JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Al Crown, executive vice president-transportation, announced that veteran railroader Paul Reistrup will retire on December 31, 2002, following successful integration of CSX Transportation’s passenger and commuter rail network.
Reistrup’s more than 40-year railroad career includes international experience and service as Amtrak’s second president. He joined CSXT in Washington, D.C., in 1997 to integrate the passenger and commuter operations that expanded following the Conrail transaction.
CSXT has more intercity passenger and commuter operations than any other U.S. freight railroad. Over the last five years, on-time performance of Amtrak and commuter operations on CSXT has risen to more than 90 percent.
“With his vast railroad experience and his leadership of Amtrak in its early developmental stages, Paul brought an added dimension to this role for which we are grateful,” Crown said. “As a result, we have the processes necessary to fulfill our service commitments to the passengers and commuters traveling on our railroad.”
Reistrup said he enjoyed the opportunity to build CSXT’s passenger and commuter network into one of the industry’s best. “CSXT is committed to the support of its passenger and commuter operations as evidenced by those who will follow me in this important role,” Reistrup said.
Crown announced that Reistrup will be succeeded by John M. Gibson as vice president-passenger and operations planning. Jay S. Westbrook will become assistant vice president-passenger and operations planning. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Crown said Gibson and Westbrook will report to Frank Pursley, senior vice president-service design, and be responsible for CSXT operations, capacity analysis and planning for the following: National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority (Florida Tri-Rail), Maryland Mass Transit Administration (Maryland Area Rail Commuter train service); Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Metro North Railroad (of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority), New Jersey Transit, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, and Virginia Railway Express.
“John is an accomplished executive who has built a consistent record from asset management to capacity and capital planning. John has a great track record in public safety and has helped CSXT deal effectively with current and emerging issues related to our passenger and commuter operations,” Crown said. “The combination of passenger service and operations planning will bring powerful synergies to both functions.”
“Jay is a talented railroader who brings an engineering background and extensive public policy experience to this position,” Crown added.
