Conrail Corporate & Marketing Material Archives

In celebration of Conrail’s 50th anniversary, I’m pleased to share a growing collection of historic Conrail corporate and marketing materials from my personal archives. These documents have been carefully scanned and preserved as PDF files and are being made publicly available for historical and educational research.

During Conrail’s operating years, corporate communications and railroad marketing looked very different than they do today. Long before SEO, digital advertising, or social media, Conrail relied on professionally designed printed materials to communicate its services, corporate identity, and strategic vision. Fortunately, many former employees and fans saved these publications, some of which have found their way into this archive. While these materials have been converted into digital PDFs for accessibility, they still offer a tangible look back at Conrail’s corporate history, branding, and business strategy.

If you have Conrail corporate documents, marketing brochures, reports, or other printed material available for sale or donation, I would be grateful for the opportunity to help preserve them. I am continually working to fill gaps in the collection below, whether that means missing issues, special editions, or lesser-known internal publications. The goal of this archive is to ensure that Conrail’s printed legacy can be scanned, preserved, and shared with future generations of railroad historians, former employees, modelers, and enthusiasts.

Conrail logos, publications, and content are © Consolidated Rail Corporation. All rights reserved. The PDFs provided here are shared by Wes Reminder strictly for historical and educational purposes. This website is not affiliated with Conrail or with any other railroad or transportation company. The documents presented on these pages are historical in nature, most of which are more than thirty years old, and are no longer relevant to or representative of current railroad operations, policies, or services.

Quick Links to Specific Publications:

Conrail Corporate Documents 1976 - 1999

Conrail Annual & Quarterly Reports

Conrail’s Premium Service Auto Network

Conrail Bulk Transfer & Flex-Flo Service

Conrail Coal & Ore Services

Conrail Intermodal & Conrail Mercury Services

Conrail Locomotive & Freight Car Services

Conrail SteelNET Distribution Service

Other Conrail Corporate & Marketing Materials

Visit the Conrail Publications Archive

Conrail Corporate Documents 1976-1999

Provided below is a collection of corporate documents produced by Conrail, many of which were publicly available during the late 1970s through the late 1990s. This section includes items such as the Conrail Corporate Identity Manual released early in the company’s history, corporate conference materials, strategic business plans, and other executive-level publications. These documents are long outdated from an operational standpoint and are provided solely for historical reference and educational use.

It all began right here with this original 1976 ConRail press packet. The company issued its first series of press releases on April 1, 1976, announcing it was taking over the failed Northeastern railroads. The packet came with a series of press releases and large-format prints with their first rendition of their corporate logo. Little did they know how successful their endeavor would be.

By 1977, the now-famous Conrail “Steel Wheels on Rails” logo had become the company’s official emblem. This press packet included a copy of Conrail Magazine, a Corporate Profile, and several large photographs.

The Conrail Corporate Identity Manual, released early in the company’s history, serves as the ultimate guide to the Conrail Steel Wheels on Rails logo’s do’s and don’ts. Despite numerous brand standard violations over the years, this comprehensive binder offers detailed instructions on various aspects, including signage, locomotives, business cars, and freight cars.

A simple brochure from March 1977 offers some interesting facts about the early days of Conrail, including the number of track miles, locomotives, freight cars, and cabooses.

Conrail produced a brochure called the "Evolution of Conrail" outlining some of the major milestones in railroad history that led up to April 1, 1976. Some of the elements used in the design came from the Conrail Corporate Identity Manual.

Back before the internet, you could contact Conrail by writing a letter or calling the National Customer Service Center in Pittsburgh. I bet it was a really cool place to see as it served as a one-stop shop for customer inquiries.

Fast forward to 1986, the 10th anniversary of Conrail. To celebrate this milestone, the railroad commissioned a logo design. The logo was printed on various materials and also transformed into a framed gold medallion. This original artwork showcases two distinct design options presented to Conrail.

Conrail’s Marketing and Sales Department was situated in Philadelphia’s newly constructed One Liberty Place. This employee listing undoubtedly evokes fond memories for many.

Ultimately, Conrail’s success made it an attractive target for other railroads who wanted to benefit from the railroads’ network of satisfied customers. Conrail’s Strategic Business Plan booklet outlined the railroads’ future direction for the years 1992-1996 and was distributed during the numerous employee Town Meetings.

Conrail's Strategic Business Plan Summary for 1992-1996.

Conrail prioritized employee satisfaction and empowerment, implementing various initiatives such as employee surveys and development programs. This brochure from the 1990s outlines their commitment to these goals.

The invitation, notepad, schedule, and attendee list for the 1992 Conrail Quality Congress. This conference was organized to acknowledge the achievements of the Continuous Quality Improvement program.

In an attempt to expand its network and prevent potential acquisition, Conrail sought to acquire a portion of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Unsurprisingly, Union Pacific opposed Conrail’s proposal. This likely marked the turning point for Conrail, leaving them with no alternative but to seek a merger with CSX. This packet from Conrail outlines the proposal behind the unsuccessful attempt at an SP merger.

1985 Conrail corporate organization chart for employees in Philadelphia.

1987 Conrail corporate organization chart for employees in Philadelphia.

The Conrail Shoppe catalog was used by employees, customers, and the public. Many of the items that were given away on Conrail's OCS train were ordered (and customized) from these catalogs.

A later edition of the Conrail Shoppe was sent to me by Conrail in the late 1990s. I believe I ordered a jacket, but unfortunately, I no longer have it.

Conrail Annual and Quarterly Reports

Admittedly, annual and quarterly reports are not thrilling reading for most people. However, Conrail’s annual reports and quarterly financial statements often highlight major initiatives, capital investments, service expansions, and strategic priorities occurring across the railroad at the time. As a result, they provide a broader picture of Conrail’s evolution beyond financial performance alone. Full PDF versions of Conrail annual reports will be added to this archive over time.

1986, Second Quarter Report - L. Stanley Crane discusses Conrail’s state of the business in this report. Highlights are increased coal shipments in Baltimore, new intermodal terminals at Buckeye Yard and Riverside Drive in Allentown, PA.

1987, First Quarter - L. Stanley Crane talks about Conrail's profitability as the government sells Conrail stock to the public, avoiding sale to Norfolk Southern (for now) and others interested in owning the railroad.

In the second quarter of 1987, Conrail achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of a 76-hour intermodal service with the Santa Fe. This marked another successful year for Conrail.

1989, First Quarter - James A. Hagen selected as Chairman, President, and CEO.

In the second quarter of 1989, Conrail held its first Safety Congress and ended merger discussions with the Provide & Worcester Railroad.

In the second quarter of 1993, new CoilSHEILD coil cars were added to the roster. The increased clearances in Baltimore resulted in more vehicle shipments.

Conrail’s Premium Service Automotive Network

Conrail played a major role in the transportation of both imported and domestic automobiles from the 1970s through the 1990s. With direct rail access to Detroit and numerous automobile and parts manufacturers, Conrail was well positioned to serve the automotive industry. According to Conrail documentation, “In 1986, over 20 percent of all import automotive sales took place within Conrail territory; 45 percent of all new car sales, both import and domestic, occurred within markets served by the Premium Service Network.”

The brochures and documents in this section detail the Conrail Automotive Network, including information on bi-level and tri-level autoracks, key automotive terminals, and service offerings that supported manufacturers and distributors.

The 1986/1987 Conrail Premium Service Automotive Network Brochure provides some information about Conrail’s autorack fleet and showcases great photographs of the equipment and facilities.

1990s Conrail Auto Service binder with just about everything you could want to know about the terminals in the network. Features car capacities and simplified track diagrams.

Conrail Bulk Transfer and Flexi-Flo Services

Conrail’s Bulk Transfer and Flexi-Flo services provided an efficient solution for customers requiring a combination of rail and short-haul trucking. These services allowed dry and liquid commodities to be transferred directly at Conrail terminals for local delivery. Facilities were equipped with docks for forklift unloading from boxcars, as well as equipment to transfer liquids from tank cars to tank trucks. The brochures in this section outline service capabilities, terminal locations, and the operational advantages of Conrail’s bulk transfer offerings.

Conrail Bulk Transfer Connection Brochure

Conrail's Transmodal Flexi-Flo Service. An early version of the brochures service.

Conrail Flexi-Flo Brochure. A later version of the Flex-Flo service.

Conrail Coal and Ore Services

Coal transportation was a major component of Conrail’s business, supporting both domestic consumption and export markets. Sales and Marketing teams produced a wide range of documents outlining coal and ore service offerings, including unit train operations. Conrail made significant investments in open-top hopper car fleets and locomotives to handle this traffic. The Unit Train Network provided customers with consistent equipment, terminals, and service reliability. Conrail also benefited from its proximity to Pennsylvania coal fields, as approximately 95 percent of all low-sulfur anthracite coal production occurred within Pennsylvania.

Conrail Coal and Ore facilities on the Great Lakes and Ohio River. Provides a detailed look at the facilities that transferred coal to ships and barges on the network.

Conrail Making Connections to Coal Export Markets Brochure

1990s Coal Resource Guide. This binder provides a directory of the bituminous and anthracite coal mines on the Conrail system. The Sales and Marketing teams provided a copy of the Conrail system map inside the binder.

Conrail and Conrail Mercury Intermodal Service

Conrail’s push to expand its intermodal business offered trucking companies a way to reduce fuel costs while maintaining reliable transit times. Sales and Marketing teams developed campaigns promoting reduced operating expenses, 76-hour coast-to-coast service, and guaranteed on-time delivery through the Conrail Mercury premium intermodal service. One campaign proclaimed, “If only you could make a train as flexible as a truck… If you call Conrail, we’ll show you how.” These brochures showcase Conrail’s efforts to compete in and grow the intermodal transportation market.

Conrail and CSX established the Orange Blossom Intermodal Service, which connected Kearny, New Jersey, to Orlando, Florida.

Conrail and Union Pacific established the Lone Star Intermodal Service, which connected Boston and Kearny, as well as Dallas and Houston.

Santa Fe 76-Hour Premium Service connected New York with Los Angeles. This early brochure features some great artwork.

Conrail and Santa Fe Joint premium intermodal service brochure promotes the fastest coast-to-coast service.

Conrail Mini-Landbridge and Double Stack Service brochure highlights the new service that transports containers from New York to California by rail and then to the Pacific Basin nations via ship.

I’ve always been fond of these Conrail advertisements that feature straightforward text and a simple message. In this particular case, the message is “Just Call Conrail.” The Conrail Sales and Marketing teams could demonstrate to any interested customer how a “train can act like a truck.”

Conrail Mercury was a premium intermodal service that offered dedicated new 102-inch wide trailers and an impressive guarantee of on-time delivery.

Another great brochure using a simple message for the Conrail Mercury premium service. This packet from the Sales and Marketing team had some great information.

A cool Conrail advertising storyboard used to outline the 30-second Conrail Challenge TV commercial. Conrail was coming for the trucking industry!

Conrail Locomotive and Freight Car Services

Conrail operated the renowned Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona and the nearby Hollidaysburg Car Shop in Hollidaysburg. In addition to maintaining Conrail’s own fleet, these facilities offered contract remanufacturing and repair services for other railroads. Marketing brochures from this era describe Juniata’s century-long history, skilled workforce, and full life-cycle locomotive services, ranging from electronic component repair to complete locomotive rebuilding. The documents included here provide insight into both the services offered and the significance of these facilities within Conrail’s corporate structure.

Conrail Hollidaysburg Roller Bearing Reconditioning Brochure

Another excellent piece of Conrail literature, this one featuring the iconic large font and powerful message. The Hollidaysburg Car Shop was known for its ability to repair and build almost anything, but that era is now a distant memory.

An early tour guide to the Conrail Altoona and Hollidaysburg Shops, featuring diagrams of the shops.

Conrail's Altoona Shops brochure was produced in the early 1980s, likely for visitors to the complex.

A beautiful brochure showcasing the Juniata Locomotive Shops’ expertise in remanufacturing.

A brochure about Conrail Locomotive Remanufacturing, featuring more great photos and outlining the skills of the employees, is die-cut.

Conrail Remanufacturing Services created a brochure during the conversion of SD40s to SD40-2Rs.

Conrail SteelNET Distribution System

Conrail’s SteelNET Distribution System offered shippers a 10 to 20 percent reduction in long-haul trucking costs. According to Conrail, SteelNET moved steel products from major northeastern and midwestern mills to affiliated warehouses across its 15-state system, where shipments were transferred to trucks for local delivery. Brochures in this section also describe Conrail’s steel import and export services and the logistics solutions developed for the steel industry.

Conrail SteelNet Brochure. This brochure offers more information than the smaller version, detailing each of the SteelNET terminals.

Conrail Import/Export Steel Folder, including a map and an annual report.

Other Conrail Corporate and Marketing Materials

This section contains a smaller but diverse group of Conrail corporate and marketing publications that do not yet warrant individual categories. These materials are no less interesting and continue to reflect the Sales and Marketing departments’ efforts to drive business and communicate Conrail’s capabilities. Miscellaneous corporate documents, including items such as Conrail Police publications, will also appear here as the archive continues to expand.

This Conrail Police pamphlet, distributed system-wide and visible on many office desks, was issued in a pre-2000 era.

Conrail’s Lucknow Rail Facility, located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is the subject of this brochure, which highlights its capabilities.

Conrail Industrial & Market Development was laser-focused on finding new customers.

The Conrail “Aggregates without Aggravation” brochure announces the launch of the "Conrail Rocket!" With the trucking industry it's sight, Conrail talks about the efficiency of moving aggregates by rail. The ballast hoppers we think of as non-revenue equipment were offered in revenue service...a great idea!

This Santa Fe-produced brochure promotes food and beverage distribution using the ATSF and Conrail. It highlights a convenient West-to-East Coast service that can be completed in just seven days using boxcars.

The Conrail Grocery Distribution brochure provides information about the benefits and market access available to its food customers.

Conrail Lumber Service’s brochure, which includes information about their terminal locations.

Conrail’s Paper Connection began at the paper mill and concluded at the buyer’s doorstep, where newspapers and possibly these very brochures were delivered. This brochure illustrates the paper movement process and highlights the “connection” points throughout the system.

Conrail Petrochemical Brochure. In 1992, Conrail transported over 168,000 tank cars, with approximately 124,000 of them carrying hazardous materials. This brochure talks about Conrail’s unwavering commitment to safety when handling these cars.