is 50 miles 
from where the push takes place.  Gulf Summit requires 0 helpers.


> Is this the death knell for the Southern Tier east of Bingo? 

I'd be more concerned if it's a bad thing for the line WEST of Binghamton.
This agreement allows them to eventually move all the east-west New England 
traffic from the Tier and run it via Harrisburg.  Who needs to go via Buffalo,
with all that snow?

NYS&W and WNY&P?  A great combination road to nowhere?  "We have arrived at
Youngstown Ohio, Everybody please step off".

Besides, since NS and CSX have "financially oiled" NYS&W, the Squeak shall 
remain silent.

------------------------------