NS. It’s in much better shape financially and they earned it.
CSX has a less efficient route structure. NS got the Pennsy and CSX got the NYCentral, but look how empty CSX’s service to the industrialized Northeast would be without that one line–and NS already has the Nickel Plate Road on the other side of the Hudson.
I feel a little sorry for CSX because NS [fornicated] them on Conrail. On the other hand, has anyone read CSX’s 2004 annual report? It’s all about corporate philosophy and ethics and multi this and infra that and only a few hints that their transportation “logistics” (or is it “coordinates”?) have to do with the operation of large, special-duty vehicles called “trains” on a dedicated ROW called “rails.”
If CSX wanted to get back into my good graces, they should bring back silhouette Chessie. Then figure out whether they want to fix their skankiest branch lines or abandon them.
NS seems to be faring much better than CSX post merger after faring worse than CSX in the months immediately following the merger in 1999…They seem to be having fewer ‘meltdowns’ than CSX nowadays…CSX seems to run more of a variety of power on its trains, when comparing Sand Patch to Altoona. 2nd generation EMD, etc…I am partial to any railroad that runs over the former Pennsy through Altoona…NS also gets my vote for keeping the Altoona SD40-2 helper pool intact…nothing sounds like a heavy coal drag with anywhere from 1 to 2 pair of 40-2’s shoving up that grade at Run-8! Dave Williams @ nsaltoonajohnstown@yahoogroups.com
Here in northern New Jersey, can’t say either one is a winner. NS destroyed what was the Southern Tier line, and there isn’t much to see. CSX would be the favorite, as they run their trains nearby on the River division main line. But they can’t seem to even do that right and you are lucky if you see a train there. This is a railroad that uses the Susquehenna line because they can’t get the trains down their own line, it seems. Why didn’t Conrail have these problems?
It’s too dark, plus it ruins what has been claimed to be a paint scheme reflecting Seaboard System and Chessie System. Dark blue and gold? Come on CSX, do something like UP, and paint an SD70MAC up in Seaboard colors, and a B40-8 in Chessie colors, or something like that.
Between the two, I’d probably pick NS because of their livery and the fact they seem more willing to celebrate being a railroad with history. CSX has more railroads I like (C&O foremost) but them, along with BNSF, CN, etc seem to want to run away from their proud histories.
A Seaboard System SD70MAC in SBD colors! a B40-8 in chessie colors! wow that would be wierd to see that.But I would put a SD60 or what ever Seaboard and Chessie had at the merger would be A OK [^]
…Conrail operated the ex. NYC double track east / west route through here {Muncie}, and in later years pesented an image of seemingly newer and consistent engine models and all pained in the famous blue with the “wheels and track” icon logo…presenting an image of a company on the move and having it together…and getting the job done…Now that route is operated by CSX and their engine make up looks like a hodge podge of engines some in pretty good shape and many looking haggard and torn…Just not presenting an image of being in charge and getting the job done…Maybe they are but it’s the image that looks so haggard…!
Dwil89…I too have a soft spot for the ex Pennsy route through Altoona, Johnstown, etc…and expect to be in that area this coming week…Just might venture to the Curve to have yet another look…Some recent photos show brush and trees have been trimmed back rather well in some areas so maybe this time, if we do get over there we will get a better look.
i modelled conrail…when csx n s took over i gradually moved over to csx now csx is the dominent railroad on my model railroad…ps i admire the santa fe… peter
Such logic makes for a very good point. -------------------------------- I do trust that you are also taking the opportunity to buy some of their stock. - PL
Unless you can prove some have bounced, your statement is ludicrous. You’d be happy working for anybody whose checks do not bounce. How many employers have you worked for whose checks bounced?
calm down old timer, all im saying is that i get paid every other week and that’s the bottom line. I don’t have to prove anything, and I never said ns checks bounce. you’re reading waaaaay too much into this.