Pan Am Southern / Patriot Corridor Discussion

Sounds like the B&E/PAS agreement will not be done by the end of the year. Things are moving along it's just gonna take more time

The monster trains are here already. Stoney brook railroad videos on YouTube has a video out today of 427 at NC with 4 locomotives and a whopping 159 cars. Without edpo, I believe that 426/427 will quickly be overwhelmed but we’ll see.

Didn't we discuss this in one of the other threads? It's temporary. As much as they have the right to (to a certain extent) Keolis doesn't want them moving trains like that over their railroad long term either. Operationally and physically due to the signal system.

16R is supposed to keep the PAS traffic (Gardner/Fitch/Ayer) and an as of yet unnamed job will un Deerfield to Rigby with a B&E > CSX crew change around Ayer once the dust settles. This will have a Lawrence block which has Nashuas, Bostons, Billericas etc.

Yes we did discuss the prospect of huge trains being possible and the likely future implementation of more trains to alleviate logjams. Some argued that traffic was light so probably no issue. Was just noting that huge trains are already here. Agree mbta is not going to like monster freights.

Once the dust settles, who will actually own the real estate west of Fitchburg?
Pardon me if it's been asked before, but as yet I still have not seen a definitive answer.

The same railroad that owns it today - Pan Am Southern.

… ie ultimately NS and CSX are the owners of the owner of the PAS real estate between Fitchburg and RJ. And at some point in the next 5 yrs(?), CSX has indicated it could sell its half of PAS to someone.

Correct. PAS is the property owner which was NS/PAR with the ST as the carrier. Now NS/CSX are the owners with the ST still the carrier (fully owned by CSX) soon to be leased to the B&E (GWI). Lost yet? Lol.

Ownership doesn't end at Fitchburg also PAS owns the Hill Yard and Willows to Willows East.

PAS owns operating rights on the various Conn River lines north and south out of E Deerfield but I don’t know how much real estate it actually owns there as MassDOT, Amtrak, and NECR(G&W) own much if not all of the RoW.

AFAIK, not only the railroad but the land under it were sold to MassDOT from East Northfield to Springfield. There is a distinction here because the ST still owns the land under the D&H over to Mohawk and Colonie yards, or it did when I worked there. Verified with GIS tax mapping. Unknown is that land was transferred to PAS as well or if CSX has it or if it was eventually sold to CP outright.

johnpbarlow wrote: ↑Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:32 am … ie ultimately NS and CSX are the owners of the owner of the PAS real estate between Fitchburg and RJ. And at some point in the next 5 yrs(?), CSX has indicated it could sell its half of PAS to someone.

Important to note that NS also has the ability to pursue a near-term purchase of CSX's 50% under proscribed terms for itself or an assignee including triggering by a CSX action, and then moving forward out to year 7 of the terms maintaining a right of first refusal for itself or an assignee with any potential CSX sale.

mass dot also owns east deerfield yard

NS Geo train (aka the Brick) is heading north on the D&H. Wonder if it will run the PAS track and, if so, will PAS get a better report card than in previous visits?

Unlikely, CSX has basically ignored PAS while controlling ST.

I would not expect any major differences as there are no incentives to spend capital there as a lame duck operator. They do seem to be doing a good amount of regular maintenance though.