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I like the UP from the time it was "the" UP. The time there was besides a MoPac, a Katy, a Western Pacific, a Rio Grande, and of course Southern Pacific darling. Nearly all the models of "that" UP I wanted, I have them. And if some manufacturer issues some "sex-bomb" model of that era, I shall get it (probably), and I do agree that the $5 extra bakchich will be peanuts compared to the price of that item. After all, the Coca-Cola models that Athearn produces are not fee-free, neither are the John Deere models. And nobody protests for red and green but do for yellow, why? This being said, I have seen an utmostly stupid topic down the list, trying to imply an "enronization" of UP. This is deeply idiot. What I envision is rather the following. UP now serves the West in a half-monopoly situation. With NS and/or CSX, it goes to the Atlantic coast. It will never expand North, may be will go South. Meaning that UP is now in the way of being "trapped" within the boundaries of North America. So if further expansion there will be, that can be only on an other continent. And precisely, across the pond eastward, the European Commission in Brussels has asked that European states step back from maintaining railroads. They must privatize anyhow within I don't know for sure how many years, never mind. What I believe can very well happen, is that UP may be tempted to buy one or more railroads in Europe. And probably the best nugget would be the French Railroads (SNCF). Why just SNCF? Because its network is at the crossroads of Europe. Geographically, all traffic or so to/from Spain/Portugal to Italy, UK, Germany, etc..., goes through France. It's SNCF that is co-owner of the Chunnel, through which goes all rail traffic, and some piggyback, between the UK and the continent. Since the SNCF is counter-managed, the expectation in revenue from an made-efficient railroad is enormous. But if SNCF's plant is -very- attractive, its social situation is a disaster. For that reason, the cost of purchasing the SNCF would be one of the lowest in Europe. No doubt for me that a Company like UP could propose a deal like "- OK, I purchase it. But I fire everybody and hire back tomorrow whomever suits me. And you French government, do me a favor, you make me benefit of the Disney amendment of the French social laws. That authorized Disneyland Paris to be a non-union company. Which is absolutely against the French social laws. With a non-union railroad to manage, I certainly believe that UP has -LOTS- of money to make. The day I hear they do something like that, I purchase UP stocks. But that's only my opinion.
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