Say it ain't so, Norfolk

CP and NS trains meet in Binghamton, N.Y., in July 2014. Photo by Amanda Oakes

The followers of Trains Magazine's Facebook page are speaking out on the proposed Canadian Pacific and Norfolk Southern "business combination." On Tuesday, CP confirmed it had sent an offer letter to NS executives outlining the benefits of such a deal. Immediately after, Trains' Facebook followers sounded off:

Robert Burns IV: That's all anyone thinks about is the "steam" and the "heritage units." Big whoop. I like NS and I don't want them to get bought out....but I could care less about the "heritage units." LOL.

Noah Chappell: NS should have said No to the Merger meetings but they did not, what makes u people think they will say NO to the Money which speaks loudly, I have a bad feeling NS will take the Money and agreement, But we will see. I could be wrong and hope I am

Rob Crawford: Well over 100 Class I's in the 1950s and barely 7 today. Why is the only way forward always through merger? How do bigger companies and a less customer-oriented industry do any real good? When we get down to the last one standing, it won't be a big step from a free market to just another government department. Who benefits from this? Only the people cashing their chips and going home.

Steven Doss: Go back to post 80s where railroads were railroads

Bill Kazda: Just spent my fall vacation in Roanoke. I would hate to see the Norfolk Southern legacy of helping museums, such as painting the Wabash engine, and the steam excursions gone forever.

John Kluft: This merger might not happen, at least on the terms of the first offer, but the last and final round of mergers is bound to happen soon. After all the growing pains subside it will provide faster service and provide a better operating ratio. They need to continue to provide a good return to their shareholders to keep their investors.

Howard Moody: North American Railroad coming up soon.

William Ottney: If this merger goes through, we can forget about Heritage Units or any of the other stellar image-enhancing projects that NS takes on and does so well. Other than Holiday Train...how does CP's image look to you guys?

Terry Plowman: No Deal. NS is a great railroad, and is one of the few that cares about history. If they merge, then no more steam or heritage unit programs. Employees might get laid off, too.

Dana Alan Ruthers: As a Norfolk southern shareholder I say NO!!!

Jon Sbordone: LEAVE MY NS ALONE ! ! !

Joe Schiavo: Sell off the First and Second Subdivisions of the D&H only to try to reacquire them a few months later?!

Benjamin Thomas: Yea with antitrust and monopoly rules in this country, I don't see regulatory agencies ever approving this

Boyd Walker: How long before the Chinese start buying US railroads?

Similar comments are showing up by fans on Norfolk Southern's own Facebook page:

Jason Elser: A message to Norfolk Southern Corp. If CP takes over NS... Everything we know and love about our beloved railroad will cease to exist. No more safety records and no more service awards. Not to mention the fact that ALL the pride in heritage through the heritage units, Veterans unit, First Responders unit, and helping museums get their units in order, and excursions will STOP. NS has for the most part been a company that took care of their own and took great pride in their history and where they came from. If this happens we will lose all that has been worked for so hard since 1982. Norfolk Southern needs to stay US owned and operated!

Andrew Hoffman Addington:‎ Please don't Merge with Canadina pacific!

Canadian Pacific does not allow posts from outsiders on its official Facebook account.

The Facebook comments presented here were not edited for spelling or grammar and reflect solely the views of their respective authors.