Conrail taps Gorton as president, COO

Conrail has named Brian Gorton president and chief operating officer, effective April 19. Gorton succeeds Timothy Tierney, who is retiring after nearly 43 years in the railroad industry.

Gorton brings more than 30 years of railroad experience and expertise to his new position. The appointment is also a homecoming for him, as he began his career as a conductor for Conrail in 1987, Conrail officials said in a press release. He advanced to the position of assistant terminal superintendent before departing Conrail prior to its acquisition by CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway's acquisition in 1998. 

After his departure from Conrail, Gorton began working at the Union Pacific Railroad where he served in various capacities in their transportation department. 

Most recently, he was general manager of UP’s Houston and Gulf Coast service units. He was responsible for all aspects of rail operations for a territory that encompassed over 2,000 track miles and close to 1,000 employees.

Meanwhile, Tierney guided the company through the difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and also oversaw the successful implementation of positive train control during his tenure, Conrail officials said. Before being appointed president and COO in 2017, Tierney worked in various positions of increasing responsibility in the engineering department, before becoming Conrail's chief engineer in 1999 at the time of the NS and CSX acquisition.