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Re: Watco as middle man--how much.?
Author: Frank
Date: 02-12-2007 - 23:22
Any Watco issues with new operators are WAY down the road.
After May 31 Watco will have little to do with business on the BN side - only that they will continue to own those lines east of the Idaho border. Seems they have W&I operating the WIM, and Moscow on lockdown - both would seem likely to continue.
Thornton to Oakesdale is a nice idea but at government speed any (further) Watco windfall is way down the road.
...I'm still baffled when folks defend Watco. If they are so strong what difference is it if some railfans think they are a destructive fraud? I can't think of another shortline outfit that comes close to their well-earned bad rep! And this is not from fans, but customers and industry people.
It's also fascinating the thinking that the rails east of the UP Washy main are somehow doomed. I see the (decent) traffic continually run off post-92/96/98. I don't see how Watco has "kept them going" - where is their marketing, or even interest? It's a pure milk / salvage (oh and scam WA) play.
After May 31 Watco will have little to do with business on the BN side - only that they will continue to own those lines east of the Idaho border. Seems they have W&I operating the WIM, and Moscow on lockdown - both would seem likely to continue.
Thornton to Oakesdale is a nice idea but at government speed any (further) Watco windfall is way down the road.
...I'm still baffled when folks defend Watco. If they are so strong what difference is it if some railfans think they are a destructive fraud? I can't think of another shortline outfit that comes close to their well-earned bad rep! And this is not from fans, but customers and industry people.
It's also fascinating the thinking that the rails east of the UP Washy main are somehow doomed. I see the (decent) traffic continually run off post-92/96/98. I don't see how Watco has "kept them going" - where is their marketing, or even interest? It's a pure milk / salvage (oh and scam WA) play.
