While looking at a BNSF map
http://www.bnsf.com/customers/pdf/maps/div_sf.pdf
I noticed that the BNSF has rights over the CN between Centralia, IL and Memphis. I also see that the BNSF has rights over the CN between "Burlington Jct." on the Ohio River and Memphis over a 2nd CN route.
This is news to me. I have heard that BNSF was disatisfied with its old Frisco route north of Memphis on the west side of the Mississippi. Does anyone know if they use the CN rights and, if so, how many trains per day do they run over the CN in and out of Memphis?
Greyhounds:
In Northeast Arkansas to Memphis, the BNSF uses the Frisco( The Miss. River Line) to service the Steel Mini-Mill at Osceola, Ar and the other industries East of Osceola, around the Armorel, Ar. area. They used to have a coil train/ structural products than ran down to Memphis (or Marion, Ar.almost daily) I think it then went towards Springfield, Mo. on the Thayer sub(?) and eventually to KC, IIRC.
The line south from St. Louis along the West side of the Mississippi was pretty underutilized after BNSF bought SLSF. Lightly, tradfficed, it picked up/set off a little down around the Herculaneum, Mo. ( Lead products and Alumium coils) , and further South Calcium Carbonate products(St. Mary's/St. Gene) and agricultural products down through the Missouri Bootheal and on into Blytheville,Ar.
The trackage rights over the CN (nee: ICRR) is a relatively new wrinkle, in the last few years) In Illinois, The Carbondale, to the South (towards Milan, Tn and Jackson) brought capacity to what was another underutilized line. and then they started routing traffic down a regional through NW Tenn on the West Tenn RR. Fulton,Ky area, Tiptonville,Tn. to Dyersburg and on South towards Jackson,Tn.. Not really sure how that has worked out since I moved out of the NW Tenn area several years back.
I don't have answers to your questions - but as general background, BNSF and CN swapped trackage rights a couple years ago. The links below say 2006 - 2007, but I thought it was more recent than that . . .
http://www.bnsf.com/media/news-releases/2006/january/2006-01-19a.html
http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2007/02/15/E7-2440/bnsf-railway-company-trackage-rights-exemption-illinois-central-railroad-company
- Paul North.
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