The problems and opportunities facing Illinois rail system reflect the broad, nationwide changes that have affected the rail industry as a whole. Over the years, the railroad industry has made dramatic strides in its attempt to generate an adequate return on investment -- not without a cost to the public, however. Many miles of track have been abandoned, and mergers, oftentimes mega-mergers, have become commonplace. Railroad employees have been displaced, rail-using industries have been forced to divert to less economical transportation alternatives or to cease business entirely, and growth and expansion opportunities for rust-belt communities have been lost. On the upside, however, many Illinois businesses have been able to capitalize upon the benefits related to system consolidations, such as transportation cost savings through more efficient single-line routings, betier equipment supply through equipment pooling, and enhanced business opportunities due to greater marketing and operating coordination. During the past few years, Illinois has witnessed the consummation of several railroad mergers. In February of 1995, the Union Pacific (UP) acquired the Chicago and North Western (CNW), effectively creating a major western carrier system approximately 22,600 miles in length. In August of 1995, the Burlington Northern (BN) and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe (ATSF) merged, exceeding the size of the UP/CNW combination by approximately 6,400 miles. Shortly after, and in reaction to the BNSF merger, the UP fully consolidated with the CNW (costing 900 Illinois railroad jobs). By July 3, 1996, UP was given authority to merge with Southern Pacific (SP). This latter transaction created a system over 34,000 miles in length. Within the same time frame, the Illinois Central (IC) acquired the Chicago, Central and Pacific (CCP). Illinois is now watching three additional mergers unfold: as of March of this year, Conrail (CR) shareholders voted to allow CSX Transportation (CSXT) and Norfolk Southern (NS) to divide and acquire CRs eastern rail Network. In addition, Illinois is witnessing the pending sales of Canadian Pacifics (CPRS) former Soo lines to the Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota & Missouri Rail Link (l&M), and of the Gateway Western (GWWR) and Gateway Eastern Railways (GWVVE) lines to the Kansas City Southern (KCS).


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    Titel :

    Proposed Rail Improvement Program, FY 1998. Rail Freight Improvement and Intercity Rail Passenger Program


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    1997


    Format / Umfang :

    40 pages


    Medientyp :

    Report


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch