The responses are good as we've have been duped before and you have every right. The precedent was set when NS came to town at the time of merger and I was at several of the public meetings in Elmira. If you recall, they said they would run several trains and did for less than a year. They did what even I would have done. Run a core route on the LV/RDG/PRR.
Now the time has come for a secondary route. I do know for the line to work, NS must make Newark to Bison in 16 hours. Right now, NS can do Bison to Bing in 6 with a clear board all the way. So that leaves ten hours on the east end. It can be done. Roadster can probably chime in on this.
Look. I've seen NS do wondrous things, like completely rebuild 6 miles of track in two days (albeit another 2 days rebuilding a really bad crossing), build brand new yard offices in Binghamton, Elmira, and Gang Mills, and rebuild the yards. The track west of Binghamton has never ever been this good - since the 1955 Erie rebuild. (I don't want to sound like an advocate for NS, but hopefully stating what's been done in capital improvements)
NS would not indicate the east end unless they are serious. I'd re-read the presentation. Sure it's a sales piece. But, read it for what it is. They want to be serious contenders with CSX in New York (no - that won't take runs away from you roadster). They will. I have never seen the east end on NS sales slicks before - even with the patriot corridor pieces. This is the first, so I really think they mean business.
I agree with the "I'll believe it when i see it." Perhaps I can find out the 2011 budget for the Southern Tier Line. It is budget season you know.
Proficient on the Southern Tier Line, The former PRR Elmira Branch, A little LV, A lot of EL, And of course, the Corning Secondary. Someone always knows more than me. Remember the Binghamton yardmaster that routinely said in a high voice, "No! No! No! That's not what I told you to do!"?