Steven D. Johnson Wrote:
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> Outside of abolishing
> ATSF/SPTCo/UPRR control and/or prior-rights
> collective bargaining labor agreements, as well as
> customer service contracts, I've casually wondered
> why else the HBL didn't remain in place during and
> after the Alameda Corridor project.

I think you've answered your own question. The ports' purchase of the HBL and associated trackage, then bringing in a new operator (Anacostia & Pacific), allowed BNSF and UP to divest themselves of continuing to operate HBL. Having A&P/PHL as the terminal operator (instead of BNSF and UP) also allows more local control over operations.

Things will really get interesting (for current BNSF and UP employees, at least) if PHL ever exercises the trackage rights it received on what's now called the Alameda Corridor East as part of the October 1998 "Alameda Corridor Use and Operating Agreement" (PHL would be allowed to operate trains with its own crews as far east as Colton/Riverside).