Here is my gut feeling, and it is only an outsider's observations.
Both railroads have strong route structures and have been able to digest the Conrail merger effectively, adding strong routes and markets to their portfolios. The weeding out process of since Staggers in 1980 has eliminated carriers and routes that were ineffective. That can actually be backtracked to the Penn Central, eastern mess evolving into Conrail.
The duopoly nature of the eastern scene allows both to have a fairly high revenue base and profit margins. Perhaps there are certain competitive lanes, but as BaltACD indicated, both are going in the right direction.
Still, there must be weaknesses for both.
Ed
Both companies spent most of the first decade after acquiring ConRail accumulating wealth to pay down the inflated purchase price that was paid for ConRail thanks to their bidding against each other for total acquisition of the property.
Now both have undertaken capacity enhancement projects to position their companies to handle increased traffic potential after the expansion of the Panama Canal.
Both are progressive 21st Century rail transportation companies.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
csx and Ns are both doing catch up on the rails they let go by the wayside capacity wise.They both need to increase the MOW budget so that trains can run sooner rather than later.
stay safe
joe
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
There has been considerable good press in recent Trains about CSX's current situation with great growth, strong management, investment in property (North Baltimore is featured in the current issue) and profitability.
So, what is the current status between CSX and NS in the east? What are the strengths and weaknesses of both carriers (including traffic lanes)? If this is a topic of interest I will do a little research on the financials of both carriers and post it later.
I am about ready to re-read The Men Who Loved Trains by Rush Loving Jr. In the book it seems that NS management was really concerned about CSX and considered them a sleeping giant. It appears that giant has awoken.
Let's face it, for the most part, the nature of railroading is whoever has the siding to the customer gets the business, but there are major exceptions, primarily intermodal. How much do these railroads compete against each other?
Thanks,
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