Two Western US railroad mergers: Do we like these or not?

[Joe Bonkers]

Just thinking outside the usual merger channels; these ideas came to me while pondering the original 1949 California Zephyr.

Idea No. 1:
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy plus Denver & Rio Grande Western plus Western Pacific, with the proviso that the Great Northern and Northern Pacific (who presumably merge) are sold the CB&Q's Twin Cities-Chicago line to ensure their access to Chicago.

Idea No. 2:
Rock Island plus Missouri Pacific plus Milwaukee Road.

What's the verdict?

 

[Duke Andrew of Dank]

I personally find the second idea more plausible. Since for a start, the CBQ, GN, and NP were all under shared ownership.

However, the second one is one I have problems with too. For a start, several RI or MoPac lines further South will have to go, and probably so will either the RI or MILW from Kansas City to Chicago and Chicago to Omaha.