SecaucusJunction wrote:conrailsharedassets wrote:
Although this is a very interesting point you make, I HIGHLY DOUBT Norfolk Southern would throw away the D&H routing between CP Kase (Sunbury) and Binghamton via Scranton. It just doesn't make any sense. So the NS trains already running the line are just gonna stop running the D&H routing and switch to an alternate routing? What route? The Buffalo Line is no longer a through route because of its severe grades, lack of clearances, etc. While the D&H although it has some grades is not nearly as severe, cleared for everything and a straight shot (easily the shortest and fastest route aside from CSX's routing) from the Southeast to Upstate, New York, New England and Canada. NS has many improvements planned for the route and plans on running more trains in the future. I'm not sure why the line was omitted on there PANYNJ expressrail program, but I'm sure it wasn't a hint that NS isn't committed to the line. Most of the traffic running on the line now, short of maybe 12/13T (which could technically run the Buffalo Line, but cant) have to or logically would run the line. I don't believe for a second that Norfolk Southern would drop its trackage rights agreement with CP on the D&H south of Binghamton. In fact I would look for many great things to come for all of the D&H from Montreal to Kase. Just my 2 pennies.
Jim
No, I would never think that NS would drop the D&H routing for trains. It will always be very important for north/south traffic and provide a connection between PanAm and Crescent Corridors. The map was specifically talking about traffic originating at PANYNJ. It is the only current route that is not also on the future route map...
I also noticed that the top of the Buffalo Line isn't even on the map anymore according to NS. I guess we can see how NS views that line...
I kinda figured thats not what you were getting at (at least I was hoping thats not what you were getting at!) It's still very interesting that Norfolk Southern would Omit the Sunbury Sub route from any future route plans. The likelyhood of any traffic originating out of places like the Port of Philadelphia taking an all D&H routing via Kase/Scranton and Binghamton to access points north is very high. But then again I'm not sure if Philadelphia is included in the PANYNJ plan so that may play a role in the map.
As for the Buffalo Line, Norfolk Southern has pretty much erased any affiliation they may have with the line, short of collecting rent. They said when they stopped running it as a through route that they were completely done with it as a route.
