There is a “Box” on page 106 of March Trains that “recommends” a book titled “Rods Down and Dropped Fires: Illinois Central and the Steam Age in Perspective”. It is by Richard P. Bessette.
Rick Bessete was a marketing department VP at the ICG when I worked there. He once called me into his office after I had basically refused to establish a competitive rate on new containers from New Orleans to Birmingham. We had to take the cans up to Fulton, KY, then back down to Birmingham. The Southern had a direct route and I knew we were in no way competitive.
I wanted the salesman to “drop it” and go find some good freight. The salesman didn’t want to “drop it” and I wound up in the VP’s office explaining my actions. Basically I was told to put the rate in.
OK, I established a competitive rate of $0.22/mile on new containers from New Orleans to Birmingham. Then Rick came back and wanted to know why I put in such a low rate. Some times, you just ain’t gona win.
Anyway, the book sounds very interesting and Rick always did a good job with things. I’m going to order it. Maybe, if I ever see him again I’ll get him to autograph it, and maybe I’ll get him to admit I was right on that rate.
It’s got a good review by a Jason Gallinger in Trains and I’m always interested in anything IC.