First off, I'm posting this here because I didn't see a section for Penn Central and I know how NYC and Pennsy fans both feel about the merger. I ran across this movie on youtube. This movie was filmed by Penn Central in 1974 to request assistance from the federal government: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHmyYqfNYnc If this is in the wrong spot, please move it to the right one
I really had no idea that the PC was in such terrible condition. Looking at that video I am amazed that CR succeeded.
Incredible. Not in a good way. Makes you think. Seems like Penn Central was doomed from the start. Gotta wonder if any combination of management or decisions could have saved it. Also makes you wonder why Penn Central got left in the lurch, even when the government knew what kind of condition it was in. But there's been plenty of money for Chrysler's two bailouts, GM's bailout, and the banks. Its also neat that Penn Central focused a lot on the workers, the conditions of their workplaces, and the nature of the problems they face. I think its kind of noble in the sense that there was absolutely no blame handed onto the work force.
WOW 70,000,000 dollars lossed each year. Scrapping 25 cars a day. 13% of their 150,000 railcars are unusable.
I guess PC's problems stemmed from bad ownership, at least that's what I've been told by PC Fans who have researched the merger. But to see the horror stories first hand, that video is amazing to me. I saved it to my hard drive because of that. It's absolutely ..... well shocking and amazing are the two words I want to use here.