JACKSONVILLE, Fla., and HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Michael J. Ward, president of CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT), announced on February 8 that the railroad is launching a different paint design for its locomotive fleet to symbolically represent a "new" company, united in its goal to deliver great service for freight rail customers.

"Our employees have successfully met and overcome many challenges over the last few years," Ward said. "Among their efforts has been transforming our service to historically high levels, enabling us to convert traffic to the railroad that has traditionally moved over the highway," he said. Ward said the idea to adopt a different paint scheme came from employees. "They told us that a new paint design on our locomotives would be a visible symbol that we are a different company and also would serve to unify our work force to meet our business objectives, including delivering for our customers," Ward noted.

The new design features a solid, deep blue locomotive body with gold nose, tail and trim. The first locomotive to have the new look - CSXT #8503, an EMD model SD-50 - was painted at CSXT's shop in Huntington, W.Va. All new and rebuilt locomotives will be painted with the new design. The new paint is more durable and fade-resistant to keep the locomotives' appearance looking fresher longer. CSXT's entire fleet of 3,600 locomotives eventually will wear the new colors. The new look is pictured on CSXT's web site at www.csxt.com .

CSXT adopted its current blue, gray and yellow paint combination in early 1990.

CSXT and its 35,000 employees provide rail transportation and distribution services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSXT is a business unit of CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX), headquartered in Richmond, VA.