Good point about the still born merger, however, that was prior to the BNSF merger. I personally was happy that it was turned down after seeing the paint job on the locomotives. It was surprising also that both roads would adapt and start painting a merger scheme before it was approved. It would have been interesting and might have prevented the BN from the merger that halted the executive paint scheme, one of my favorite paint jobs. If the SF and SP had been allowed, all service in most of California north and sound in the state would have been a monopoly and transportation prices might have increased. The UP purchase of the SP was due to the BNSF having an advantage over the Union Pacific in the western states and it was allowed with certain trackage rights to and from the BNSF.
Hmmm I knew that but didn’t think of it preventing the BN SF merger.
Yup, I agree is was not a good plan in the best public interest.
It is those trackage rights that would not have to exist had the D&RGW & WP had gone to the BN instead. But then again the WP and D&RGW were traditionally J Gould roads as was the UP.
Do the heratige units run near/on the trackage of their former railroads?? ( like the sp unit running in the bay area, and along the penninsula ) I hope they do, this is one loco I want to see.
Looking at the picture , Why didn’t they put a red and white ocolating light on it! Now there’s heritge![:D]
I was told by the UP publicity people that yes, the units will run in their “home” territory for some time before being released generically into the fleet. This has not helped with the D&RGW unit, because even though it is making the runs on the joint line between Denver and Pueblo it is always at night. 2 a.m. is too late/early even for me. Not to mention it doesn’t make for good pictures.