Some aspects of railroad mergers since World War II, 1945-1960

The purpose of this study is to give historical and factual information regarding merger of railroads since World War II. The study examines the effects of specific mergers on the railroads, on the railroad employees, on competition and on the public interest.

Data for the history of the railroad mergers were gathered from government documents and railroad magazines, while information concerning the success of individual mergers was supplied primarily by railroad officials. An attempt was made to arrive at a conclusion as to the desirability or undesirability of railroad mergers.

This study shows that consolidation has played a major role in railway development in the United States, since the middle of the nineteenth century. The study infers that mergers offer railroad managers an opportunity to solve some of their problems and that since World War II resulting rail mergers have proved desirable for both the railroads and the public. It is suggested that barring Congressional and Department of Justice interference in railroad merger procedure, the trend of railroad mergers in the future will be toward fewer railroad corporations.