CSX taking it in the face. Why?

[5292nate]

So, I've noticed these days that CSX is getting picked on incessantly, by nearly everyone. I know it's all good clean fun, but I still want to know. How come everybody seems to dislike CSX? Is there an underlying story that I missed? I am curious to know why no one makes these jokes about all the other RR's. Do clue me in as I am curious.

Thanks

Nathan

[BigBoyMoon]

They have a lot of wrecks, and a bad track record in general. And they got rid of their heritage completely.

[1225fan5358]

CSX: No heritage units, no steam programs, unnecessary high security that seems rather anti railfan. They are known to wreck, A LOT. And as far as what I've heard, they treat their employees like crap. And since they really don't care for railfans too much, they make themselves the butt of all jokes.

[BNSFdude]

CSX sucks, I say this because there is a website that says so.

[buzz456]

Why oh why?

[buzz456]

CSX sucks, I say this because there is a website that says so.

Hmm. I read it on the internet, therefore it must be true?

[5292nate]

So... let me get this straight. They don't have a Steam program (Big deal ) And they don't have heritage units. (Again... big deal ) So, therefore they suck? Rather immature attitude guys. I'm disappointed. And they have tight security. Ok. Maybe they go to far with that at times, but every time I've seen a track worker, they have always been nice, friendly, given me a wave, and toot their little F-250 horns.

[SargNickFury]

I asked a friend about this once who is an engineer. Basically working for any railroad is stressful these days, in general CSX is known to be particularly so and a pressure cooker, though I also heard their pay might be better then N&S...more stress but more compensation, I have no idea if that is true that is complete hearsay and from someone who worked at N&S.

What I do know is they definitely do seem to be anti rail-fan. CSX is a good company when you want to get your item from point A to point B...that is their business, but from what I have come to understand they are run in a very corporate environment that cares about not much else but that and their bottom line. In other words the management does not see trains as anything romantic, they simply are the means to the ends of buisiness. That is not really a fault, their good at doing that, and that's what they get paid for. Norfolk and Southern on the other hand has had many of the old southern railroad employees come to the top of it's ranks. They and the southern railroad before them have a long tradition of supporting rail-fans, being rail-fans them selves at the highest levels, and then there's the heritage programs, and steam programs.....it's good press.... it's good PR, so they get good press......and their appreciated by the rail-fans.

So if you are a rail fan and love trains, CSX may not be your favorite railroad....(but you have to admit it's a good looking paint scheme)

However if you need to get your item from A to B.....and don't care about all this railfan nonsense....CSX may be a great railroad for your needs.

I am not someone who works at either, this is just what I have kinda come to understand from talking to people who work for these railroads, and other long time railfans. I do think it would be wise for CSX to be a little more railfan friendly and consider the PR aspect.....but I can't argue with the bottom line is ultimately always the bottom line either. it's a shame though because CSX sits on some of the most scenic and gorgeous stretch of rails in the southeast....much of their freight network occupies lines long known to be some of the most beautiful passenger rail. Maybe this is why they're rail-fan unfriendly, they don't want to encourage what they know would be popular and take away more valuable freight time.

Another thought is that CSX took over and replaced some very old school beloved railways, and many that were known to be "family" railroads, if your daddy worked there, then you likely had a place waiting for you after HS....this all changed with the take overs....and I think that also left some harsh feelings in communities, to be fair I doubt it is much different at other modern railroads, it has more to do with the railroads that got replaced...then CSX being much worse then others..

Anyway that's just all my observations on what others say....for all I know CSX is the best to work for and everyone else is just haters...

[dfcfu342]

CSX gets picked on because they tend to have accidents..often. They also have the slowest average cargo speeds (can't remember which issue of Trains I read that in) despite being such an operations focused company.

Being a Florida boy I've railfanned the CSX since before I could walk and always enjoy a good day on The Funnel, but I'm not afraid to poke fun at my favorite railroad either.

[RAILSOHIO]

Wow! Don't get me started. CSX is not equal to the sum of its parts. Abandoning the line from Grafton to St Louis.... How yesterdays freight moves,maybe tomorrow....I could go on all day. Their philosophy is if they could just get rid of all this track,they could make more money. CSX and NS can do all the PR advertisement they want,but they are self destructing because running a railroad is not the same as running a corporation,no matter how large it is. I have had this conversation many times before,the only CSX fans are new railfans,generally under the age of 25. They just don't how good it used to be. The clock will never turn past 1984 on the Ohio route I am building.

[FourEightFour]

Personally, I dislike all eastern roads just about equally. Simply do not interest me. Eastern foamers play a part in my dislike, they are just so....cocky...and.....vehement. After listening to a gentleman for over 30 minutes of how great Spencer was, nothing like that that will ever be recreated; NS is the only railroad that cares about their history... it's enough to make one put their head in a firebox door and be done with it.

[Bananarama]

FWIW, CSX has a lower total number of FRA incidents than many class-1 railroads.

Jan to Jun 2013 (excluding grade crossings):
UP - 108
BNSF - 78
NS - 47
CSX - 38
Amtrak - 18
CN - 17
CP - 11

You'll note that CSX is in the middle of the scale, which is similar when you compare number of incidents per rail mile traveled. For example, UP has a huge amount of track, so it stands to reason that they're likely to be at the top of the scale any given year.

Source: Federal Railroad Administration

[1225fan5358]

How about we INCLUDE grade crossing incidents?

[buzz456]

Why? They are not the railroad's fault.

[1225fan5358]

Why? They are not the railroad's fault.

True on most occasions, but what if the engineer doesn't do his horn pattern on a cross buck crossing with trees in the way?