On October 6, 2011 the Hagestad Sandhouse Gang at Northwestern University will have a presentation on the demise of the Rock Island Line. It sounds interesting to me. Maybe some of you would enjoy it too.
There will be a call in number and I understand that the presentation slides will be available on line so people can listen and watch from remote locations.
http://transportation.northwestern.edu/docs/2011/2011.10.06.Schneider_Flyer.pdf
The link sent me to a page with: “You have reached a page that does not exist on the Transportation Center site.” [%-)]
Yes, it’s broke. I don’t know why. It worked just fine when I tested it.
Do a Google search on “Schneider Hagestad Sandhouse Northwestern”, then look at “Upcoming Sandhouse Meetings”. Find the 10/6/2011 meeting and click on “View Flyer”.
“Schneider” is the Professor of History PhD person who is giving the presentation. I don’t think he has anything to do with the trucking company.
Passed through Chicago on my way too and from Road America at Elkhart Lake, WI and saw one RR bridge that still had the Rock Island emblem mounted, another bridge had the CNW emblem mounted and a third had what appeared to be the IHB emblem, however it was painted over.
Perhaps, Ken, you can bump this up again a little closer to the date. Getting it on the Forum a day or so in advance will be very helpful to me! Those talks that I’ve listened in on are interesting.
OK, unless I forget.
Remember, I’m the guy who directed you to the closed restaurant in Wisconsin.
The link seems to be working again:
http://transportation.northwestern.edu/docs/2011/2011.10.06.Schneider_Flyer.pdf
This is a fascinating group with very high level speakers. I have been to 2 or 3 and have enjoyed it. The 3pm start is a killer for me.
Perhaps I will listen in.
Ed
Well, if we just keep the post up near the top, no problem!
Ken, I’d forgotten about that restaurant! No matter…we found a nice place in Burlington that day, and caught a couple of trains to boot!
I can try to help remember, too. There’s a guy on the Rock Island Tech. Society’s Yahoo Group who has been keeping RITS List members up to date about this. I keep his most recent notice in my e-mail in box to remind me.
I think his first notice was the end of June. I just didn’t think there would be much interest except for those with an interest in the RI.
Jeff
I received another update today.
“Requiem for a Railroad: The Collapse of the Rock Island” by Gregory Schneider, Professor of History, Emporia State University.
RSVP’s requested to d-marek@northwestern.edu
Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 3:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Kellogg School of Management
Jacobs Center - Room G45
200l Sheridan Rd (across from the Transportation Center)
Dial-in Phone number: 877-806-9883 (toll free) or 719-387-4105. Lines open 3:10 pm - 5:15 pm.
Participant Pass Code: 9317334026
The speaker’s presentation will be posted on the Transportation Center website prior to the seminar for those calling in to follow along. http://transportation.northwestern.edu/
Jeff
Just a reminder that this is tomorrow afternoon.
Just a reminder that this is tomorrow afternoon.
I’m in (via phone).
How was the presentation?
Ed
It was interesting! It’s one of those things where you’re being reminded of things that you couldn’t have answered if you were asked, but if you listened, you realized you knew this all along. Dots were connected for me.
Couple of snafus that made me glad my phone was muted: the speaker referred to the BRAC as the Brotherhood of Railway and Airline Carmen (instead of clerks…wonder what an airline would do with car-knockers!); and, courtesy of someone who forgot to mute his phone, I heard a toilet flush very distinctly. At least I hope that came from the telephone audience!
Well, this is where you can find the Power Point:
http://www.transportation.northwestern.edu/docs/2011/2011.10.06_schneider_presentation.pdf
The speaker noted at the beginning that he was talking to a very knowledgeable group. A lot of former Rock Island employees introduced themselves at the start. Everyone introducing themselves is a Sandhouse tradition. Including those of us on the phone.
I had intended to attend in person, and scheduled the day off work to do so. But it was such a warm and glorious fall day on the Chain 'O Lakes that I decided to just kick back and enjoy my day off. I did the call in and follow the slides on the Internet thing.
Schneider’s basic thesis is that the fall of the Rock Island was just part of a general railroad problem that existed after WWII through the 1970’s. The main villain was regulation which was structured for 1920, not 1970. The Rock needed a merger partner and the UP showed up. Heineman of the C&NW realized that if the UP accessed Chicago via the Rock Island it would kill his railroad. So Heineman fought like a man with his back to the wall, which he was.
He got enough delay and conditions attached to the UP-Rock Island merger so that it was a no go for the UP. The Rock Island was basically in desperate shape and tried to practice “diplomacy” with other railroads to get them to drop opposition to the UP take over. The UP wasn’t interested in much compromise. They were in good shape.
But we knew that. Aside from some details on the negative working capital position of the Rock Island in the 1960’s and 70’s, there wasn’t a lot new for me. I was around when it happened, as were all those former RI employees that Schneider acknowledged when he began his presentation.
I know Carl was also on the phone so he may want to add something.
[quote user=“greyhounds”]
Well, this is where you can find the Power Point:
http://www.transportation.northwestern.edu/docs/2011/2011.10.06_schneider_presentation.pdf
The speaker noted at the beginning that he was talking to a very knowledgeable group. A lot of former Rock Island employees introduced themselves at the start. Everyone introducing themselves is a Sandhouse tradition. Including those of us on the phone.
I had intended to attend in person, and scheduled the day off work to do so. But it was such a warm and glorious fall day on the Chain 'O Lakes that I decided to just kick back and enjoy my day off. I did the call in and follow the slides on the Internet thing.
Schneider’s basic thesis is that the fall of the Rock Island was just part of a general railroad problem that existed after WWII through the 1970’s. The main villain was regulation which was structured for 1920, not 1970. The Rock needed a merger partner and the UP showed up. Heineman of the C&NW realized that if the UP accessed Chicago via the Rock Island it would kill his railroad. So Heineman fought like a man with his back to the wall, which he was.
He got enough delay and conditions attached to the UP-Rock Island merger so that it was a no go for the UP. The Rock Island was basically in desperate shape and tried to practice “diplomacy” with other railroads to get them to drop opposition to the UP take over. The UP wasn’t interested in much compromise. They were in good shape.
But we knew that. Aside from some details on the negative working capital position of the Rock Island in the 1960’s and 70’s, there wasn’t a lot new for me. I was around when it happened, as were all those former RI employees that Schneider acknowledged when he began his presentation.
I know Carl was also on the phone so he may want to add something.
Activating the link
Would have liked to have either been there or listened in. Does anyone know if the presentation is archived online?
Ed
Power point is on line. See link above.