Will CP + NS Happen?

[Robbman]

Something I can't find an answer to:  Do the Canadian roads have to update Canadian trackage to PTC? 

[Robbman]

Another take on the NS Article: http://wate.com/2016/04/20/norfolk-southern-reducing-operations-at-knoxville-rail-yard/

"The Knoxville terminal, known as John Sevier Yard, will still serve as a hub for through-train operations and provide safe, reliable service to local customers. They say local train traffic will have a minimal customer impact."

Because nothing says minimal like pulling cars from Pulaski, VA, taking them to Radford on the local, having a road train you intend to abolish pick them up in Radford (instead of Roanoke... and not because you shut down that yard too, but because you abolished the Roanoke-Radford turn) now take them to Chattanooga  (instead of Knoxville, where they went after you shut down Roanoke), just to put them on a train to Enola...

[CNR5529]

Something I can't find an answer to:  Do the Canadian roads have to update Canadian trackage to PTC?

Not for the moment, but any locos they send south have to be equipped.

[GaryHinshaw]

No, CP is CN all over again.

I was wondering how CN is doing in the post-Hunter era.  Any good articles out there on this question?

[Lenny53]

I was wondering how CN is doing in the post-Hunter era.  Any good articles out there on this question?

Operating ratio of 60.7 percent, Q4 2015, profits up.

[Scottl]

CN stock has been on a 20 year run...  Still have my privatization shares 

[Lenny53]

"I used to hate to get a spanking for something my sister did”

Thanks Uncle Pete

http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/canadian-pacific-railway-hikes-dividend-43-and-launches-1-3-billion-share-buyback

[jmarley76]

"I used to hate to get a spanking for something my sister did”

LOL! 

[Missaberoad]

Say what you will about Hunter Harrison... That's a great quote lol... 

[lock4244]

Operating ratio of 60.7 percent, Q4 2015, profits up.

Carloadings have dropped quite a bit. CN has revised it's outlook for 2016 downward. This drop is pretty obvious trackside, and a lot of power is being stored.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/canadian_national/news/CNs-Q1-profit-jumps-13-percent-but-revenue-falls-due-to-commodity-slump--48052

[Lenny53]

Carloadings have dropped quite a bit. CN has revised it's outlook for 2016 downward. This drop is pretty obvious trackside, and a lot of power is being stored.

They are storing a lot of GMs, especially SD60 variants, but they are getting ready to place another order for 90 new locos.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Carloadings have dropped quite a bit. CN has revised it's outlook for 2016 downward. This drop is pretty obvious trackside, and a lot of power is being stored.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/canadian_national/news/CNs-Q1-profit-jumps-13-percent-but-revenue-falls-due-to-commodity-slump--48052

It's interesting. It really reminds you how much of railroading is tied to commodities like coal and oil. Stuff that much of the the world agrees that we're generally better off without using. Which makes me wonder if this is a structural thing, instead of cyclical.

[Lenny53]

It's interesting. It really reminds you how much of railroading is tied to commodities like coal and oil. Stuff that much of the the world agrees that we're generally better off without using. Which makes me wonder if this is a structural thing, instead of cyclical.

Before Harrison, CN used to keep reserve power for winter conditions, wonder if they are going back to the old way?
 

[lock4244]

Before Harrison, CN used to keep reserve power for winter conditions, wonder if they are going back to the old way?

Heh, I wouldn't give them too much credit for planning. They grabbed a lot of cheap used power during the crude boom (the 2000's, 2100's and 5400's) and now are in a surplus position. It is nice to hear that the 5500's are going into storage in a planned manner (stacks capped, et al), so when needed they should return. CN floggs their power to death, so it is notable that they're storing them properly.

On that note, the rumour is that the SD70M-2's in the 8800-8964 series are to be stored upon engine failure once the warranty expires. If true, I wonder if this is more of a bargaining tactic as EMD Tier 4 demo's are going to be testing on CN.

Also, for those keeping score, CP is now effectively SD40-2 free. There are 7 units active, all at Mpls... 6 in hump service, one as a PTC test unit. CP's first SD40's were delivered in 1966, and it is strange to imagine them without their staple for the past 50 years.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Also, for those keeping score, CP is now effectively SD40-2 free. There are 7 units active, all at Mpls... 6 in hump service, one as a PTC test unit. CP's first SD40's were delivered in 1966, and it is strange to imagine them without their staple for the past 50 years.

Wow. That's wild.

I hope a few have found their way into preservation. I'm so afraid that they're going to be the next E7s.