CN and CSX, while retaining ownership of the properties will grant operating easements to each other in the Chicago and Memphis areas.
CN will grant an operating easement to CSX from Munster, In on the Elsdon Subdivision to the BNSF Corwith Yard and CSX will grant an operating easement to CN for 2.1 miles in Memphis. Both lines will be dispatched, maintained, and capital expenditures by the operating company.
CSX plans to move over 25 trains a day from various lines to the Elsdon sub in order to avoid Dolton, Barr Yard, and other areas. Clearing Yard and Bedford Park (intermodal) trains will be primarily affected.
Further, CSX plans to gain trackage rights from Munster east to Wellsboro and connect with their mainline to the east and operate 4 trains daily. They anticipate saving 80 minutes per train from Bedford Park to Wellsboro via the CN. My guess, and it is only a guess is that these trains will be the ultra hot UPS trains such as Q009 and Q010. Perhaps I will be seeing Q010 pass thru Valparaiso on a daily basis around 7am.
There is a 445 page document at the stb.dot.gov site and it is document 232728. I skimmed thru it and there are some very interesting operations disclosures.
CSX and CN are gaining operational advantages in Chicago.
Ed