tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post5852865024542571608..comments2023-07-02T09:22:57.566-05:00Comments on Confessions of a Train Geek: The End Of The MM&A?Canadian Train Geekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05525092107895665275noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600515.post-55443893150950618832013-08-15T16:47:08.498-05:002013-08-15T16:47:08.498-05:00In the early 1990's, I was asked to advise a f...In the early 1990's, I was asked to advise a funder to a potential purchaser of the CP lines east of Montreal. My comments at the time is that I found that the number of employees per mile was too high to make a satisfactory rate of return.<br /><br />When I was asked what I would do, I would recommend a complete changeout of the stick rail to heavier weight CWR and add about 1000 new ties per mile. This would keep better line as well as allow the heavier cars to move at greater speed thus reducing the number of employees per mile.<br /><br />It this were done from St Jean, QC through to Saint John, NB, it would have opened up the latter as being a bypass container port for Halifax. By diversifying the shipper base, the railway would have withstood the 2008 housing market crash. Also, there would have been a more comfortable and faster VIA dayliner service.<br /><br />I suspect that the MM&A is toast. The successor will see the same operational issues and will not fare any better unless they materially upgrade the line. Some more modern locos would help as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com