Conrail CEO Gorton retiring

Former Union Pacific executive led eastern carrier since 2021

(Photo: Conrail)

Brian Gorton, president and chief executive of Conrail, is retiring.

The former Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) executive has led Conrail, a terminal and switching railroad co-owned by Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) and CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) since 2021.

“It has been my pleasure and honor to have served as Conrail‘s president and chief operating officer for the last six years,” Gorton wrote on LinkedIn. “It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my railroad career. Thank you to all the Conrail employees for your support and dedication during my tenure.”

Brian Gorton (Photo: FreightWaves/Stuart Chirls)

Gorton’s retirement from Conrail, headquartered in Mount Laurel, N.J., is effective later this year, Norfolk Southern said in a statement.

“After years of outstanding leadership and dedicated service, Brian Gorton will retire as Conrail’s president and chief operating officer effective November 1, 2026,” according to the statement. “On behalf of everyone at Conrail, we extend our sincere congratulations and gratitude to Brian for his steadfast commitment to our employees, customers, and the railroad industry.  His leadership has strengthened our organization, reinforced our culture of safety and operational excellence, and positioned Conrail for continued success.  We wish Brian and his family all the best in his well-earned retirement.”

Prior to Conrail, Gorton worked at UP for more than six years, rising to general manager in that time.

Atlanta-based NS said it has begun a search for Gorton’s successor.

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Stuart Chirls

Stuart Chirls is a journalist who has covered the full breadth of railroads, intermodal, container shipping, ports, supply chain and logistics for Railway Age, the Journal of Commerce and IANA. He has also staffed at S&P, McGraw-Hill, United Business Media, Advance Media, Tribune Co., The New York Times Co., and worked in supply chain with BASF, the world's largest chemical producer. Reach him at stuartchirls@firecrown.com.