Yes, we are a loooong way from another great depression, but depending on what kind of "stimulus" the government produces, it could turn into one. Mergers are probably unlikely, as rocking the boat could speed up promised re-regulation and they don't want that any sooner than it has to be. It is looking like we are going to be forced into a "Green" economy with carbon caps and trades looking more and more certain, at that point railroads will need to decide if they want to continue running trains or greatly curtail operations and sell the carbon credits to other industries.