Csx Contract Procurement of New Safety Device Implementation

Team Paper

CSX Transportation

PM 587 Advanced Program Management

Professor Sinanovic PhD

Charles Holz, Diana Larsen, Ralph Lofton

March 27, 2012

Railroad Industry Background

The United States rail industry launched in 1827 in Maryland with the Baltimore merchants charter, the first railroad in North America, the Baltimore & Ohio. In 1830 the first regularly scheduled steam-powered rail passenger service in the U.S.begins operation in South Carolina, utilizing the U.S.-built locomotive "The Best Friend of Charleston." By 1833 A total of 380 miles of rail track are in operation in the U.S. 1838 Five of the six New England states have rail service, as do such frontier states as Kentucky and Indiana. In 1840 there is more than 2,800 miles of track are in operation. 9,000 miles by 1850, 30000 by 1860.

During the Civil War From 1861-1865 railroads play a major role as both sides use trains to move troops and supplies. In 1862 President Abraham Lincoln signs the Pacific Railroad Act for the construction of the transcontinental railroad that will ultimately link California with the rest of the nation.

1865 was the beginning of the "golden age" of railroads. For nearly half a century, no other mode of transportation challenged railroads. During these years, the rail network grows from 35,000 to a peak of 254,000 miles in 1916.

On May 10, 1869, Promontory, in the Utah Territory, the "Golden Spike" joins the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, marking completion of the first transcontinental railroad.

From 1872-1945 presidents from Ulysses S. Grant to Franklin D. Roosevelt travel largely by train. For them, as for virtually every American, the railroad offers the fastest, safest means of travel.

In 1917 the Federal government seizes control of the railroads for the duration of World War I. By the time they are returned to private ownership in 1920, they are in seriously run-down condition and in need of substantial maintenance and improvement....