I'm not exactly sure of what you're trying to say Pipes but IF it's my opinion on the article, or my opinion on CSX first quarter (2018) earnings report it's both. Remember I was a railroad worker for a big Class-I outfit. Gave them a chunk of my life as BN, and then BNSF, but I digress.

AS a TRANSPORTATION industry worker, I invested money in transportation stocks, while employed as... I bought lots of BN, UP, JBHunt (trucking/intermodal), UPS, KSU, and shipping by water. Moving cargo and commodities that move the economy, and thus the nation as a whole made me believe I was one tiny part of the entire industry I worked in. So why not invest in it? I didn't invest in CSX, or NSC, but I owned several hundred shares of Conrail before the chop into CSX, and LAMCO. Why? Because I'd worked there, and I watched the mess trim, shake out, and rid itself of useless lines, and start making real money as a railroad.

CSX didn't grab me. Same with NSC (LAMCO). But I have owned KSU (Kansas City Southern) a good railroad in my opinion. But I sold my little pile after Haverty cut their dividends.

The entire industry has changed, and NOT for the better in my opinion. As an 'insider' working there, you learn more than the average guy on the street. As soon as Wall Street 'discovered' railroads might be a good investment, the big change happened. No longer were experienced railroaders promoted to top management positions. All of a sudden people who were college types with MBA degrees, started coming in and hiring their own. Older rails were forced out, retired early, or resigned outright.

Slowly 'they' took over. Non-rairoad men (and women) began spreading the word that railroads were the place to make a post-college career. You've seen it at your own outfit. How's it make you feel when a kid with NO railroad experience, starts ordering you to do it his way, or go home! On the flip, shop workers too. Your NEW so called 'foreman' is a management 'expert' that the BNSF hired as an intern, and then permanent as a shopsupervisor, who rakes over as your shift fore... It's fuckin' humiliating!

The entire industry has gone this route in the last 20, 25 years. I used to take pride in my work, loved what I did actualy. But as I srepped away and tooka look at the whole thing... Meh. I wouldn't reccomend working on the railroad for any young cat looking for a job. Even though I served my apprenticeship with guys who'd hired on the GN straight outa high school, and worked for theBN after that merger. A bunch worked past the 60/30 thing because they hadn't reached 60 when the deal was in effect so they stayed longer.

You know what's happened too, the rules on top of rules. And when you look at all the rules you just know in your soul that they're bullshit. Those rules on top of rules, and more rules...do they help ya do your job? Nope! But if you make a mistake, you find your ass in front of that kis who knows jack shit about your work life, and that you have a life outside work. Your dedication to your job, the pride you bring to your job every day, none of that matters to this 'manager' kid because he's on the way up, after he makes an example of you. Firing you makes him look good in the eyes of his boss. And it's his stepping stone to that next job in management.

These changes are what makes the railroads the last 'good' place to work today. I'd sooner tell a kid right outa high school go to community college if you can, and learn a trade, or enlist in the Navy, or Air Force. But forget the railroad!

That's my fuckin' opinion, and I'm stickin' with it!

Are you still invested in NSC "Snippy"?

They actually look pretty good to Wall Street analysts. See below;

Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) reported first-quarter earnings before the opening bell Wednesday. Here's what you need to know:

REVENUE: Railway operating revenue rose 5.5% to $2.72 billion, driven 8% growth in intermodal which offset declines in merchandise and coal volumes. Revenue in each segment went up despite volume declines. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had forecast $2.68 billion in sales.

EARNINGS: Profit rose to $552 million, or $1.93 a share, from $433 million, or $1.48 a share, a year earlier. The Wall Street consensus on earnings was $1.77 a share.

BUYBACKS: Citing a promising 2018 outlook, the company raised its annual share repurchases to $1.5 billion. Share repurchases totaled $1 billion in 2017.

And now they own your ass for all intents and purposes. But hey...at least ya got a job right? And they'll never fire ya right? Oh wait, that is IF ya don't break any rules right? But you'd never break the rules...

Life. Somebody once told me it's great, until ya fuck up. Then it all goes ta hell. And ya never get back ta where ya were before that one fuck up! But thereafter you're always watching behind ya. Just in case.

Maybe they give ya a second chance, or third. But ya know ya can't fuck it away no matter what! They gotcha. Then you play it their way till ya retire, or die on the job. It happens alla time tu!

I'm so glad to be outa there, and have my retirement. They had me by the balls after I fucked it away... And I was in the big man's office. Twice. He read me the riot act. I pulled my head outa my ass right there and then I liked the view, and never went back!

When I lived in Seattle lo these many years ago, I started investing with Quick & Reilly. They were bought out by Bank of Boston, which charged double on trades (buy/sell). I took all my shit over to Scottrade for several years, ans they were okay. Late last year they disappeared into TD Ameritrade. All the same, learning their site/stuff. Trades $6.95,

Oh yeah...bought 500 GE last week, with cash in the acct. It's gained a few $$$ since. I have low expectations of GE. But we'll see what happens next. Their dividend yield is above 3%, so that's okay.

I don't own treasuries. Do you? Do ya recommend bonds?

-- Edited by Uke on Wednesday 25th of April 2018 09:08:53 PM