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Class I Briefs: CSX, CPKC, NS

CSX modernizes its data platform with Infosys and Microsoft. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) Winnipeg, Manitoba, yard earns the railroad’s Terminal of the Year award; and Norfolk Southern (NS) extends its partnership with Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC).

CSX

Infosys on Feb. 24 reported completing a major data modernization program for CSX that was “built using Infosys Topaz™, an AI-first set of services, solutions and platforms using generative AI technologies, Microsoft Fabric, and Microsoft Purview.”

Infosys said it led the end-to-end modernization effort, consolidating CSX’s “fragmented data landscape into a unified cloud-native platform.” The initiative replaced legacy systems with “a single, governed data environment designed to improve decision-making, accelerate reporting and reduce operational costs,” the company explained. “Automated metadata governance was achieved across 28 domains with 170-plus data products created for adoption with AI accelerators, self-serve analytics, and Azure monitoring.”

Through this modernization, CSX achieved “significant annual infrastructure savings and established a foundation for predictive analytics, logistics optimization and enterprise-wide operational intelligence,” according to Infosys, which noted that the initiative was supported through its long-standing collaboration with Microsoft, including joint participation in design and architecture planning and early access to Microsoft Fabric features.

“Collaborating with Infosys Topaz™ and Microsoft has enabled CSX to fundamentally transform our data landscape,” said John Maio, AVP, Enterprise Data and Analytics for CSX. “By modernizing our reporting and analytics platform with Microsoft Fabric, we’ve consolidated more than 50,000 legacy reports into just 1,200 actionable insights, empowering our teams with real-time intelligence and AI-driven decision-making. This transformation not only saved us thousands of hours through automation but also laid the foundation for a data-driven culture across our organization. We’re now equipped to unlock new opportunities in predictive maintenance, logistics optimization and operational efficiency—truly Making Data Talk® for CSX.”

“CSX’s journey with Infosys Topaz™ exemplifies the power of Microsoft Fabric to unify and modernize enterprise data estates at scale,” noted Arun Ulag, President, Azure Data, at Microsoft. “By leveraging Microsoft Fabric’s intelligent, agentic data platform and robust governance capabilities, CSX has accelerated time-to-insight and enabled real-time analytics across critical business domains. We’re proud to see how our collaboration is helping CSX become AI-ready, driving measurable business impact and setting a new benchmark for innovation in transportation and logistics.”

“Our strategic collaboration with CSX and Microsoft reflects Infosys’ commitment to helping enterprises become AI-first,” added Karmesh Vaswani, EVP and Global Head, Consumer, Retail and Logistics for Infosys. “By leveraging Microsoft Fabric and our Infosys Topaz™ offerings, we delivered a unified, governed data platform that empowers CSX to anticipate disruptions, optimize operations, elevate customer experience and improve employee productivity. This transformation demonstrates how data and AI create measurable business impact at scale.”

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CPKC

CPKC on Feb. 24 celebrated its Winnipeg, Manitoba, yard as Terminal of the Year with special social media posts that included video tributes (see above).

“At a vital junction where railroaders manage traffic from across the network, the Winnipeg Terminal is an important location that offers unique services, including building and repairing End of Train Units,” the Class I reported. “In 2025, they delivered strong and consistent safety and operational performance. The impressive commitment to safety, service, and efficiency earned the team this recognition.”

According to CPKC, the Terminal of the Year award is one of its CEO Awards for Excellence, “marking an exemplary operational accomplishment.”

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NS

Josh Raglin, NS Chief Sustainability Officer, and Jennifer Singh, ATDC Interim Lead Catalyst and Sustainability Catalyst, spoke about green investment at the Georgia Chamber’s Future of Energy and Sustainability Summit together in 2025. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of NS)

NS has extended its partnership with Georgia Tech’s ATDC, committing $250,000 per year over the next two years to “continue powering ATDC’s Sustainability Tech vertical,” the railroad reported Feb. 26.

“Launched in 2023 with initial support from Norfolk Southern, the ATDC Sustainability Tech vertical has become one of the fastest growing and largest verticals at ATDC,” NS said. “Over the past three years, the program has supported more than 35 sustainability focused portfolio companies and engaged additional startups across ATDC’s broader portfolio. Today, the vertical comprises 29 active companies spanning industries such as renewable energy, circular economy technologies, energy efficiency, water tech, ag tech, and climate data solutions.”

According to NS, its partnership with Georgia Tech’s ATDC:

  • “Supports one-on-one startup coaching, sustainability focused programming, and specialized resources designed to guide founders from ideation through commercialization.
  • “Builds a pipeline of innovators across Georgia.
  • “Enhances the state’s economy.”

In 2024, sustainability portfolio companies generated more than $15 million in revenue and created or saved 114 jobs, NS reported. The program, it continued, “has also produced two acquisitions, including ClimeCo’s 2023 acquisition of Ampliphi, which enables companies to combat plastic pollution, and Quest Renewables, a solar canopy solution provider that was acquired by Bravo in 2023.”

“ATDC remains at the forefront of cleantech innovation in Georgia,” said Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer for NS. “Norfolk Southern and ATDC share a clear vision for developing and deploying technology to help businesses meet their sustainability goals, which is why extending this partnership is so meaningful.”

“We are so pleased to continue our partnership with Norfolk Southern for another two years to support our sustainability technology vertical which spans critical sectors that work to improve climate sustainability, energy resiliency, and other research areas that have a tangible impact on human wellbeing,” added John Avery, Director of ATDC. “With their support and partnership, we plan to build an even bigger pipeline of founders who are laser focused on creating meaningful business that address today’s challenges.”

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