FW: (erielack) Bingo East, etc.

["Tupaczewski, Paul R (Paul)" <paultup_@_lucent.com>]

Good info from Ed Montgomery:

- -----Original Message-----
From: MONTGOMERY| ED [mailto:emontgom_@_lan.tjhsst.edu]
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2002 11:05 AM
Subject: RE: (erielack) Bingo East, etc.


There were a number of reason I read about concerning the cut over 
to the DL&W side in the 1970s.  In the book title EL THE 
EASTERN END or something like that they mentioned that the 
trustees could not support the need for two mainlines east of 
Binghamton.  It is true that when Maybrook closed, there was little 
need for running freights over that line any more.  I also believe I 
read in DEATH OF AN AMERICAN RAILROAD that the ex-Erie 
side needed to have its signal system upgraded.  They were still 
using the semaphores over there.  EL had no money for it.  The 
Lackawanna side had a newer CTC and ABS color light system.  I 
would add that there probably was a little more origination and 
delivery traffic on the Scranton route.  That helped in preserving it.  

I checked some dates and the switch over to the Scranton line 
began as early as 1974.  First probably with traditional size trains 
until they could lower the floor of Nicholson Tunnel and all of the 
bridges.  I wonder where they got the money for that.  I think there 
were some federal loans going out to the NE rails just before 
Conrail.  At the time TRAINS magazine was calling EL the "Best of 
the bankrupts" and thought it held the keys to dominating the NE 
rail scene.  Too bad that didn't happen.  I still think EL and N&W 
management was probably the best around in that region of the 
country at that time.

Ed

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