Exhibit 10.3

                               OPERATING AGREEMENT

                            dated as of June 1, 1999

                                 by and between

                           NEW YORK CENTRAL LINES LLC

                                    as Owner,

                                       and

                            CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.

                                   as Operator
























                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                           Page

ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS AND USAGE.............................................1

        SECTION 1.1  Definitions and Usage....................................1

ARTICLE II - OPERATION OF ALLOCATED ASSETS....................................1

        SECTION 2.1  Operation of Allocated Assets............................1
        SECTION 2.2  Term of Agreement........................................1

ARTICLE III - OPERATING FEE AND CERTAIN EXPENSES..............................2

        SECTION 3.1  Operating Fee; Supplemental Operating Fees.  ............2
        SECTION 3.2  Method of Payment........................................2
        SECTION 3.3  Late Payment.............................................2
        SECTION 3.4  No Set-off, Counterclaims, etc...........................2
        SECTION 3.5  Tax Provisions...........................................3

ARTICLE IV - REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.......................5

        SECTION 4.1  Disclaimer of Warranties.................................5
        SECTION 4.2  Operator To Exercise Certain Rights......................5
        SECTION 4.3  Representations and Warranties of the Operator...........6
        SECTION 4.4  Representations and Warranties of the Owner..............7

ARTICLE V - LIENS, QUIET ENJOYMENT............................................7

        SECTION 5.1  Liens....................................................7
        SECTION 5.2  Quiet Enjoyment..........................................8

ARTICLE VI - SETTLEMENT ACCOUNT...............................................8

        SECTION 6.1  Maintenance of Settlement Account........................8
        SECTION 6.2  Payment of Settlement Account Balance....................8
        SECTION 6.3  Confirmation of Settlement Account.......................9

ARTICLE VII - OPERATION; MAINTENANCE..........................................9

        SECTION 7.1  Operation and Maintenance................................9
        SECTION 7.2  Modification............................................10







                                                                           Page

ARTICLE VIII - OBSOLESCENCE TERMINATION; ABANDONMENT.........................11

        SECTION 8.1 Obsolescence Termination; Abandonment....................11
        SECTION 8.2  Conditions of Termination...............................11

ARTICLE IX- TERMINATION......................................................12

        SECTION 9.1  Termination.  ..........................................12
        SECTION 9.2  Owner Assignment, Lease or Sale of Allocated Asset......12
        SECTION 9.3  Governmental Approvals..................................12
        SECTION 9.4  Severable Modifications.................................12

ARTICLE X - LOSS, DESTRUCTION, CONDEMNATION, DAMAGE, ETC.....................13

        SECTION 10.1  Replacement; Payment...................................13
        SECTION 10.2  Applications During Event of Default...................14
        SECTION 10.3  Application of Article VII.............................14

ARTICLE XI - INDEMNITIES.....................................................14

        SECTION 11.1  Indemnity by Operator..................................14
        SECTION 11.2  Indemnity by Owner.....................................15
        SECTION 11.3 Indemnification Procedures..............................15

ARTICLE XII - ASSIGNMENTS....................................................16

        SECTION 12.1 Operator Assignments....................................16
        SECTION 12.2 Merger, Consolidation, Etc..............................16
        SECTION 12.3  Owner Assignments......................................16

ARTICLE XIII - INSPECTION; MARKINGS..........................................16

        SECTION 13.1  Rights to Information..................................16
        SECTION 13.2  Markings...............................................17

ARTICLE XIV - EVENTS OF DEFAULT..............................................17

        SECTION 14.1  Events of Default......................................17

                                     - ii -



                                                                           Page

ARTICLE XV - REMEDIES........................................................18

        SECTION 15.1  Remedies...............................................18
        SECTION 15.2 Owner Rights............................................19
        SECTION 15.3  Exercise of Other Rights or Remedies...................19
        SECTION 15.4  Subject to Governmental Action.........................19

ARTICLE XVI - RIGHT TO PERFORM...............................................20

        SECTION 16.1  Right to Perform.......................................20

ARTICLE XVII - RENEWAL OPTIONS...............................................20

        SECTION 17.1  Renewal Notice.........................................20

ARTICLE XVIII - CERTAIN NOTICES AND INFORMATION..............................21

        SECTION 18.1  Notices................................................21
        SECTION 18.2  Notice of Event of Default.............................21
        SECTION 18.3  Information Regarding Allocated Assets.................21

ARTICLE XIX - CONFIDENTIALITY................................................22

        SECTION 19.1  Confidentiality........................................22

ARTICLE XX - MISCELLANEOUS...................................................22

        SECTION 20.1  Dispute Resolution.....................................22
        SECTION 20.2  Documentary Conventions................................22


                                    Appendix

Appendix A:    Definitions


                                    - iii -




                               OPERATING AGREEMENT


        This OPERATING  AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement") is entered into as of June
1, 1999, by and between New York Central Lines LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company,  as Owner and CSX  Transportation,  Inc.,  a Virginia  Corporation,  as
Operator.


                                    ARTICLE I

                              Definitions and Usage
                              ---------------------

        SECTION  1.1  Definitions  and  Usage.   Unless  the  context  otherwise
                      -----------------------
requires,  capitalized  terms used  herein  shall have the  respective  meanings
assigned to them in Appendix A to this  Agreement.  Terms used, but not defined,
                    ----------
in this Agreement or in Appendix A shall have the respective  meanings  assigned
                        ----------
to them in the Transaction Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE II

                          Operation of Allocated Assets
                          -----------------------------

        SECTION 2.1 Operation of Allocated  Assets.  (a) The Owner hereby agrees
                    ------------------------------
with the  Operator,  and the  Operator  hereby  agrees with the Owner,  that the
Operator  shall have the license,  right and  obligation  to use and operate the
Allocated Assets for the term referred to in Section 2.2 hereof on the terms and
conditions  set  forth  in this  Agreement.  Except  as  otherwise  specifically
provided in this  Agreement,  the  Operator  may use and  operate the  Allocated
Assets in such manner and for such purposes as the Operator considers  necessary
or appropriate.

               (b) The Owner hereby agrees that the Operator shall, effective as
of the  Closing  Date,  have the right to receive and retain for its own benefit
and use and in its own  name  all  revenues,  tolls,  rents,  receipts,  issues,
profits  and  income of every  character  arising  from or  associated  with the
operation and use of the Allocated Assets.

        SECTION 2.2 Term of Agreement.  Immediately  upon the execution  hereof,
                    -----------------
without  necessity  of any further act or evidence by either party  hereto,  the
Allocated  Assets shall be deemed delivered by the Owner to the Operator for the
Term and, if the  Operator  elects to exercise  its renewal  option  pursuant to
Article XVII hereof,  for any Renewal Term, in either case,  all pursuant to the
terms  of  this  Agreement,  unless  this  Agreement  shall  have  been  earlier
terminated in accordance with its terms.




                                   ARTICLE III

                       Operating Fee and Certain Expenses
                       ----------------------------------

        SECTION 3.1 Operating  Fee;  Supplemental  Operating  Fees. The Operator
                    ----------------------------------------------
shall pay to the Owner the  Operating  Fee  commencing on the first Payment Date
and on each Payment Date thereafter for the duration of the Term and any Renewal
Term. Subject to any applicable  Governmental Action, the Operating Fee shall be
recalculated  on each  Valuation Date to reflect the Fair Market Rental Value of
the Allocated Assets then subject to this Agreement. Supplemental Operating Fees
shall be paid by the Operator when due under the terms of this Agreement.

        SECTION  3.2 Method of  Payment.  All  Operating  Fees and  Supplemental
                     ------------------
Operating Fees (to the extent Supplemental  Operating Fees are not paid directly
by the  Operator)  shall be paid by the  Operator  to the  Owner at the  Owner's
office or at such  other  place in the U.S.  as the Owner  shall  specify to the
Operator at least five (5) Business  Days prior to the date such payment is due.
Each payment of Operating Fees and Supplemental  Operating Fees shall be made by
the Operator in immediately  available  funds prior to 12:00 noon, New York time
at the place of payment, on the date when such payment shall be due.

        SECTION  3.3  Late  Payment.   In  the  event  any  Operating   Fees  or
                      -------------
Supplemental  Operating  Fees  shall not be paid on the due date  thereof to the
Owner,  the Operator shall pay to the Owner on written demand,  interest (to the
extent  permitted by  Applicable  Law) on such overdue  amount from the due date
thereof  (without  regard to any grace period) to the date of payment thereof at
the Overdue Rate.

        SECTION 3.4 No Set-off,  Counterclaims,  etc.  THIS  AGREEMENT  IS A NET
                    ---------------------------------
AGREEMENT.  THE  OPERATOR'S  OBLIGATION TO PAY ALL PAYMENTS OF OPERATING FEES AS
AND WHEN THE SAME SHALL BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE TERMS OF
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ABSOLUTE AND  UNCONDITIONAL  AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO
ANY  ABATEMENT OR DIMINUTION BY SET-OFF,  DEDUCTION,  COUNTERCLAIM,  RECOUPMENT,
AGREEMENT, DEFENSE, SUSPENSION,  DEFERMENT, INTERRUPTION OR OTHERWISE, AND UNTIL
SUCH TIME AS ALL  AMOUNTS  REQUIRED TO BE PAID UNDER THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL HAVE
BEEN PAID,  THE OPERATOR SHALL NOT HAVE ANY RIGHT TO TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT OR
TO BE RELEASED,  RELIEVED OR DISCHARGED  FROM ITS  OBLIGATION TO MAKE, AND SHALL
NOT SUSPEND, REDUCE OR DISCONTINUE, ANY PAYMENT OF OPERATING FEES FOR ANY REASON
WHATSOEVER  (EXCEPT AS MAY BE EXPRESSLY  PROVIDED  HEREIN),  including,  without
limitation:

               (a) any default,  misrepresentation,  negligence,  misconduct  or
other action or inaction of any kind by the Owner or any other  Person,  whether

                                     - 2 -


under or in connection  with this Agreement or any other  agreement  relating to
this Agreement or in connection with any unrelated transaction;

               (b) the insolvency,  bankruptcy,  reorganization  or cessation of
existence, or discharge or forgiveness of indebtedness of any Person referred to
in clause (a) above;

               (c)  the  invalidity,   unenforceability   or   impossibility  of
performance of this Agreement for any reason;

               (d) any  defect in the title,  condition,  design,  operation  or
fitness for use of, or any Lien or other  restriction  of any kind upon,  all or
any part of any Allocated  Asset,  any loss or destruction of, or damage to, any
Allocated  Asset  or  any   interruption  in  or  cessation  of  the  ownership,
possession, operation or use of any Allocated Asset for any reason whatsoever;

               (e) any restriction, prevention or curtailment of or interference
with any  Allocated  Asset or the use thereof or any part thereof for any reason
whatsoever, including, without limitation, by any Governmental Authority;

               (f)    any Applicable Law now or hereafter in force;

               (g) any failure to obtain any required  Governmental Action for a
transfer of rights or title to the Owner, the Operator or any other Person;

               (h) any  amendment or other change of, or any  assignment  of any
rights under, this Agreement, or any waiver or other action or inaction under or
in respect of this  Agreement,  or any exercise or  nonexercise  of any right or
remedy under or in respect of this Agreement; and

               (i) any other cause, circumstance, happening or event whatsoever,
foreseen or unforeseen, whether similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing.

        The Operator hereby waives and hereby agrees to waive at any future time
at the request of the Owner,  to the extent now or then  permitted by Applicable
Law, any and all rights that the Operator may have or that at any time hereafter
may be conferred  upon it, by statute,  regulation or  otherwise,  to terminate,
cancel,  quit or surrender  this  Agreement  other than in  accordance  with the
express terms hereof. Each Operating Fee payment shall be final and the Operator
agrees not to seek to recover  all or any part of any such  payment  (except for
amounts paid to the Owner which the Owner in good faith agrees have been paid in
error) from the Owner for any reason under any circumstance whatsoever.


        SECTION 3.5 Tax  Provisions.  (a) During the Term and any Renewal  Term,
                    ---------------
the  Operator  shall pay when due,  all  Taxes,  other than  Excluded  Taxes (as
hereinafter  defined),  imposed on the Owner, based upon the Allocated Assets or
arising out of the use, lease,  possession or operation of the Allocated  Assets
during that period. For purposes of this Section, (i) Owner shall mean the Owner

                                     - 3 -


and its Affiliates  and (ii) Excluded  Taxes shall mean (A) all Taxes based,  in
whole or in part, on net income or gross income (including,  without limitation,
any minimum tax) of the Owner or which are in  substitution  for, or relieve the
Owner  from,  any Tax based upon or  measured by the Owner's net income or gross
income,  together with any interest,  penalties,  additions to tax or additional
amounts that may become payable in respect thereof;  (B) business and occupation
taxes,  and gross  receipts  taxes  (unless in the nature of a sales tax) of the
Owner and Taxes based upon the equity  interests of the Owner; and (C) interest,
fines and  penalties  to the extent due to the acts or omissions of the Owner in
connection  with Excluded  Taxes.  The Operator shall not be required to pay any
Tax it is obligated to pay under the  provisions  of this Section 3.5 during the
time  it  shall  reasonably  and in  good  faith  and by  appropriate  legal  or
administrative proceedings contest the validity or amount thereof.

               (b) The Owner  shall  have the right and  obligation,  at its own
expense,  to prepare and file all Tax returns  required to be filed by the Owner
under  Applicable  Law. Prior to the Owner's filing of any Tax returns for Taxes
required to be paid by the Operator under paragraph (a) of this Section 3.5, the
Owner shall  provide such  returns to the Operator for its review and  approval,
which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

               (c) The Operator and its assignees  and designees  shall have the
right (but only to the extent the Owner  shall have such  right,  by contract or
otherwise)  to  control  at  its  expense  any  audit  or   examination  by  any
Governmental  Authority,  or any  judicial  proceeding,  relating  to any  Taxes
required to be paid by it under paragraph (a) of this Section 3.5.

               (d) During the Term and any Renewal Term, the Operator and any of
its designees  shall be entitled to claim federal,  state and local tax benefits
(including,   without  limitation,   deductions  and  credits)  arising  out  of
Operator's  expenditures  in the use,  possession  or operation of the Allocated
Assets by the Operator, or any of its respective assignees or designees, and the
improvements  thereto, that the Operator, or any of its designees is entitled to
claim under federal,  state and local laws and  regulations.  These tax benefits
include but are not limited to: (i) deductions for  depreciation or amortization
attributable to property (both tangible and  intangible)  owned by the Operator,
or any of its assignees or designees,  including improvements made to any of the
Allocated  Assets by any of them,  as well as  expenditures  made by any of them
that are  required to be  capitalized  under  sections 263 or 263A or some other
section of the Code; (ii) deductions for expenditures  made by the Operator,  or
any of its assignees or designees, deductible as ordinary and necessary business
expenses under section 162 of the Code; (iii) deductions for losses attributable
to property (both tangible and intangible) owned by the Operator,  or any of its
assignees or designees,  deductible  under section 165 of the Code; and (iv) any
federal,  state or local  credits  applicable to the use,  lease,  possession or
operation of the Allocated  Assets by the  Operator,  or any of its assignees or
designees,  and  improvements  thereto.  The Owner is entitled to deductions for
Taxes of the Owner paid by the Operator under  paragraph (a) of this Section 3.5
and treated as rent paid by the Operator under this Agreement and taxable income
received by the Owner under section 1.162-11(a) of the Income Tax Regulations.


                                     - 4 -



                                   ARTICLE IV

                   Representations, Warranties and Agreements
                   ------------------------------------------

        SECTION  4.1  Disclaimer  of  Warranties.  AS BETWEEN  THE OWNER AND THE
                      --------------------------
OPERATOR,  THE  EXECUTION  OF  THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL  BE  CONCLUSIVE  PROOF  OF
ACCEPTANCE BY THE OPERATOR OF EACH ALLOCATED  ASSET AS BEING IN COMPLIANCE  WITH
ALL  REQUIREMENTS OF THIS  AGREEMENT.  THE OWNER AND THE OPERATOR TAKE EACH SUCH
ALLOCATED ASSET "AS IS" AND "WHERE IS", AND THE OPERATOR  ACKNOWLEDGES  THAT THE
OWNER HAS NOT MADE,  NOR SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE  MADE,  ANY  REPRESENTATION  OR
WARRANTY,   EXPRESS  OR  IMPLIED,  AS  TO  THE  TITLE,  VALUE,  COMPLIANCE  WITH
SPECIFICATIONS,   CONDITION,   MERCHANTABILITY,   DESIGN,  QUALITY,  DURABILITY,
OPERATION  OR FITNESS  FOR USE OR PURPOSE  OF EACH SUCH  ALLOCATED  ASSET OR ANY
OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO
EACH SUCH ALLOCATED ASSET OR OTHERWISE,  IT BEING AGREED THAT ALL RISKS INCIDENT
THERETO ARE TO BE BORNE, AS BETWEEN THE OWNER AND THE OPERATOR,  BY THE OPERATOR
IN THE EVENT OF ANY DEFECT OR DEFICIENCY  IN ANY SUCH  ALLOCATED  ASSET,  OF ANY
NATURE  WHETHER  PATENT  OR  LATENT,  AND  THAT  THE  OWNER  SHALL  NOT HAVE ANY
RESPONSIBILITY  OR LIABILITY WITH RESPECT THERETO,  except that the Owner hereby
represents,  warrants and covenants that each such Allocated Asset shall be free
of Owner  Liens on the  Closing  Date and except as  otherwise  provided  in the
Transaction Agreement.  The provisions of this Section 4.1 have been negotiated,
and the  foregoing  provisions  are  intended  to be a  complete  exclusion  and
negation of any other  warranties  made by the Owner,  express or implied,  with
respect to any Allocated  Asset,  whether arising pursuant to Applicable Law now
or hereafter in effect or otherwise. Nothing contained in this Section 4.1 shall
in any way  diminish or  otherwise  affect any right the  Operator may have with
respect to any Allocated Asset against any third Person.  The Owner shall not at
any time be required to inspect any Allocated Asset,  and any actual  inspection
by the Owner  shall not be deemed  to affect or modify  the  provisions  of this
Section 4.1.






        SECTION 4.2 Operator To Exercise  Certain  Rights.  (a) The Owner hereby
                    -------------------------------------
authorizes the Operator,  at the Operator's  expense, to exercise in the name of
and on behalf of the Owner and the Operator,  as their interests may appear, the
right and power to deal with any third party lessor, lessee, licensor, licensee,
seller,  manufacturer,  shipper  or any  other  Persons  (including  agents  and
consultants thereof) with respect to any Allocated Asset or who are party to any
Assigned  Rights  (each a "Third Party  Provider")  and the right to enforce (by
legal action or otherwise) against such Third Party Provider all rights,  powers
and  privileges  of the Owner and to  receive  all  benefits  of the Owner  with
respect  to such Third  Party  Provider,  under any  Contract,  Assigned  Right,
express or implied warranty, indemnity or otherwise;  provided, that if an Event
of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be  continuing  (and until all Events of
Default then outstanding  shall no longer be continuing) the Owner may terminate

                                     - 5 -


the  authority  of the  Operator  under this Section 4.2. Any amount paid to the
Owner or Operator  pursuant to the  Operator's  exercise of its authority  under
this Section 4.2 shall be paid to the Operator. After the end of the Term or any
Renewal Term with respect to any  Allocated  Asset or after the  termination  of
this Agreement with respect to such Allocated Asset pursuant to Article XIV, (a)
the Operator shall have no further rights, powers,  privileges or benefits under
this Section 4.2 and (b) all amounts  payable by any Third Party  Provider  paid
with respect to periods  arising  thereafter  shall be paid to, and retained by,
the Owner or any other Person as shall then be the owner of the Allocated  Asset
as to which such payment is made.

               (b) The Operator shall, with the Owner's prior consent,  have the
right and power to execute  and deliver on behalf of the Owner,  the  extension,
renewal,  amendment or modification of any Assigned Rights or any other Contract
in respect of the Allocated Assets.

               (c)  The  Owner  shall  as  expeditiously  as  possible  use  its
reasonable efforts to obtain or transfer to the Operator any Governmental Action
or the consent,  authorization, or approval of any private Person required to be
made,  obtained or  transferred to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated herein, which actions shall include furnishing all
information required under or in connection with such Governmental Action or the
approvals of, or filing with such private Person.

               (d) The Operator  shall pay,  perform and discharge  fully all of
the  obligations  of the Owner or its Affiliates  under all Assigned  Rights and
Contracts  that are  Allocated  Assets  from and after the  Closing  Date.  Such
payments  shall be  considered  Supplemental  Operating  Fees.  The Owner or its
Affiliates shall, without further consideration  therefor, pay, assign and remit
promptly  to  the  Operator,  as  appropriate,  all  monies,  rights  and  other
consideration  received  in  respect  of  such  performance.  The  Owner  or its
Affiliates  shall  exercise  or exploit  the rights and  options  under all such
Contracts only as reasonably directed by the Operator.

        SECTION 4.3 Representations and Warranties of the Operator. The Operator
                    ----------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to the Owner as of the Closing Date as follows:

               (a) Due Organization, etc. The Operator (i) is a corporation duly
                   ----------------------
organized and validly  existing under the laws of the  Commonwealth of Virginia,
(ii) has the power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under
this Agreement and (iii) has obtained all Governmental Action required to use or
hold the Allocated  Assets in accordance with this Agreement,  and to enter into
and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

               (b) Due  Authorization,  Non-Contravention,  etc. The  execution,
                   ---------------------------------------------
delivery and  performance  of this  Agreement  have been duly  authorized by all
necessary  corporate  action  on the part of the  Operator,  do not and will not
conflict with,  result in any violation of, or constitute any default under, any
provision of any Organic Document of the Operator or Applicable Law.


                                     - 6 -



               (c) Due  Execution.  This  Agreement  has been duly  executed and
                   --------------
delivered  by the  Operator,  and  constitutes  the  legal,  valid  and  binding
obligation of the Operator  enforceable  against the Operator in accordance with
its terms,  except as  enforcement  may be limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the
enforcement of creditors'  rights and except that the  availability of equitable
remedies,  including specific  performance,  is subject to the discretion of the
court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

        SECTION  4.4  Representations  and  Warranties  of the Owner.  The Owner
                      ----------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to the Operator as of the Closing Date as follows:

               (a) Due  Organization,  etc. The Owner (i) is a limited liability
                   ------------------------
company  duly  organized  and  validly  existing  under the laws of the State of
Delaware,  (ii) has the  power  and  authority  to enter  into and  perform  its
obligations under this Agreement and (iii) has obtained all Governmental  Action
required to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

               (b) Due  Authorization,  Non-Contravention,  etc. The  execution,
                   ---------------------------------------------
delivery and  performance  of this  Agreement  have been duly  authorized by all
necessary  company action on the part of the Owner, do not and will not conflict
with, result in any violation of, or constitute any default under, any provision
of any Organic Document of the Owner or Applicable Law.

               (c) Due  Execution.  This  Agreement  has been duly  executed and
                   --------------
delivered by the Owner, and constitutes the legal,  valid and binding obligation
of the Owner enforceable  against the Owner in accordance with its terms, except
as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
laws  of  general  application  relating  to or  affecting  the  enforcement  of
creditors'  rights and  except  that the  availability  of  equitable  remedies,
including specific performance, is subject to the discretion of the court before
which any proceeding therefor may be brought.


                                    ARTICLE V

                             Liens; Quiet Enjoyment
                             ----------------------

        SECTION 5.1 Liens. The Operator shall not directly or indirectly create,
                    -----
incur,  assume or suffer to exist any Lien (other than  Permitted  Liens) on any
Allocated  Asset.  The Operator  will  promptly,  at its own expense,  take such
action as may be  necessary  duly to  discharge  any such Lien.  The  Operator's
obligations  under  this  Section  5.1  with  respect  to any  such  Lien on any
Allocated  Asset resulting from a claim arising prior to the termination of this
Agreement with respect to such Allocated  Asset shall survive such  termination.
The Operator agrees that, upon the termination of this Agreement,  the Allocated
Assets shall be returned to the Owner free and clear of Liens,  other than Owner
Liens.

                                     - 7 -




        SECTION 5.2 Quiet Enjoyment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
                    ---------------
Agreement, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
as between the Operator and Owner,  the Operator shall have the exclusive rights
to possession, control and use of all Allocated Assets and neither the Owner nor
any Person acting or claiming  through the Owner will take any action that shall
interfere  with the peaceful and quiet  enjoyment or the  possession  and use or
nonuse of any Allocated  Asset by the Operator,  and the Operator shall have the
right to possess and use or not use such Allocated Asset in its sole discretion,
subject always to the terms and conditions of this  Agreement.  The foregoing is
not intended to limit the inspection  rights of the Allocated  Assets granted by
the Operator pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                               Settlement Account
                               ------------------

        SECTION 6.1  Maintenance  of  Settlement  Account.  The  Operator  shall
                     ------------------------------------
maintain a non-cash book account (the  "Settlement  Account") to reflect amounts
owed by the  Operator  to the Owner as a result  of  transactions  described  in
Sections 7.1(e), 8.1 and 10.1(a)(ii) hereof.

        SECTION 6.2 Payment of Settlement  Account  Balance.  The Operator shall
                    ---------------------------------------
pay to the Owner an amount equal to the then balance of the  Settlement  Account
upon: (i) the sixth (6th),  twelfth (12th),  eighteenth (18th) and twenty-fourth
(24th)  anniversaries  of the Closing Date, (ii) the expiration of the Term (or,
if  earlier,  the  termination  of  this  Agreement),   (iii)  the  sixth  (6th)
anniversary of the first day of each Renewal Term,  (iv) the end of each Renewal
Term (or, if earlier,  the termination of this  Agreement),  and (v) thirty (30)
calendar days after the date on which a Substantial  Allocated  Asset (a) is not
repaired or replaced  under Section  7.1(e)  hereof,  (b) is abandoned,  sold or
otherwise  disposed of under  Section 8.1 hereof or (c) suffers an Event of Loss
and is not replaced under Section 10.1(a)(i) hereof (each, a "Settlement Account
Payment Date").

        SECTION 6.3 Confirmation of Settlement  Account.  Within sixty (60) days
                    -----------------------------------
of the crediting of an amount to the Settlement Account, the Appraisal Procedure
shall be used to confirm  that credits to the  Settlement  Account were based on
the fair market value of the relevant Allocated Assets consistent with the terms
of this Agreement.  The Settlement Account shall be adjusted consistent with the
outcome of the Appraisal Procedure and the payments made pursuant to Section 6.2
hereof shall reflect any such adjustments.



                                   ARTICLE VII

                             Operation; Maintenance
                             ----------------------

                                     - 8 -


        SECTION 7.1 Operation and  Maintenance.  The Operator shall at all times
                    --------------------------
at its own expense during the Term and during any Renewal Term:

               (a) use the Allocated Assets in such manner and for such purposes
as the  Operator  considers  necessary or  appropriate  in  connection  with the
operation of its business;

               (b) keep and  maintain  such books,  records and title  documents
relating  to  the  Allocated  Assets,  and  the  acquisition,  construction  and
installation of  Modifications  thereto and the payment of the purchase price of
such Modifications,  as the Operator considers  appropriate  consistent with the
Operator's customary business practices;

               (c)  maintain  the  Allocated   Assets  in  accordance  with  the
Operator's customary practice;

               (d) inspect,  service,  maintain,  store, use,  operate,  repair,
replace,  modify and improve the Allocated  Assets in compliance in all material
respects  with  Applicable  Law  (including  all  applicable  environmental  and
occupational  safety laws), and in compliance in all material  respects with all
applicable  licenses and permits  relating to the Allocated Assets issued by any
Governmental Authority;  provided, the Operator may in good faith by appropriate
proceedings  contest the validity or application  of any such  Applicable Law in
any  reasonable  manner  which does not  involve any risk of the  imposition  of
criminal liability on the Owner, or any material danger of any fine, penalty, or
other  imposition upon the Owner for which the Operator has not acknowledged its
obligation to indemnify the Owner pursuant to this Agreement; and

               (e) in case of any  damage to any  Allocated  Asset,  other  than
damage constituting an Event of Loss, at its election, in either case at its own
expense, (i) repair such Allocated Asset so as to restore its utility consistent
with the Operator's  customary  practice with respect to similar assets owned by
the  Operator  (as  determined  solely by the  Operator)  or (ii)  replace  such
Allocated  Asset with an asset (which will become an Allocated  Asset)  having a
fair market value (as determined  solely by the Operator)  equivalent to that of
the damaged Allocated Asset immediately prior to the damage (assuming, in either
case,  such  Allocated  Asset  was then in the  condition  and  state of  repair
required to be maintained by the terms of this Agreement), with such alterations
and additions as may be made at the Operator's  election pursuant to and subject
to the conditions of Section 7.2 hereof;  provided,  however,  that the Operator
need not repair or replace any Allocated Asset to the extent that such Allocated
Asset is not necessary to the operation of the Allocated Assets  considered as a
whole (as determined solely by the Operator),  in which event the Operator shall
credit to the Settlement  Account the fair market value of such Allocated  Asset
as of the date  immediately  prior to the damage  (assuming such Allocated Asset
was then in the condition  and state of repair  required to be maintained by the
terms of this Agreement).  Upon the crediting of the Settlement Account with the
fair market value of such Allocated Asset,  such Allocated Asset shall no longer
be subject to this  Agreement  and the Owner shall convey to the Operator or its

                                     - 9 -


designee,  ownership of and title to such Allocated Asset.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  until payment by the Operator to the Owner of the amount credited to
the Settlement  Account on the next succeeding  Settlement Account Payment Date,
such Allocated Asset shall be deemed to continue to be subject to this Agreement
solely for the purpose of calculating the Operating Fee.

        SECTION 7.2  Modification.
                     ------------

               (a) The Operator  shall at its expense make any  Modification  to
any  Allocated  Asset  required  (i) by  Applicable  Law or in order to operate,
maintain,  service,  store,  or use  such  Allocated  Asset in  accordance  with
Applicable Law, as soon as practicable  after any such  requirement may arise or
(ii) in order for the Operator to comply with the  provisions of this  Agreement
(all such Modifications  being referred to herein as "Required  Modifications");
provided,  that the  Operator  may,  so long as no Event of  Default  shall have
occurred and be continuing, in good faith by appropriate proceedings contest the
validity or application  of any  Applicable  Law in any reasonable  manner which
does not involve any reasonably  foreseeable  risk of the imposition of criminal
liability  on the Owner,  or any material  danger of any fine,  penalty or other
imposition  upon the  Owner  for which the  Operator  has not  acknowledged  its
obligation to indemnify the Owner  pursuant to this  Agreement.  The Operator at
its expense, from time to time, may make any Modification to any Allocated Asset
that the Operator in its  discretion may deem desirable in the proper conduct of
the  Operator's   business  (all  such  Modifications  which  are  not  Required
Modifications  being referred to herein as "Optional  Modifications");  provided
that any  construction  of new  trackage or  facilities  appurtenant  to but not
located on such Allocated Assets shall, at Operator's election, be deemed not to
be Modifications hereunder and not subject to this Agreement.

               (b) Title to each Modification shall vest as follows:

                      (i)    in  the  case of  each (A) Required Modification or
(B) other  Nonseverable  Modification, whether  or  not the   Owner   shall have
financed or provided financing (in whole or in part) for such  Modification, the
Owner  shall,  without  further act,  effective  on the  date  such Modification
shall have been incorporated into the modified Allocated Asset, acquire title to
such Modification free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens; or

                      (ii)  in the  case  of each  Severable  Modification,  the
Operator  shall retain  title to such Modification and the Operator may (subject
to  Section 7.2(c)  hereof) remove such  Modification at its expense at any time
so  long  as the  modified  Allocated Asset  remains in  or is  restored  by the
Operator to the  condition  required by this Agreement.


                                     - 10 -



        Immediately  upon title to a Modification  vesting in the Owner pursuant
to this Section 7.2(b),  such  Modification  shall,  without further act, become
subject to this Agreement and be deemed part of the applicable  Allocated  Asset
for all purposes.

               (c) Subject to compliance  with  Applicable Law, the Operator may
remove, at its expense, any Severable Modification; provided, that the Operator,
at its  expense  shall  repair  any damage to the  Allocated  Asset from which a
Severable  Modification  has been  removed  caused  by such  removal;  provided,
further,  that in the event the Operator  shall not have  removed any  Severable
Modification  to which the  Operator  shall  have title as  provided  in Section
7.2(b)(ii)  prior  to the end of the  Term or any  Renewal  Term,  title to such
Severable  Modification shall vest in the Owner upon the expiration of such Term
or Renewal Term.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                      Obsolescence Termination; Abandonment
                      -------------------------------------

        SECTION  8.1  Obsolescence  Termination;   Abandonment.  Except  as  may
                      ----------------------------------------
otherwise be contemplated in this Agreement, the Operator may not dispose of, or
otherwise convey or transfer any interest in the Allocated Assets to any Person.
Unless  an Event of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be  continuing,  if the
Operator has determined  that an Allocated Asset is uneconomic or surplus to, or
no longer necessary for, the Operator's operating  requirements as determined by
the Operator in its sole judgment,  the Operator shall have the right,  with the
Owner's consent, to abandon or sell or otherwise dispose of such Allocated Asset
(as  agent for the  Owner)  in which  event the  Operator  may  retain  the sale
proceeds (net of selling  expenses),  if any,  received for such Allocated Asset
and shall credit to the Settlement Account the fair market value (as of the time
of the abandonment,  sale or other  disposition) of such Allocated Asset (which,
in no event,  shall be less than the sale  proceeds,  net of  selling  expenses,
received for such Allocated Asset). Upon the crediting of the Settlement Account
with the fair market value of such Allocated  Asset,  such Allocated Asset shall
no  longer be  subject  to this  Agreement  and the  Owner  shall  convey to the
Operator  or its  designee,  ownership  of and  title to such  Allocated  Asset.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, until payment by the Operator to the Owner of the
amount  credited to the  Settlement  Account on the next  succeeding  Settlement
Account  Payment Date,  such  Allocated  Asset shall be deemed to continue to be
subject to this Agreement  solely for the purpose of  calculating  the Operating
Fee.

        SECTION 8.2 Conditions of Termination.  As a condition to a termination,
                    -------------------------
abandonment  or other  disposition  pursuant to this Article VIII, any necessary
Governmental  Actions in connection therewith shall have been obtained by and at
the  expense of the  Operator.  Upon the  Operator's  request,  the Owner  shall
cooperate  fully  with the  Operator  in seeking  and  obtaining  all  necessary
Governmental  Actions in connection  with the  termination or abandonment of any
Allocated Asset.


                                     - 11 -



                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   Termination
                                   -----------

        SECTION 9.1 Termination.  (a) Unless the Operator  exercises its renewal
                    -----------
option under Article XVII,  upon  termination  of this  Agreement,  the Operator
shall, at its risk, cost and expense, cause the Allocated Assets subject to this
Agreement  at such time to be (i) free and clear of all Liens  other  than Owner
Liens, (ii) in compliance with the maintenance and operating  provisions of this
Agreement,  and (iii) otherwise capable of being  maintained,  used and operated
substantially  in compliance with Applicable Law for the operation of a railroad
appropriate to conditions existing at such time.

               (b) Upon the termination of this Agreement, the Operator will, at
the Operator's expense,  promptly and duly execute and deliver to the Owner such
documents and take such further  actions as the Owner may reasonably  request in
order to effect the  return of the  Allocated  Assets,  including  any  Assigned
Right, to the Owner or its designee.

        SECTION 9.2 Owner  Assignment,  Lease or Sale of  Allocated  Asset.  The
                    ------------------------------------------------------
Operator  agrees that during the last year of the Term or any Renewal  Term,  it
will  cooperate in all  reasonable  respects with efforts of the Owner to lease,
sell,  assign or otherwise  transfer any Allocated  Asset to any designee of the
Owner.

        SECTION 9.3  Governmental  Approvals.  The Operator shall  cooperate and
                     -----------------------
assist the Owner,  at the expense of the Owner, in transferring or obtaining all
Governmental  Actions which may be necessary  for the Owner or its designee,  as
the case may be, to operate, lease, purchase,  assume or otherwise be a party to
or beneficiary of any returned Allocated Asset.

        SECTION 9.4 Severable Modifications.  At any time after the Operator has
                    -----------------------
notified the Owner that it has determined  not to renew this Agreement  pursuant
to Article XVII, or operational  responsibility for the Allocated Assets reverts
to the Owner, the Operator shall at the Owner's request, advise the Owner of the
nature  and  condition  of all  Severable  Modifications  owned by the  Operator
pursuant to Section  7.2(b)(ii) hereof which the Operator has removed or intends
to remove from the Allocated  Assets in accordance  with Section  7.2(c) hereof.
The Operator may (and shall, if so directed by Owner), at its sole cost, expense
and risk, remove from any Allocated Asset any Severable Modification;  provided,
that any such  Modification  not removed  pursuant to this  Section 9.4 shall be
deemed to be part of the  Allocated  Asset to which it relates for all  purposes
hereof and title to such Modification shall thereupon vest in the Owner free and
clear of all Liens, other than Owner Liens.


                                    ARTICLE X

                  Loss, Destruction, Condemnation, Damage, etc.
                  ---------------------------------------------

                                     - 12 -


        SECTION 10.1 Replacement; Payment.
                     --------------------

               (a) Upon the  occurrence  of an Event of Loss,  or an event which
with the  passage of time  would  become an Event of Loss,  with  respect to any
Allocated Asset, the Operator shall:

                      (i)   replace the Allocated Asset which suffered the Event
of Loss, with a replacement asset  (which  will become an  Allocated  Asset)
which has a fair market  value equivalent to that of the Allocated  Asset which
suffered the Event of Loss (as determined  solely  by the  Operator) immediately
prior to such  Event of Loss (assuming  such  Allocated  Asset was then in the
condition and state of repair required by this Agreement); or

                      (ii) the  Operator may retain the sale  proceeds,  if any,
received for the Allocated Asset suffering the Event of Loss and shall credit to
the  Settlement   Account the   fair   market   value  of such  Allocated  Asset
immediately  prior to  such Event of Loss  (assuming  such  Allocated  Asset was
then in the  condition  and  state  of repair required by this Agreement), which
fair market  value in no event shall be less  than  the  sale  proceeds  (net of
selling  expenses)  received  for such Allocated  Asset.  Upon the  crediting of
the  Settlement  Account with  the fair   market value of such Allocated  Asset,
such Allocated  Asset shall no longer be subject to this Agreement and the Owner
shall  convey to the  Operator  or its designee,  ownership of and title to such
Allocated Asset.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  until payment by the Operator
to the Owner of the   amount   credited  to the  Settlement  Account on the next
succeeding  Settlement Account Payment Date, the Allocated  Asset  suffering the
Event of Loss shall be deemed to continue to be subject to this Agreement solely
for the purpose of calculating the Operating Fee.

               (b) Upon compliance by the Operator with Section 10.1(a)(i),  (i)
this Agreement shall continue with respect to any replacement Allocated Asset as
though no Event of Loss had occurred, (ii) the Owner shall convey "as is" "where
is", free and clear of all Owner Liens,  without recourse or warranty (except as
to the ability and authority of the Owner to transfer and convey such  Allocated
Asset free and clear of Owner Liens), to the Operator or its designee all right,
title and interest of the Owner in and to the Allocated  Asset being replaced by
executing and delivering to the Operator or its designee such bills of sales and
other  documents or  instruments  as the Operator or its designee may reasonably
request to evidence  such  conveyance,  and (iii) the Owner shall  assign to the
Operator all claims it may have against any other Person  arising from the event
which gave rise to the replacement.


               (c) Upon compliance by the parties with Section 10.1(a)(ii),  the
Owner  shall  convey  "as is"  "where  is",  free and clear of all Owner  Liens,
without  recourse or warranty  (except as to the  ability and  authority  of the
Owner to  transfer  and  convey  such  Allocated  Asset  free and clear of Owner
Liens),  to the Operator or its  designee  all right,  title and interest of the
Owner in and to such Allocated Asset by executing and delivering to the Operator
or its designee such bills of sales and other  documents or  instruments  as the

                                     - 13 -


Operator or its designee may reasonably request to evidence such conveyance.

        SECTION 10.2 Applications During Event of Default. Any amount that shall
                     ------------------------------------
be  payable  to the  Operator  pursuant  to this  Agreement  arising  out of any
warranty,  governmental  award or otherwise received in respect of any Allocated
Asset  shall not be paid to the  Operator  or, if it shall have been  previously
paid to the Operator, shall not be retained by the Operator but shall be paid to
the  Owner,  if at the time of such  payment  any Event of  Default  shall  have
occurred and be continuing. In such event, all such amounts shall be paid to and
held by the Owner in trust as security  for the  obligations  of the Operator to
make payments under this Agreement or applied by the Owner toward payment of any
of such  obligations of the Operator at the time due hereunder.  At such time as
there shall not be continuing  any Event of Default all such amounts at the time
held by the Owner in excess of the  amount,  if any,  that the Owner  shall have
elected to apply as above provided shall be paid to the Operator.

        SECTION 10.3  Application of Article VII. Article VII shall not apply to
                      --------------------------
any  Allocated  Asset after an Event of Loss has  occurred  with respect to such
Allocated Asset; provided, that the foregoing shall not limit the obligations of
the Operator under Article VII hereof with respect to any replacement  Allocated
Asset.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                                   Indemnities
                                   -----------

        SECTION 11.1 Indemnity by Operator.  (a) The Operator  assumes and shall
                     ---------------------
be  fully  responsible  for  all  liabilities  attributable  in  any  way to the
Allocated Assets,  or to operations on or over the Allocated Assets,  except for
(i) Retained  Liabilities and any other  liabilities with respect to which it is
the  responsibility of any Person other than the Operator under the terms of the
Transaction  Agreement and the Ancillary  Agreements to indemnify the Owner, and
(ii)  liabilities  that arise prior to the Closing  Date  referred to in Section
2.8(b)(i) or Section 2.8(c) of the Transaction Agreement; provided, that for the
purposes of this Section 11.1(a), the term "Ancillary Agreements" as used in the
parenthetical  included  in  Sections  2.8(b)  and  2.8(c)  of  the  Transaction
Agreement  shall be deemed  not to  include  this  Agreement.  To that end,  the
Operator  agrees to and shall  protect,  indemnify and hold wholly  harmless the
Owner  and its  directors,  officers,  employees  and  agents  (each  an  "Owner
Indemnified  Person") from and against any Damages  arising from or attributable
to the  liabilities  assumed by the  Operator  under the first  sentence of this
Section 11.1(a).

               (b)  Upon  payment  in full  of any  indemnity  pursuant  to this
Section 11.1, the Operator  shall,  to the extent of such payment and so long as
no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,  be subrogated to any

                                     - 14 -


rights of the Owner  Indemnified  Person in respect of the matter  against which
such  indemnity  was given  (other than with respect to any  insurance  policies
carried by such Owner Indemnified Person).

        SECTION  11.2  Indemnity  by  Owner.   (a)  The  Owner  shall  be  fully
                       --------------------
responsible for all liabilities  allocated to it under Section  2.8(b)(i) of the
Transaction Agreement.  The Owner shall be fully responsible for all liabilities
allocated to it under Section 2.8(c) of the Transaction  Agreement and shall, to
the extent not obtained by CRC as required by Section 2.8(c) of the  Transaction
Agreement,  obtain within 60 days after the Closing Date insurance to cover such
liabilities  from and after the Closing  Date.  To that end, the Owner agrees to
and shall  protect,  indemnify  and hold wholly  harmless  the  Operator and its
directors,  officers,  employees  and agents  (each,  an  "Operator  Indemnified
Person") from and against any and all Damages  arising from or  attributable  to
(i) Retained  Liabilities and any other  liabilities with respect to which it is
the  responsibility of any Person other than the Operator under the terms of the
Transaction  Agreement and the Ancillary  Agreements to indemnify the Owner, and
(ii)  liabilities  that arise prior to the Closing  Date  referred to in Section
2.8(b)(i) and Section 2.8(c) of the Transaction  Agreement;  provided,  that for
the purposes of this Section 11.2(a), the term "Ancillary Agreements" as used in
the  parenthetical  included  in Sections  2.8(b) and 2.8(c) of the  Transaction
Agreement shall be deemed not to include this Agreement.

               (b)  Upon  payment  in full  of any  indemnity  pursuant  to this
Section 11.2, the Owner shall,  to the extent of such payment,  be subrogated to
any rights of the Operator  Indemnified  Person in respect of the matter against
which  such  indemnity  was given  (other  than with  respect  to any  insurance
policies carried by such Operator Indemnified Person).

        SECTION  11.3  Indemnification  Procedures.  (a) If any Action  shall be
                       ---------------------------
threatened or  instituted  or any claim or demand shall be asserted  against any
Indemnified  Party in respect of which  indemnification  may be sought under the
provisions of this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall promptly cause written
notice  of the  assertion  of any such  claim,  demand or Action of which it has
knowledge to be forwarded to the Indemnifying Party. Such notice shall contain a
reference to the  provisions  hereof or of such other  agreement,  instrument or
certificate  delivered  pursuant hereto, in respect of which such claim is being
made. The  Indemnified  Party's  failure to give the  Indemnifying  Party prompt
notice shall not preclude the Indemnified  Party from obtaining  indemnification
from the Indemnifying Party under this Article XI unless the Indemnified Party's
failure has materially prejudiced the Indemnifying Party's ability to defend the
claim, demand or Action.

               (b) If the  Indemnified  Party  seeks  indemnification  from  the
Indemnifying  Party as a result of a claim or demand being made by a third party
(a "Third Party Claim"), the Indemnifying Party shall have the right promptly to
assume the control of the defense of any Action with respect to such Third Party
Claim,  including,  at its own expense,  employment by it of counsel  reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified  Party.  The Indemnified  Party may, in its sole
discretion and at its own expense, employ counsel to represent it in the defense
of the Third Party Claim, and in such event counsel for the  Indemnifying  Party

                                     - 15 -


shall cooperate with counsel for the Indemnified Party in such defense, provided
that the  Indemnifying  Party shall direct and control the defense of such Third
Party Claim or proceeding. The Indemnifying Party shall not consent to the entry
of any judgment,  except with the written consent of the Indemnified  Party, and
shall not enter  into any  settlement  of such Third  Party  Claim  without  the
written  consent  of  the  Indemnified  Party  which  does  not  include  as  an
unconditional  term  thereof  the  release  of the  Indemnified  Party  from all
Liability in respect of such Third Party Claim.


                                   ARTICLE XII

                                   Assignments
                                   -----------

        SECTION 12.1 Operator Assignments.  Except as otherwise provided in this
                     --------------------
Agreement, the Operator may not, without the prior written consent of the Owner,
and subject to any applicable Governmental Actions, assign,  transfer,  sublease
or otherwise grant the right to use any Allocated Asset or its interest  therein
or  rights  with  respect  thereto,  including  any  Assigned  Right.  Except as
otherwise  provided in this Agreement,  the Operator may, with the prior written
consent of the Owner, and subject to any applicable Government Actions,  assign,
transfer,  sublease or otherwise  grant the right to use any Allocated  Asset or
its interest  therein or rights with  respect  thereto,  including  any Assigned
Right.

        SECTION  12.2 Merger,  Consolidation,  Etc.  The  Operator,  without the
                      -----------------------------
consent of the Owner,  may assign all or any part of its rights and  obligations
under  this  Agreement  to (i) any of its  controlled  Subsidiaries  or (ii) any
successor in the event of a merger, consolidation,  sale of all or substantially
all its assets,  liquidation  or  dissolution,  if such  assignee  executes  and
delivers to the Owner an agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and substance
to the Owner  under  which such  assignee  assumes  and  agrees to  perform  and
discharge all the obligations and liabilities of the Operator; provided that any
such  assignment  shall  not  relieve  the  Operator  from the  performance  and
discharge of such obligations and liabilities.

        SECTION 12.3 Owner  Assignments.  The Owner shall not transfer or assign
                     ------------------
any part of its right,  title and interest in this  Agreement  or any  Allocated
Assets used hereunder without the prior written consent of the Operator.


                                  ARTICLE XIII

                              Inspection; Markings
                              --------------------


                                     - 16 -



        SECTION  13.1 Rights to  Information.  The Owner may at its own expense,
                      ----------------------
upon reasonable prior notice to the Operator during the normal business hours of
the Operator,  no more  frequently  than once in any calendar year,  inspect the
Allocated  Assets and the books and  records  of the  Operator  relating  to the
maintenance  and  performance  of such  Allocated  Assets  and make  copies  and
extracts therefrom,  and may discuss such matters with the Operator's  officers.
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Owner
may inspect such books and records at any time,  which  inspections  shall be at
the expense of the Operator.  The Owner also shall have the right at any time to
obtain information  regarding the condition and state of repair of any Allocated
Asset,  compliance by the Operator with Article VII hereof and the absence of an
Event of Default.

        SECTION 13.2  Markings.  The Operator  shall affix to certain  Allocated
                      --------
Assets agreed to by the Operator and Owner  identifying  labels,  plates or tags
each setting  forth such  information  as the Operator and Owner may agree.  The
Operator  covenants and agrees to replace any such label, plate or tag which may
be removed or destroyed or become  illegible,  and the Operator shall  indemnify
each Owner Indemnified Person against any liability, loss or expense incurred by
such  Owner  Indemnified  Person as a result of the  failure  to  maintain  such
markings.


                                   ARTICLE XIV

                                Events of Default
                                -----------------

        SECTION  14.1  Events of Default.  Each of the  following  events  shall
                       -----------------
constitute  an Event of Default  (whether  any such event shall be  voluntary or
involuntary  or come about or be effected by  operation of law or pursuant to or
in compliance with any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule
or regulation of any Governmental Authority):

               (a)  the  Operator  shall  fail to make  any  payment  of (i) the
Operating Fee when due and such failure shall  continue  unremedied for a period
of thirty (30) Business Days and (ii) any Supplemental  Operating Fees due under
this Agreement and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty
(30) Business Days; or

               (b) the  Operator  shall fail to  perform  or  observe  any other
material  covenant,  condition  or  agreement  to be performed or observed by it
under this Agreement and such failure shall continue  unremedied for a period of
one hundred  twenty (120)  Business  Days after notice  thereof  shall have been
given to the Operator by the Owner; provided,  that the continuation of any such
failure or breach  (other than a failure or breach  curable by payment of money)
for a period longer than such one hundred twenty (120) Business Day period shall
not  constitute an Event of Default if (i) such default is curable but cannot be
cured  within such one hundred  twenty  (120)  Business  Day period and (ii) the
Operator is  diligently  pursuing the cure of such default;  provided,  further,
that any such  failure  or breach  (other  than a failure  or breach  curable by
payment of money)  shall  constitute  an Event of Default if such failure is not

                                     - 17 -


cured  within the earlier of the last  Business  Day of the Term and any Renewal
Term and four  hundred  fifty (450) days from the date  notice  thereof has been
given to the Operator; or

               (c) The  Operator  (i)  shall  commence  a  voluntary  Insolvency
Proceeding, (ii) shall seek the appointment of a trustee, receiver,  liquidator,
sequestrator,  custodian  or  other  similar  official  of the  Operator  or any
substantial part of the Operator's property, (iii) shall acquiesce in or consent
to any such relief or to the  appointment  of or taking  possession  by any such
official in an  involuntary  Insolvency  Proceeding  commenced  against it, (iv)
shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors,  or (v) shall fail
generally to pay its undisputed debts as they become due; or

               (d) an  involuntary  Insolvency  Proceeding  shall  be  commenced
against the Operator seeking  liquidation,  reorganization  or other relief with
respect to such Person or its debts under any  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other
similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the  appointment of a trustee,
receiver,  liquidator,  assignee,  sequestrator,   custodian  or  other  similar
official of it or any  substantial  part of its property,  and such  involuntary
case or other  proceeding  shall remain  undismissed or unstayed for a period of
one hundred twenty (120) consecutive Business Days.


                                   ARTICLE XV

                                    Remedies
                                    --------

        SECTION 15.1  Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and
                      --------
at any time  thereafter so long as the same shall be continuing,  the Owner may,
at its option, declare by written notice to the Operator this Agreement to be in
default;  and at any time  thereafter so long as such Event of Default shall not
have been  remedied,  the Owner may do one or more of the following with respect
to the Allocated Assets:

               (a) sell the  Allocated  Assets at public or private sale, as the
Owner may  determine,  or otherwise  dispose of, hold,  use,  operate,  lease to
others or keep unused the Allocated Assets as the Owner, in its sole discretion,
may determine, all free and clear of any rights of Operator;

               (b)  whether  or not the Owner  shall  have  exercised,  or shall
thereafter at any time  exercise,  any of its rights under  paragraph (a) above,
the Owner,  by written notice to the Operator,  may demand that the Operator pay
to the Owner,  and the Operator  shall pay to the Owner,  any accrued but unpaid
Operating Fees  (together  with interest,  if any, on such amount at the Overdue
Rate from such  specified  payment date until the date of actual payment of such
amount); or

                                     - 18 -



               (c)  terminate  this  Agreement and the rights of the Operator to
use the Allocated Assets pursuant hereto.

        The Owner may  exercise  one or more  remedies  in  respect  of  certain
Allocated  Assets and one or more other  remedies in respect of other  Allocated
Assets.

        No  termination of this  Agreement,  in whole or in part, or exercise of
any remedy under this Article XV shall, except as specifically  provided herein,
relieve the Operator of any of its liabilities and obligations hereunder, all of
which then outstanding shall survive such termination,  repossession or exercise
of remedy.  In addition,  the Operator  shall be liable for any and all Fees and
Expenses  and other  costs and  expenses  incurred by the Owner by reason of the
occurrence  of any Event of Default or the exercise of the remedies of the Owner
with respect  thereto.  At any sale of any Allocated  Assets or any part thereof
pursuant to this Article XV, the Owner may bid for and purchase such property.

        SECTION 15.2 Owner Rights. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable
                     ------------
Law,  each and every right,  power and remedy herein  specifically  given to the
Owner or  otherwise  in this  Agreement  shall  be  cumulative  and  shall be in
addition to every other right, power and remedy herein specifically given or now
or hereafter existing at law, in equity or by statute, and each and every right,
power and remedy whether  specifically given herein or otherwise existing may be
exercised  from  time to time and as often  and in such  order as may be  deemed
expedient by the Owner, and the exercise or the beginning of the exercise of any
power or remedy  shall not be  construed to be a waiver of the right to exercise
at the same time or  thereafter  any other right,  power or remedy.  No delay or
omission by the Owner in the  exercise  of any right,  power or remedy or in the
pursuit  of any  remedy  shall  impair  any such  right,  power or  remedy or be
construed  to be a waiver of any default on the part of the Operator or to be an
acquiescence  therein. No express or implied waiver by the Owner of any Event of
Default  shall in any way be, or be  construed  to be, a waiver of any future or
subsequent Event of Default.

        SECTION 15.3  Exercise of Other  Rights or Remedies.  In addition to all
                      -------------------------------------
rights and  remedies  provided in this  Article XV, the Owner may  exercise  any
other  right or  remedy  that may be  available  to it under  Applicable  Law or
proceed by  appropriate  court  action to enforce the terms hereof or to recover
damages for the breach hereof.

        SECTION 15.4 Subject to Governmental  Action.  The exercise of any right
                     -------------------------------
or remedy  provided  for in this  Article XV shall be subject to any  applicable
Governmental Action.


                                   ARTICLE XVI

                                Right to Perform
                                ----------------

                                     - 19 -



        SECTION  16.1  Right to  Perform.  If the Owner  shall  fail to make any
                       -----------------
payment or perform under, or comply with, any contract,  lease, license or other
agreement in respect of the Allocated  Assets to which the Owner is a party, the
Operator  may (but shall have no duty to do so) make such  payment or perform or
comply with such agreement, and the Operating Fee shall be reduced in the amount
of such payment and the amount of all expenses of the Operator  (including  Fees
and Expenses)  incurred in connection with such payment or the performance of or
compliance with such agreement.


                                  ARTICLE XVII

                                 Renewal Options
                                 ---------------

        SECTION 17.1 Renewal Notice.
                     --------------

               (a) The  Operator  shall have the option to renew this  Agreement
twice.  Not less than one (1) year before  expiration of the Term or the initial
Renewal  Term,  the  Operator  may deliver to the Owner a notice  (the  "Renewal
Notice") of the  Operator's  election to renew this Agreement in respect of all,
but not less than all,  Allocated  Assets for a renewal period of five (5) years
(or, if there has already been a renewal period, an additional renewal period of
five (5)  years),  or such  other  period of time as the Owner and the  Operator
shall mutually agree (each such period, a "Renewal Term").

               (b) All terms of this Agreement  shall continue in full force and
effect during each such Renewal Term.

               (c) In the event the Operator elects to renew this Agreement, the
Renewal Term will commence on the day  immediately  following the  expiration of
the Term or initial  Renewal  Term and  continue  until the end of such  Renewal
Term.

               (d) The Renewal Notice,  once given, shall be irrevocable and the
option to renew this Agreement shall expire if the Operator does not deliver the
Renewal Notice by the times provided in Section 17.1(a) hereof.

               (e)  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the Operator shall have no
right to renew  this  Agreement  if any Event of  Default  exists on the date of
delivery of the Renewal Notice or the commencement of the Renewal Term.

                                     - 20 -


                                  ARTICLE XVIII

                         Certain Notices and Information
                         -------------------------------

        SECTION 18.1 Notices. Any notice expressly required by this Agreement to
                     -------
be given to the Owner or the Operator shall be deemed delivered on the date sent
by registered  mail, or by such other means as the parties hereto may agree, and
shall be addressed to them as follows:

               (a)    If to Owner:

                      New York Central Lines LLC
                      2001 Market Street
                      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
                      Attention: Vice President-General Counsel

                      Copy to:

                      Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
                      CSX Transportation, Inc.
                      500 Water Street, J120
                      Jacksonville, Florida 32202

               (b) If to Operator:

                      Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
                      CSX Transportation, Inc.
                      500 Water Street, J120
                      Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Each party may from time to time  change its  address  in this  Section  18.1 by
written notice delivered to the other party.

        SECTION  18.2 Notice of Event of Default.  Promptly  after an  executive
                      --------------------------
officer of the  Operator  shall  have  actual  knowledge  of the  occurrence  or
existence of any Event of Default or any event  which,  with the passing of time
or giving of notice, would constitute an Event of Default, the Operator shall so
notify  the  Owner  and  set  forth  in  reasonable   detail  the  circumstances
surrounding  such event or Event of Default and shall  specify  what actions the
Operator has taken or intends to take to cure such event or Event of Default.

        SECTION 18.3 Information  Regarding Allocated Assets. The Operator shall
                     ---------------------------------------
promptly  furnish  the  information  at  such  times  and in such  format  as is
regularly produced by the Operator concerning the condition, maintenance and use
of the Allocated Assets as the Owner may reasonably request.

                                     - 21 -


                                   ARTICLE XIX

                                 Confidentiality
                                 ---------------

        SECTION 19.1  Confidentiality.  The parties hereto shall hold, and shall
                      ---------------
cause their respective officers,  employees, agents, consultants and advisors to
hold,  in strict  confidence,  unless  compelled  to  disclose  by  judicial  or
administrative  process or, in the opinion of its independent legal counsel,  by
other  requirements  of law,  all  information  furnished  it by the other party
hereto, or their respective representatives,  pursuant to this Agreement (except
to the extent that such  information  can be shown to have been (i) available to
such party on a  non-confidential  basis  prior to its  disclosure  by the other
party,  (ii) in the public domain  through no fault of such party or (iii) later
lawfully  acquired from other  sources by the party to which it was  furnished),
and no party shall  release or disclose  such  information  to any other Person,
except  its  auditors,   attorneys,   financial  advisors,   bankers  and  other
consultants  and advisors who shall be bound by the  provisions  of this Section
19.1.  In the event that a subpoena,  discovery or other  request that  arguably
calls for production or disclosure of such confidential information is received,
the party receiving such request must promptly notify in writing the party whose
information has been  requested.  The party receiving such request shall provide
the party  whose  confidential  information  has been  requested,  a  reasonable
opportunity to review such information and to assert any rights it may have with
respect to the potential disclosure of such confidential information. Each party
shall  be  deemed  to  have  satisfied  its  obligation  to  hold   confidential
information  concerning or supplied by the other party  hereto,  if it exercises
the same  care as it  takes  to  preserve  confidentiality  for its own  similar
information.


                                   ARTICLE XX

                                  Miscellaneous
                                  -------------

        SECTION  20.1  Dispute  Resolution.  Except  as  otherwise  specifically
                       -------------------
provided for herein,  any dispute,  controversy  or claim (or any failure by the
parties to agree on a matter as to which this Agreement  expressly or implicitly
contemplates subsequent agreement by the parties, except for matters left to the
sole discretion of a party) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the
breach,  termination  or  validity  hereof  or  thereof,  shall  be  settled  in
accordance with the provision of Section 11.12 of the Transaction Agreement.

        SECTION 20.2 Documentary  Conventions.  This Agreement shall be governed
                     ------------------------
by, and construed in accordance with, all the Documentary Conventions.

                                     - 22 -



        IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  intending to be legally bound,  the parties hereto
have each caused this  Operating  Agreement  to be duly  executed as of the date
first above written.


                                    NEW YORK CENTRAL LINES LLC,
                                    as OWNER


                                    By:  /s/C. A. COOK
                                         -------------

                                    Name:  C. A. Cook

                                    Title:  Vice President and Assistant
                                            Secretary



                                    CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.,
                                    as OPERATOR


                                    By:  /s/PETER J. SHUDTZ
                                         ------------------

                                    Name:  Peter J. Shudtz

                                    Title:  Vice President - Law and General
                                            Counsel- CSX Corporation, authorized
                                            agent for CSX Transportation, Inc.

                                     - 23 -




                                                                      APPENDIX A
                                                                      ----------
                                                          to Operating Agreement


                         DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF USAGE

                                 Rules of Usage
                                 --------------

        The terms  defined  below shall have the  respective  meanings set forth
below for all purposes,  and such meanings  shall be equally  applicable to both
the singular and plural forms of the terms  defined.  "Include",  "includes" and
"including"  shall be deemed to be followed by "without  limitation"  whether or
not they are in fact followed by such words or words of like import.  "Writing",
"written" and comparable terms refer to printing,  typing, lithography and other
means of  reproducing  words in a visible form. Any instrument or Applicable Law
defined  or  referred  to below or in any  instrument  that  recites it is to be
construed in accordance  with this Appendix means such  instrument or Applicable
Law as from time to time amended,  modified or  supplemented,  including (in the
case of instruments)  by waiver or consent and (in the case of Applicable  Laws)
by succession of comparable  successor Applicable Laws and includes (in the case
of  instruments)   references  to  all   attachments   thereto  and  instruments
incorporated therein;  provided, that any reference to the Bankruptcy Code shall
mean the  Bankruptcy  Code as in effect  on the date of  reference  thereto  and
applicable  to the  relevant  case.  References  to any Person  are,  unless the
context  otherwise  requires,  also to its  successors  and  assigns.  "Hereof",
"herein",  "hereunder"  and comparable  terms refer to the entire  instrument in
which such terms are used and not to any  particular  article,  section or other
subdivision  thereof or attachment  thereto.  References to any gender  include,
unless the context otherwise requires, references to all genders, and references
to the singular include,  unless the context otherwise  requires,  references to
the plural and vice  versa.  "Shall"  and "will"  have equal  force and  effect.
References in an instrument to "Article", "Section" or another subdivision or to
an attachment are, unless the context otherwise requires, to an article, section
or subdivision of or an attachment to such instrument.

                                   Definitions
                                   -----------

        "Action"  shall mean any  action,  claim,  suit,  arbitration,  inquiry,
         ------
subpoena,  discovery  request,  proceeding  or  investigation  by or before  any
Governmental Authority or forum or authority having jurisdiction over the matter
involving or related to any Owner Indemnified  Person, any Operator  Indemnified
Person or the Allocated Assets.

        "Affiliate"  means, with respect to a specified Person,  any Person that
         ---------
directly or indirectly  controls,  is  controlled by or is under common  control
with,  the  specified  Person or any trust for the benefit of such Person or any
entities  controlled  by such  Person;  provided  that (a) NYC  shall  not be an
Affiliate of CSX and its Subsidiaries or NSC and its Subsidiaries, (b) PRR shall
not be an Affiliate of NSC and its  Subsidiaries or CSX and its Subsidiaries and



(c) CSX and NSC and their respective Subsidiaries shall not be Affiliates of CRR
or CRR Parent and their respective Subsidiaries and vice versa.

        "Agreement"  means this  Operating  Agreement,  dated as of the  Closing
         ---------
Date, between the Owner and the Operator.

        "Allocated  Asset"  means the assets  identified  in or  pursuant to the
         ----------------
Transaction  Agreement  as the NYC  Allocated  Assets  other than (i) the assets
identified  in Item 1(E) of Schedule 1 to the  Transaction  Agreement,  and (ii)
such items of  inventory  as may  subsequently  be agreed to by the parties from
time to time.

        "Applicable  Law" means,  with respect to any Person or to any Allocated
         ---------------
Asset, all laws, ordinances,  judgments, decrees, injunctions,  writs and orders
of any  Governmental  Authority and any  Governmental  Actions  applicable to or
having jurisdiction over such Person or Allocated Asset.

        "Appraisal  Procedure"  means a  procedure  whereby  (i) an  independent
         --------------------
third-party  appraiser  chosen jointly by the Owner and the Operator  determines
the  reasonableness of the fair market value of the Allocated Assets credited to
the Settlement  Account if the fair market value of the Allocated Assets exceeds
$50,000 or determines the Fair Market Rental Value of the Allocated  Assets,  or
(ii)  the  reasonableness  of the fair  market  value  of the  Allocated  Assets
credited to the Settlement Account is certified by an officer of the Operator if
the fair market value is $50,000 or less. The fees and expenses of the appraiser
shall be divided equally between the Owner and the Operator.

        "arises prior" means that the circumstances giving rise to the liability
         ------------
have transpired prior to the applicable date,  whether or not such liability has
been  discovered,  asserted or accrued prior to such date. If the  circumstances
giving rise to a liability  bridge the Closing Date,  the parties will apportion
it to pre-Closing Date and post-Closing Date periods,  with  disagreement  being
subject to the dispute resolution provisions of Section 20.1 of the Agreement.

        "Assigned  Rights" means  Contracts and rights included in the Allocated
         ----------------
Assets (including, but not limited to, transportation contracts).

        "Bankruptcy  Code" means the United States  Bankruptcy  Code of 1978, as
         ----------------
amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

        "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday,  Sunday or other day
         ------------
on which banks are authorized or required to be closed in New York, New York and
Richmond, Virginia.

        "Closing Date" is the date of this Agreement.
         ------------

        "Contracts" means any contract,  lease, loan agreement,  deed, easement,
         ---------
license,  reversion,  mortgage,  security  agreement,  trust  indenture or other



agreement or instrument to which the Owner is a party or by which it is bound or
to which any of the Allocated Assets is subject.

        "Contractual   Obligation"  means,  with  respect  to  any  Person,  any
         ------------------------
provision of any security issued by such Person or of any Contract to which such
Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

        "CRC" means Consolidated Rail Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation.
         ---

        "CRR" means Conrail Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation.
         ---

        "CSX" means CSX Corporation, a Virginia corporation.
         ---

        "CSXT" means CSX Transportation, Inc., a Virginia corporation.
         ----

        "Documentary  Conventions"  means, with respect to the Agreement and any
         ------------------------
instrument  that states in  substance  that it is  governed  by the  Documentary
Conventions, that, except as otherwise expressly provided therein:

               (a)  Documentary   Convention--Survival.   The   representations,
                    ----------------------------------
        warranties  and  agreements of the parties  contained or provided for in
        such instrument and the parties'  obligations  under any and all thereof
        shall  survive the  execution  and delivery of such  instrument  and the
        expiration  or  other  termination  of the  Agreement  and  shall be and
        continue  in  effect  notwithstanding  the fact that any party may waive
        compliance with any other term, provision or condition of the Agreement.

               (b) Documentary  Convention--Governing Law. Such instrument shall
                   --------------------------------------
        become effective upon delivery and shall in all respects be governed by,
        and  construed in accordance  with,  the laws  (excluding  principles of
        conflict  of  laws)  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  applicable  to
        agreements  made  and  to  be  performed  entirely  within  such  state,
        including all matters of construction, validity and performance.

               (c)  Documentary  Convention--Counterparts.  Except as  otherwise
                    -------------------------------------
        specifically provided in the Agreement,  such instrument may be executed
        by the parties thereto in separate  counterparts,  each of which when so
        executed and delivered shall be an original,  but all such  counterparts
        shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. To make proof
        of such  instrument,  it shall only be  necessary  to  produce  one such
        counterpart  executed by each party thereto.  All signatures need not be
        on the same counterpart.

               (d)  Documentary   Convention--Method  of  Payment.  All  amounts
                    ---------------------------------------------
        required to be paid by any party to such  instrument to any other party,
        either  thereunder  or  under  the  Agreement  shall  be  paid  in  such

                                     - 3 -


        immediately  available and freely transferable Dollars as at the time of
        payment  shall be legal  tender for the  payment  of public and  private
        debts,  by wire transfer,  or other method of payment  acceptable to the
        payee,  of  immediately  available  funds to the account of the payee as
        such payee may specify by notice to the other parties.

               (e) Documentary  Convention--Parties  in Interest;  Limitation on
                   -------------------------------------------------------------
        Rights of Others.  The terms of such  instrument  shall be binding upon,
        ----------------
        and inure to the  benefit of, the  parties  thereto and their  permitted
        successors and assigns. Nothing in such instrument shall be construed to
        give any Person  (other  than the parties  thereto  and their  permitted
        successors and assigns and as expressly  provided  therein) any legal or
        equitable right,  remedy or claim under or in respect of such instrument
        or any covenants, conditions or provisions contained therein.

               (f)  Documentary  Convention--Table  of Contents;  Headings.  The
                    ------------------------------------------------------
        table  of  contents,  if  any,  and  headings,  if any,  of the  various
        articles,  sections and other  subdivisions  of such  instrument are for
        convenience of reference only and shall not modify,  define or limit any
        of the terms or  provisions  of such  instrument.  To the  extent of any
        inconsistency between the headings and any text, such text shall govern.

               (g)  Documentary   Convention--Entire  Agreement;  Amendment  and
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
        Waiver.   The  Agreement,   the  other  Ancillary   Agreements  and  the
        ------
        Transaction  Agreement  constitute  the entire  agreement of the parties
        thereto with respect to the subject  matter  thereof and  supersede  all
        prior written and oral  agreements  and  understandings  with respect to
        such subject  matter.  Neither the Agreement nor any of the terms hereof
        may be terminated, amended, supplemented, waived or modified orally, but
        only by an instrument  in writing  signed by the party against which the
        enforcement  of  the  termination,   amendment,  supplement,  waiver  or
        modification  shall be sought and  subject to any other  limitations  on
        amendments set forth in the Agreement,  the other  Ancillary  Agreements
        and the Transaction Agreement. Any amendment, modification or supplement
        to the Agreement shall be subject to any applicable Governmental Action.
        No failure or delay of any party in exercising  any power or right under
        this Agreement shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any single
        or partial  exercise of any such right or power,  or any  abandonment or
        discontinuance  of steps to enforce such a right or power,  preclude any
        other or further  exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or
        power.

               (h) Documentary  Convention--Severability.  Any provision of such
                   -------------------------------------
        instrument that shall be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
        shall,  as to such  jurisdiction,  be  ineffective to the extent of such
        prohibition  or  unenforceability  without  invalidating  the  remaining
        provisions thereof and any such prohibition or  unenforceability  in any
        jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision
        in any other  jurisdiction.  To the extent  permitted by Applicable Law,
        the parties to such  instrument  waive any provision of law that renders
        any provision thereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

                                     - 4 -



               (i)  Documentary  Convention--Payment  on Business  Days.  If any
        payment under such instrument is required to be made on a day other than
        a  Business  Day,  the date of  payment  shall be  extended  to the next
        Business Day without any additional  interest for such extension  period
        so long as payment is made on such Business Day.
        "Dollars"  or "$"   means  dollars in the  lawful currency of the United
         -------       -
States of America..

        "Event of Default"  has the   meaning  set  forth in Section 14.1 of the
         ----------------
Agreement.

        "Event  of  Loss"  means,  with  respect  to any  Allocated  Asset,  the
         ---------------
occurrence  of any of the  following  events:  (a)  the  loss or  theft  of such
Allocated Asset to the extent that such Allocated Asset is not recovered  within
one hundred  eighty (180) days of such event or, if earlier,  the  expiration of
the Term or any Renewal Term, (b) the destruction of or damage to such Allocated
Asset  or any  part  thereof  to such  extent  as shall  render  repair  of such
Allocated  Asset  uneconomical  to the Operator or unfit or  unsuitable  for its
intended use,  which  destruction or damage is an actual or  constructive  total
loss,  (c) the  requisition  of use of such  Allocated  Asset for an  indefinite
period or for a stated period in excess of one hundred  eighty (180) days or, if
earlier, which ends later than the expiration of the Term or any Renewal Term by
any Governmental  Authority under power of eminent domain or otherwise,  (d) the
condemnation,  confiscation,  seizure or  requisition of title to such Allocated
Asset by a Governmental Authority,  (e) any damage to such Allocated Asset which
results in an  insurance  settlement  on the basis of an actual or  constructive
total loss,  (f) the  prohibition by Applicable Law of the use of such Allocated
Asset by the  Operator or any other  Person for a period of one  hundred  eighty
(180) consecutive days from the date of such prohibition or, if earlier, the end
of the Term or any Renewal  Term.  The date of occurrence of an Event of Loss in
respect of any Allocated Asset shall be deemed to be, (1) in the event of damage
to such item,  the date of such damage,  (2) in the event of a  condemnation  or
requisition of title by a Governmental  Authority,  the date thereof, and (3) in
the event of an Event of Loss under clause (a), (c) or (f) of the first sentence
of this  definition,  the date of expiration  of the period  referred to in said
clause.

        "Excluded Taxes"   has the   meaning  set   forth in  Section 3.5 of the
         --------------
Agreement.

        "Fair Market Rental Value" means, as to the Allocated  Assets,  the fair
         ------------------------
market  rental  value  that would be  obtained  in an arm's  length  transaction
between an informed and willing  lessee and an informed and willing  lessor,  in
either case under no compulsion to lease, for the lease of the Allocated Assets,
disregarding  the fact (if applicable)  that the Allocated Assets are subject to
the Agreement  and assuming  that Article VII of the  Agreement  shall have been
complied with in all respects.  Subject to the foregoing, the Fair Market Rental
Value as to the  Allocated  Assets shall be such value  determined in accordance
with the Appraisal Procedure.

        "Fees and Expenses" means, with respect to any Person in connection with
         -----------------
any  transaction  or  occurrence,  the  Person's  reasonable  fees and  expenses
(including   attorneys'  fees  and  legal  expenses)  for  such  transaction  or
occurrence.

                                     - 5 -



        "Governmental  Action" means all  authorizations,  consents,  approvals,
         --------------------
waivers, exceptions,  variances,  franchises,  permissions, permits and licenses
of, and filings and declarations with, Governmental Authorities.

        "Governmental  Authority" means any federal, state,  municipal,  county,
         -----------------------
local or foreign governmental  Person,  authority or agency,  court,  regulatory
commission, stock exchange or other similar body.

        "Income Tax Regulations"  means the  regulations promulgated by the U.S.
         ----------------------
Department of the Treasury pursuant to the Code.

        "Indemnifying  Party"  means a Person who is  required or  requested  to
         -------------------
provide indemnification under Article XI of the Agreement.

        "Indemnified Party"   means any   Owner  Indemnified  Person or Operator
         -----------------
Indemnified Person.

        "Insolvency  Proceeding"  means any case or proceeding under bankruptcy,
         ----------------------
insolvency,  reorganization,  receivership,  moratorium or other laws  providing
relief to debtors.

        "Lien" means any lien, mortgage,  encumbrance,  pledge,  charge,  lease,
         ----
easement,  servitude  or  security  interest  or any  interests  similar  to the
foregoing,  including those existing under any conditional  sales or other title
retention  agreement  or the filing of or  agreement  to deliver  any  financing
statement under the UCC.

        "Modification"   means,   with  respect  to  any  Allocated  Asset,  any
         ------------
modification,  alteration,  addition,  upgrade or  improvement to such Allocated
Asset.

        "Nonseverable  Modification"  means any  Required  Modification  and any
         --------------------------
Modification  which is not readily  removable  without impairing the fair market
value,  residual  value,  condition,  remaining  useful  life or  utility of the
Allocated Asset to which such  Modification  relates  immediately  prior to such
Modification.

        "NSC" means Norfolk Southern Corporation, a Virginia corporation.
         ---

        "NSR" means Norfolk Southern Railway Company, a Virginia corporation.
         ---

        "NYC" means New York  Central  Lines LLC, a Delaware  limited  liability
         ---
company.

        "Operating Fee"  means the operating  fee agreed to from time to time by
         -------------
the  Owner and Operator  based on the  Fair Market Rental Value of the Allocated
Assets as set  forth in a supplement  to this  Agreement.  The Operating Fee for
the first six years of this Agreement shall be as follows:


                                     - 6 -



               June 1, 1999  through May 31, 2000 -- $118  million  June 1, 2000
               through May 31, 2001 -- $121 million June 1, 2001 through May 31,
               2002 -- $134  million  June 1, 2002  through May 31, 2003 -- $147
               million June 1, 2003 through May 31, 2004 -- $164 million June 1,
               2004 through May 31, 2005 -- $179 million

        "Operator" means CSXT or any permitted successor or assign.
         --------

        "Operator Indemnified Person"  has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2
         ---------------------------
of the Agreement.

        "Optional Modification" has the  meaning  set forth in Section 7.2(a) of
         ---------------------
the Agreement.

        "Organic Document" means, with respect to any Person, as applicable, the
         ----------------
certificate  or  articles  of  incorporation,   partnership  agreement,  limited
liability company  agreement,  certificate of formation,  membership  agreement,
by-laws and all other organizational documents of such Person.

        "Overdue  Rate" means the rate  determined on the first  Business Day of
         -------------
each  calendar  month equal to the lesser of (i) the prime rate set forth in The
Wall Street Journal and (ii) the maximum rate allowed by Applicable Law.

        "Owner" means NYC, a Delaware limited liability company.
         -----

        "Owner Indemnified Person" has the meaning set  forth in Section 11.1 of
         ------------------------
the Agreement.

        "Owner Lien" means a Lien (i) which results from acts of, or any failure
         ----------
to act by, or as a result of claims  against,  the  Owner,  (ii) in favor of any
taxing  authority  by reason of the  non-payment  by the Owner,  or (iii)  which
results  from acts of, or any failure to act by, the Owner in  violation  of its
obligations under the Agreement.

        "Payment Date" means monthly in arrears on the 15th day of each calendar
         ------------
month to cover the  preceding  calendar  month's  usage or, if such day is not a
Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.

        "Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Allocated Asset,
         ---------------

               (a)    The  respective  rights and  interests of the Operator and
Owner under the Agreement,

               (b)    Owner Liens,

                                     - 7 -




               (c) Liens for Taxes  which are not yet due or so long as no Event
of Default  shall have occurred and be  continuing  are being  contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings which suspend the collection thereof; provided,
that  such  proceedings  shall  not  involve  any  material  danger of the sale,
forfeiture  or loss of such  Allocated  Asset or any part  thereof  or  interest
therein  or the  reasonably  foreseeable  risk  of  imposition  of any  criminal
liability on the Owner or any other material  liability not indemnified  against
by the Operator,

               (d)  Liens of  mechanics,  materialmen,  laborers,  employees  or
suppliers  and similar  Liens arising by operation of law, in each case incurred
by the Operator in the ordinary course of business for sums that are not overdue
for more than  sixty  (60)  days or so long as no Event of  Default  shall  have
occurred and be continuing are being  contested in good faith by negotiations or
by appropriate proceedings which suspend the collection thereof;  provided, that
such  contest does not involve any material  danger of the sale,  forfeiture  or
loss of such  Allocated  Asset or any part  thereof or  interest  therein or the
reasonably foreseeable risk of imposition of any criminal liability on the Owner
or any other material liability not indemnified against by the Operator,

               (e) Liens  arising  out of any  judgments  or awards  against the
Operator  with  respect  to which (i) at the time an appeal  or  proceeding  for
review is being  prosecuted in good faith,  (ii) there shall have been secured a
stay of execution  pending such appeal or  proceeding  for review,  (iii) during
such proceeding there is not, and such proceeding does not involve, any material
danger  of the  sale,  forfeiture  or loss of such  Allocated  Asset or any part
thereof  or any  interest  therein  or the risk of  imposition  of any  criminal
liability on the Owner or any other  liability  not  indemnified  against by the
Operator,  and (iv) if such Liens have  specifically  attached to any  Allocated
Asset, the Operator has provided the Owner with security reasonably satisfactory
to the Owner, in the amount of such claims,

               (f) Liens,  rights of way,  easements and other rights to use the
Allocated  Assets  (including  licenses  for  private  crossings)  common in the
railroad  industry  arising  out of  the  ordinary  course  of  business  of the
Operator, and

               (g) Liens consented to by the Owner.

        "Person" shall mean any individual,  corporation,  partnership,  limited
         ------
liability  company,  joint venture,  association,  joint-stock  company,  trust,
unincorporated  organization,  government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof or any other entity.

        "PRR"   means  Pennsylvania   Lines   LLC, a  Delaware limited liability
         ---
company.

        "Renewal Notice"  has the   meaning  set forth in Section 17.1(a) of the
         --------------
Agreement.

        "Renewal Term" has the  meaning set   forth in   Section 17.1(a)  of the
         ------------
Agreement.

                                     - 8 -




        "Required Modification" has the  meaning  set forth in Section 7.2(a) of
         ---------------------
the Agreement.

        "Settlement Account" has  the  meaning   set forth in Section 6.1 of the
         ------------------
Agreement.

        "Settlement Account Payment Date" has  the meaning  set forth in Section
         -------------------------------
6.2 of the Agreement.

        "Severable Modification"   means  any    Modification which  is   not  a
         ----------------------
Nonseverable Modification.

        "Substantial  Allocated  Asset" means (i) an Allocated Asset with a fair
         -----------------------------
market value in excess of $25 million or (ii) a group of  Allocated  Assets that
(a) are sold,  transferred or otherwise  disposed of during any calendar year to
the same  Person  (including  Affiliates  of such  Person)  or the same group of
Persons  (including  Affiliates of such Persons) and (b) have an aggregate  fair
market value in excess of $25 million.

        "Supplemental  Operating Fees" means all amounts payable by the Operator
         ----------------------------
pursuant to the terms of the  Agreement,  including  indemnities  payable by the
Operator pursuant to Section 11.1 hereof, other than the Operating Fee.

        "Tax" means all taxes (including  income,  franchise,  excise,  real and
         ---
personal property,  sales, use, payroll and withholding and other taxes) imposed
by any federal,  state,  local,  foreign or  international  taxing  authority or
Governmental  Authority,  whether in the form of assessments,  levies,  imposts,
duties,  charges,  assessments,  withholdings  or  otherwise,  now  existing  or
hereafter  created  or  adopted,  together  with  all  interest,  penalties  and
additions imposed with respect to such amounts.

        "Term" means the period  commencing on the Closing Date and  terminating
         ----
on the 25th anniversary thereof.

        "Termination Date" means the date on which the Term or any Renewal Term,
         ----------------
whichever is later, terminates.

        "Third Party Claim" has  the meaning set forth in Section 11.3(b) of the
         -----------------
Agreement.

        "Third Party Provider"  has the  meaning  set forth in Section 4.2(a) of
         --------------------
the Agreement.

        "Transaction Agreement" means the Transaction agreement among CSX, CSXT,
         ---------------------
NSC, NSR, CRC, CRR and CRR Holdings LLC dated as of June 10, 1997.

        "Valuation  Date"  means:  (i) the Closing  Date,  (ii) the sixth (6th),
         ---------------
twelfth (12th), eighteenth (18th), and twenty-fourth (24th) anniversaries of the

                                     - 9 -



Closing  Date,  (iii) the first day of each Renewal  Term;  (iv) the sixth (6th)
anniversary  of the first day of each Renewal  Term,  (v) a  Settlement  Account
Payment Date (if not already a Valuation  Date pursuant to other clauses of this
definition), and (vi) such other dates as the parties hereto may agree.

                                     - 10 -