PAN AM MERGER APPLICATION FILED: On February 25 CSX filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board concerning its merger with Pan Am Railways.  CSX proposes to assume control of the four Pan Am component railroads; Boston & Maine, Maine Central, Portland Terminal, and Springfield Terminal. The four would be operated as CSX’s subsidiary Pan Am Systems. The Boston & Maine’s Pan Am Southern subsidiary is currently owned 50% by Pan Am and 50% by Norfolk Southern. To access the important intermodal and multilevel facility at Ayer, Massachusetts, Norfolk Southern operates trains via the Pan Am Southern’s B&M route across Massachusetts. In order to provide for competitive access,  operation of the Pan Am Southern would be handled by an independent railroad, the Genesee & Wyoming Industries’ Pittsburg & Shawmut Railroad. A new railroad name would be established, the Berkshire & Eastern, to operate the Pan Am Southern.  The Genesee & Wyoming has expertise in operate railroads in New England. It has four lines in the region:  New England Central Railroad, Providence and Worcester Railroad, Connecticut Southern Railroad, and St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad. Norfolk Southern will be granted operation of one pair of trains per day between Voorheesville, N.Y. and Worcester, Ma. via CSX’s Boston Line (Boston & Albany), Providence & Worcester from Worcester to Barber Station, Ma., then to Ayer via former B&M trackage. SMS Rail Lines will be discontinuing operations over the Voorheesville Running Track, thus allowing NS to operate this pair of trains from ex D&H mainline at Delanson, N.Y. to Voorheesville.

-via Railpace Newsmagazine