So I am curious if anyone local knows why CSX is interested in the Indianapolis to Louisville line that is currently owned by the Indiana Railroad. Story is that the Indiana Railroad approached the Feds for a $90 million dollar rehab loan for the line to bring it up from 20-25 mph to 40 mph or better for freight. As part of the deal CSX was to pay the Indiana railroad $10 million for trackage rights. From what I read CSX is already sending it’s Ford automobile traffic over the line (Louisville plant). and about 4-6 CSX trains use the routing currently. In the articles I read it reads like CSX is not going to stop with just a 40-50 mph upgrade but is going to rehab it more to probably 60-70 mph but that with the bridge replacements all they can afford right now is the 40 mph upgrade.
I thought CSX already had a high capacity line to Chicago and I am curious why they need to add to the capacity? Is it a dramatic upturn in traffic to Chicago or superior profile of the Indiana Railroad line? Is this a competitive move vs Norfolk Southern?