CSX
CSX leaders joined project partners and community stakeholders on March 5 for the groundbreaking of Chick fil A Supply’s new distribution center in Winter Haven, “marking the start of construction on a major logistics investment in Central Florida.”
Aubrey Brown, Senior Manager of Industrial Development, and Ann Markivich, Terminal Manager, represented CSX at the event, which celebrated a key development milestone for the region’s growing logistics sector.
“This event is an important step forward for Chick fil A Supply, CSX and the region’s logistics ecosystem,” Brown said. “By combining strategic rail access with strong state and local partnerships, we’re able to deliver reliable, efficient transportation solutions for our customer and add long term revenue to our business.”
The planned 244,000-square-foot logistics operations center represents more than $150 million in capital investment by Chick fil A Supply. The project is supported through partnerships among CSX, the Winter Haven Economic Development Council and the State of Florida.
Located at the Central Florida Integrated Logistics Park, the facility is expected to create approximately 180 jobs and support the receiving, storage, and delivery of products to Chick fil A restaurants across Florida, according to CSX. Operations are planned to begin in 2027.
Once operational, the CSX-served facility will support statewide distribution while contributing to the continued growth of Central Florida as a logistics hub, the Class I noted. According to Area Development, the Winter Haven site reflects Chick fil A Supply’s broader strategy to expand its supply chain network in the Southeast.
The project, the Class I says, “underscores rail’s role in supporting large scale logistics investments and demonstrates how CSX delivers value through strategic customer alignment, infrastructure access, and efficient long haul transportation solutions.”
NS
NS 8184 recently made its first run out of Roanoke, leading the Class I’s historic NS 32 research car, the Class I announced via social media.
The newest unit in NS’s Landmark Series, the Altoona, is equipped with Automated Track Geometry Measurement Systems (ATGMS).
Developed and deployed by Team NS, ATGMS uses lasers and sensors to measure track geometry in real time and detect changes that could indicate potential defects before they become issues, NS said. “It increases inspection frequency without adding extra equipment or disrupting operations—helping us enhance safety, boost efficiency, and keep trains moving.”
“We’re already operating ATGMS‑equipped locomotives on key corridors, including the mainline between Norfolk, Va., and Portsmouth, Ohio—chosen for its diverse terrain and operating conditions. We’re continuing to refine and expand this technology across our network.”
“Spot a locomotive with lights shining underneath it like this one? That’s ATGMS in action,” NS Noted.
“NS 32 supports our Engineering team on special projects, including testing emerging technologies and validating track performance across our network. Built in 1930 as New York Central Business Car 1—later Penn Central 1 and then Southern 25 R2—it has seen nearly a century of railroad history. Today, it’s helping advance safety and track inspection,” NS said.
