by Rockingham Racer
CSX is not getting that portion of the former B&M. That's a joint venture between Pan Am and Norfolk Southern. Conjecture elsewhere is that NS might buy outright the line between Ayer and Mechanicville.
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J.D. Lang wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02, 2020 3:36 pm With CSX buying PanAm they will get the 50% of PAS therefore PAS will now be NS/CSX. What happens next is a matter of conjecture. Extensive discussion's and speculation about all of this is taking place on the PanAm forum.Also by buying Pan Am they are acquiring the operating side of it and all the workforce that operates it as the PAS entity contracts the operations of PAS to Pan Am (specifically their Springfield Terminal subsidiary which is the operating railroad of all Pan Am’s properties) Unless the STB forces a change (or CSX and NS can’t come to some sort of agreement that makes NS comfortable) if nothing changes and the arrangement remains in its current form you could have CSX employed crews operating the NS trains over the territory.
Backshophoss wrote: ↑Tue Dec 22, 2020 12:22 am Figure on a split sale PAS to NS,PAR east of Ayer to CSX,CSX(B&A) Springfield to Worcester sold to MassDOT/MBTA/AmtrakIf it shakes out that way, MassDOT could finally institute more frequent passenger train service, and Amtrak could re-institute service via the Inland Route.
STB happy at that point
newpylong wrote:Agreed, it's not going to happen.We'll see about that.
The three final alternatives for the proposed East-West rail project connecting Boston and Pittsfield, Mass., would cost between $2.4 billion and $4.6 billion, but will face hurdles in qualifying for federal funding, according to a report released Monday by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The three alternatives vary in the amount of new or upgraded trackage involved, and therefore in travel time; travel time, in turn, effects the projected ridership.More from the official site.
Next Steps and Recommendations wrote:Therefore, MassDOT will:Bullet 3 is a very long way of saying trying to figure out how to buy the line. The short answer is CSX has to be willing to sell it. STB won't force CSX to sell to MassDOT.
• Continue discussions with CSX to ascertain the basis for their
policies and requirements related to shared operations with
passenger service and whether their support for an East-West
passenger service is possible and, if not, what other options exist;
• Ask CSX to cooperate in additional analysis such as rail capacity
modeling and right-of-way condition;
• Seek to conduct a life-cycle cost analysis, if possible, to determine
the full spectrum of costs associated with greater control over the
right-of-way; and
• As commenters such as the Metropolitan Area Planning Council
(MAPC) and the Sierra Club have suggested, a phased approach
may be worth considering and discussing with CSX. Phasing has
proved useful with other projects in Massachusetts -- most recently
the South Coast Rail project. A phased approach could focus on
specific improvements that offer benefits such as safety and
increased reliability or could address infrastructure in a particular
segment. Whether a pilot service would be worthwhile is uncertain
given the current operational impediments, but it may be explored
as part of a phased approach and could also include working with
Amtrak on any plans for service to Albany.