sklinck1 Wrote:
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> I would expect another holding company like Watco
> or Anacostia to pick up the Mass Coastal, SLRG,
> and Grenada.


Won't be either of those two-- the margins on all these operations are too low to attract one of the top tier holding companies. Look for one of the smaller holding companies looking to expand to go for these operations. Patriot Rail, for one, comes to mind. Continental Rail (latest rendition of RailAmerica headed by Marino) is another one looking to grow.

The SLRG is tough, though. It is of the size and scope to require a big-time operator but doesn't bring the yields to attract one. Even "big time" RailAmerica had two runaway wrecks when they ran it.

Mass Coastal is a contract operation, and the Bay Colony could step back in or this would be yet another that Progressive Rail could handle well.

Grenada has a LOT more track than customers and an expectation all that out of service track south of Grenada will be returned to service and new customers signed up. This one could be complicated, because Iowa Pacific did pay for roughly a third of the purchase price from A&K to get them off the line and prevent scrapping. That would certainly have the company as some part of the authority which now owns the line, or at least they would likely have to be "bought out" if a new operator is desired (or necessary if Iowa Pacific closes up shop).