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3/23/2026
CSX's use of drones has grown from its first fixed-wing unit into what is now a network-wide capability that supports more than eight departments, the Class I announced last week.
The railroad's drone program began in 2018. Today, it operates more than 250 drones and has trained more than 350 Federal Aviation Administration Part 107-certified pilots, company officials said in a press release.
Drones are now embedded across several critical areas of the business. CSX police use them to support a variety of operational needs, while bridge inspectors rely on drones to safely assess infrastructure that would otherwise be difficult or risky to access.
Within the railroad's GIS services, drones are used in mapping, aerial surveys and rapid response following natural disasters that impact the CSX network. The drones deliver high-quality, real-time data that enables teams to assess conditions faster and make more informed decisions, CSX officials said.
Primarily, the drone program reinforces CSX’s commitment to safety by reducing the need for employees to enter hazardous environments or work at heights, they added.
“At the end of the day, anytime we can help mitigate risk and assist employees in making safer decisions, we look to technology to help,” said Patrick Barnett, technical director of CSX's GIS services.
CSX created this video to explain how its drone program has evolved.