CSX reviewing 1/3 of its network for possible sale.

[mu26aeh]

Let the scissors be sharpened, as the cutting is about to commence....

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2018/01/22-csx-reviewing-8000-miles-of-rail-lines-for-potential-sale

[TLOC]

Sad for the employees and communities. The stockholders are the only winners if this comes to pass. I don’t see a new Wisconsin Central coming out of this mess. I hope I am wrong.

TomO

[learmoia]

Sad for the employees and communities. The stockholders are the only winners if this comes to pass. I don’t see a new Wisconsin Central coming out of this mess. I hope I am wrong.

TomO

Each line if sold at the right price will go to short lines and regionals in the area (or G&W) who will be able to provide better local service than CSX would bother with..

CSX employees would have to relocate or go to the shortlines, but overall it would improve service to local business..

~Ian

[jpwisc]

The G&W empire could grow nicely from this. Watco could benefit too, I could see them grabbing the Michigan segment.

[Jbub]

Is G&W a class 1 railroad yet? They own a lot of short lines and that trackage is adding up.

[wazzou]

Is G&W a class 1 railroad yet? They own a lot of short lines and that trackage is adding up.

Mostly not connected short lines.

[nkalanaga]

Isn't "Class 1" based on revenue, rather than mileage?  If so, "a bunch of shortlines", listed separately, wouldn't qualify, but if the revenue is combined under a single corporate name, it would. 

[lock4244]

Unless they're completely asleep at the switch, CP will likely grab the PM lines if they go up for sale.

[Philip H]

its a shame - had HH not altered the business model they wouldn't need to sell off track. 

[lock4244]

I read that 200,000 demons just got pink slipped, moving to a self-torture model.

[C855B]

Nothing to do with Harrison's legacy. It's CSX, so consider it SSDD. They did the same thing in the '80s, but back then there were few attempts to sell "the excess", they were already pulling up rails as the announcements were made. There were so many communities and industries burnt by this they now have to make a show of trying to find buyers for declared redundancy. Also, more mileage involved this time since they were "gifted" with half of Conrail. I somewhat suspected this would be the outcome.

Case in point on the new list is "Most of the former Baltimore & Ohio main linking East St. Louis, Ill., and Cincinnati." This line has been embargoed for over a year, with key diamonds across other RRs removed. I'm curious about the status of the other lines, that they're already cut and this pending sell-off is but a formality for appearances' sake.

[High Hood]

I heard last month from a CSX engineer that there was talk of CSX selling off the former L&N CV Sub and NS was interested in buying.  From this news it looks like that may be more than just a rumor.

[ljudice]

Cutting your way to profitability is a losing strategy.

[Point353]

Cutting your way to profitability is a losing strategy.

Unless the value of your compensation package is tied to boosting the price of the company stock.

[Blazeman]

Then, in closing the barn door after the horse got out, there's this:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/csx_transportation/news/Report-CSX-to-require-CEOs-to-get-medical-exams--53759?