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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by CSSHEGEWISCH The Venango River ownership was one of the sorrier periods in South Shore's history. The group was led by four lower-level managers from Santa Fe who probably got in over their heads. The purchase of the former Alton may have been an attempt to establish bridge-line operations which may have been based on similar operations on South Shore through the 1950's from Olive into Burnham to connect with BRC. [/quote] It was 5 men that comprised the Venango effort. Four from the Santa Fe and one from Sears. When they started out they weren't over their heads per se, but ego and mis-direction started the downfall. One by one the owners left the orginazation. The purchase of the Alton was an attempt to control the crossing of the Alton and Santa Fe near Corwith and compete with the Santa Fe for Kansas City-Chicago traffic, aside from the intermodal traffic that was sought. I always felt that the purchase of the Alton line was so the CEO could run steam excursions without catenary getting in the way of the photos. Being involved with that facet of the South Shore was one of the unhappiest chapters in my railroad career. As a side note, I lost my first wife to MS during that period. It was like being disected with a dull butterknife. Mitch
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