Railroadforums.com is a free online
Railroad Discussion Forum and
Railroad Photo Gallery for railroaders, railfans, model railroaders and anyone else who is interested in railroads. We cover a wide variety of topics, including freight trains, passenger and commuter railroads, rail news and information, tourist railroads, railway museums and railroad history.
The proposed UP-NS railroad merger got me wondering how many of the other mergers in the modern era were necessary?
The main ones that I was thinking of are:
Pennsylvania-New York Central
UP-MP-WP; and I'll add the Katy in there as well
UP-SP-C&NW
BN-ATSF
CP-KCS
I guess the PC merger is a moot point since it failed anyway, but could either of them got themselves out of the situation they were in and made it?
I guess the PC merger is a moot point since it failed anyway, but could either of them got themselves out of the situation they were in and made it?
Within the constraints of the rules and laws governing railroads at that time, it was doubtful they would have made it separately. The red team/green team internal war effectively doomed the railroad portion of the company, but even if there had been no infighting, a perfect merger would have eventually crumbled. The government forcing NH into the mix just added fuel to the fire.
Now, "IF" the merger was subject to current rules and laws, where they could shed unprofitable lines and segments, and the employees that were part of those, it may well have been a different story.
Penn Central as a company still exists, and is a successful real estate company. The last time I checked, it is called American Premier.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website
(Learn More Here)
