Class I Briefs: UP, CSX, NS

Union Pacific transported Vestas V163-4.5 MW wind turbine blades, the largest wind blade moved across U.S. rail networks. (UP photo)

Union Pacific (UP) collaborates with Vestas to ship the largest wine turbine blades across the country by rail. Also, CSX Assistant Controller Thomas McDuffie is named a Rising Star by the Florida Institute of CFOs (fiCFO); and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) commends Norfolk Southern’s (NS) role in supply chain continuity amid Baltimore disruptions.

UP

UP and global wind turbine manufacturer Vestas have collaborated to ship the company’s V163-4.5 MW wind turbine blades across the country by rail. The planning of this launch, UP says, began more than two years ago in 2022, when Vestas introduced its new high-capacity wind turbine.

The wind turbine blades made their seven-day journey, including traveling two short lines, situated on 72 rail cars, from Colorado to the Port of Brownsville, Texas. A typical blade that UP transports is 177-feet long. The V163-4.5 blade measures 264 feet, just shy of the length of a football field, and is the longest wind turbine blade transported across major rail service networks in the U.S.

The logistics of a cross-country journey of this magnitude required close collaboration between UP departments, the Class I said. Wind turbine blades this size require assessment to determine a safe travel route without potential obstructions. UP’s clearances team reviewed multiple routes to identify obstacles like bridge, overpass and signal locations and understand whether any terrain could impact the journey. The railroad’s Shipment Quality team also reviewed the shipment for proper securement with Vestas to meet requirements established by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

According to UP, “safety practices, experience and technological capabilities made this unique opportunity successful.”

“This is the first of many trains like this,” said UP Manager-Marketing & Sales Patrick Burke. “Union Pacific’s focus on Safety, Service and Operational Excellence is the perfect fit for this type of innovative move. As the wind market grows, our team is dedicated to partnering with our customers to create industry-leading solutions.”

According to UP, the Class I was the first to ship wind components via rail nearly 20 years ago and was instrumental in designing the first specialized wind flat car. In 2023, wind and solar generated enough power to meet the energy requirements of 61 million American households with plans for continued growth. As renewable energy demand continues to increase, the railroad says it is “well positioned for future transports of wind energy.”

CSX

fiCFO recently named Thomas McDuffie, Assistant Controller at CSX, as a Rising Star in the field of finance, the Class I announced April 23. This recognition comes after his 13 years of exceptional contributions to CSX and reflects McDuffie’s “commitment to supporting the organization and its culture while upholding the highest standards of the finance community.”

A Certified Public Accountant, McDuffie joined CSX in 2011. Throughout the years, he has held various positions within the company, including Director of Technical Accounting and Reporting, and Manager of Technical Accounting. Prior to joining CSX, McDuffie worked at other leading organizations, such as PSS World Medical, Inc. and KPMG.

The Rising Stars Celebration, organized by fiCFO, “serves as a platform for Finance departments to recognize and honor outstanding individuals within their teams.” McDuffie’s selection, CSX says, “reflects his dedication to surpassing expectations, his collaborative approach as a team player, and his alignment with the values of his organization.”

“He is deeply knowledgeable and commits to excellence in everything he does,” said CSX Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer Angie Williams. “He is also a thoughtful leader, and supportive of his colleagues. He consistently leads by example and upholds strong ethical standards. Thomas is just great to have on our team.”

McDuffie’s acknowledgment as a Rising Star “exemplifies the caliber of talent across CSX and underscores the pivotal role of finance professionals in shaping the future of business in Florida and around the world,” the Class I stated in a release.

NS

NS recently welcomed a delegation from NAM, including President and CEO Jay Timmons, providing an opportunity to showcase the railroad’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on its customer’s supply chains.

“Our network, which includes more than 270 short line partners, 54 port partners, 54 intermodal facilities, and 319 transload locations, is the most extensive on the East Coast, and it gives us the flexibility to be nimble when situations arise,” NS stated in a release.

NS Chief Marketing Officer and member of the NAM Board of Directors Ed Elkins expressed appreciation for the chance to spotlight the company’s resilience amid adversity. “We often say, the weight of the world moves on rail… and it’s true,” remarked Elkins. “Our ability to be serve the market through temporary disruption is really a demonstration of our strategy in action, where we leverage the experience of our railroaders and the strength of our franchise to find A Better Way to provide safe, reliable service.”

According to NS, the Class I has implemented innovative strategies and initiatives in light of the Baltimore bridge collapse, including deploying Go Teams to its operations in Lamberts Point, Va., as coal is diverted from Baltimore. “NS instituted Go Teams during the pandemic, and we continue to leverage this rapid response approach to solve for current market challenges,” the Class I stated.

The NAM delegation commended NS for its “agility and forward-thinking approach.”

“In the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, Norfolk Southern has exemplified the spirit of solution-focused leadership that defines modern manufacturing in the United States,” said Timmons. “Their swift adaptation and innovative strategies have minimized disruptions, ensuring that critical supply chain operations continue to support customer needs effectively.

“The dedication to operational excellence that we’ve seen from all levels of the Norfolk Southern team, even under the most challenging circumstances, is what keeps manufacturing in America strong and provides the resilience we’ll need to rebuild and renew from this disaster,” Timmons added.