MSTL and IC--what if?

[NP Eddie]

This post is a "what if" the MSTL and IC had merged in the early 1960's.

I read a book (don't remember which one) that stated that the MSTL wanted to merge with the IC, but Wayne Johnston, IC President, was not in favor of it.

If the IC had merged with the MSTL, then the IC would have had access to Minneapolis, Watertown, SD, and other points.

What do my fellow rail historians have to weigh in on the subject?

Ed Burns

Happily retired NP-BN-BNSF and ATCS host in Anoka, MN

763-234-9306

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Access to Minneapolis via M&StL would have been the long way around to and from points on the existing IC so absorbing M&StL would not have made much sense to IC.

[aricat]

The C&NW had a much less cozy relationship with the IC than did the M&StL. The IC was a competitor of the C&NW in Iowa and  the C&NW ended their joint operation of their daily freight with the IC between Waterloo Iowa and Cedar Lake Yard in Minneapolis around 1967. IC Geeps could be seen along with a C&NW Geep on these freights in the 1960's.

The IC did consider purchasing the Minneapolis Northfield and Southern in June of 1969 to give IC access into the Twin Cities. Nothing ever came of it. IC would have had to gain trackage rights on Rock Island; it is doubtful that would have happened. Also, the state of Minnesota opposed any merger of the IC and M&StL. It is alleged that the IC refused to transport members of the Union Army during the Civil War. The State of Minnesota also opposed the IC entering the Twin Cities in 1969.

[NP Eddie]

ALL:

I enjoy the conversations in the various posts in "Classic
Trains". My first locomotive ride was in a MSTL Geep that rescued a northbound train a bit south of Cedar Lake Yard.

The IC and MSTL had a traffic flow through Albert Lea. IC Geeps came into Cedar Lake if my memory serves me correctly.

One book "Tootin' Louie" (I believe) stated the one or two MSTL officers did approach Wayne Johnston of the IC, but was turned down.

Albert Lea was out of the way, but I wonder if the consolidated system could have had a priority train on that route?

Ed Burns

[wjstix]

As it happens, I'm reading Jim Boyd's "Illinois Central - Monday Mornin' Rails" book now. He notes that the IC at that time seemed more interested in blocking other railroad mergers than trying to find one of their own. He also points out that IC and M-St.L had joint trains they operated together into the Twin Cities, including I believe a run-thru agreement (which continued with CNW).

It may have been a case of IC feeling they got the benefit of being able to run trains to Mpls-St.Paul without the hassle of buying the "M-Saint-L" and having to spend money fixing up it's infrastructure...kinda like "why buy the cow when you can get a run-thru agreement for free??"

[NP Eddie]

What a great comment! The MSTL was not in good shape and only a small amount of it (and the CGW) still exist.

Ed Burns of Anoka, MN