CSX Railroad

Home » Appalachian Railroads » CSX Railroad

CSX Railroad – CSXT

CSX’s Appalachian Heritage

CSX Railroad

The wheels were set in motion in the early 1900s for today’s CSX Transportation, the corporate name for the CSX Railroad. In the early 1900s, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL) became the largest stockholder in the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N). In the 1920s, the ACL and the L&N leased the Clinchfield Railroad. Of the successful Appalachian Railroads we highlight on this website, the tracks of the Baltimore & Ohio, Chesapeake & Ohio, Clinchfield, Louisville & Nashville, and Nashville Chattanooga & St Louis make up today’s CSX.

Forging the Future: CSX’s Journey from Consolidation to the Digital Age

The history of CSX Corporation is an epic novel of the American railroad industry itself—a story of monumental mergers, relentless strategic adjustments, and a constant battle against economic headwinds and operational challenges. Born from a historic consolidation in 1980, CSX spent the next four decades navigating a complex and competitive landscape, with its journey from 1983 to today revealing a company in perpetual motion. This article explores the defining successes, persistent challenges, and key strategic initiatives that have shaped CSX’s evolution, highlighting the pivotal roles of its leaders and its recent responses to both natural disasters and transformative industry shifts, including the proposed Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) merger.

The Age of Consolidation: Creating the Modern CSX (1983–1999)

The foundation for modern CSX was laid with the 1980 merger of Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line Industries. This union created a vast rail network across the eastern United States, but the integration process was far from seamless. The early to mid-1980s were characterized by the monumental task of harmonizing two distinct corporate cultures, operational procedures, and track networks. This period, under the leadership of figures like Hays T. Watkins, was focused on leveraging the newfound scale and synergy of the combined entity.

A major success of this era was the company’s ability to streamline its sprawling network. This involved shedding redundant trackage, modernizing classification yards, and investing in new locomotive technology. The challenge, however, was managing the sheer size and complexity of the network while dealing with the shifting demands of a post-Staggers Act economy, where regulatory burdens were eased, but competition from the trucking industry intensified.

The defining strategic move of this period was the 1999 acquisition and integration of Conrail. After a competitive bidding process with Norfolk Southern, CSX ultimately split Conrail’s assets. This move reshaped the eastern rail landscape. The acquisition expanded CSX’s reach into key Northeast markets, strengthening its position as a dominant eastern Class I railroad. Integrating Conrail presented challenges, leading to operational bottlenecks and service issues that took years to resolve.

The Era of Lean Operations: Battling for Efficiency (2000–2017)

CSX Railroad

Following the Conrail integration, CSX focused on operational efficiency. Michael Ward, CEO from 2003 to 2017, led initiatives to improve productivity and reliability. This period saw technological advancements, including automation systems and signaling technology upgrades.

CSX improved safety protocols and service reliability during this time, which are key metrics for competing with trucking. The company invested heavily in infrastructure modernization, including upgrades to facilities like the Cumberland Yard. However, challenges persisted due to weather events and the need to manage a large, aging infrastructure. The industry’s volume-centric operating model was reaching its limits.

The Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) Revolution (2017–2022)

The most significant strategic shift in CSX’s modern history occurred in 2017 with the arrival of CEO E. Hunter Harrison. Harrison, a proponent of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR), was tasked with transforming the company’s operating model. PSR prioritizes running fewer, but longer, and more efficiently scheduled, trains on a fixed schedule instead of waiting for full loads.

Harrison’s tenure was short, ending with his death in late 2017, but his impact was significant. Jim Foote, his successor, continued the PSR rollout, fundamentally changing CSX’s approach to operations. Initial results were dramatic: CSX improved its operating ratio (a key measure of efficiency), increased train speeds, and reduced dwell times (the time a railcar spends idle).

However, implementing PSR also presented challenges. The shift required a major cultural and operational overhaul, leading to initial disruptions and criticisms regarding service quality for some customers. While the model delivered financial benefits, it highlighted the tension between operational efficiency and customer service.

The Hinrichs Era: Navigating Modern Headwinds and Creating “ONE CSX” (2022–Present)

Joe Hinrichs became President and CEO in September 2022, inheriting a railroad that had largely adopted PSR but was facing new market dynamics. Drawing on his extensive background at Ford Motor Company, Hinrichs introduced a new cultural initiative: “ONE CSX”. 

The “ONE CSX” Philosophy
The “ONE CSX” initiative is a fundamental cultural shift away from the more adversarial, efficiency-focused environment that marked the initial PSR implementation. Hinrichs champions a collaborative culture built on mutual respect and shared goals. The core idea is that a company that values its employees, fosters a positive work environment, and focuses on customer needs will ultimately deliver stronger financial results.

Joe Hinrichs, CSX Railroad

Key components of “ONE CSX” include:

Technology and Analytics: Beyond cultural shifts, Hinrichs has continued to invest in technology, including AI and cloud-native services, to modernize infrastructure and leverage real-time data for improved decision-making and supply chain reliability. 

Improving Labor Relations: Hinrichs, known for his success in managing labor negotiations at Ford, prioritized mending the strained relationship between management and labor. CSX was the first U.S. Class I railroad to reach paid sick leave agreements with its unions in 2023. In 2024, the company finalized new contract agreements with most of its unions ahead of national negotiations.

Symbolic Gestures: In a powerful show of this new commitment, CSX unveiled a special “ONE CSX” locomotive featuring the logos of its fourteen labor unions in January 2025. This visible tribute reinforced the company’s message of unity and appreciation for its 23,000 railroaders.

Employee Engagement: Hinrichs has conducted numerous unannounced visits to CSX facilities to have impromptu conversations with workers. He emphasizes the importance of listening to employees to understand their concerns and improve their work-life balance and overall job satisfaction.

Customer-Centric Focus: Drawing on his experience as a rail customer at Ford, Hinrichs challenged CSX leaders to view the company’s operations through a shipper’s lens. This focus on service reliability and predictability is meant to attract more freight and improve the customer experience.

Rail Network Initiatives: Baltimore and Hurricane Helene

CSX has undertaken several critical network initiatives to upgrade its infrastructure and respond to major disruptions.

Baltimore Line Improvements:

The most significant initiative in recent years has been the Howard Street Tunnel Clearance Program in Baltimore.

  • Double-Stack Capability: This public-private partnership aims to increase the vertical clearance of the tunnel and related bridges to accommodate double-stack intermodal trains, which is crucial for increasing efficiency and capacity.
  • Port Connectivity: Enabling double-stack service will significantly enhance freight movement between the Port of Baltimore and the Midwest, reducing transportation costs and generating economic benefits for the region.
  • Phased Approach: The project, which involves lowering the tunnel floor and raising several bridges, has been a multi-year effort. Work at the tunnel began in early 2025, with full double-stack service expected to be operational by mid-2026. 

Hurricane Helene Damage Repair:

CSX Railroad - Blue RIdge Subdivision

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage to CSX’s Blue Ridge Subdivision in Tennessee and North Carolina. 

  • Catastrophic Destruction: The hurricane and associated flooding washed away significant portions of the track, railbed, and bridges, particularly in the mountainous Nolichucky River Gorge.
  • Massive Recovery Effort: CSX, in coordination with federal and state agencies, launched a major recovery and reconstruction project. The damage was so severe that some sections required complete rebuilding.
  • Extensive Rerouting: The closure of the 60-mile line has required rerouting of freight traffic, impacting service and incurring significant costs. The estimated recovery cost exceeds $400 million.
  • Resilience and Environmental Stewardship: The rebuilding effort has focused on restoring service and making the infrastructure more resilient to future weather events. CSX has collaborated with environmental agencies to ensure the recovery is conducted responsibly. 

Responding to the UP-NS Merger Proposal

The railroad industry was rocked in July 2025 by the announcement of a proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. This deal, which could create the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S., has major implications for CSX. 

CSX’s Initial Response:

  • Strategic Partnerships: CSX and BNSF Railway announced a new suite of intermodal service products shortly after the UP-NS deal became public. This partnership aims to provide customers with coast-to-coast freight options, competing with the integrated UP-NS network.
  • Evaluating Options: While a full merger with BNSF was considered, and reports suggested CSX hired financial advisors to assess options, the company has not confirmed this directly. CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs previously stated that the railroad would not dismiss future merger talks, adding context to the current speculation.
  • Formal Opposition: A wide range of constituencies will formally opposing the UP-NS merger during the Surface Transportation Board (STB) review process. Competitors and shippers fear the merger could reduce competition, increase rates, and worsen service. 

Strategic Implications:
The UP-NS merger presents a challenge, or possibly an opportunity to CSX’s competitive position. While the BNSF partnership offers a counter-move, it lacks the operational integration of a single, transcontinental railroad. CSX must balance competing pressures: maintaining and improving its service, responding to investor demands, and navigating a newly consolidated market. The company is at a strategic inflection point, with a decision pending on whether to pursue a defensive merger or continue with its current strategies.

The Road Ahead

CSX’s journey from 1983 to today demonstrates its adaptability in a capital-intensive and cyclical industry. From the integrations of the 1980s and 90s to the PSR era and the modern focus on technology, the “ONE CSX” cultural shift, the company has consistently evolved and performed. The industry’s leaders like Joe Hinrichs face new challenges from recovering from natural disasters like Hurricane Helene, to new strategic possibilities triggered by the UP-NS merger proposal. The next year, no doubt, will be a new chapter in railroad history.

Blue Ridge Subdivision Recovery

After Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed almost 60 miles of the Blue Ridge Subdivision in September, 2024, CSX made the commitment to build the important rail link through the mountains. Click here to read more about their effort which is expected to be completed late in 2025.

CSX Historical Timeline

Click here to read a historical timeline of CSX.

CSX Maps

Click here to see a collection of CSX Maps from 1981 to 2025.

CSX Diesel Locomotive Roster

Click here to see a diesel locomotive roster of CSX.

More Rails Across the Appalachians information will be added to this page and website in the days ahead. Please let me know if you have any questions, see any edits that should be made, or have any content you are willing to share. Would enjoy hearing from you if you have similar interests in Appalachian Railroads, the region, or model railroading.

For More Information – Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the history and operation of the Appalachian Railroads. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Appalachian-Railroads.org. Much of the content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

Contact Us

Would enjoy hearing from you if you have questions, suggestions, edits, or content that you are willing to share. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have similar interests in the railroads or model railroading.

Go back

Your message has been sent

3Cs Websites

Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org