I’m stuck between it being a rumor or if it’s the truth…but I don’t think it’s happening quite yet. If he is, though, I must pay my respects to the gentleman. He knows what he’s doing and he’s doing it right, “Satisfying Customers Needs through Continuous improvement®”
Now it’d be completely wrong and definately “foamy” to say that Watco is now closer to assuming full control of the WSOR XD (though they have taken some of their locomotives and moved them across their system)
Want to tell us who Bill Gardner is, to help us decide if we care?
William E. Gardner is the president of the Wisconsin and Southern Railway, a class 2 regional railroad based in Milwaukee that goes as far north as Kiel and as far south as Cleanring yard (over trackage rights). Connections with BNSF at Prarie Du Chein and moconnection to all other class ones at Clearing. Other connections made within Wisconsin.
I hate Bill Gardner.
Sorry man- the devil made me do it. [:-,]
XDD
But it’s quite the cntrary with him. He’s improving the route between Milwaukee and Horicon to provide faster service, has saved one line from complete abandonment, and is in the process of restoring more track into operating condision. WATCO’ s there to help them in acquiring new lines as well as to spur more growth (Not the only reasons).
and don’t forget about their paint shop and car repair facility.
While driving back to Illinois from central WI yesterday I stopped in Janesville at about noon for a burger and spent about a half hour eating my lunch while watching the action at the WSOR roundhouse and engine facility in downtown Janesville. The sight of six spotless red and white SD40-2 units of various heritages was hearwarming. One of the units was being serviced by hostlers (sand, fuel, etc.) which was interesting to watch. Some years back my wife and I visited their Janesville facility for an anniversary celebration and I was able to tour the insides of one of thier “executive” E-9A units (ex Alaska RR/Amtrak) which was a thrill. This railroad is a class act as is Mr. Gardner (for those of you in the electrical trades he is the founder of Gardner Bender tools as well).
You live in a fantasy world. WATCO is there for one reason only, and that is to increase WATCO’s profit. Its called capitalism.
Just in case you missed it, William Gardner is a convicted criminal (he pleaded guilty). Here’s just one of the articles regarding this:
And just for the record, I don’t hate Bill Gardner. [:-,] Or Hunter Harrison.
I had heard he did step down - after being asked to. Word is also that the set of E-units and the passenger set is going to be up for sale.
Oh how well the government would run if we could just limit the level of corruption to a mere $62,800 per politician. Of course, the fact that he gave the money to that creep Walker is the main downside to that story. If Gardner had used the money for something more interesting (a vacation to Hooker Island or something exotic), I would have been more forgiving.
Anyway, the fact that someone is a convicted criminal and had paid his price to society is not sufficient reason to berate him.
They’ve been increasing their profits before WATCOs “partnership”, and one way to increase profits is to acquire/lease other lines, which may include transporting to and from the customers on said line.
Excerpt from a WSOR News article
“The acquisition will allow the WSOR to expand its footprint throughout the Midwest, seek out new markets and cost effective routings for Wisconsin businesses, while maintaining the same level of service and commitment to the State of Wisconsin and its shippers that have defined its 30 year history.”
The conspiracy theory is that WATCO either wants A: full control of the Wisconsin Southern, which seems unlikely or B: a president/CEO that’ll “kiss the rings” so to speak. Hasn’t it happened before?