CSX Transportation

CSX Transportation
Name	CSX Transportation
Type	Class I railroad
Foundation	01 July 1986
Location	Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Area served	Eastern United States, Ontario, Quebec
Key people	Joe Hinrichs (CEO)
Industry	Rail transport
Parent	CSX Corporation
Homepage	https://www.csx.com/

CSX Transportation. It is a major Class I railroad operating in the eastern United States and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Formed from the historic merger of several iconic railroad lines, it is a principal subsidiary of the Fortune 500 company CSX Corporation. The company's extensive network is a critical component of the North American supply chain, transporting a diverse portfolio of freight including coal, chemicals, automobiles, and consumer goods.

History

The creation of this railroad was finalized on July 1, 1986, through the merger of the Chessie System and the Seaboard System Railroad. The Chessie System itself was a holding company for the legendary Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, and the Western Maryland Railway. The Seaboard System resulted from the combination of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, later absorbing the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. This consolidation was a landmark event following the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, which deregulated the industry. In 1997, the company attempted a monumental merger with Norfolk Southern Railway, a proposal that was ultimately rejected by the Surface Transportation Board. The railroad later acquired significant portions of the Conrail network in 1999, jointly with Norfolk Southern, solidifying its current operational footprint.

Operations

As a premier freight hauler, the company operates over a vast territory stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Its transportation services are divided into several key commodity groups. These include coal delivery to utilities and export terminals, chemicals and plastics from the Gulf Coast and Ohio River Valley, and automotive shipments for manufacturers like General Motors and Toyota. It also moves a substantial volume of intermodal freight, connecting major ports such as New York, Baltimore, and Savannah with inland markets. The company is a critical partner for the United States Department of Defense in transporting military equipment.

Network and infrastructure

The railroad's network encompasses approximately 20,000 route miles of track across 23 states, Washington, D.C., and two Canadian provinces. Its infrastructure includes numerous vital classification yards, such as Toledo, Willard, and Birmingham. Key hubs and intermodal terminals are located in Chicago, Atlanta, Jacksonville, and North Baltimore. The network features several major mountain passes, including the historic Sand Patch Grade in Pennsylvania and Saluda Grade in North Carolina. It also maintains and operates significant river crossings, tunnels like the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore, and access to important port facilities throughout the East Coast.

Locomotive and rolling stock fleet

The company maintains a large and modern fleet to support its operations. Its locomotive roster consists primarily of diesel-electric units from manufacturers General Electric and Electro-Motive Diesel. Recent acquisitions include the fuel-efficient Evolution Series and the advanced Wabtec AC traction locomotives. The rolling stock inventory exceeds 200,000 cars, including a wide array of specialized equipment. This fleet encompasses hopper cars for coal and minerals, tank cars for chemicals and ethanol, boxcars for manufactured goods, flatcars for machinery and intermodal containers, and autoracks for finished vehicles. The company continuously invests in fleet modernization and positive train control technology.

Corporate affairs

The railroad's corporate headquarters are located in Jacksonville, Florida. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the publicly traded CSX Corporation, listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol CSX. The company's leadership has included notable industry figures such as the late Hunter Harrison, who implemented the Precision Scheduled Railroading operating model. Current executive leadership includes CEO Joe Hinrichs. The company employs tens of thousands of personnel represented by various labor unions, including the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers. It is a founding member of the Railinc industry data consortium.

Environmental and safety record

The company has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint, including investments in fuel-efficient locomotives and programs to minimize idling. It participates in the EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership and has set goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The railroad's safety record has been shaped by significant events, including the 2001 Howard Street Tunnel fire in Baltimore and the 2007 Graniteville, South Carolina chlorine spill. It has since enhanced training, deployed advanced safety technology like positive train control, and improved hazardous materials handling protocols. The company's safety performance is monitored by the Federal Railroad Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Category:Class I railroads of the United States Category:Railway companies established in 1986 Category:Companies based in Jacksonville, Florida Category:CSX Corporation