July 21, 2026 – For Midwest & Bluegrass Rail, working with CSX is about more than moving railcars through an interchange. It is about building relationships that help local customers connect to a much larger network.

Midwest & Bluegrass Rail operates the Youngstown and Southeastern Railroad in Northeast Ohio and the Trans Kentucky Transportation Railroad in North Central Kentucky. Together, the railroads total about 120 miles of track and provide important first-mile and last-mile connections for customers in the region.

Brendan Keener, Vice President of Commercial Development and Government Affairs for Midwest & Bluegrass Rail, said the company values the time CSX team members have taken to understand its business and share insight into CSX operations. That connection helps mutual customers ship across more than 130 unique lanes.

“The reality is, we’re all connected,” Keener said. “We are the first mile, we’re the last mile, and in many cases, CSX is the majority of the miles.”

Short lines play a critical role in connecting local industries to the broader rail network. Through CSX, a shipper in Northeast Ohio or North Central Kentucky can reach distant markets more efficiently, supported by coordinated service from origin to destination.

Ryan Higgins, CSX Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Industrial Products and Short Lines, said short line partnerships are an important part of how CSX delivers for customers.

“When CSX and our short line partners operate as one team, customers get the reach, consistency, and service they need to grow,” Higgins said.

That one-team approach is central to CSX’s short line strategy. By aligning operations, sharing information and focusing on mutual customer success, CSX and its short line partners help reduce friction at interchange points and keep freight moving.

Midwest & Bluegrass Rail is one of roughly 250 short line and regional railroads that connect with CSX. Each partner brings local knowledge and customer relationships that complement CSX’s broader network reach.

For Keener, the partnership works best when both railroads feel connected to each other’s success.

“We want to be as integrated as possible, so that not only we can give a seamless experience to our customers, but also, I can feel like I’m part of the CSX team, and they can feel like they’re part of ours,” Keener said.

CSX remains focused on strengthening these relationships to create a more connected experience for customers. Whether moving across 120 miles of short line track or across CSX’s larger network, the goal is the same: deliver safe, reliable service that helps customers grow.