Hunter Harrison, who turned
around Canadian National Railway, then did the same for Canadian Pacific
Railway, has died. He was 73.
He took over as head of CSX Corp. this year to try to
turn it around for its Florida-based owner.
Harrison began a medical leave of absence a few days
before he died of what CSX says were “unexpectedly severe complications from a
recent illness.”
The reversal of fortunes for Canada’s two main railway
companies has been important for Canadian agriculture, especially for grain and
oilseed exports from the Prairies.
During his career he headed four railway companies.
The fourth was Illinois Central Railroad which was bought by CN which
then led to his becoming chief executive for CN.
