Question for the Forum: How many fallen flag railroads could have survived?

[EMDGP30]

Was wondering how many railroads that are gone because of merger could have survived if the merger hadn't occurred?

For example, how long could the CB&Q, SLSF, SP&S, NP & GN have operated?

 

[bnsf971]

Many could have survived, and some could have thrived, if the operating environment of the time had been more business friendly.

 

[Bill Anderson]

As to recent mergers, I am fairly sure the BN and Santa Fe could have survived separately.

As to earlier mergers of the 60's and 70's, there is surviving and there is prospering. The pre BN roads probably could have survived (especially the NP and CB&Q after the Wyoming and Montana coal fields were opened), but would they have necessarily prospered?

 

[Bill Anderson]

Then there is that whole slew of roads that was acquired by the UP in the 80's.

 

[EMDGP30]

Then there is that whole slew of roads that was acquired by the UP in the 80's.

I grew up with the former Texas & Pacific's Hollywood Yd within sight of my house; I was 13 when Missouri Pacific acquired them I believe in 1976.

 

[Bill Anderson]

As a kid I lived five years in Sikeston, MO (pronounced "Misery"). An east-west MoPac branch line ran through town as well as a north-south Frisco (St. Louis-Memphis ?) main line. From what I can tell by looking at satellite imagery, the MoPac branchline is gone and the former Frisco line is now BNSF and serves a large coal fired power plant west of town.