CSX digs in its heels, insists it's not purposely delaying Amtrak trains

"CSX recognizes the important benefits that passenger rail service can provide to the public, and CSX has a long history of supporting passenger service across our network," spokesman Rob Doolittle said. "CSX provides Amtrak preference in accordance with federal law." 

His comments are in contrast to an email a CSX supervisor sent to dispatchers ordering them to delay an Amtrak train.

"Give high priority to (freight trains) Q031/Q032," the supervisor wrote in an email obtained by the Journal & Courier. "If we are meeting with Amtrak make the delay on Amtrak first. If Amtrak is running down one of these trains go ahead and get to the point Amtrak is seeing the (end of the freight train) before we get them around." 

On-time performance data released by Amtrak show its trains are making it to their destinations on time with increasing rarity. In Indiana, Amtrak's Hoosier State and Cardinal trains run on CSX tracks between Indianapolis, Lafayette and Dyer.