The plot thickens................. More info on Four Rivers, which is part-owned by CSX. Again, this is gleaned from the Watco YahooGroup. All names or posters in this post have been deleted for privacy; Not owned. The PAL is owned by Four Rivers Transportation, which is also the parent company of the new Evansville Western (EVWR). As noted, CSXT has a 34% stake in FRT. The complaints of PAL workers taking over for AO workers, and how friendly some are or aren't to railfans is a copout. It's nice to be friendly, but they have jobs to do, keep in mind. PAL workers haven't been any less friendly than other operations I've visited. CSXT also has a stake in the Indiana Railroad as well. How much, I don't know, but I don't think it's a controlling interest.
I might go to Buckhannon on Monday the 30th just to see what happens. A&O stuff rolling out......CSX returning.
From the WVRailfans Message Board: Posted by Matt B. on April 26, 2006 at 19:24:33: In Reply to: Re: No more A&O posted by Pat Miller on April 22, 2006 at 00:28:37: Guys, Still haven't heard the official take over date, but the papers with the Transportation Board were supposed to be filed this week sometime. A couple of little tid-bits that have surfaced: 1)All of the current A&O employees will stay on to work for the Four Rivers Company (owners of the P&L) when the ownership changes. 2)The A&O will stay in West Virginia. Apparently the name stays with the line, instead of going out with Watco. Looks like the A&O will be sticking around for a while longer. Matt
The Four Rivers Line started operations on May 15 at 12:01 A.M. The first non A&O-powered train was CSX 52 and 217 with empties heading west to Cowen. The SD and GP50's have been placed behind Wal-Mart in Buckhannon for storage, likely sent off property over time.
Pat- What happened with the A&O name? As suggested earlier, did it officially stay? Or will there be a new one? Boxcab E50
Yes. There was an article. But since that reached print, a lot has transpired. Big changes. :sad: Boxcab E50
Recent article from the trade magazine Progressive Railroading: Watco sells West Virginia short line to Four Rivers Transportation The Watco Cos. Inc. recently agreed to sell the 158-mile Appalachian and Ohio Railroad (A&O) to Four Rivers Transportation Inc. Terms weren't disclosed. In March 2005, Watco launched the A&O to operate a line between Grafton and Cowen, W.Va., that the holding company leased from CSX Transportation. During the past year, Watco - which owns 16 short lines operating in 14 states - increased the short line's carloads about 20 percent primarily by moving more coal from West Virginia mines to eastern U.S. end users. "Unfortunately, the terms of the lease would not allow Watco to reach an acceptable level of profitability," said Watco Chief Executive Officer Rick Webb in a prepared statement. Four Rivers Transportation also owns the 300-mile Paducah & Louisville Railway Inc. and 124-mile Evansville Western Railway Inc., which the holding company launched in December 2005 after leasing a CSXT line between Mt. Vernon, Ind., and Okawville, Ill. "Four Rivers has been looking for opportunities for growth for the last several years," said Four Rivers President and CEO Tony Reck. "We have considerable experience in the transportation of coal and saw the A&O as a good chance to become involved in the Appalachian coal market." http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=8855
Five of the former A&O locomotives passed the Sand Patch camera on Tue, Jun 13,2006 12:23 PM. There were two CSX and one NS on the point, so I'd guess they were just very heavy box cars.
Appalachian & Ohio Saw Appalachian & Ohio 5006, 5007 & 5011 on NS siding in Oneida, Tennessee. Watco just signed contract to run old Tennessee Railroad which was recentley purchased by National Coal. Watco's Web page list four jobs in Oneida, Tennessee.
CLJITTERBUG- Welcome to TrainBoard! You mentioned Oneida. So am guessing this operation was the old O&W- Oneida & Western? Boxcab E50
July pics from WV Here are some pics I took in late July of the stored A&O equipment. It was on a siding between Grafton and Buckhannon. Hope they are of use to someone.
