the x after csx

[wisandsouthernkid]

what does the x after csx and other roads like utlx dowx and others mean i would like to know

[al-in-chgo]

what does the x after csx and other roads like utlx dowx and others mean i would like to know

In CSX' case, IIRC from a Brian Solomon book, the "C" stands for Chessie (C&O, B&O, Western Maryland, considerable exx-NYCentral, etc.); the "S" stands for Seaboard (SCL, ACL, SAL, Family Lines, Clinchfield, L&N and many others).  The "X" stands for the unknown factor, as in math:  the "X" being the supposed (supposed) benefits of synergy between the two already megasystems.  IMHO the dual empires remain largely route-incompatable and CSX as well as not needn't have bothered with whitewashing out Chessie, Family Lines, etc. from grain hoppers, boxcars, etc.   

I do have to admit that the "CSX" put on new shipping cubes and sleds is much more impressive. 

If others read this post, you are sure to hear different interpretations!   

 

[al-in-chgo]

what does the x after csx and other roads like utlx dowx and others mean i would like to know

In CSX' case, IIRC from a Brian Solomon book, the "C" stands for Chessie (C&O, B&O, Western Maryland, considerable exx-NYCentral, etc.); the "S" stands for Seaboard (SCL, ACL, SAL, Family Lines, Clinchfield, L&N and many others).  The "X" stands for the unknown factor, as in math:  the "X" being the supposed (supposed) benefits of synergy between the two already megasystems.  IMHO the dual empires remain largely route-incompatable and CSX as well as not needn't have bothered with whitewashing out Chessie, Family Lines, etc. from grain hoppers, boxcars, etc.   

I do have to admit that the "CSX" put on new shipping cubes and sleds is much more impressive. 

If others read this post, you are sure to hear different interpretations!   

 

PS:  Gee, I left out the second part of your question.  "X" as a letter at the end of a three- or four-letter code can represent ownership (TTX).  A four letter code ending in "X" can also mean an end-user -- WEPX means Wisconsin Electric Power (plant, dynamo).  You're sure to see the latter type of code on unit coal trains. 

C'mon, all you out there, there are plenty of examples and more precise definitions.  Help!!!

[IRONHORSE77]

The suffix X as in GATX, CSX means corporation.

Chuck

PS Check google

[silicon212]

It was my understanding, CSX notwithstanding, that the "X" meant private entity, not railroad owned.  IE GATX, UTLX, TTX etc. 

CSX is alone in that it is a railroad name.

[rogruth]

The reporting mark for the CSX railroad company is CSXT.

[al-in-chgo]

The reporting mark for the CSX railroad company is CSXT.

 

Good point!  The "T" stands for Transportation, and it is CSXT that actually moves the freight. 

Semantics-wise, this is very similar to Penn Central Transportation Co., which ran the trains while Penn Central (Corp., I think, I'm not sure) was more of a holding company. Forty years ago Stuart Saunders excelled not only in deferring maintenance on the Pennsy, later Penn Central, he more or less looted it for parts when possible. 

One hopes CSX, which owns CSXT, is not behaving that way today.  - a. s.

 

[chefjavier]

Good points but I still dislike CSX!

[al-in-chgo]

Good points but I still dislike CSX!

I agree with you, but OTOH being in Folkston, GA, for the "funnel' effect was wonderful for me. 

 

[chefjavier]

To tell you the truth the CSX locomotive are ugly in color if they would stay with Chessie System color. They would have more fans!

[rgappel]

I recall reading somewhere that the C stood for Chessie, the S for Seaboard, and the X was for "and others".

[zugmann]

To tell you the truth the CSX locomotive are ugly in color if they would stay with Chessie System color. They would have more fans!

I'm sure CSX management is losing sleep over your last statement... 

[n012944]

To tell you the truth the CSX locomotive are ugly in color if they would stay with Chessie System color. They would have more fans!

Because we all know that reasons railroads are in business is to have more fans. That being said, CSX has a nice color scheme, much like that of the B&O and C&O.  As for the Chessie scheme, the seventies are over pal.

[rogruth]

Aren't the actual reporting marks on rolling stock CSXT?

 

I have heard several different things for the X.The one I liked best is eXpanded. 

[GP40-2]

This thing has been rehashed about 1 million times. Here is the Cliff Note version:

CSX was the creation of Chessie System chairman Hays Watkins. The "C" stands for Chessie, the "S" for Seaboard and the "X" was a feel-good "together we a much more". Anyone who was working for them when this happened (like me) knows CSX is just a larger C&O/B&O. When I retired from CSX, is was no different from when I started with the B&O in the '70s. Same management culture, etc. It is no accident that the CSX paint scheme looks very similar to the C&O and B&O schemes from the past.

The "T" on the reporting marks is meaningless other than the fact that reporting marks ending in "X" denote a private railcar owner. Railway company reporting marks can't end in "X", hence CSX just stuck a "T" on the end to pacify the Feds.

That's the facts. I'm sure you guys will get this wrong in a week or two. Actually it is amusing to read all the conspiracy theories on CSX's name and their evil plots to take over the Universe.

[al-in-chgo]

from GP-40-2's post:  "Anyone who was working for them when this happened (like me) knows CSX is just a larger C&O/B&O."  (partial quotation from prior post)

 

Which leaves the question(s):  but what of Family Lines (SCL, Clinchfield, L&N)?  - al 

 

[chefjavier]

To tell you the truth the CSX locomotive are ugly in color if they would stay with Chessie System color. They would have more fans!

Because we all know that reasons railroads are in business is to have more fans. That being said, CSX has a nice color scheme, much like that of the B&O and C&O.  As for the Chessie scheme, the seventies are over pal.

Thanks for the motivation!

[GP40-2]

Which leaves the question(s):  but what of Family Lines (SCL, Clinchfield, L&N)?  - al 

 

Chessie's behind the scenes veiwpoint was "who cares" about them. The formation of CSX was just a power play by Watkins for the C&O/B&O to increase its size and power. No different when they went after Conrail. It was a power play to get the old NYC lines, something the C&O wanted as far back as the 1960's.

Modern day CSX is just a continuation of the C&O/B&O management philosophy from the past 40 years. They are driven, unyielding hardliners with lots of political connections. Not the type of company you want to be on the wrong side of an argument with.

[Andrew Falconer]

Central Soya freight cars had the reporting marks of CSX, so why not try something else as the company name?

Andrew

[chefjavier]

CHESSIE SYSTEMS

[Anonymous]

I guess in the two railroad world I live in, I'd have to choose the CSX paint scheme over NS black and white.  And I am old fashioned enough to wish they would bring the Cat back, too- but as a railroad exec told me, "paint don't pay the bills".

Anyway, the explanations I have heard about the CSXT marks all seem to be pretty much in agreement about how the name got stuck on the railroad.  I think that when you see X on the end of reporting marks, it indicates one of two things:

1) Common use.  TTX is a holding company owned by all the railroads which administers trailer on flat car or container traffic, usually in the form of multiple body units.

2) Private owners.  I've seen ADMX tank cars routinely spotted in Phoenix, Arizona, delivering megatonnage of corn oil.  ADM is Archer-Daniels-Midland, the agriculture giant.  Here near the Home of Army Infantry, Fort Benning, I also see cars marked DODX- US government box cars with the Department of Defense.  Not exactly a private owner, but close enough.

Hope that's accurate.

[al-in-chgo]

I guess in the two railroad world I live in, I'd have to choose the CSX paint scheme over NS black and white.  And I am old fashioned enough to wish they would bring the Cat back, too- but as a railroad exec told me, "paint don't pay the bills".

Anyway, the explanations I have heard about the CSXT marks all seem to be pretty much in agreement about how the name got stuck on the railroad.  I think that when you see X on the end of reporting marks, it indicates one of two things:

1) Common use.  TTX is a holding company owned by all the railroads which administers trailer on flat car or container traffic, usually in the form of multiple body units.

2) Private owners.  I've seen ADMX tank cars routinely spotted in Phoenix, Arizona, delivering megatonnage of corn oil.  ADM is Archer-Daniels-Midland, the agriculture giant.  Here near the Home of Army Infantry, Fort Benning, I also see cars marked DODX- US government box cars with the Department of Defense.  Not exactly a private owner, but close enough.

Hope that's accurate.

 

Are you sure about point 1)?  My understanding is that at least some of the "TTX genre" of leased rolling stock belongs to privately-held corporations.  In that case there would be no stock to sell to the public; it's a closed corp.  Possibly the RR co's participate in other ways:  bonds, advice, but not as far as I know.  - a. s.

 

[Anonymous]

Nope, I am not sure, but I seem to recall reading in TRAINS that TTX was formed- and owned- by the railroads to ease management of freight cars, in this case, flatcars.

Based on what I've seen on inspection, though, you might very well be right- there are a lot of freight cars I have seen (and locomotives, too) with X reporting marks that have bank plates on them- as in "this car is financed by some bank".