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Get Acquainted


Cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, and able to move a ton of freight more than 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel, rail is a smart way to move freight.

Why CSX?

At CSX, it starts with the customer. We focus our resources understanding your business needs and providing reliable service that meets them.

Can you get my product where I need it?

Our network covers the Eastern U.S., with approximately 20,000 miles of track in 23 states, Washington D.C., Ontario and Quebec; and access to 70 ports. See our system map.

Do I need direct access to track?

You don't have to be located on railroad tracks to take advantage of the economies of shipping by rail. CSX offers several options:

  • Carload service: If you are located on railroad tracks, you can load freight onto or into rail cars, which deliver your freight to its destination. This is carload service.
  • Intermodal service: Your freight is loaded into trailers, which are trucked to the railroad and loaded onto a train. When the train reaches the destination, the trailers are loaded back onto a truck and delivered to the site of your choice. Learn more
  • TRANSFLO transfers bulk products between rail cars and trucks. Whether it be at shipment origin or destination, multiple non-rail-served locations can be served seamlessly via TRANSFLO. To learn more, visit TRANSFLO.net
  • Warehouse services: CSX serves more than 300 warehouses located in and near every major market in the Eastern United States. These warehouses link shippers and receivers of raw materials and finished goods. Learn more
What if I want to locate my business on a rail-served site?

Our Industrial Development group maintains a list of more than 3,000 available rail-served sites. They can help with site selection, location analysis and engineering design. Learn more

What kind of freight moves by rail?

You can ship just about anything by rail. In fact, take a look around you right now - you'll find yourself surrounded by products that are shipped by rail.

Commodities we move include:
Agricultural products
Automotive
Building materials
Chemicals and fertilizer
Coal
Food Products
Metals
Minerals
Paper, pulp and fiber
Waste

As a CSX customer, you have access to a fleet of more than 84,000 rail cars. Different car types have special features for shipping specific products. Learn more.

How much does it cost?

The cost of shipping freight by rail depends on:

  • the origin of the shipment and the railroad that serves that location
  • the destination of the shipment and the railroad that serves that location
  • the commodity you are shipping

If you are not a current CSX customer but would like pricing information, contact our Merchandise Sales team at Merchandise@csx.com.

Some shipments may require additional services, which are covered in tariffs. Learn more.

Whether you're shipping 1 car or a whole train, we work hard to make sure your shipments arrive on time. Check shipment transit schedules for moves between any CSX-served locations with the public ShipCSX Service Schedule tool.

How does the shipping process work?

CSX's 4-step process for shipping is designed around the way you do business, so the activities involved in shipping freight flow smoothly for you.
Step 1: Plan. Look up prices, order empty cars for loading.
Step 2: Ship. Get your shipment moving with shipping instructions, and submit requests for cars to be picked up or placed at a facility.
Step 3: Trace. Monitor your shipments, be advised of exceptions.
Step 4: Pay. Manage CSX payables information.

CSX requires that you use electronic tools to conduct shipping transactions. To help you plan, ship, trace and pay for your shipments quickly and accurately, CSX eBusiness tools are available in several formats. Learn more.

How do I get started?

Thinking about shipping by rail for the first time? Contact us for more information on working with CSX.