Subscribe

Class I Briefs: UP, CSX, NS

(UP)
Union Pacific’s (UP) Big Boy 4014 will make two whistle-stops in Colorado this fall. Also, CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs is recognized with the Champion of Change Award from the Association of Corporate Citizen Professionals (ACCP); and Norfolk Southern (NS) supports the Alabama Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) grant to help speed the development of an industrial site in Limestone County.

UP

UP’s iconic Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, will journey between Wyoming and Colorado later this month. The limited excursion will offer rail fans another opportunity to see the railroad’s rich history in action.

“The Big Boy not only represents Union Pacific Railroad’s rich history, it symbolizes who we are as a railroad—built on strength, innovation and grit,” said CEO Jim Vena. “It’s an important connector among our communities, customers and employees that serves as a rolling reminder of railroads’ historic role driving our nation’s growth.”

Mark your calendars:

Tuesday, Sept. 30: Cheyenne, Wyo., departs 11 a.m. MDT; Greeley, Colo., 12:45 p.m.-1:15 p.m. MDT

Wednesday, Oct. 1: Eaton, Colo., 12:30 p.m.-1 p.m. MDT (park west of Highway 85 and cross at the Collins Street pedestrian crosswalk); Cheyenne, Wyo., 2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m. MDT; operational move to turn locomotive at Speer, Wyo., returning to Cheyenne 5 p.m. MDT

After this trip, Big Boy will gear up for a monumental journey in 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. More information will be available here.

CSX

CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs has been recognized with the Champion of Change Award from ACCP.

(Photo Courtesy of Joe Hinrichs via LinkedIn)

The Champion for Change Award recognizes a C-suite executive who provides leadership that advances both social and business impact in communities where the company operates and globally. “Joe Hinrichs works to embed community investment as a priority across the company, and his focus on employee volunteerism as a means to collaboration and engagement makes him an exemplary Champion for Change,” ACCP said in a press release.

“This is just another example of our ONE CSX team delivering for all our key stakeholders – including the communities we live in and serve every day. Special thanks to our entire 23,000 ONE CSX team members who made this possible,” said Hinrichs in a LinkedIn post.

NS

The Frazier-White Site, a 430-acre property in Decatur-Limestone County, Ala., has received nearly $88,000 through the Alabama Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Act to support critical site readiness activities.

A strategic grant through Alabama’s SEEDS program is helping fast-track development at a promising Limestone County industrial site. (Image: Limestone County EDA)

According to the Limestone County Economic Development Association (LCEDA), the award will help fund a $154,000 due diligence initiative that includes environmental and cultural assessments, wetlands delineation, species studies and other key evaluations necessary for industrial recruitment.

Positioned just 1.5 miles from Interstate 65 and adjacent to two four-lane highways, the Frazier-White Site boasts rail access via Norfolk Southern (NS), robust infrastructure, and proximity to a highly skilled labor force.

“Norfolk Southern is proud to support the development of rail-served sites like the Frazier-White Site,” said NS Senior Industrial Development Manager Tyler Preast. “This SEEDS award represents a meaningful investment in Decatur-Limestone County and reinforces the value of rail in driving economic growth and American reindustrialization.”

With the SEEDS funding now secured, LCEDA said it will advance to the next phase of positioning the site for prospective industries and headquarters in sectors including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, aviation, agriculture technology, and food products.