CPKC
CPKC on Oct. 11 officially opened its new Operations Center at Knoche Yard in Kansas City, Mo., with a ribbon-cutting event (see video above). Participating were CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who also unveiled a plaque commemorating the driving of the railroad’s ceremonial Final Spike on April 14, 2023, an event that took place where the Operations Center now stands and marked the merger of Class I railroads Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) to form CPKC.
During the Final Spike ceremony, ground was broken for the four-story, 46,000 square-foot building, which was completed in 15 months. It is now home to the U.S. Network Operations Center, yard operations, CPKC Police and a new training center. According to CPKC, designers selected artwork and finishes to reflect the heritage of both CP and KCS. Additionally, the track panel used in the commemorative Final Spike ceremony was installed outside the front entrance of the building.
“Bringing together our U.S. operating centers under one roof in Kansas City and creating a top-of-the-line facility for our employees is crucial to completing that journey and being able to provide seamless and superior service to our customers across North America,” said Mike Walczak, CPKC Vice President Network Operations.
“The designers wanted to keep a theme that was integral to the railroad and the new CPKC brand,” added Muhammad A. Pasha, CPKC Managing Director Facilities. “They came up with a 1950s-themed railcar design which honors the history of both companies while serving CPKC with a beautiful layout for years to come.”
Separately, CPKC recently released its 2024 Holiday Train schedule and artist lineup.
CSX
CSX recently released video highlights (above) of its 33rd annual Short Line Conference, which was held Sept. 16-17 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The conference “showcased the strength and potential of the partnerships between CSX and its short line and regional railroad partners,” according to the Class I railroad. Attended by more than 200 people, it featured author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon and CSX’s keynote speakers, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Cory, Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate Christina Bottomley, and General Manager of the Southeast Region Mark Mayo. There were also market breakout sessions led by eight CSX business units, a trade show featuring 20 CSX departments, and “speed networking sessions” allowing short lines to connect directly with CSX market managers.
“It’s incredibly valuable to exchange ideas in person and continue to build on the valuable relationships we’ve developed with the short lines,” Christina Bottomley said. “This conference truly embodies the power of partnership and the ability of synergies to translate to meaningful growth.”
“The CSX marketing and sales teams have tremendous knowledge of our customers and the markets,” added Marc Massoglia, Senior Vice President of Terminals and Ports Sales for Watco Companies. “By building and maintaining a partnership with CSX, we are confident that together we can offer our customers the solutions they are looking for.”
In other CSX news, President and CEO Joe Hinrichs recently celebrated his second anniversary leading the Class I.
NS
NS on Oct. 10 reported contributing an additional $400,000 to the American Red Cross to aid its large-scale relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This donation follows NS’s $100,000 Red Cross donation in September, and brings the railroad’s total disaster recovery support to $775,000 in 2024. NS noted that its Employee Disaster Relief Program is offering grants to employees affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene to cover disaster-related expenses and losses.
“As we stand alongside our communities during this challenging time, we’re not just offering financial support—we’re providing hope and helping rebuild what’s been lost,” said Kristin Wong, NS Director, NS Foundation and Community Impact. “This donation reinforces our commitment to being a trusted partner in recovery, not only for those communities impacted by the storms but also for our own team members who have been affected. Together, we’re making sure they have the resources needed for both immediate relief and long-term recovery.”
NS reported that it has supported the Red Cross for nearly 20 years and is a Disaster Responder partner. The railroad contributes $250,000 annually through the Red Cross’s Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). It is encouraging employees to donate, with a two-to-one match, and will continue hosting blood drives throughout the year to support the Red Cross’s overall mission.
NS earlier this month provided an update on its hurricane recovery efforts.
