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Norfolk Southern names Jim Squires as CEO
So Mr. Squires is a legal beagle, and it doesn’t look like he has ever had an operating assignment, even just to get his ticket to the top punched. One wonders how well, if at all, he will be able to relate to the front line operating people and the daily problems they face trying to hold the railroad together and keep things moving.
Someone should ask him if he plans to continue the steam program…
Mr. Jeffries, I would remind you and all that Graham Claytor was himself a ‘legal beagle’ when hired by Brosnan to be VP law for the Southern and would go on to run the railway and later Amtrak. For the most part he knew what he was doing.
Mr. Carleton, I would remind you that Mr. Claytor was also a war hero and a proven leader of men before joining the Southern, and had a reputation as an “operations” man (to quote Wikipedia), and I don’t see any sign of this in Mr. Squires background, and all the statements I have read so far mention what a great thing this is for the shareholders first, and then oh by the way, also our customers and employees. We will wait and see I guess…
I worked in the operating dept. for 44 years. It is a two edged sword to become a top exec. from operations. The good is they know the railroad works. the bad is, as I heard one asst. supt. say " those damn customers, don’t they understand that we have a railroad to run here. Best of luck Mr. Squires.
To the question Mr. Lipnitz voiced: “…Someone should ask him if he plans to continue the steam program…” I would certainly hope that someone can ask this question… And fairly soon. Would be a good point for a Jim Wrenn Interview ! I cannot think of anyone whop is not suspicious of Lawyers, and’ Bean Counters’ . NS has a respected body of Goodwill in its areas of operation.
Would hate to see that squandered.
Will Jim Squires continue to paint locomotives in special paint schemes? Will he help in Norfolk Southerns efforts to fire up more steam locomotives. Someone should have an answer to those questions soon, because these CEO transitions really do scare me sometimes.
Only time will tell.
Jim Squires has a hell of an act to follow. As a NS fan and stockholder we all wish him success. We can’t expect him to have “Race Horse” Smiths’ operating experience but it would be nice if he did.
I agree with Gus I have not herd anything about the NS steam program I hope it is not shut down.
What was the point in restoring 611 then if it only had one year of service? 4501 and 630 at least has a 50 mile shortline to run on. 765 however needs to use NS to get anywhere. I hope Squires doesn’t pull a David Goode on us and decide to end it all. 611 has nowhere to run except on NS. If CP would take over NS then you can really say bye bye to steam. Some railroads like UP and ones in the UK understand the value of mainline steam. Oh, British steam locos are ugly.