I'm needing one of you to look something from a past issue of Trains. This was in either late '98 or early '99 in the news headline section in the front part of the issue. What I'm neding is the news report that gave bare details on the merger of shortlines KS Southwestern into Central KS Ry. What was the date effect of this combo per the news flash? Sam
Probably closer to May 8, 2000.
According to STB FD-33868, CKR absorbed KSW April 26, 2000.
https://www.stb.dot.gov/Decisions/readingroom.nsf/WEBUNID/9ACB67093CFCB438852568CF0050210D?OpenDocument
SFbrkmn I'm needing one of you to look something from a past issue of Trains. This was in either late '98 or early '99 in the news headline section in the front part of the issue. What I'm neding is the news report that gave bare details on the merger of shortlines KS Southwestern into Central KS Ry. What was the date effect of this combo per the news flash? Sam
From the Salina Journal, Salina Ks. [18 Mar. 2001-pg13]
linked@ https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/214675/
FTA:"...Change is good, railshippers say Sale of OmniTrax good news in south- central Kansas By The Associated Press WICHITA — The state's largest shortline railroad may soon change hands, and south- central Kansas railshippers are welcoming the news. Central Kansas Railway president Bill Frederick confirmed Friday the railroad's parent company, Denver-based Omni Trax, is negotiating to sell its Kansas property Despite being the state's largest shortline railroad, Central Kanas has abandoned hundreds of miles of track over the past decade,and railshippers have seen soaring land lease prices along with the steady decline in service"[snipped] "I certainly can't see how service could get much worse than it is now." The railway started operations in 1992 after OmniTrax bought more than 1,000 miles of track that were being abandoned by the Santa Fe or Union Pacific railroads. OmniTrax then had several of what it termed as "start-up glitches." The company raised land lease rates as much as fivefold •whilerail service to dozens' of elevators was reduced or elimiinated" certainly can't see how service could get much worse than it is now." Charlie Swayze manager, Farmers Equity Co-op in Isabei nated. Tracks fell into disrepair, cars didn't arrive on time and lines were embargoed and abandoned. Central officials say in the last three years, the railroad has tried hard to improve service. This year [1991], an additional 255 miles of track are scheduleto be abandoned. Shippers have requested that the Kansas Legislature approve a resolution asking for a moratorium on rail abandonment while a state transportation study is conducted. The House [Kansas] Transportation Committee heard testimony on that request last Tuesday. Wichita officials plan to eliminate the Cowskin Creek railroad bridge, which is part of Central's line, but it depends on the abandonment being approved..."[snip]
[Underline's added by poster]
[Shows the environment in the early 1990's and possibly, reasons for the sale of the KSW and the CKR, WATCO a local Kansas operator, it seems was a reasonable, go-to, to buy the then remaining assets, and form them into the current K&O RR]
To note further: [From the UPRR Profiles of shortline carriers] HISTORY
"...In April 2000, OmniTRAX, a non-carrier holding company, merged Central Kansas Railway and Kansas Southwestern Railway, with Central Kansas Railway as surviving short line. In June 2001, Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (WATCO company) acquired and operated approximately 678 miles of rail lines from the Central Kansas Railway (CKRY). KO also acquired by assignment from CKRY the lease of approximately 225 miles of rail lines and incidental trackage rights over segments of rail lines owned by UP and BNSF.."
Routes:
K&O operates over 920 miles of rail lines in Kansas and Colorado.
Connected lines include 1) Lyons to Great Bend to Scott City, 2) Great Bend to Larned to Hanston, 3) Larned to Garfield, 4) Towner, CO to Scott City to Healy, 5) McCracken to Geneseo, 6) Geneseo to Lyons to Sterling 7) Great Bend to Sterling to Wichita, 8) Wichita to Conway Springs to Kingman, 9) Kingman to Rago to Coats, 10) Pratt to Kingman to Garden Plain. Disconnected lines include 1) Osborne to Salina with trackage rights to Abilene, and 2) Conway to McPherson to Newton..."
found @https://www.up.com/customers/shortline/profiles_d-k/ko/index.htm
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