The CSX Queensgate Yard upgrade in Cincinnati is approaching completion with 42 new power-operated switches designed to improve safety, efficiency and reliability at the busy freight hub.

CSX crew installing a power-operated switch at Queensgate Yard in Cincinnati
A CSX crew works on a power-operated switch at Queensgate Yard in Cincinnati. Photo: CSX.

Installed on the yard’s north end, the 42 power-operated switches will increase the number of powered switches at Queensgate to approximately 170. CSX presents the project as part of its continuing network modernization, combining infrastructure investment with technology intended to support safer and more efficient operations.

How the CSX Queensgate Yard upgrade changes yard work

Power-operated switches let employees set train routes remotely. This reduces the need for conductors to climb on and off locomotives to line switches manually in the field. According to CSX, limiting that work can reduce employee exposure to potential hazards and lower the risk of run-through incidents.

“This is really about making the railroad safer, more efficient and more standardized,” said Ryan Raymond, director of Hump Yard Operations, Engineering and Design. “Being able to work with the teams, keep them safe, and improve the operation is always going to be our highest priority.”

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CSX coordinates work around daily freight operations

The installation has required close coordination among several operating teams while Queensgate Yard remains active. During construction, the powered switches also allow train movements to be directed away from work zones, helping separate daily yard activity from areas where crews are installing equipment.

Queensgate is a critical point in the CSX network. The railroad expects the upgrade to improve rail traffic flow and support more consistent yard operations. With the final switches being installed, the work extends CSX’s investment in infrastructure and technology that supports safety and reliable service for customers.

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