CSX slashes cargo theft in Memphis rail corridor

CSX has reduced cargo theft incidents by more than 80% year over year through a targeted task force and operational changes focused on the Memphis, Tennessee, rail corridor, the railroad announced today.

CSX formed the task force in 2024 after identifying a sharp increase in cargo theft in the Memphis area during the COVID-era surge in criminal activity. The rise in theft posed a growing concern for customer shipments, employee safety and surrounding communities, prompting the company to take a more focused, local approach, CSX officials said in a press release.

To reduce risk in high traffic areas, CSX upgraded security around its Memphis facilities with enhanced fencing, lighting and access controls, including roughly 14,000 feet of high-security fencing and an additional 5,000 feet of fencing east of Leewood Yard. The company also added 30 surveillance cameras to support real-time monitoring and investigations without disrupting operations.

One challenge was to keep trains moving through the area without unnecessary stops. To address that risk, CSX implemented two changes: The company introduced two direct trains running from its Leewood Yard in Memphis to Fairburn, Georgia, reducing dwell time in high-risk areas; and CSX coordinated arrival and departure windows to limit exposure when trains entered and exited facilities.

Those changes produced immediate results, contributing to the year-over-year reduction in cargo theft incidents. The Memphis initiative is now a blueprint for addressing similar issues elsewhere on the network, CSX officials said.

Cargo theft has been an ongoing concern across the transportation industry. The impact extends beyond financial losses to include employee safety and community well-being. CSX created this video to explain in detail how it reduced cargo theft in the Memphis rail corridor.