CSX
CSX Police Special Agent Michael Johnson recently received the 2024 Volunteer Service Award from NYOL. This annual recognition, the Class I says, “highlights the outstanding dedication and impact of a single Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) Authorized Volunteer within the state.”
Since joining NYOL in spring 2019, Johnson has delivered 75 educational presentations on railroad safety to audiences, including K-8 students, high schoolers, bus drivers, law enforcement, firefighters, and the general public. His efforts as a presenter and coach have made a lasting impact in promoting awareness about rail safety, CSX noted.
A leader in Railroad Investigation and Safety Course (RISC) training, Johnson has conducted 10 specialized sessions for law enforcement in Western New York since the program’s inception in 2021. Under his guidance, many officers have been recruited as OLI volunteers, “further expanding the mission of creating safer communities near railroads,” CSX said.
“In my volunteer service as an Operation Lifesaver Coach, I meet with new volunteers to help them get accustomed to their roles, providing mentorship and answering questions along the way,” said Johnson, whose dedication to supporting new volunteers “ensures the sustainability of the program and its life-saving message,” according to the Class I.
Johnson joined the CSX Railroad Police Department in May 2011 and has been instrumental in rail safety education for first responders. Beyond his work with NYOL, he teaches at four police academies in the Western New York area, equipping future officers with critical knowledge about railroad safety.
OLI, founded in 1972, was created in response to high rates of collisions at highway-rail crossings—an average of 12,000 incidents per year at the time. Thanks to its educational initiatives, those numbers have dropped by more than 80%, to about 2,100 annually. The program’s mission remains steadfast: raising awareness to save lives and reduce risky behaviors around railroad tracks.
The Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals like Johnson, who go above and beyond to support OLI’s lifesaving goals. Through his exceptional contributions, Johnson “exemplifies the spirit of commitment and collaboration needed to create a safer future,” CSX said.
To hear more of Johnson’s story, view the video below. More information about OLI programs and how to get involved is available here.
CN
On Dec. 19, 2023, GRYR, a short line owned by Pinsly Railroad Company, encountered a significant operational challenge when a track deviation on a critical bridge was identified. The bridge had to be immediately removed from service, putting timely customer deliveries at risk. An immediate solution was needed to ensure no interruptions in service for the customers.
GRYR, which operates a 228-mile corridor connecting Canton, Miss., to Memphis, Tenn., and links to CN offering daily interchanges and connectivity, turned to the Class I for support to implement a reroute agreement quickly, enabling uninterrupted service for GRYR’s freight and storage customers. During this period, there was no interruption to local service, interchange frequency, or shipments in transit. This temporary measure was in place for 30 days until the bridge was fully repaired. GRYR transports diverse commodities, such as lumber, chemicals, and paper.
“Pre-established trust, built through face-to-face meetings like CN’s short line conference, ensured effective communication and rapid execution. We welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the GRYR to show up together for the end customers,” CN said.
“Just before Christmas in 2023, we reached out to our partners at CN and asked for help,” said Pinsly Railroad Company President and CEO Ryan Ratledge. “Within hours, we quickly reached an accord and began rerouting traffic. This gave us the breathing room to make the correct repairs to the bridge and our customers did not miss a beat. This is just one example of how CN behaves like a partner; mobilizing quickly to ensure that we kept our customers freight moving.”
“CN has proven to be an exceptional partner for Grenada Railroad. When a critical issue arose, CN’s swift action and strong collaboration ensured seamless support and uninterrupted service for our customers. The ongoing engagement between our companies has built a level of trust and collaboration that was key to this success,” Pinsly Company Chief Commercial Officer Cassie Dull.
