Ever wonder what CSX is initials for? Well here i

[jamesedwbradley]

Thanks for your thoughts. However,the answer now is of course that the big 6 systems are so spread out that they defy using a regional name. But I think they could still convey that they are RAILROADS, and use names connected to their main geographic home. I suppose in a few years BNSF or one of the others may pay some 'consultant' $50 or $75,000 or more to tell them what their name and logo should be - if they can't come up with those, they could have a contest and get plenty of both, cheap ! But that might make too much common sense!
Jim Bradley Hawk Mountain Chapter National
Railway Historical Society.

[BRAKIE]

James,It would be nice if the big railroads look at the short lines and follow their lead.Most short lines still have a railroady sounding name.Look at some of their names,Reading & Northern,Columbus & Greenfield,New Orleans Public Belt,Northern Ohio & Western,Ohio Central,Maryland Midland,McCloud River,Columbus & Ohio River just to name afew.If short lines can do this why not CSX?

[jamesedwbradley]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I was a little hot using the term 'jerks'; I know they were/are intelligent people, but really I miss the linking of rail names to geography and history. And I have a special peeve against these corporations that name themselves only with the alphabet (here in Allentown we have the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company insisting on calling itself "PPL Corporation" as if it's too much trouble to say the correct name ! Of course they claim they are now generating and selling power in Montana, etc., but I have enough love of formality to be chagrined. And I still think those TV ads for "A COMPANY CALLED T R W" are DUMB ! Some of us still look for a little MEANING behind all the letters ! And couldn't the railroads still exercise a little imagination?
Jim Bradley Hawk Mtn. Chapter Natl. Ry. Hist. Soc.

[Anonymous]

I went to school in a trucking town when school mates ask what i was going to do with my life i said work for the RR.They would laught and say carolina freight will put SCL and the rest of the RR'S out of business by the year 2000.Guess what carolina went out in 1996.When i see these class mates i allways rubb it in I can hear the whistle blow but i cant hear that truck comming out of the gate.

[BRAKIE]

James,I to miss the old railroads and the many different road name boxcars cars in a trains consist.yes,todays railroads are less colorful as the by gone railroads.Sadly they are gone forever,never to return.Remember these falling flags in the history of railroading,look at todays railroads,they have survive where some doom and gloom sayers of the 60s said railroads would be gone by the year 2000.As Gary said let it rest. I will add enjoy todays railroads before they become the BIG 2.

[Anonymous]

dude...give it a rest...

[jamesedwbradley]

Seeing CSX on equipment always gets under my skin ! The rather lame CSX explanation doesn't do much. I don't think it shows any imagination - especially when maps show that system mostly in the Old South. They don't need imagination - they already own not only the name but a good logo, that of course being THE DIXIE LINE. The old NC&StL 'bite out of the corners' emblem could be used with 'CSX on top and 'Transportation' under it. Wouldn't even have to change the corporate name! DIXIE LINE RAILROAD COMPANY is short, simple, descriptive, distinctive. Of course it looks a little funny in Boston, but so did "New York Central" in Bloomington, IL, and many other places, for example. Other pet peeves:
"Burlington Northern Santa Fe", a clumsy phrase if there ever was one, should have been "RailsWest, Inc.", or, if they weren't ashamed of stealing from the Aussies, "Railwest"
(Western Australian Railways). They had a ready-made slogan, too, the old CB&Q "Everywhere West"
which they finally fulfill. I despaired of better for Norfolk Southern until I realized that a little paint would convert the equipment into "North-South" with no logo nor reporting marks changed! (An orange frame stripe along the loco sides would be nice, too.) But I guess we can't even expect such limited moves on the part of jerks.
Jim Bradley, Hawk Mountain Chapter, National Ry. Historical Society.

[Anonymous]

About 25 years ago,we were waiting for our train to get the highball so we could enjoy another ride on a freight,and the conductor was drinking beer.They had pulled the train out of the yard and were at the signal.They would turn the light on inside the cab every now and then,and there he was-drinking a miller "pony"... Times have changed.They move a lot of beer and cigarettes through the area I grew up-Beer from Williamsburg(Anheuser-Busch) and cigarettes(Philip Morris)The train crews told me of problems they had w/people breaking into boxcars and to be careful when poking around the yard @ night-the bulls were serious about preventing loss and would not hesitate to arrest.

[Anonymous]

big buck? where? just becouse i work for the rail road dont mean i make big bucks....after the bills are payed im lucky to have 2 dimes to rub together!!!!

[Anonymous]

Engineers.Dont drink and operate a Train.If the Beer moves by Train BUY IT.

[Anonymous]

Beer isn't good unless someone else pays for it? You make the large bucks w/CSX..you should buy.

[Anonymous]

hummmmm...beer..............sounds good..as long as your buying

[Anonymous]

I'm saying it's almost miller time dude.

[Anonymous]

so what are you saying.....

[Anonymous]

Oh well..wasn't meant to be a trick question or riddle.

[Anonymous]

still dont get it.... now we call conrail...gonrail

[Anonymous]

Ex-convict.

-Brian

[Anonymous]

i dont quite get that one..............

[Anonymous]

2 words for you.....
anger managment
i think you should get it..you have some issues here

[Anonymous]

CSX-Conrail=ExCon

[Anonymous]

KISS MY CABOOSE RIGHT BETWEEN THE B---S.....

[BRAKIE]

hoyle, What does that have to do with the topic??? I am sure no one really cares. I know I don't.We get enough of the negative comments like yours from Trains Magazine.So please let them lambast the railroads,that way I don't have to spend money buying it..

[Anonymous]

RF&P= Relatives & friends preferred.

[Anonymous]

They are having trouble with carload freight also....

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine suggested that NS could stand for "No Steam" since they cancelled the steam excursion program.

[Anonymous]

BNSF has always had major concerns with safety, so employees around here say it stands for "Better Not Slip and Fall".

-Brian

[BRAKIE]

AT&SF Ate Tomales and Spit Fire!
Great Northern Got Nothing
S.A.L. Sorry,Always Late
Columbus & Greenfield.Cornbread and Grits.
S.P, Slow Poke

[REDDYK]

It took a while to get this thread rolling, but I love it. Keep em coming. Remember the ONTARIO AND WESTERN, otherwise known as the OLD AND WEARY.

[Anonymous]

I WORK FOR THEM TOO...SO TRUE BROTHER..SO TRUE!