Railroads named to magazine's 'most patriotic companies' list

Newsweek has named multiple freight railroads to its 2026 "America's Most Patriotic Companies" list based on their support for the U.S. military and veterans, corporate social responsibility and public perception.

CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway, R. J. Corman Railroad Group and Union Pacific Railroad each earned a four-and-a-half star rating out of five in the rail transportation category. Additionally, Watco scored five stars in the transportation, logistics and supply chain category.

Newsweek, in partnership with market research firm Plant-A Insights Group, selected an initial 2,500 companies that showed strong support for military personnel and veterans through formal employer programs and benefits. In fall 2025, more than 22,000 Americans evaluated those companies via online surveys. They rated the companies based on corporate social responsibility, representation of U.S. values and perceived patriotism.

Plant-A also evaluated the companies' support for local communities after natural disasters and screened the companies' public records and media coverage.

"Military hiring plays an important role in CSX’s talent strategy. Nearly one in five CSX employees has served in the military, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to recruiting veterans and creating career pathways that align military experience with roles across railroad operations, engineering, technology and corporate functions," CSX officials said in a press release about the recognition. 

UP, NS and R. J. Corman have each debuted commemorative locomotives to mark the United States' 250th anniversary. CSX is also preparing to launch two specially painted locomotives to commemorate the occasion, CSX officials said.