I have heard that the CN is going to consolidate the WC into the IC if the sale of WC goes through. Anyone else hear this? Any truth to the rumor?
I think that you can look for the Lake Superior and Ishpeming to expand and take up the slack if the CN bales out. Also look fot the Escanaba and Lake Superior to expand if they are cut loose from WC control. The fate of the Algoma Central could be another story.
If the STB okays the deal, CN will buy the WC. This is a fact, and you can find more info at www.wclx.com of www.cn.ca
If the STB okays the deal, CN will buy the WC. This is a fact, and you can find more info at www.wclx.com or www.cn.ca
I think you misunderstood the question, yes, the WC will be bought if the STB gives its’ blessing. What I have heard is that the CN will put the WC into the IC to make it one railroad. This would essentially give the CN a Canadian road and a US road. Has anyone else heard this rumor?
I follow WC pretty closely, that being my nearest RR and me being a stockholder, but I have not heard that particular rumor. (Did you hear the one that KCS may launch a counter bid?) However, if I were in CN’s shoes I would work the other way around and save the WC name as it has a really good reputation for consistent and timely service, a quality singularly lacking in the industry in general.
I’ve not heard that they’d consolidate it into the IC behalf, but the question on many Michigan railfan’s minds is, “New shortlines on the way?” There is not much in Michigan’s Upper Penninsula to keep the CN up there. Does anyone else want to comment on this subject?
I don’t know that the WC has a better reputation than IC. It really doesn’t matter. If CN gets WC then they will probably do the same thing with them as they did with IC. I hope not, but if they do, say goodbye to WC.
I live in IC country and it started quietly. We became known as CNIC. The official IC web site showed two locomotives. An IC and a CN. Then, a short while later, it showed ONLY the CN engine. Then they changed the train symbols. No more DECA or IO3 etc. Then on October 1st 2000, IC fans heard something on their scanners to send them into shock. No more “CNIC track warrant etc.” It was just CN. Folks IC’s flag has fallen as of 10/1/00. There is no Illinois Central anymore, just CN. A number of our locos were painted over with IC under the numbers on the cab. SD-40s, the newest one, we saw about a week ago, was a GP-38.
I hope WC gets to stay around awhile longer. But I don’t know. I just looked at the web site. Same old CN loco, but next to it, a good ole WC unit.
If the deal goes through, don’t be suprised if you don’t have a WC after a short time.
WC will end up in CN’s Midwest Division same at the GTW
It happened but it’s CN now