Abstract: This article profiles the current strategy of Michael Ward, the chief executive of rail freight corporation, CSX. The author reviews the impact of the economic downturns and reports on interviews with Ward as he prepares his company to pull-through and thrive as the economy rebounds. Topics include the international coal market, problems with the domestic utility market, growth in other commodities in the American economy, concerns over the impact of climate change legislation on the coal industry, the ongoing need to replace rolling stock, the switcher rebuilding program, capital expansion initiatives, the freight rail/intermodal corridor that involves six United States in the eastern seaboard, investments into Positive Train Control (PTC), managing toxic inhalation hazard (TIH) routes, and the political balance between advocates of a national rail plan and Congressional efforts for more regulation. A final section considers the improving public perception of railroads and the recognition of the place of railroads in the economy; Ward mentions that CSX is willing to work with passenger rail providers that can meet the railroad’s requirements for safety, preserving freight capacity, funding, and liability exposure.
Publication Year: 2010
Publication Date: 2010-03-01
Language: en
Type: article
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