CSX Corporation is a leading North American transportation company specializing in rail-based freight services. The company operates an extensive rail network, providing traditional rail service, intermodal container and trailer transport, and complementary logistics solutions such as rail-to-truck transfers and bulk commodity operations. CSX plays a critical role in the continent’s supply chain, connecting major population centers, industrial hubs, and ports across 26…
CSX Corporation is a leading North American transportation company specializing in rail-based freight services. The company operates an extensive rail network, providing traditional rail service, intermodal container and trailer transport, and complementary logistics solutions such as rail-to-truck transfers and bulk commodity operations. CSX plays a critical role in the continent’s supply chain, connecting major population centers, industrial hubs, and ports across 26 states east of the Mississippi River, as well as parts of Canada. Its services support a broad range of industries, enabling the movement of raw materials, finished goods, and energy products with efficiency and reliability.
CSX Corporation generates revenue primarily through freight transportation services, including rail and trucking operations. The company earns income from shipping fees charged to customers for moving goods across its network, as well as ancillary services such as intermodal storage, demurrage, and switching. In 2025, CSX reported $14.1 billion in revenue, derived from four key lines of business: merchandise, intermodal, coal, and trucking. Additional revenue streams include incidental charges and services provided by regional subsidiary railroads, which contribute to the company’s diversified income base.
The company operates through the following segments:
- Merchandise: This segment is the largest revenue generator for CSX, accounting for 62% of total revenue in 2025. It encompasses the transport of diverse commodities, including chemicals, agricultural and food products, automotive parts, minerals, forest products, metals, equipment, and fertilizers. The merchandise business shipped 2.6 million carloads in 2025, making it the highest-volume segment.
- Intermodal: This segment combines rail and truck transportation to offer cost-effective, long-haul shipping solutions for manufactured consumer goods. In 2025, the intermodal business shipped 3.0 million units, representing 48% of total volume, and generated $2.1 billion in revenue. The segment operates through a network of approximately 30 terminals, providing customers with flexible, truck-like service for containerized freight.
- Coal: The coal segment focuses on transporting domestic and export coal, coke, and iron ore to power plants, steel manufacturers, and industrial facilities. In 2025, it shipped 718,000 carloads, contributing 13% of total revenue. The majority of domestic coal shipments support electricity generation, while export coal is primarily used for steelmaking.
- Trucking: This segment, driven by subsidiary Quality Carriers, is the largest provider of bulk liquid chemicals truck transportation in North America. It generated $816 million in revenue in 2025, accounting for 6% of the company’s total revenue. The trucking business complements CSX’s rail operations by extending its reach to non-rail-served customers.
CSX Corporation holds a dominant position in the North American freight rail industry, particularly in the eastern United States. Its primary competitor is Norfolk Southern Railway, which operates across much of the same territory and recently announced a merger with Union Pacific Railroad, pending regulatory approval. CSX differentiates itself through its extensive, interconnected rail network, which spans 20,000 route miles and provides direct access to over 70 ports. The company’s focus on scheduled service, asset optimization, and workforce engagement enhances operational efficiency and customer reliability. Additionally, CSX benefits from the inherent cost and environmental advantages of rail transport, which is significantly more fuel-efficient than long-haul trucking.
CSX Corporation serves a diverse customer base, including manufacturers, industrial producers, automotive companies, construction firms, farmers, feed mills, wholesalers, retailers, and energy producers. The company’s network connects thousands of production and distribution facilities, as well as major ports along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. While specific customer names are not disclosed, CSX’s services are integral to industries such as chemicals, agriculture, automotive, and energy, supporting both domestic and international trade.