The abandonment of the SP&S between Martindale (outskirts of Pasco) and Fish Lake (outskirts of Spokane) was not so much a product of the 1970 BN merger. It was more a product of the 1980 BN-Frisco merger, which, unfortunately, coincided with a period of economic downturn, which helped explain (but not necessarily justify) the slash & burn cost-cutting actions of former Frisco officers who gained prominent positions at BN. Out of which came EHH, who would later bring a similar form of management to CN, CP, and CSX, where yards, sidings, and other fixed plant were closed or eliminated, but not necessarily as post-merger actions. Had the BN merger taken place closer to the mid or late 1990s, the east end of the SP&S might very well have remained intact to this day, judging by the comments of former BNSF CEO Matt Rose and others who have said they wished dearly that BN had not cast off that stretch of superbly-engineered railway.