To question them, to suggest or offer contradictory historical fact, can easily result in placing one's patriotism and loyalty in question. So politicians, Hollywood and those who see a buck in them continue to quack them out and perpetuate a mythical American past. The Pony Express was a private enterprise established by the freighting firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell in 1860. Yet it quickly caught the nation's attention and imagination. It is probably as sacred a symbol as the Minuteman, the Rough Rider and Casey Jones.
Mercury lacks American national identity.
When the railroad introduced a new freight service in 1939, it had a masculine resonance and the promotional material made sure that impression got out to the public. The image presented to the shippers was for a rapid, package freight service something on the order of today's UPS or the old Railway Express Agency. It offered pick up and delivery between selected major towns and cities on the railroad including New York City, Utica and Scranton. However it was very competitive and highly sensitive to delays or even a hint of unreliability. At scheduled stations, cars would be dropped off for unloading and the freight packages would be called for or delivered.