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Re: (erielack) NS Takeover
On Sun, 23 May 1999 "RJFlei_@_aol.com" wrote:
> Has anyone heard anything about NS's plans for the Erie mainline Kent to
> Hornell? Do they have any? Any speculation? I live about a mile from what was
> known as the Second Sub. of the Mahoning Div. in Cortland, Oh.
I'm glad you ask. According to the rumors that I've heard lately and again
I want to stress rumors....Is that NS is very interested in the 42 mile
stretch from Meadville to Corry that is owned by the Northwestern
Pennsylvania Rail Authority and NORPA (Was owned by Walter Rich , ie NYSW
from the past news reports, and was sold to NS & CSX, please correct this if
anyone knows for sure), so I presume they are interested in using the
southern tier to Corry more than previous along with Meadville to Youngstown.
Recently the state set aside an area just below Meadville along the rail
line as a KOZ (Keystone Opportunity Zone) area which entitles new companies
tax abatements for up to 10 years along with the chance for more state money
and grants. They have recently rec'd. quite abit of money for infrastructure
development in that area and rumors have it that some companies will go in
there but nothing on who that may be .... yet. I would think nothing will
be said until the split up goes through on June 1. This route is still the
fastest route from NY to Chicago and add in the high and wide clearances,
that sure seems like this old ERIE route will be reborn to alot of rail
traffic in our future. I think the N&W was interested in this route years
ago previous to the government creating Conrail, so it seems they will
get it finally! This area is located close to interstate 79 so it will
allow easy access for any truck traffic that may be related. I also think
that the rail authority will be much more interested in having a class I
railroad operating over the 42 mile stretch versus a class who knows what,
in regards to the (Bob Dingman) NY&LE Meadville Division that currently
operates along the line. It would be alot more inviting for new businesses
to work with a reliable Class I railroad and would be alot more attractive
especially since the state provided the initial $1 million dollars towards
the purchase of the rail line when the rail authority purchased it from
Conrail. Bot would it be nice to see long intermodal or other trains come
through here again. It would make up for all that I missed growing up in
this area when I had no clue to railroading, railroad history, modeling,
or railfanning! Only time will tell what will happen here.
> The only rail activity here is the Ashtabula to Warren ore train. Ohio
> Central used to come out here to switch the lumber yard but, it has since
> closed.
> Rick Fleischer
I was up in Ashtabula last week checking out the docks and it sure appeared
that they were busy there and will continue to be.
Larry Smith
Meadville, PA
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