Where does the I&M Rail Link cross the DM&E crosses
The I & M Rail Link is now the IC&E. They cross in Owatonna, MN.
I&M Rail Link is now the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern. They connect in Winona, Minnesota. They cross at Owatonna, Minnesota but UP owns 3 miles of the DME there and won’t let them interchange.
http://www.dmerail.com/Sys%20Map.html
Nanaimo, IC&E and DM&E may pass in Winona but they don’t connect. CP doesn’t allow it, and neither would UP. DM&E and UP finally settled the Owatonna problem, with STB intervention.
Interchange is as Mason City, IA.
IC&E does have a yard in Mason City but the DME does not connect there. They have trackage right to Mason City via Union Pacific but Dme is not allowed to interchange with IC&E there
Right, the interchange is at Owatonna but DM&E crews take the train to Austin, MN
where IC&E crews take over. DM&E interchanges with the UP at Mason City, IA.
Interesting discovery on another discussion forum was that the UP has the right of first refusal if the DM&E is ever sold. This should put an end to any dicussion of any Eastern or Canadian railroad assisting the DM&E to get into the PRB.
quote: “Interesting discovery on another discussion forum was that the UP has the right of first refusal if the DM&E is ever sold. This should put an end to any dicussion of any Eastern or Canadian railroad assisting the DM&E to get into the PRB.”
I could not let the above comment go any longer without a reply. I have searched far and wide for any truth to this and have found none. A source is needed better than ‘I heard someone say somewhere… so let that be the end of it.’
If it were true I wouldn’t think such an arrangement would be in the public’s best interest, and could easily be fought successfully by another railroad (like CN) who doesn’t already have access into PR like UP does. A DM&E aquisition by another road would occur after their entry into PR, not likely before.
Remember, discussion and speculation can never end. Ever! =)
This is not anything other than an observation. — A usual provision in any divestiture such as the CNW made of the line that became the DME is first refusal of any subsequent sale. The UP would have included such a provision in its acquisition of the CNW. Therefore, through the CNW, the UP would have right of first refusal.
Like I said, this is only an observation. However, it should be noted that the ICE, a part of the DME family, operates former MILW trackage. If the situation observed above is valid, merging the two roads would be a nightmare to split up later should the UP wi***o re-acquire the former CNW trackage. And the CP certainly wouldn’t stand still for the UP to take over the ICE lines. I would bet that the SOO took first rights from Terry and east except for those lines that the State of South Dakota took over on all MILW trackage when they absorbed the MILW.
I don’t think CP would mind at all if UP bought the ICE. UP and CP are allies and could even merge way down the road somewhere. CP is centered on the Port of Vancouver and everything else is secondary.
Soo line only purchased the MILW as far west as Ortonville, Minnesota.