Conrail

Ghost Corp Apparel — resurrecting iconic corporate ghosts.

Created by the U.S. government in 1976, Conrail was built from the wreckage of several bankrupt Northeastern railroads, including Penn Central, Erie Lackawanna, Reading, and Central Railroad of New Jersey. Somehow, the government-sponsored rescue actually worked: Conrail became profitable, was privatized in 1987, and grew into one of the most important freight railroads in the East.

Then came the part corporate America loves most — the breakup. In 1999, most of Conrail was carved up between CSX and Norfolk Southern, bringing the famous blue “can opener” era to an end.

From railroad bankruptcy cleanup crew to profitable freight giant to corporate leftovers — Conrail had quite a ride.

Explore our Conrail collection celebrating one of America’s greatest railroad comeback stories.