Gulf and Ohio shrinks again

[ShortlinesUSA]

While checking the STB filings, found this interesting little tidbit:

http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ba7f93537688b8e5852573210004b318/ded147172c1a3ad48525787d006bc657/$FILE/229388.PDF

Bye, bye Nash County-- hello Rocky Mount & Western, yet another line into the Carolina Coastal's fold. Should become effective around 5/25/11.

Mr. Golden is amassing quite the collection of lines in North Carolina. It is truly amazing how much the Carolina Coastal has grown in the last couple of years. Those ex GTW GP9Rs coming from Chicago should find employment in very short order!

[Joe the Photog]

It's a much better name if nothing else. Of course, the speculation will begin again about the future of the G&O. The Alabama shortlines could be explained away somewhat given G&O's tendencies. But selling off a Carolina sortline is interesting to say the least.

[cassfan3]

After all the years of observing the Nash County as a kid, I'm glad I finally got some shots over it as G&O property. At this rate, I wonder what CLNA will get next. It will be interesting to see if all 4 ex GTW units go to Rocky Mount as G&O currently has 2 GP38s, a GP40, and an SW1500 there. Occasionally, they have some long chicken feed trains, but most trains are much shorter than that.

[Joe the Photog]

I missed them in December on my way to Richmond. I never got to shoot them.

[SCFrankie]

Interesting, but not entirely surprising. When G&O purchases a new shortline, they usually sell at least one around the same time. Maybe that is just a coincidence, though.

[ShortlinesUSA]

Traffic on all of these lines they've sold so far is relatively light, and geographically, they've been furthest away from the "center" of the G&O system. Unless something changes again, the focus for now is that G&O is rationalizing its system down to a core group of busy operations within a relatively compact geographic area.

[Joe the Photog]

Apparently four ex-CN GP9s are enroute to this line to replace the G&O power. They are in GTW paint with the lettering scrubbed out on the long hood. From not to great photos I've seen on RRPA, they look rough.

[BR549]

Originally Posted by Joe the Photog

Apparently four ex-CN GP9s are enroute to this line to replace the G&O power. They are in GTW paint with the lettering scrubbed out on the long hood. From not to great photos I've seen on RRPA, they look rough.

They may look rough, but they haul the mail! The 4628 hit the road this week and seems to out-work most of the higher horsepower units!