Fiirst off, I’d just like to state that I am well aware that mergers and takeovers are just a part of American life. I accept this, but I do so grudgingly. I consider all roads owned by RailAmerica an dGenesee & Wyoming to be fallen flags, since the original identity is destroyed as they are made one with the pre-existing system.
With that out of the way, does anyone know how much of the current WSOR “culture” will be retained after Watco is finished with them? Will they begin a repainting campaign? Will the fleet be modified? In short, will the WSOR of today still survive?
As it is now, WATCO doesn’t repaint all that much. (the 13D UPS livery they use is not that impressive anyhow, but does hide dirt) They’d rather put those $$$ to better use in the environment they operate in. Their cost centers are not subsidized by corporate, each entity has to justify its shoestring existence.
The WSOR engines are supposed to remain as-is, at least that’s what I have heard. Mr. Bill Gardner is still in charge of the WSOR just as he had before, the only difference is Watco is now the parent company.
Not too shabby for an outfit started in 1983 with eight guys, around a kitchen table in Pittsburg,Ks.[:-^]
Before you throw the baby out with the bath water, you might just back up and watch and listen for a couple of years and see how it goes, before you atart dogging them. [2c]
Remember that this is a business decision agreed to by both parties. Wisconsin & Southern needed the access to additional capital that WATCO could provide. Consequently, WATCO now has a minority interest in Wisconsin & Southern and is probably smart enough to leave well enough alone with most of the existing business practices of Wisconsin & Southern.
Well I suppose I stand corrected. Watco’s website does seem to regard the railroad as it’s own entity (i.e. a link to their website.) I figure they probably will. I’m just glad that G&W didn’t take them dwn. However clear and attractive their fleet may be, it gets a bit monotonous.
On a separate note, do you think that there is a good chance G&W or Rail America will take over the Susquehana?
Are Buffalo and Pittsburgh or Portland & Western Fallen flags, because they are Genesee & Wyoming properties? Not really since they were created by Genesee & Wyoming.
Central Oregon and Pacific started out life as a Railtex property. Is it a Fallen flag, because RailAmerica bought out Railtex? CORP doesn’t even use RailAmerica colors on their locos. They switched back to Railtex colors.
These companies made their name creating their own shortline properties not just buying out others. I feel like you’re just thinking of Florida East Coast and not the actual histories of these companies. (Granted, RailAmerica has made some corporate choices that we in our Armchairs might harrumph about.)
However, I feel that in cases like the TP&W, FEC, UTAH, Bay Line, Maryland Midland, SOme history and heritage is lost in the merger process. Granted, as you said, this is not always the case, but in these cases there is a decent paint scheme that will be replaced, and I do find that sad.
However, I feel that in cases like the TP&W, FEC, UTAH, Bay Line, Maryland Midland, SOme history and heritage is lost in the merger process. Granted, as you said, this is not always the case, but in these cases there is a decent paint scheme that will be replaced, and I do find that sad.