jaymac wrote:Keeping investors happy means keeping expenses low. However twisted it might be, quarterly reports rule, meaning that tactics are generally more important than strategy.
OTOH, NS invested $140M in PAS 9 years ago in 2008 (track, Auto/intermodal terminals), and then invested $217M in acquiring the D&H from CP two years ago. NS is spending quite a few $$ upgrading the D&H track to NS main line standards from Sunbury to Mechanicville. And the Portage Trestle replacement project is due to come on-line on the Southern Tier within a year, costing NS another $55M. And 1-2 years back NS spent $160M doubling the size of Bellevue Yard. Then there are DC to AC locomotive rebuilds going on at Roanoke and Juniata.
NS has demonstrated it has a long term strategic view by investing much money in its capital assets to maintain and develop its traffic base.
I agree that NS might see an investment opportunity in New England, as well as elsewhere in the eastern US, with the ongoing CSX brain freeze. If nothing else, by switching SEPO/POSE to run via E Deerfield / RJ instead of PAR's Worcester Branch, PAS (& NS) would see more revenue. PAR could mothball 30 miles of decrepit track, Hill Yard ops might become less congested and more fluid, and maybe more $ would be plowed into District 3 maintenance.