BNSF merge w/ Norfolk Southern

[scanrrman]

I ran into a guy that works for bnsf and we got to talking about the new paint schemes and he said something about the new BNSF logo ( the "NS" in BNSF) is resembling the Norfolk Southern. He said it incorporates the norfolk southern and talking about the two railroads merging. Has this already happened yet or has anybody else heard this?

 

[icom1020]

Good question, I thought that they would try again for a CN merger or even CP as they could haul coal along its route from the northern tier states.

 

[karldotcom]

It is the logical choice....now is NS buying Kenwood radios for everything like BNSF is?

 

[scanrrman]

why would they change it all before a merger? Still though my question still stands. Are they or have they merged?

 

[radioscan]

No they have not merged.
This rumor has been poping up once a month for
the past several years.

There are always rumors floating around that several
of the Class 1 railroads will merge, which ones depends
of whom you listen to. Believe me, when/if it happens it
will be carried by every major news source.

 

[BigC801]

The BNSF stands for Burlington Northern Santa Fa, and yes that was a merger several years ago. Havent heard about NS Merging with them and the NS comes from many Mergers too. Hope that answers your ?

 

[Thunderbolt]

I hope that if they really are merging, the new corporate management will be friendly to the idea of steam locomotives running over their lines. I really miss the old Southern/NS Steam excursion program. Somehow, things just aren't the same anymore without the 611, 1218 and 4501 running all over the place, like they did in the past.

73's

Ron

 

[erikTromatowski]

I really hope they don't merge. ENough mergers are enough, and the major railroads in this country are getting less and less. And why would somebody change before a merger? Years back in the 80's, SF and SP were planning a merger. So they started painting thier locomotives in the same colors, and would say on the side of the locomotive: SPSF. So, SP would leave a space after, and SF would leave a space before. Great way to get a jump on repainting, renumbering and intigration right? They were so sure the merger would be approved they stated to do this. Didn't happen though, and eventually SF would merge with the BN, and SP would be bought by the UP.

 

[selgaran]

So they started painting thier locomotives in the same colors, and would say on the side of the locomotive: SPSF.

Which became: SPSF - Shouldn't've Painted So Fast

 

[SCPD]

Unless the federal govt. reverses their decision to put all rail mergers on hold it ain't gonna happen. It all came to a screeching halt when BNSF tried to gobble up CN and it was deemed too much, too fast. In reality, there is only one question. WHO CARES!!!!

 

[jmp883]

Just my 2 cents......

As previously stated, the gov't has a moratorium on any future rail mergers, for several reasons, but #1 among them was the service meltdown that occured after NS and CSX took over their respective portions of Conrail as well as when UP took over the SP. Rail service became very slow, if not outright stopped.

For those who may be interested, go to www.railroad.net. This is a great site for anyone who has more than a passing interest in railroads/railfanning/model railroading (I'm a former train dispatcher). There are specific boards covering every aspect of prototype and model railroading. BTW, I also post there, also as jmp883.

 

[erikTromatowski]

Just my 2 cents......

As previously stated, the gov't has a moratorium on any future rail mergers, for several reasons, but #1 among them was the service meltdown that occured after NS and CSX took over their respective portions of Conrail as well as when UP took over the SP. Rail service became very slow, if not outright stopped.

For those who may be interested, go to www.railroad.net. This is a great site for anyone who has more than a passing interest in railroads/railfanning/model railroading (I'm a former train dispatcher). There are specific boards covering every aspect of prototype and model railroading. BTW, I also post there, also as jmp883.

I post (and moderate) over there as well. Great site. I'm TAMR213 over there.

 

[DPD1]

Unless the federal govt. reverses their decision to put all rail mergers on hold it ain't gonna happen. It all came to a screeching halt when BNSF tried to gobble up CN and it was deemed too much, too fast.

I'm not positive, but I believe that might have ended, or is close to ending. That's why all the rumors are starting up again.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Featuring the NEW TrainTenna LP Gain RR Scanner Antenna-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/

 

[icom1020]

Someone mentioned the rr's buying Kenwood radios, from a radio tech with UP, he relates that he is sick and tired of trying to pry parts out of Moneyrola in which they suggest he buy new radios. Motorola has lost a lot of business because of this practice and the Kenwoods and others seem to be ok with the class 1's and offer nearly the same features for half the cost.

 

[DPD1]

So BNSF and UP have been doing this? Does anyone know which Kenwood model/models they are using?

Dave
-DPD Productions - Featuring the NEW TrainTenna LP Gain RR Scanner Antenna-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/

 

[BigC801]

As for UP they havent had any kenwoods in a long time right now they are giving out MOT MT2000 and before that it was the HT1000, UP at least in the around here hasnt given out new kenwoods in several years.

 

[powerlineman]

I have a friend that works NS between Louisville and St. Louis, he has a Kenwood TK-290

 

[zcatcher]

Merger rumors...

I can echo that this rumor has been firing up every so often for years. I used to be a NS conductor, and left there 5 years ago while the NS/CSX/Conrail cluster**** was going on. That exact rumor was red-hot when I left. to the point of there being a running joke that BNSF stood for "Buy Norfolk Southern First"!