Big News on Delmarva

[wm3798]

Looks like NS is going to lease the operations from Newark, DE down to Pocomoke and Snow Hill.  I figured this was coming sooner or later. 

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2016/10/19-delmarva

Sounds like they're hoping for new growth by doing some pruning...

Thoughts from any of our industry insiders?  What's the impact on the MDDE and it's several NS connections?
Lee

[davefoxx]

That means Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. and your favorite paint scheme can't be far behind, Lee.   

[wm3798]

We bought some G&W stock.  Orange is growing on me.  Better look into that other bunch... they seem to be on the move.

[RockGp40]

This had been a long standing rumor all year. The fact that it came finally is not a surprise. I can't speak for management or the MDDE officially, but we're bummed. There was a lot of studying and prep work done by the MDDE for this scenario in hopes of becoming more regional. As for existing MDDE operations, nothing really changes on our end. We will have three new customers by this time next year (one already in play and another up north and one in Federalsburg).

Hopefully, with the new carrier, set offs and pick ups will be more timely. I know a couple of the local NS guys, and I hate to speak poorly of them, but their work ethic has been in slow motion for a long time. With speed reductions, improperly spaced trains, it's hard for us to get our cars up north from them. There are plenty of business opportunities to be had if NS had just investigated. NS doesn't seem to be a very flexible outfit.

It won't be G&W. Carload Express is the parent company of three existing railroads and the Delmarva Central Railroad is the name of the new start up shortline. I wish them well and look forward to new operations.

[mu26aeh]

It won't be G&W. Carload Express is the parent company of three existing railroads and the Delmarva Central Railroad is the name of the new start up shortline. I wish them well and look forward to new operations.

I did a search on Carload Express, already have multiple job listings for Delmarva Central on their employment openings page.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

In case you're not familiar, Carload Express is the operation that owns the Allegheny Valley Railroad and Southwest Penn. This should be good news (except for the MDDE who wanted to expand).

Fun fact, their CIO proposed to his wife on the back platform of the PRR 120 while the CRHS's Conrail Express excursion was stopped on Rockville Bridge.

They're good people.

And it doesn't surprise me that NS didn't really hustle there. It's not their style of railroading.

[davefoxx]

Fun fact, their CIO proposed to his wife on the back platform of the PRR 120 while the CRHS's Conrail Express excursion was stopped on Rockville Bridge.

No sh!t?!  That was them?  I remember that announcement through the train, but I didn't know who that was.

DFF

[wm3798]

I had come up with Delmarva Central back in the late 90s when I was working on the N scale layout in Delmar...  Maybe I should sue...



Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

No sh!t?!  That was them?  I remember that announcement through the train, but I didn't know who that was.

DFF

Yep!

[conrail1973]

I can't believe that I missed out on this news.  I wonder if Harrington will be base of operations for this short line?  It will also be interesting to see if Delmarva Central will have trackage rights to Newark to pick up and drop off their cars, of if NS will run a road train down to Harrington for interchange.  This will definitely be interesting!

[davefoxx]

I really hope it's an interchange at the former Chrysler Yard in Newark, because that would really increase the interest up here.

DFF

[RockGp40]

Dave, I've heard Porter is where the interchange will be. The 12G/K64 will run down and the new start up will bring it south. I don't know track specifics, so I am assuming there is a runaround there.

*** Update *** Interchange will be at Clay siding so NS still has to do the C & D Canal calling. Carload Express will be operating one SD40-2, two GP38s, and 15 MP15ACs on the shore. Interesting to see how they'll do with only one six axle.