CSX has undertaken an important project to improve the infrastructure at its Cumberland, Maryland rail yard. This strategic initiative aims to reconfigure the yard for enhanced safety and productivity, enabling the railroad to more efficiently manage increased traffic destined for the Midwest.

“The Cumberland yard is critical to the CSX freight transportation network, connecting the northeast corridor and midwestern territories,” said Mike Cory, CSX executive vice president and chief operating officer. “The work taking place at Cumberland will increase capacity, allowing railcars that previously couldn’t move through that yard to do so. The infrastructure enhancements will ensure a safer work environment for our ONE CSX team and enhance the customer experience. By increasing the network’s capacity and improving the flow of freight-rail traffic, we can eliminate thousands of touches and millions of out-of-route miles for Midwest-bound traffic.”

Among the changes taking place over the next few months, CSX is removing the hump and the hump tower from the yard, and placing additional tracks optimized for flat switching in its classification yard. These changes enable the CSX team to assemble trains on two automated tracks while simultaneously moving other cars, effectively reducing car handlings, doubling their production capacity and ensuring faster and more reliable delivery of customer goods.

“The infrastructure enhancements at the CSX Cumberland yard are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024,” Cory said. “By investing in these critical improvements, CSX continues to demonstrate its dedication to providing superior service and innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

CSX expects to undertake similar infrastructure enhancements at its Willard, Ohio, and Hamlet, North Carolina yards.

-via Press Release