CSX scales back operations in Columbus, Detroit

The Class I railway has discontinued various direct lanes for intermodal freight that originated or terminated in Columbus, Ohio and Detroit, Mich. as part of its transition to new CEO Hunter Harrison’s precision scheduled railroading model.    CSX recently made changes to some previously offered service lanes for intermodal freight that originated or terminated in Columbus, Ohio, and Detroit, Mich., a company spokesperson confirmed with American Shipper Wednesday.
   “These changes resulted from the company’s ongoing operational review as it transitions to the precision scheduled railroading operating model, as well as from changes to market conditions and customer demand,” the spokesperson said. “CSX continues to offer service originating and terminating at the Columbus and Detroit terminals in select lanes, with a service product that maintains or improves transit and reliability.”
   For domestic intermodal freight originating or terminating in Columbus, direct lanes between the following locations have been discontinued: (SHEET 1)
   For international intermodal freight originating or terminating in Columbus, direct lanes between the following locations have been discontinued: (SHEET 2)
   For domestic intermodal freight originating or terminating in Detroit, direct lanes between the following locations have been discontinued: (SHEET 3)
   For international intermodal freight originating or terminating in Detroit, direct lanes between the following locations have been discontinued: (SHEET 4)
   CSX recorded net earnings of $459 million for the third quarter of 2017 on revenues of $2.74 billion, both of which inched up 1 percent year-over-year.
   Despite CSX President and CEO E. Hunter Harrison’s precision scheduled railroading system taking heat last week during a Surface Transportation Board hearing, Harrison said, “the company’s results for the third quarter reflect the resiliency of precision scheduled railroading, even during times of transition.”
   Harrison’s precision railroading system comprises seven principles – minimizing car dwell times in yards, reducing car classifications, using multiple traffic outlets, running general-purpose trains, balancing train movements by direction, minimizing power requirements, and striving for steady workflow – that, in theory, allow a railroad to transport the same amount of cargo with fewer trains, equipment and personnel.