CSX
CSX on Jan. 28 reported the successful cutover of an extended hump lead at Avon Yard, delivering “measurable gains in efficiency, capacity and railcar velocity.” (Watch video above.)
The project—completed incident and injury free—added 3,500 feet of new track, extending the hump lead to a total of 8,000 feet. According to the railroad, this “enhancement allows Avon Yard to process full length trains in a single cut, improve remote control switching movements, and reduce railcar dwell time—strengthening the fluidity of freight movement through the terminal.”
Avon Yard can now handle an additional 200 to 300 railcars per day, which CSX pointed out helps it move customer shipments from origin to destination faster and with greater reliability.
“The goal is efficiency—switching cars as quickly as possible so they don’t spend unnecessary time in the yard,” said David Clark, Director of Construction Engineering at CSX. “This extension gives our teams the room they need to operate more effectively and deliver better service.”
CPKC
CPKC on Jan. 28 announced that, as part of its ongoing Board succession planning, Gordon Trafton, a current CPKC Board member, has been appointed Vice Chair. It also announced that Marc Parent has been appointed to the Board effective Jan. 27, 2026, and that Kate Stevenson has been nominated to stand for election as a director at CPKC’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in April 2026.
Trafton, of Naperville, Ill., has been a Board member since Jan. 1, 2017. He retired in 2010 from CN, following a 33-year railroad career that included time at CN, Illinois Central, and Burlington Northern Railroad. From 2003 to 2009, he successively served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Acquisitions and Integration, and as Senior Vice President, Southern Region at CN. Prior to that, Trafton worked as CN’s Vice President, Operations Integration.
On CPKC’s Board, Trafton chairs the Risk and Sustainability Committee, serves on the Management Resources and Compensation Committee, and previously served on the Board’s Integration Committee.
“I am honored to be appointed Vice Chair of the Board,” Trafton said. “Isabelle Courville has established a legacy of excellence as Board Chair, and I look forward to working closely with her, my fellow Board members, and our talented management team as we forge ahead together in our commitment to maximizing the value of CPKC for our shareholders, employees, and customers.”
Parent, of Montreal, is a seasoned CEO and Corporate Director with more than three decades of leadership experience in the aerospace industry. Throughout his 15-year tenure as President and CEO of CAE, Parent grew the company into what CPKC described as “the undisputed leader in global aviation training and simulation.” He has also been appointed to the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor.
“It is with great excitement that I join CPKC’s board,” Parent said. “CPKC plays a vital role in connecting communities and nations while driving economic growth across the continent. I look forward to collaborating with the talented CPKC team to shape the company’s next phase of growth and success.”
- “CPKC helps employees prepare for life after work with contributions to a defined benefit pension plan—employees can also participate in a share purchase plan to enhance their savings.
- “CPKC encourages ongoing professional development throughout an employee’s career, offering in-house apprenticeships (railcar and diesel mechanic roles), leadership development programs and tuition subsidies (to C$5,000) for courses related to their current position.
- “CPKC hosts a busy social calendar for employees every year, including the annual Olympiad event (featuring a range of activities from soccer and Fortnite to trivia), a family movie night (with complimentary admission, popcorn and beverages), a steps challenge every July, and an evening holiday party during the Christmas season at the Calgary headquarters for employees, their family and friends.”
