by CSXT 4617
If Penn Central had been called off a list of factors would have occurred.
1.) The Pennsylvania Railroad would have a chance at surviving into the modern era. The freight and commuter operations of the railroad would still be continued to this day. The intercity passenger service would still probably be handed over to Amtrak. Then, the railroad would eliminate unessential and non-profitable branch lines and would eliminate service to areas where money was low and not really turning a profit. The railroad would've probably purchased out the Reading Company and eliminated the unessential lines of the Reading and keep the profitable and the commuter lines and offer long commuter service much like SEPTA does. The railroad would examine its aging system and improve the system, so that derailments would occur less and less. The low-grade freight lines that Conrail removed the overhead wire and subsequently abandoned would still be in service on the system. The Northeast Corridor would still see frequent freight service like it did during Penn Central and the early Conrail years. The Pennsylvania would have a strong steam program.
2.) The New York Central would've also had a chance at surviving into the modern era. The intercity passenger service would probably be discontinued and well freight service would continue to pay the bills whilst passenger would be a thing of the past. The third rail would probably be converted to overhead wire so to prevent issues and maybe the Canadian Pacific will take over the New York Central and its subsidiaries and make them Canadian Pacific subsidiaries. Commuter service would probably go over to the Metro North Railroad. The New York Central would just become a memory.
3.) The New Haven might become Pennsylvania Railroad property. The trackage will be kept as an active source of income and well commuter service will go to MBTA and Metro North. The Hell Gate Bridge would become Pennsylvania Railroad trackage and the Northeast Corridor from New York to Boston will become the Pennsylvania's tracks and well freight service will carry over to the Pennsylvania. The intercity trains will probably deeded to Amtrak. The railroad will replace the overhead wire and poles and make them Pennsylvania Railroad styled. Thus, the Northeast Corridor from Washington D.C., to Boston will become a Pennsylvania Railroad owned line.
That's what it'd be like if Penn Central had been called off in my opinion.
1.) The Pennsylvania Railroad would have a chance at surviving into the modern era. The freight and commuter operations of the railroad would still be continued to this day. The intercity passenger service would still probably be handed over to Amtrak. Then, the railroad would eliminate unessential and non-profitable branch lines and would eliminate service to areas where money was low and not really turning a profit. The railroad would've probably purchased out the Reading Company and eliminated the unessential lines of the Reading and keep the profitable and the commuter lines and offer long commuter service much like SEPTA does. The railroad would examine its aging system and improve the system, so that derailments would occur less and less. The low-grade freight lines that Conrail removed the overhead wire and subsequently abandoned would still be in service on the system. The Northeast Corridor would still see frequent freight service like it did during Penn Central and the early Conrail years. The Pennsylvania would have a strong steam program.
2.) The New York Central would've also had a chance at surviving into the modern era. The intercity passenger service would probably be discontinued and well freight service would continue to pay the bills whilst passenger would be a thing of the past. The third rail would probably be converted to overhead wire so to prevent issues and maybe the Canadian Pacific will take over the New York Central and its subsidiaries and make them Canadian Pacific subsidiaries. Commuter service would probably go over to the Metro North Railroad. The New York Central would just become a memory.
3.) The New Haven might become Pennsylvania Railroad property. The trackage will be kept as an active source of income and well commuter service will go to MBTA and Metro North. The Hell Gate Bridge would become Pennsylvania Railroad trackage and the Northeast Corridor from New York to Boston will become the Pennsylvania's tracks and well freight service will carry over to the Pennsylvania. The intercity trains will probably deeded to Amtrak. The railroad will replace the overhead wire and poles and make them Pennsylvania Railroad styled. Thus, the Northeast Corridor from Washington D.C., to Boston will become a Pennsylvania Railroad owned line.
That's what it'd be like if Penn Central had been called off in my opinion.
"Norfolk Southern: One Line, Infinite Possibilities."