CSX CORP
S-4/A, 1997-08-11
RAILROADS, LINE-HAUL OPERATING
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<PAGE>
 
    
 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 8, 1997.     
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-28523     
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                               ----------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                                   FORM S-4
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ----------------
                                CSX CORPORATION
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA             4011                    62-1051971
     (STATE OR OTHER     (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL     (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
      JURISDICTION        CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)    IDENTIFICATION NO.)
   OF INCORPORATION OR
      ORGANIZATION)
 
                               ONE JAMES CENTER
                             901 EAST CARY STREET
                           RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219
                                (804) 782-1400
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                              MARK G. ARON, ESQ.
                EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT-LAW AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
                                CSX CORPORATION
                    ONE JAMES CENTER, 901 EAST CARY STREET
                           RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219
                                (804) 782-1400
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
             INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS)
                               ----------------
                                   COPY TO:
                          JOSEPH C. CARTER, III, ESQ.
                    MCGUIRE, WOODS, BATTLE & BOOTHE, L.L.P.
                    ONE JAMES CENTER, 901 EAST CARY STREET
                           RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219
                                (804) 775-1000
                          (804) 775-1061 (FACSIMILE)
                               ----------------
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration
Statement.
  If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance
with General Instruction G, check the following box. [_]
                               ----------------
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PROPOSED
                                           PROPOSED       MAXIMUM
 TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF      AMOUNT        MAXIMUM       AGGREGATE     AMOUNT OF
    SECURITIES TO BE         TO BE      OFFERING PRICE    OFFERING    REGISTRATION
       REGISTERED          REGISTERED    PER UNIT(1)      PRICE(1)     FEE(2)(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
7.05% Debentures Due
 2002..................  $  350,000,000      100%      $  350,000,000
7.25% Debentures Due
 2004..................  $  300,000,000      100%      $  300,000,000
7.45% Debentures Due
 2007..................  $  450,000,000      100%      $  450,000,000
7.90% Debentures Due
 2017..................  $  400,000,000      100%      $  400,000,000
7.95% Debentures Due
 2027..................  $  500,000,000      100%      $  500,000,000
6.95% Debentures Due
 2027..................  $  100,000,000      100%      $  100,000,000
7.25% Debentures Due
 2027..................  $  250,000,000      100%      $  250,000,000
8.30% Debentures Due
 2032..................  $  150,000,000      100%      $  150,000,000
                         --------------                --------------
  Total................  $2,500,000,000      100%      $2,500,000,000   $757,576
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee.
(2) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(f)(2).
(3) Payment of the registration fee due in connection with this Registration
    Statement has been partially offset by previous overpayments by the
    Registrant in the amount of $52,752.
                               ----------------
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                   
                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 8, 1997     
 
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
 
                                CSX CORPORATION
 
                               OFFERS TO EXCHANGE
     ALL OUTSTANDING                                      REGISTERED
 
7.05% DEBENTURES DUE 2002           FOR           7.05% DEBENTURES DUE 2002
7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2004           FOR           7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2004
7.45% DEBENTURES DUE 2007           FOR           7.45% DEBENTURES DUE 2007
7.90% DEBENTURES DUE 2017           FOR           7.90% DEBENTURES DUE 2017
7.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027           FOR           7.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027
6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027           FOR           6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027
7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2027           FOR           7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2027
8.30% DEBENTURES DUE 2032           FOR           8.30% DEBENTURES DUE 2032
 
                                  ----------
                    
                 THE EXCHANGE OFFERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS     
                 WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
                        ON       , 1997 UNLESS EXTENDED.
 
                                  ----------
   
  CSX Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the "Company"), hereby offers (the
"Exchange Offers"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Prospectus (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
this "Prospectus") and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of
Transmittal"), to exchange up to $2.5 billion in the aggregate of its
outstanding:     
 
  . 7.05% Debentures Due 2002 (the "Old 2002 Debentures"), of which an
    aggregate of $350,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding as of the
    date hereof, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 7.05%
    Debentures Due 2002 (the "New 2002 Debentures"),
 
  . 7.25% Debentures Due 2004 (the "Old 2004 Debentures"), of which an
    aggregate of $300,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding as of the
    date hereof, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 7.25%
    Debentures Due 2004 (the "New 2004 Debentures"),
 
  . 7.45% Debentures Due 2007 (the "Old 2007 Debentures"), of which an
    aggregate of $450,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding as of the
    date hereof, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 7.45%
    Debentures Due 2007 (the "New 2007 Debentures"),
 
  . 7.90% Debentures Due 2017 (the "Old 2017 Debentures"), of which an
    aggregate of $400,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding as of the
    date hereof, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 7.90%
    Debentures Due 2017 (the "New 2017 Debentures"),
 
  . 7.95% Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures"), of which an
    aggregate of $500,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding as of the
    date hereof, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 7.95%
    Debentures Due 2027 (the "New 7.95% 2027 Debentures"),
 
  . 6.95% Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures"), of which an
    aggregate of $100,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding as of the
    date hereof, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 6.95%
    Debentures Due 2027 (the "New 6.95% 2027 Debentures"),
 
  . 7.25% Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures"), of which an
    aggregate of $250,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding as of the
    date hereof, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 7.25%
    Debentures Due 2027 (the "New 7.25% 2027 Debentures"), and
 
  . 8.30% Debentures Due 2032 (the "Old 2032 Debentures"), of which an
    aggregate of $150,000,000 in principal amount is outstanding as of the
    date hereof, for an equal principal amount of newly issued 8.30%
    Debentures Due 2032 (the "New 2032 Debentures").
 
  The form and terms of the New 2002 Debentures, New 2004 Debentures, New 2007
Debentures, New 2017 Debentures, New 7.95% 2027 Debentures, New 6.95% 2027
Debentures, New 7.25% 2027 Debentures, and New 2032 Debentures (collectively,
the "New Debentures") will be the same as the form and terms of the Old 2002
Debentures, Old 2004
                                                                     (Continued)
 
  This Prospectus, together with the Letter of Transmittal, is first being sent
on or about    , 1997 to all Holders of Old Debentures (as defined below) known
to the Company.
 
                                  ----------
 
  SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 10 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT SHOULD
BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS IN DECIDING WHETHER TO TENDER OLD DEBENTURES IN THE
EXCHANGE OFFERS.
 
                                  ----------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
 ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
 A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS        , 1997
<PAGE>
 
   
  The map below illustrates in outline form the proposed post-Transaction CSXT
route system, as defined herein. See "The Company--Joint CSX/NSC Acquisition
of Conrail." The map does not provide detailed line segment information, nor
does it distinguish in all cases between trackage, haulage or similar rights.
    
                                     (MAP)
 
 
 
<PAGE>
 
(Cover page continued)
 
Debentures, Old 2007 Debentures, Old 2017 Debentures, Old 7.95% 2027
Debentures, Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures, and Old 2032
Debentures (collectively, the "Old Debentures"), respectively, except that (i)
the New Debentures will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), and hence will not bear legends restricting
the transfer thereof and (ii) the holders of the New Debentures will not be
entitled to certain rights of holders of the Old Debentures under the
Registration Rights Agreement (as defined herein), which rights will terminate
upon the consummation of the Exchange Offers. The New 2002 Debentures, New
2004 Debentures, New 2007 Debentures, New 2017 Debentures, New 7.95% 2027
Debentures, New 6.95% 2027 Debentures, New 7.25% 2027 Debentures, and New 2032
Debentures will evidence the same debt as the Old 2002 Debentures, Old 2004
Debentures, Old 2007 Debentures, Old 2017 Debentures, Old 7.95% 2027
Debentures, Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures, and Old 2032
Debentures, respectively, and will be entitled to the benefits of an
indenture, dated as of August 1, 1990 and supplemented and amended by a First
Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1991 and a Second Supplemental
Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997 (as supplemented and amended, the
"Indenture"), governing the Old Debentures and the New Debentures. The
Indenture provides for the issuance of both the New Debentures and the Old
Debentures. The New 2002 Debentures and the Old 2002 Debentures are sometimes
referred to herein collectively as the "2002 Debentures"; the New 2004
Debentures and the Old 2004 Debentures are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "2004 Debentures"; the New 2007 Debentures and the Old
2007 Debentures are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "2007
Debentures"; the New 2017 Debentures and the Old 2017 Debentures are sometimes
referred to herein collectively as the "2017 Debentures"; the New 7.95% 2027
Debentures and the Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "7.95% 2027 Debentures"; the New 6.95% 2027 Debentures and
the Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures are sometimes referred to herein collectively as
the "6.95% 2027 Debentures"; the New 7.25% 2027 Debentures and the Old 7.25%
2027 Debentures are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "7.25%
2027 Debentures"; the Old 2032 Debentures and the New 2032 Debentures are
sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "2032 Debentures"; and the
2002 Debentures, the 2004 Debentures, the 2007 Debentures, the 2017
Debentures, the 7.95% 2027 Debentures, the 6.95% 2027 Debentures, the 7.25%
2027 Debentures, and the 2032 Debentures are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "Debentures."
   
  The New Debentures will be senior securities of the Company, ranking pari
passu with all other unsubordinated and unsecured indebtedness ("Senior Debt")
of the Company. As of June 27, 1997, the Company had approximately $5.9
billion of Senior Debt outstanding (including $2.5 billion of Old Debentures).
    
  Interest on each series of the Debentures will be paid semiannually on May 1
and November 1 of each year, commencing on November 1, 1997. The 2032
Debentures are not redeemable prior to May 1, 2007. On or after that date, the
2032 Debentures will be redeemable at the option of the Company, as a whole or
in part, at any time on at least 30 days' notice, at the respective prices
indicated herein. None of the other series of Debentures are redeemable at the
Company's option prior to maturity. Each holder of the 6.95% 2027 Debentures
may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of such series owned by
such holder on May 1, 2002 at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued interest thereon. Each holder of the 7.25% 2027
Debentures may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of such
series owned by such holder on May 1, 2005 at a purchase price equal to 100%
of the principal amount thereof. None of the series of Debentures is subject
to any sinking fund. See "Description of New Debentures."
 
  Prior to the Exchange Offers, there has been no public market for the Old
Debentures. The Company does not intend to list the New Debentures on any
securities exchange or to seek approval for quotation through any automated
quotation system. There can be no assurance that an active market for the New
Debentures will develop. To the extent that a market for the New Debentures
does develop, the market value of the New Debentures will depend on market
conditions (such as yields on alternative investments), general economic
conditions, the Company's financial condition and other conditions. Such
conditions might cause the New Debentures, to the extent that they are
actively traded, to trade at a significant discount from face value.
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
 
  Except as discussed below, the New Debentures will be available only in
book-entry form. The Company expects that the New Debentures issued pursuant
to the Exchange Offers will be issued in the form of one or more fully
registered global debentures that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in its name or in the name of
Cede & Co., as its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global debentures
representing the New Debentures will be shown on, and transfers thereof will
be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.
After the initial issuance of such global debentures, New Debentures in
certificated form will be issued in exchange for the global debentures only in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. See
"Description of the New Debentures--Book-Entry, Delivery and Form" and
"Description of the New Debentures--Certificated Debentures."
 
  The Company will accept for exchange any and all Old Debentures which are
properly tendered in the Exchange Offers prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on    , 1997 (if and as extended, the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old
Debentures may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date. The Exchange Offers are not conditioned upon any
minimum principal amount of Old Debentures being tendered for exchange. Old
Debentures may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000. The Company
may terminate the Exchange Offers in certain circumstances described herein.
See "The Exchange Offers." In the event the Company terminates any or all of
the Exchange Offers and does not accept for exchange any of the Old 2002
Debentures, Old 2004 Debentures, Old 2007 Debentures, Old 2017 Debentures, Old
7.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures,
or Old 2032 Debentures, as the case may be, the Company will promptly return
all previously tendered Old 2002 Debentures, Old 2004 Debentures, Old 2007
Debentures, Old 2017 Debentures, Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 6.95% 2027
Debentures, Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures, and Old 2032 Debentures, as the case
may be, to the holders thereof.
   
  Based on a previous interpretation by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") set forth in no-action letters to third
parties, including Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13,
1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5, 1991), Shearman &
Sterling (available July 2, 1993) and similar no-action letters (the "No-
Action Letters"), the Company believes that the New Debentures issued pursuant
to the Exchange Offers in exchange for Old Debentures may be offered for
resale, resold, and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than (i)
a broker-dealer who purchases such New Debentures directly from the Company to
resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act or (ii) a person that is an affiliate of the Company (within
the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act,
provided that the holder is acquiring the New Debentures in such holder's
ordinary course of business and is not participating, and has no arrangement
or understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution of the
New Debentures. Holders of Old Debentures wishing to accept any or all of the
Exchange Offers must represent to the Company that such conditions have been
met.     
 
  Each broker-dealer that receives New Debentures for its own account pursuant
to any or all of the Exchange Offers must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale of such New Debentures. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter," within the meaning of the
Securities Act, in connection with the resale of New Debentures received in
exchange for Old Debentures where such Old Debentures were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities. The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the
Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer
for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
  The Company believes that none of the registered holders of the Old
Debentures is an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) of the Company. The Company has not entered into any
arrangement or understanding with any person to distribute the New Debentures
to be received in the Exchange Offers, and to the best of the Company's
information and belief, each person participating in any or all of the
Exchange Offers is acquiring the New Debentures in the ordinary course of
business and has no arrangement or
 
                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the New
Debentures to be received in any or all of the Exchange Offers.
 
  The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offers. The
Company has agreed to bear the expenses of the Exchange Offers. No underwriter
is being used in connection with the Exchange Offers.
 
                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company is subject to the informational reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in
accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information
with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may
be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices in New York (Seven World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048), and Chicago (Citicorp
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661). Copies
of these materials may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. In addition, the Commission maintains a site on the World Wide Web at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the
Company may also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange,
20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, where the Company's common stock is
listed.
 
  This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-4,
as amended (the "Registration Statement"), filed by the Company with the
Commission under the Securities Act. This Prospectus omits certain of the
information contained in the Registration Statement in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the Commission. Reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with
respect to the Company and the Debentures. Statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any documents are not necessarily complete and,
in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
   
  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
27, 1996 (filed as of March 14, 1997), the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 1997 (filed as of April 24, 1997),
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June
27, 1997 (filed as of July 25, 1997), the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
dated May 23, 1997 (filed as of June 4, 1997), the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated June 23, 1997 (filed as of July 8, 1997) and the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 8, 1997 (filed as of August 8, 1997),
have been filed by the Company with the Commission and are incorporated herein
by reference. In addition, there is incorporated herein by reference the
CSX/NSC Agreement (as defined herein), which has been filed by the Company
with the Commission as Exhibit (c)(14) to Amendment No. 24 to the Company's
Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1, filed on April 11, 1997.     
 
  All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of any offering of securities made
hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus
and to be a part of this Prospectus from the respective dates of filing of
such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement or document so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute part of this Prospectus. As used herein, the terms "Prospectus" and
"herein" mean this Prospectus, including the documents incorporated or deemed
incorporated by reference, as the same may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time. Statements contained in this Prospectus
as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein do not
purport to be complete and are qualified in all respects by reference to all
of the provisions of such contract or other document.
 
  The Company will furnish without charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any and all of the documents described above that are incorporated by
reference herein other than exhibits to such documents which are not
specifically incorporated by reference in such documents. Written or telephone
requests should be directed to: Alan A. Rudnick, Vice President--General
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Counsel and Corporate Secretary, CSX Corporation, One James Center, 901 East
Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, telephone number (804) 782-1400.
 
  IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE
MADE BY      , 1997.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated herein by reference.
 
                                  THE EXCHANGE
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFERS.............  The Company is offering to exchange $1,000
                                  principal amount of New 2002 Debentures, New
                                  2004 Debentures, New 2007 Debentures, New
                                  2017 Debentures, New 7.95% 2027 Debentures,
                                  New 6.95% 2027 Debentures, New 7.25% 2027 De-
                                  bentures, and New 2032 Debentures, respec-
                                  tively, for each $1,000 principal amount of
                                  Old 2002 Debentures, Old 2004 Debentures, Old
                                  2007 Debentures, Old 2017 Debentures, Old
                                  7.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 6.95% 2027 Deben-
                                  tures, Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures, and Old
                                  2032 Debentures, respectively, that are prop-
                                  erly tendered and accepted. The Company will
                                  issue the New 2002 Debentures, New 2004 De-
                                  bentures, New 2007 Debentures, New 2017 De-
                                  bentures, New 7.95% 2027 Debentures, New
                                  6.95% 2027 Debentures, New 7.25% 2027 Deben-
                                  tures, and New 2032 Debentures on or promptly
                                  after the Expiration Date. There is
                                  $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                  the Old 2002 Debentures outstanding,
                                  $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                  the Old 2004 Debentures outstanding,
                                  $450,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                  the Old 2007 Debentures outstanding,
                                  $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                  the Old 2017 Debentures outstanding,
                                  $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                  the Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures outstanding,
                                  $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                  the Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures outstanding,
                                  $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                  the Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures outstanding,
                                  and $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount
                                  of the Old 2032 Debentures outstanding. See
                                  "The Exchange Offers."
                                     
                                  Based on an interpretation of the staff of
                                  the Commission set forth in the No-Action
                                  Letters, the Company believes that New Deben-
                                  tures issued pursuant to the Exchange Offers
                                  in exchange for Old Debentures may be offered
                                  for resale, resold and otherwise transferred
                                  by any holder thereof (other than (i) a bro-
                                  ker-dealer who purchases such New Debentures
                                  directly from the Company to resell pursuant
                                  to Rule 144A or any other available exemption
                                  under the Securities Act or (ii) any such
                                  holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company
                                  within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Se-
                                  curities Act) without compliance with the
                                  registration and prospectus delivery provi-
                                  sions of the Securities Act, provided that
                                  such New Debentures are acquired in the ordi-
                                  nary course of such holder's business and
                                  that such holder has no arrangement or under-
                                  standing     
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                  with any person to participate in the distri-
                                  bution of such New Debentures. In the event
                                  that the Company's belief is inaccurate,
                                  holders of New Debentures who transfer New
                                  Debentures in violation of the prospectus de-
                                  livery provisions of the Securities Act and
                                  without an exemption from registration there-
                                  under may incur liability thereunder. The
                                  Company does not assume, or indemnify holders
                                  against, such liability. The Exchange Offers
                                  are not being made to, nor will the Company
                                  accept surrenders for exchange from, holders
                                  of Old Debentures (i) in any jurisdiction in
                                  which the Exchange Offers or the acceptance
                                  thereof would not be in compliance with the
                                  securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdic-
                                  tion or (ii) if any holder is engaged or in-
                                  tends to engage in a distribution of New De-
                                  bentures. Each broker-dealer that receives
                                  New Debentures for its own account in ex-
                                  change for Old Debentures, where such Old De-
                                  bentures were acquired by such broker-dealer
                                  as a result of market-making activities or
                                  other trading activities, must acknowledge
                                  that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
                                  requirements of the Securities Act in connec-
                                  tion with any resale of such New Debentures.
                                  See "Plan of Distribution."
 
EXPIRATION DATE.................  The Exchange Offers will expire at 5:00 p.m.,
                                  New York City time, on    , 1997, unless any
                                  or all Exchange Offers are extended, in which
                                  case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean,
                                  with respect to each Exchange Offer, the lat-
                                  est date and time to which such Exchange Of-
                                  fer is extended. The Company will accept for
                                  exchange any and all Old Debentures which are
                                  properly tendered in the Exchange Offers
                                  prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
                                  the Expiration Date. The New Debentures is-
                                  sued pursuant to the Exchange Offers will be
                                  delivered on or promptly after the Expiration
                                  Date.

CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE      
 OFFERS.........................  The Exchange Offers are not conditioned on
                                  any minimum principal amount of Old Deben-
                                  tures being tendered for exchange. The Com-
                                  pany may terminate the Exchange Offers if it
                                  determines that its ability to proceed with
                                  any or all of the Exchange Offers could be
                                  materially impaired due to any legal or gov-
                                  ernmental action, any new law, statute, rule
                                  or regulation, any interpretation by the
                                  staff of the Commission of any existing law,
                                  statute, rule or regulation or the failure to
                                  obtain any necessary approvals of governmen-
                                  tal agencies or holders of the Old Deben-
                                  tures. The Company does not expect any of the
                                  foregoing conditions to occur, although there
                                  can be no assurances any such conditions will
                                  not occur. The Exchange Offers are subject to
                                  certain other customary conditions, each of
                                  which may be waived by the Company. See "The
                                  Exchange Offers--Certain Conditions to the
                                  Exchange Offers."
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD    
 DEBENTURES.....................  Each holder of Old Debentures wishing to ac-
                                  cept any or all of the Exchange Offers must
                                  complete, sign and date the Letter of Trans-
                                  mittal, or a facsimile thereof, in accordance
                                  with the instructions contained herein and
                                  therein, and mail or otherwise deliver such
                                  Letter of Transmittal, or such facsimile, to-
                                  gether with such Old Debentures and any other
                                  required documentation to The Chase Manhattan
                                  Bank, as Exchange Agent, at the address set
                                  forth herein. By executing the Letter of
                                  Transmittal or by transmitting an Agent's
                                  Message (as defined below) in lieu thereof,
                                  each holder will represent to the Company
                                  that, among other things, the New Debentures
                                  acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offers are
                                  being obtained in the ordinary course of
                                  business of the person receiving such New De-
                                  bentures, such person does not have an ar-
                                  rangement or understanding with any person to
                                  participate in the distribution of such New
                                  Debentures and that neither the holder nor
                                  any such other person is an "affiliate," as
                                  defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act,
                                  of the Company. Certain brokers, dealers,
                                  commercial banks, trust companies and other
                                  nominees may also effect tenders by book-en-
                                  try transfer, including an Agent's Message in
                                  lieu of a Letter of Transmittal.
 
BENEFICIAL OWNERS...............  Any beneficial owner whose Old Debentures are
                                  registered in the name of a broker, dealer,
                                  commercial bank, trust company or other nomi-
                                  nee and who wishes to tender such Old Deben-
                                  tures in any or all of the Exchange Offers
                                  should contact such registered holder
                                  promptly and instruct such registered holder
                                  to tender on such beneficial owner's behalf.
                                  If such beneficial owner wishes to tender on
                                  such owner's own behalf, such owner must,
                                  prior to completing and executing the Letter
                                  of Transmittal and delivering such owner's
                                  Old Debentures, either make appropriate ar-
                                  rangements to register ownership of the Old
                                  Debentures in such owner's name or obtain a
                                  properly completed bond power from the regis-
                                  tered holder. The transfer of registered own-
                                  ership may take considerable time and may not
                                  be able to be completed prior to the Expira-
                                  tion Date.

GUARANTEED DELIVERY             
 PROCEDURES.....................  Holders of Old Debentures who wish to tender
                                  their Old Debentures and who cannot deliver
                                  their Old Debentures or the Letter of Trans-
                                  mittal to The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Ex-
                                  change Agent, prior to the Expiration Date,
                                  or the procedures for book-entry transfer
                                  cannot be completed on a timely basis, must
                                  tender their Old Debentures according to the
                                  guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
                                  "The Exchange Offers--Guaranteed Delivery
                                  Procedures."
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS...............  Tenders of Old Debentures may be withdrawn at
                                  any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
                                  time, on the Expiration Date.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX      
 CONSEQUENCES...................  For a discussion of certain federal income
                                  tax consequences relating to the exchange of
                                  New Debentures for Old Debentures, see "Cer-
                                  tain Federal Income Tax Consequences of Par-
                                  ticipation in the Exchange Offers."
 
EXCHANGE AGENT..................  The Chase Manhattan Bank is the Exchange
                                  Agent. Its telephone number is (212) 946-
                                  3068. The address of the Exchange Agent is
                                  set forth in "The Exchange Offers--Exchange
                                  Agent." The Chase Manhattan Bank also serves
                                  as trustee under the Indenture.
 
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT....  Under certain circumstances described in the
                                  Registration Rights Agreement (as defined be-
                                  low), certain holders of Debentures (includ-
                                  ing holders who are not permitted to partici-
                                  pate in the Exchange Offers or who may not
                                  freely resell New Debentures received in the
                                  Exchange Offers) may require the Company to
                                  file, and use its best efforts to cause to
                                  become effective, a shelf registration state-
                                  ment (the "Shelf Registration Statement") un-
                                  der the Securities Act, which would cover re-
                                  sales of Debentures by such holders. See "De-
                                  scription of the New Debentures--Registration
                                  Rights Agreement."
 
                   SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW DEBENTURES
 
  The terms of the New Debentures and the Old Debentures are identical in all
material respects, except for certain transfer restrictions and registration
rights relating to the Old Debentures. Whenever defined terms of the Indenture
not otherwise defined herein are referred to, such defined terms are
incorporated herein by reference. In the event that (i) by November 2, 1997 (or
November 4, 1997 with respect to the Old 2032 Debentures), neither the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part (sometimes referred
to herein as the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement") is declared effective
nor (if the Exchange Offers are not permitted as described above) the Shelf
Registration Statement is filed with the Commission, or (ii) by December 2,
1997 (or December 4, 1997 with respect to the Old 2032 Debentures) , one or
more of the Exchange Offers with respect to any series of Debentures is not
consummated or the Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective with
respect thereto (each such event referred to in clauses (i) or (ii), a
"Registration Default"), interest will accrue on the applicable Old Debentures
(in addition to stated interest on such Old Debentures) from and including the
next day following each such Registration Default. In each case such additional
interest (the "Special Interest") will be payable in cash semiannually in
arrears each May 1 and November 1, at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the
principal amount of such Old Debentures for each such Registration Default. The
aggregate amount of Special Interest payable pursuant to the above provisions
will in no event exceed 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of such Old
Debentures. Upon (a) the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement after the date set
forth in clause (i) above or (b) the consummation of the Exchange Offer for
such Old Debentures or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement, as
the case may be, after the date set forth in clause (ii) above, the Special
Interest payable on such Old Debentures as a result of the applicable
Registration Default will cease to accrue.
 
  The New Debentures will bear interest from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid on the Old Debentures or, if no interest has been paid
on the Old Debentures, from May 1, 1997. Accordingly, registered
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
holders of New Debentures on the relevant record date for the first interest
payment date following the consummation of the Exchange Offers will receive
interest accruing from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on
the Old Debentures or, if no interest has been paid, from May 1, 1997. Old
Debentures accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after
the date of consummation of the Exchange Offers. Holders whose Old Debentures
are accepted for exchange will not receive any payment in respect of interest
on such Old Debentures otherwise payable on any interest payment date, the
record date for which occurs on or after consummation of the Exchange Offers.
 
                               THE NEW DEBENTURES
 
NEW DEBENTURES OFFERED..........  $350,000,000 principal amount of 7.05% Deben-
                                  tures Due 2002, $300,000,000 principal amount
                                  of 7.25% Debentures Due 2004, $450,000,000
                                  principal amount of 7.45% Debentures Due
                                  2007, $400,000,000 principal amount of 7.90%
                                  Debentures Due 2017, $500,000,000 principal
                                  amount of 7.95% Debentures Due 2027,
                                  $100,000,000 principal amount of 6.95% Deben-
                                  tures Due 2027, $250,000,000 principal amount
                                  of 7.25% Debentures Due 2027 and $150,000,000
                                  principal amount of 8.30% Debentures Due
                                  2032.
 
MATURITY........................  The New 2002 Debentures will mature on May 1,
                                  2002, the New 2004 Debentures will mature on
                                  May 1, 2004, the New 2007 Debentures will ma-
                                  ture on May 1, 2007, the New 2017 Debentures
                                  will mature on May 1, 2017, the New 7.95%
                                  2027 Debentures will mature on May 1, 2027,
                                  the New 6.95% 2027 Debentures will mature on
                                  May 1, 2027, the New 7.25% 2027 Debentures
                                  will mature on May 1, 2027, and the New 2032
                                  Debentures will mature on May 1, 2032.
 
INTEREST PAYMENT DATES..........  Interest on the New Debentures is payable
                                  semiannually on each May 1 and November 1,
                                  commencing November 1, 1997.
 
REDEMPTION......................  The New 2032 Debentures will not be redeem-
                                  able prior to May 1, 2007. On and after that
                                  date, the New 2032 Debentures will be redeem-
                                  able at the option of the Company, as a whole
                                  or in part, at any time on at least 30 days'
                                  notice, at the respective prices indicated
                                  herein. None of the other series of New De-
                                  bentures will be redeemable prior to maturi-
                                  ty. See "Description of the New Debentures--
                                  Redemption."
 
PURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER....  Each holder of the New 6.95% 2027 Debentures
                                  may require the Company to repurchase all or
                                  a portion of such series owned by such holder
                                  on May 1, 2002 at a purchase price equal to
                                  100% of the principal amount thereof plus ac-
                                  crued interest. Each holder of the New 7.25%
                                  2027 Debentures may require the Company to
                                  repurchase all or a portion of such series
                                  owned by such holder on May 1, 2005 at a pur-
                                  chase
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                  price equal to 100% of the principal amount
                                  thereof plus accrued interest. No such repur-
                                  chase right will be available to holders of
                                  the other series of New Debentures. See "De-
                                  scription of New Debentures--Purchase at Op-
                                  tion of Holder."
 
                                 
RANKING.........................  The New Debentures will be Senior Debt of the
                                  Company, ranking pari passu with all other
                                  Senior Debt of the Company. As of June 27,
                                  1997, the Company had approximately $5.9 bil-
                                  lion of Senior Debt outstanding (including
                                  $2.5 billion of Old Debentures).     
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Holders of Old Debentures should carefully review the information contained
elsewhere in this Prospectus and should particularly consider the following
matters.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD DEBENTURES
 
  The Old Debentures have not been registered under the Securities Act or any
state securities laws and therefore may not be offered, sold or otherwise
transferred except in compliance with the registration requirements of the
Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws, or pursuant to an
exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto, and in each case
in compliance with certain other conditions and restrictions. Old Debentures
which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offers will
continue to bear a legend reflecting such restrictions on transfer. In
addition, upon consummation of the Exchange Offers, holders of Old Debentures
which remain outstanding will not be entitled to any rights to have such Old
Debentures registered under the Securities Act or to any similar rights under
the Registration Rights Agreement (subject to certain limited exceptions as
described herein). See "Description of the New Debentures--Registration Rights
Agreement." The Company does not intend to register under the Securities Act
any Old Debentures which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange
Offers (subject to such limited exceptions, if applicable). To the extent that
Old Debentures are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offers, a holder's
ability to sell untendered Old Debentures could be adversely affected. See
"The Exchange Offers--Consequences of Failure to Exchange Old Debentures."
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
 
  The Old Debentures were issued to, and the Company believes are currently
owned by, a relatively small number of beneficial owners. The Old Debentures
have not been registered under the Securities Act and will be subject to
restrictions on transferability to the extent that they are not exchanged for
the New Debentures. Although the New Debentures will generally be permitted to
be resold or otherwise transferred by the holders (who are not affiliates of
the Company) without compliance with the registration requirements under the
Securities Act, they will constitute a new issue of securities with no
established trading market. Any market-making activity will be subject to the
limits imposed by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and may be limited
during the Exchange Offers. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that an
active public or other market will develop for the New Debentures or the Old
Debentures or as to the liquidity of or the trading market for the New
Debentures or the Old Debentures. If an active public market does not develop,
the market price and liquidity of the New Debentures may be adversely
affected.
 
  If a public trading market for the New Debentures develops, future trading
prices of such securities will depend on many factors, including, among other
things, prevailing interest rates, results of operations and the market for
similar securities. Depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for
similar securities and other factors, including the financial condition of the
Company, the New Debentures may trade at a discount.
 
  Notwithstanding the registration of the New Debentures in the Exchange
Offers, holders who are "affiliates" (as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act) of the Company may publicly offer for sale or resell the New
Debentures only in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act.
 
  Each broker-dealer that receives New Debentures for its own account in
exchange for Old Debentures, where such Old Debentures were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such New Debentures. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES
 
  Unless tenders are made by book-entry transfer, issuance of the New
Debentures in exchange for Old Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offers will
be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
such Old Debentures, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents. Therefore, holders of the Old
Debentures desiring to tender such Old Debentures in exchange for New
Debentures should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither the
Exchange Agent nor the Company is under any duty to give notification of
defects or irregularities with respect to the tenders of Old Debentures for
exchange.
       
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company is an international transportation company with operations in
the following business units: CSX Transportation, Inc. ("CSXT"), Sea-Land
Service, Inc. ("Sea-Land"), American Commercial Lines, Inc. ("ACL"), CSX
Intermodal, Inc. ("CSXI"), Customized Transportation, Inc. ("CTI") and non-
transportation businesses. In 1996, the Company generated approximately $10.5
billion of operating revenue and $1.5 billion of operating income.
 
  CSXT is an eastern Class I freight railroad, providing rail freight
transportation and distribution services over 18,504 route miles of track in
20 states in the East, Midwest and South of the United States and in the
Province of Ontario, Canada. In 1996, CSXT accounted for 47% of the total
operating revenue and 74% of the operating income of CSX.
 
  Sea-Land is a worldwide leader in container-shipping transportation and
logistics services. Sea-Land operates 28 preferential and exclusive marine
terminal facilities across its global network. In addition, Sea-Land operates
a fleet of 99 container ships and approximately 208,000 containers in United
States and foreign trade and serves 120 ports. In 1996, Sea-Land accounted for
38% of the total operating revenue and 21% of the operating income of CSX.
 
  ACL is the nation's leader in barge transportation, operating 137 towboats
and more than 3,700 barges on both United States and South American waterways.
In 1996, ACL accounted for 6% of the total operating revenue and 7% of the
operating income of CSX.
 
  CSXI provides transcontinental intermodal transportation services and
operates a network of dedicated intermodal facilities across North America. In
1996, CSXI contributed 6% of the total operating revenue and 2% of the
operating income of CSX.
 
  CTI is a provider of contract logistics, distribution, warehousing, assembly
and just-in-time delivery services. In 1996, CTI provided 3% of the total
operating revenue and 1% of the operating income of CSX.
 
  Non-Transportation: Resort holdings include the Mobil Five-Star and AAA
Five-Diamond rated hotel, The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West
Virginia, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Moran, Wyoming. CSX Real
Property, Inc. is responsible for sales, leasing and development of CSX-owned
properties. CSX holds a majority interest in Yukon Pacific Corporation, which
is promoting construction of the Trans-Alaska Gas System to transport Alaska's
North Slope natural gas to Valdez for export to Asian markets.
 
  The Company was incorporated in Virginia in 1978. The Company's principal
executive offices are located at One James Center, 901 East Cary Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219 (telephone 804-782-1400). Unless the context
indicates otherwise, references herein to the Company or CSX are to CSX
Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
JOINT CSX/NSC ACQUISITION OF CONRAIL
 
 CSX/NSC Agreement
 
  On April 8, 1997, the Company and Norfolk Southern Corporation, a Virginia
corporation ("NSC"), entered into an agreement (the "CSX/NSC Agreement")
providing for their joint acquisition of Conrail Inc., a Pennsylvania
corporation ("Conrail"), and the division of Conrail's routes and other assets.
Conrail is a holding company of which the principal subsidiary is Consolidated
Rail Corporation, a Class I freight railroad that operates approximately 10,500
route miles in the Northeast and Midwest of the United States and the Province
of Quebec, Canada, and which possesses superior access to certain major
northeast markets, including the New York and Boston metropolitan areas. NSC
owns an eastern Class I freight railroad, Norfolk Southern Railway Company.
   
  Under the CSX/NSC Agreement, the Company and NSC acquired all outstanding
shares of Conrail not already owned by them (the "Shares") for cash, or for the
right to receive cash, of $115 per Share through a jointly owned acquisition
entity (the "Acquisition Entity") during the second quarter of 1997. The
Company and NSC each possess 50% of the voting and management rights of the
Acquisition Entity, and non-voting equity is apportioned between the parties to
achieve overall economic allocations of 42% for CSX and 58% for NSC (their
respective "Percentages"). Following approval by the Surface Transportation
Board (the "STB") as described below, Conrail's assets will be segregated
within Conrail, and the Company and NSC will each benefit from the operation of
a specified portion of the Conrail routes and other assets through the use of
various operating arrangements, and certain Conrail assets will be operated for
the joint benefit of the Company and NSC.     
   
  Acquisition of most of the Conrail Shares was effected under a tender offer,
initiated by the Company in December 1996 and amended in April 1997 to include
NSC as a co-bidder (the "Joint Tender Offer"), which closed in May 1997.
Shortly thereafter, Conrail was merged with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Acquisition Entity and all remaining Conrail Shares not tendered were converted
into the right to receive $115 in cash per share. The aggregate cost of the
Joint Tender Offer, the merger and the shares of Conrail already acquired by
the Company and NSC was approximately $9.8 billion. Pursuant to the CSX/NSC
Agreement, the Company has paid 42%, or approximately $4.1 billion, and NSC has
paid 58%, or approximately $5.7 billion, of such cost. These totals include
approximately $2.0 billion spent by the Company and $1.0 billion spent by NSC
to acquire approximately 30%, in the aggregate, of Conrail's shares prior to
the Joint Tender Offer. Including its capitalized transaction costs, the
Company's aggregate purchase price was approximately $4.2 billion.     
   
  Conrail Shares purchased in the Joint Tender Offer and merger, together with
all Conrail shares previously purchased by the Company and NSC, have been
deposited into a voting trust pending STB approval of the joint acquisition,
control and division of Conrail by the Company and NSC. Furthermore, by
entering into the CSX/NSC Agreement, the Company is obligated under the
Pennsylvania anti-takeover laws to purchase any Conrail Shares "put" to the
Company in accordance with the procedures of such laws for at least $115 per
share in cash.     
 
 Joint CSX/NSC STB Application
   
  The exercise of control over Conrail by the Company and NSC remains subject
to a number of conditions and approvals, including approval by the STB, which
has the authority to modify contract terms and impose additional conditions,
including with respect to divestitures, grants of trackage rights and other
terms of continuing operations. On June 23, 1997, the Company and NSC filed a
joint application with the STB for control and division of Conrail and for
various other matters required to be approved by the STB. The joint STB
application addresses traffic flows, operations and related matters; outlines
the capital investments each company plans to make in new connections and
facilities and to increase capacity on critical routes; and details operating
savings and other public benefits resulting from the transaction. The
application also contains certain historical and pro forma financial
information required by the STB. The STB has issued a scheduling order that
provides for issuance of a final STB decision no later than June 8, 1998. No
assurance can be given with respect to the     
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
   
receipt of STB approval or the modifications or conditions that may be imposed
in connection therewith. Substantial delay in the STB process could delay the
Company's expected financial and operational benefits, and thereby increase
the ultimate costs of financing. Substantial regulatory conditions imposed in
the STB process also could reduce such expected benefits. A favorable decision
by the STB would permit the Company and NSC to exercise control over Conrail
by mid-1998. The joint STB application is a public document, available for
review in its entirety at the office of the STB, located at 1925 K Street, NW,
Washington D.C. 20423-0001.     
 
 Proposed Division of Conrail Routes
   
  Until the date the Company and NSC are permitted by the STB to assume
control over Conrail (the "Control Date"), Conrail will continue to be managed
by its current Board of Directors and management. After the Control Date,
Conrail will segregate its assets primarily into two groups to facilitate
their separate operation pursuant to leasing, operating, partnership or other
similar arrangements. The remaining assets and liabilities of Conrail,
including joint facilities, will be shared by the Company and NSC according to
their Percentages. In arriving at the proposed division of Conrail and their
Percentages, the Company and NSC negotiated with a view toward producing the
best fits with their existing systems and optimizing service to their
respective customers. The maps reprinted on the front inside cover and back
inside cover of this Prospectus show, respectively, the proposed post-
Transaction (as defined below) CSXT route system and the approximate division
of Conrail's routes as contemplated by the CSX/NSC Agreement. These maps are
included for illustrative purposes only and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the CSX/NSC Agreement. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference."     
   
  The acquisition by the Company of the Conrail Shares and the right to use
the assets allocated to or shared by the Company pursuant to the CSX/NSC
Agreement and the liabilities allocated to or shared by it pursuant to the
CSX/NSC Agreement will be referred to in this Prospectus as the "Transaction."
Many of the terms of the Transaction are detailed in further definitive
agreements that were entered into by the Company, NSC, Conrail, and certain
affiliates of the respective companies prior to filing of the STB application.
       
  In addition to the joint STB application, further information regarding the
Transaction is contained in the following documents: (1) the Company's Tender
Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1, together with exhibits thereto, initially
filed with the Commission on December 6, 1996, as amended; (2) the Company's
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 4, 1997 to report completion of the
Joint Tender Offer and subsequent merger, to report the amendment and
restatement of its credit agreement with bank lenders, and to present certain
historical financial statements and pro forma financial statements giving
effect to the Transaction; and (3) the Company's Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on July 8, 1997 to report the filing of the STB application and
provide as an exhibit the definitive Transaction Agreement, dated as of June
10, 1997, entered into by the Company, NSC, Conrail, and certain affiliates of
the respective companies.     
       
 Financing Arrangements
          
  The Company's total cash obligation to complete the purchase of the Conrail
Shares under the Transaction was approximately $4.2 billion. The Company
originally arranged a $4.8 billion bank credit facility in November 1996 to
provide financing of the Conrail acquisition and to meet general working
capital needs. The facility was amended in May 1997 and the lenders'
commitments were reduced to $2.5 billion, reflecting the issuance of the Old
Debentures which provided a portion of the Company's financing for the
Transaction. Currently, the facility is used as support for commercial paper
issuance.     
   
  The Old Debentures currently have aggregate principal outstanding of $2.5
billion and have maturities ranging from 2002 to 2032 and interest rates
ranging from 6.95% to 8.30%.     
   
  The Company expects its long-term debt levels (including the Company's
portion of Conrail debt) to peak in 1998 at approximately $6.8 billion, with
related interest charges (including interest payments on the Company's portion
of Conrail debt) to peak at approximately $520.0 million.     
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
   
  The increase in leverage to finance the acquisition of the Company's
interest in Conrail could have important consequences to holders of the
Debentures, including: (i) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow
from operations must be dedicated to debt service and will not be available
for other purposes; (ii) the Company's future ability to obtain additional
debt financing for working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions may
be limited; and (iii) the Company's level of indebtedness could limit its
flexibility in reacting to changes in the industry and general economic
conditions.     
          
  Payments to Conrail under operating or similar arrangements and through
capital contributions to the Acquisition Entity will be sufficient to pay
obligations on Conrail's outstanding debt instruments in accordance with their
terms. The Company and NSC have agreed in the CSX/NSC Agreement that such debt
will be shared ratably according to their Percentages, and they expect that
Conrail will continue to service such debt in accordance with its existing
financial and other terms.     
       
BENEFITS OF THE TRANSACTION
 
 Broadest Geographic Network in Eastern United States
 
  The Transaction will significantly enhance the Company's position as a
leading global transportation company. The Company will remain the largest
railroad in the eastern United States and become the third largest railroad in
the nation, measured in terms of route miles and ton-miles. The Company, as a
result of the Transaction, will be adding approximately 3,500 route miles, or
19%, to its rail network, and sharing with NSC approximately 1,200 additional
route miles. The Company will have approximately 22,000 route miles in 22
states, the District of Columbia and the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec,
Canada, and will provide direct access to virtually every major metropolitan
area east of the Mississippi River and to eleven of the largest east coast and
gulf ports.
 
 Enhanced Operating Efficiencies and Revenue Growth
   
  Management expects the integration of Conrail operations resulting from the
Transaction to add approximately $1.7 billion, or 16%, to the Company's annual
revenue beginning in the first twelve months following operational
consolidation. Management believes that the Transaction will also result in
growth of the Company's rail revenue base through expansion of single-line
service and the Company's ability to compete more effectively on certain
routes along which large quantities of goods are now transported by truck.
Single-line service is preferred by shippers over joint-line service because
of lower transaction costs, reduced delays, less damage from interchange
operations and single-carrier accountability. The addition of Conrail lines to
the Company's rail network also is expected to improve operational efficiency
through better asset utilization. Optimization of train sizes, increased
length of haul, improved backhauls, shorter routes to many destinations and
fewer empty movements are all expected to produce cost reductions for the
combined rail network. Other significant savings will be achieved through the
realization of economies of scale, rationalization of administrative and other
overhead expenses and consolidation of duplicative facilities. There can be no
assurance that these anticipated benefits will be realized, or that they will
be realized during the timeframe contemplated in this section. The integration
of railroad operations has significant risks associated with system
improvements and coordination, labor agreement negotiation and implementation,
customer relationships, and transportation management and logistics.     
 
 Financial Effects
   
  The Company expects that the benefits from the Transaction will begin to
build from the Control Date and should be largely realized within a three-year
period thereafter. Therefore, for the purposes of the following discussion,
Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 correspond to the three consecutive 12-month periods
following the Control Date. Based on joint efforts of the Company and Conrail
to identify potential cost savings, management currently estimates that the
Transaction will lead to aggregate quantifiable pretax benefits from increased
traffic     
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
   
and cost efficiencies (excluding certain one-time expenses associated with
system integration) of approximately $893 million over 3 years. The Company
expects to realize $178 million, $305 million and $410 million annually in
Years 1, 2 and 3, respectively, compared to the separate operation of the
Company and its share of Conrail. These benefits include estimated incremental
operating income of $58 million, $108 million and $146 million expected through
increased traffic in Years 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The remaining pretax
benefits will be in the form of operating cost savings, with $120 million, $197
million and $264 million (exclusive of the one-time integration costs) expected
to be realized in Years 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Management estimates that the
Company will, in Years 1, 2 and 3 incur one-time transition capital
expenditures in connection with the integration of operations. Those
expenditures are expected to be $322 million in Year 1, $114 million in Year 2,
and $52 million in Year 3.     
   
  The benefits outlined above are addressed in more detail in the joint STB
application and were developed and refined through the efforts of various
integration project teams. These teams, with assistance from Conrail personnel
and various outside consultants, completed revised estimates of integration
benefits in mid-June 1997 in conjunction with the development of a formal
operating plan included in the STB application. The revised estimates reflect a
more detailed review and understanding of Conrail's system, the markets it
serves, and the opportunities created by the combination with the Company's
rail system. The revised estimates reflect benefits which are increased from
the Company's earlier estimates.     
   
  Including transaction costs, the overall purchase price paid by the Company
exceeded the historical net book value of its proportionate share of Conrail's
net assets by approximately $2.9 billion. A substantial portion of the excess
purchase price is expected to be allocated to reflect the fair value of
Conrail's property and equipment. The Company has based its provision for
amortization of the excess purchase price on preliminary estimates of the fair
values of such property and equipment and their remaining useful lives as well
as estimates of the fair values of other assets and liabilities of Conrail.
       
  Because of the time required to obtain necessary regulatory and other
approvals, the Company does not expect integrated operations to have a
significant effect on operating and financial results prior to late fiscal 1998
or early fiscal 1999. The primary impact of the proposed Transaction on net
earnings prior to the integration of operations will be the after-tax effect of
the Company's share of Conrail's net earnings, reported under the equity method
of accounting, less amortization of the excess purchase price and interest on
debt incurred to acquire Conrail shares. Net cash flow prior to operational
integration is expected to be reduced by interest payments on such debt. At
June 27, 1997, the average interest rate on debt incurred to acquire Conrail
shares was approximately 6.86%. The degree of negative impact on net earnings
or net cash flow during the second half of 1997 and the first half of 1998 will
depend primarily on the net earnings reported by Conrail and the average
interest rate and timing of interest payments on the related debt.     
   
  THE ABOVE ESTIMATES AND FORECASTS ARE BASED UPON NUMEROUS ESTIMATES AND
ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT COMPLEX ECONOMIC AND OPERATING FACTORS WITH RESPECT TO
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE, GENERAL BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND OTHER
MATTERS THAT CANNOT BE PREDICTED ACCURATELY AND THAT ARE SUBJECT TO
CONTINGENCIES OVER WHICH THE COMPANY HAS NO CONTROL. SUCH FORWARD LOOKING
STATEMENTS INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER IMPORTANT
FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE THE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE
COMPANY TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM ANY FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR
ACHIEVEMENTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. CERTAIN
OF THOSE RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE
ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY INCLUDE: (A) FUTURE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN
THE MARKETS IN WHICH THE COMPANY AND CONRAIL OPERATE; (B) FINANCIAL MARKET
CONDITIONS; (C) INFLATION RATES; (D) CHANGING COMPETITION; (E) CHANGES IN THE
REGULATORY CLIMATE IN THE UNITED STATES RAILROAD INDUSTRY; (F) THE ABILITY TO
ELIMINATE DUPLICATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS; AND (G) ADVERSE CHANGES IN
APPLICABLE LAWS, REGULATIONS OR RULES GOVERNING ENVIRONMENTAL,     
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
TAX OR ACCOUNTING MATTERS. THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS SPEAK ONLY AS OF
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS. THE COMPANY DISCLAIMS ANY OBLIGATION OR
UNDERTAKING TO DISSEMINATE ANY UPDATES OR REVISIONS TO ANY FORWARD LOOKING
STATEMENT CONTAINED HEREIN TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN THE COMPANY'S EXPECTATIONS
WITH REGARD THERETO OR ANY CHANGE IN EVENTS, CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES ON
WHICH ANY SUCH STATEMENT IS BASED.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
   
  The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offers. On May
6, 1997, the Company issued $350,000,000 principal amount of Old 2002
Debentures, $300,000,000 principal amount of Old 2004 Debentures, $450,000,000
principal amount of Old 2007 Debentures, $400,000,000 principal amount of Old
2017 Debentures, $500,000,000 principal amount of Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures,
$100,000,000 principal amount of Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures and $250,000,000
principal amount of Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures, and on May 8, 1996 the Company
issued $150,000,000 principal amount of Old 2032 Debentures (together, the
"Offering") for an aggregate principal amount issued of $2.5 billion. The Old
Debentures were sold by the Company to Salomon Brothers Inc, Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation, Chase Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc. (the "Initial
Purchasers") and were in turn sold by the Initial Purchasers to a limited
number of qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors pursuant to
Rule 144A and Regulation D, respectively, under the Securities Act and
exemptions from applicable state securities laws, and the Offering was not
subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable
state securities laws. The Company received approximately $2.48 billion in
proceeds from the Offering, net of discounts to the Initial Purchasers.
Approximately $2.12 billion of the net proceeds from the Offering was used
through June 27, 1997 to fund a portion of the Company's obligations under the
CSX/NSC Agreement, including the purchase of Conrail Shares pursuant to the
Joint Tender Offer and the merger. The Company used the remaining $360 million
to purchase short-term investments and reduce existing levels of short-term
commercial paper. See "The Company--Joint CSX/NSC Acquisition of Conrail" and
"Capitalization."     
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
   
  The following table sets forth the unaudited historical consolidated
capitalization of the Company as of June 27, 1997, which includes the Old
Debentures issued on May 6 and May 8, 1997. For additional information as to
the capitalization of the Company, see "Selected Historical Financial Data for
the Company" contained herein and Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition and the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and the related notes thereto in the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 27, 1997 and its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 1996
incorporated herein by reference.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AS OF
                                                              JUNE 27, 1997
                                                          ---------------------
                                                          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS,
                                                            EXCEPT PER SHARE
                                                                  DATA)
                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                       <C>
LONG-TERM DEBT
  Commercial paper (1)...................................        $ 2,300
  Notes payable..........................................            482
  Debentures (2).........................................          3,145
  Equipment obligations..................................            726
  Mortgage bonds.........................................             76
  Other obligations, including capital leases............            167
  Current maturities of long-term debt...................           (143)
                                                                 -------
    Total long-term debt.................................          6,753
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Common stock, $1 par value (300,000,000 shares
   authorized, 217,841,407 shares issued and
   outstanding)..........................................            218
  Other capital..........................................          1,482
  Retained earnings......................................          3,717
  Minimum pension liability..............................           (107)
                                                                 -------
    Total shareholders' equity...........................          5,310
                                                                 -------
    Total capitalization.................................        $12,063
                                                                 =======
TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT TO TOTAL CAPITALIZATION.............             56%
                                                                 =======
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(1) Commercial paper borrowings of $2.3 billion were classified as long-term
    debt at June 27, 1997 based on the Company's ability and intent to
    maintain this debt outstanding for more than one year.     
   
(2) The Company received approximately $2.48 billion of proceeds, net of
    discounts to the Initial Purchasers, from the issuance of the Old
    Debentures on May 6 and May 8, 1997. Approximately $2.12 billion of such
    net proceeds was used through June 27, 1997 for the settlement of Conrail
    Shares pursuant to the Joint Tender Offer or share rights pursuant to the
    subsequent merger. As of June 27, 1997, the portion of the net proceeds
    not yet required for the settlement of obligations under the Transaction
    was used to purchase short-term investments and reduce existing levels of
    short-term commercial paper.     
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                          AND SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIO
 
  The Company's consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of
total long-term debt to total capitalization for each of the fiscal periods
indicated are as follows:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                            FOR THE SIX
                           MONTHS ENDED             FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED
                         ----------------- --------------------------------------------
                         JUNE 27, JUNE 28, DEC. 27, DEC. 29, DEC. 30, DEC. 31, DEC. 31,
                           1997     1996     1996   1995 (B)   1994   1993 (C) 1992 (D)
                         -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges (a)......   3.0x     3.6x     4.0x     3.2x     3.1x     2.3x     1.0x
Total long-term debt to
 total capitalization...    56%      33%      46%      34%      41%      50%      52%
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(a) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
    represent earnings (loss) before income taxes plus interest expense on
    indebtedness, amortization of debt discount, the interest portion of fixed
    rent expense, undistributed earnings of affiliates accounted for using the
    equity method and minority interest expense. Fixed charges include interest
    on indebtedness (whether expensed or capitalized), amortization of debt
    discount and the interest portion of fixed rent expense.     
(b) Operating income includes a charge of $257 million to recognize the
    estimated costs of initiatives to revise, restructure and consolidate
    specific operations and administrative functions at the Company's rail and
    container-shipping units. Excluding the impact of the charge, the ratio of
    earnings to fixed charges would have been 3.7x.
(c) Operating income includes a charge of $93 million to recognize the
    estimated costs of restructuring certain operations and functions at the
    Company's container-shipping unit. Excluding the impact of the charge, the
    ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 2.5x.
(d) Operating income includes a charge of $699 million to recognize the
    estimated costs of buying out certain trip-based compensation elements paid
    to train crews at the Company's rail unit. Excluding the impact of the
    charge, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 2.5x.
 
                                       18

<PAGE>
 
               SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA FOR THE COMPANY
   
  The selected financial data presented below for the six months ended June 27,
1997 and June 28, 1996 and the fiscal years ended December 27, 1996, December
29, 1995, December 30, 1994, December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1992 and as of
the end of each such fiscal period were derived from the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the
information and consolidated financial statements and related notes and
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months
ended June 27, 1997 and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 27, 1996, incorporated herein by reference. The consolidated
financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 27, 1996, December 29,
1995, December 30, 1994, December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1992 have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors. The consolidated financial
statements for the six months ended June 27, 1997 and June 28, 1996 are
unaudited but, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary
for a fair presentation.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                         AS OF OR FOR THE
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED      AS OF OR FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED
                         ----------------- --------------------------------------------
                         JUNE 27, JUNE 28, DEC. 27, DEC. 29, DEC. 30, DEC. 31, DEC. 31,
                           1997     1996     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992
                         -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
  Operating revenue..... $ 5,245  $ 5,186  $10,536  $10,304  $ 9,409  $ 8,766  $ 8,549
  Operating income......     757      704    1,522    1,126    1,182      881      214
  Net earnings..........     378      380      855      618      652      359       20
PER SHARE DATA
  Net earnings per
   common share......... $  1.74  $  1.80  $  4.00  $  2.94  $  3.12  $  1.73  $  0.10
  Book value............   24.38    21.56    23.04    20.15    17.81    15.27    14.37
  Cash dividends per
   common share.........    0.52     0.52     1.04     0.92     0.88     0.79     0.76
BALANCE SHEET DATA
  Total assets.......... $19,469  $14,531  $16,965  $14,282  $13,724  $13,420  $13,049
  Total debt, including
   current maturities...   6,909    2,848    4,767    2,856    3,131    3,443    3,459
  Shareholders' equity..   5,310    4,567    4,995    4,242    3,731    3,180    2,975
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
SIX MONTHS ENDED:     
   
June 27, 1997-- The Company's net earnings were reduced $34 million, 16 cents
                per share, as a result of its investment in Conrail. This net
                amount includes the Company's share of Conrail's earnings,
                reported under the equity method of accounting, less
                amortization of the excess purchase price, net interest on debt
                issued to acquire the investment, and other expenses related to
                the transaction.     
 
FISCAL YEARS ENDED:
 
Dec. 29, 1995-- Operating income includes a charge of $257 million to recognize
                the estimated costs of initiatives to revise, restructure and
                consolidate specific operations and administrative functions at
                its rail and container-shipping units. The restructuring charge
                reduced net earnings by $160 million, 76 cents per share. The
                Company also recognized a net investment gain of $77 million,
                $51 million after tax, 24 cents per share, on the issuance of an
                equity interest in a Sea-Land terminal and related operations in
                Asia and the write-down of various investments.
 
Dec. 30, 1994-- Net earnings includes an accelerated pretax gain of $69 million,
                $42 million after tax, 20 cents per share on the satisfaction by
                the state of Florida of its remaining unfunded obligation issued
                in 1988 to consummate the purchase of 80 miles of track and
                right of way.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
Dec. 31, 1993-- Operating income includes a charge of $93 million to recognize
                the estimated costs of restructuring certain operations and
                functions at the Company's container-shipping unit. The
                restructuring charge reduced net earnings by $61 million, 30
                cents per share. Net earnings also includes charges of $56
                million, 26 cents per share, relating to the revision of the
                Company's estimated annual effective tax rate to reflect the
                change in the federal statutory income tax rate from 34% to 35%.
 
Dec. 31, 1992-- Operating income includes a charge of $699 million to recognize
                the estimated costs of buying out certain trip-based
                compensation elements paid to train crews. The charge reduced
                net earnings by $450 million, $2.19 per share.
 
RESTATEMENT:
 
Beginning with the quarter ended June 28, 1996, the Company changed its
earnings presentation to exclude non-transportation activities from operating
revenue and expense. These activities, principally real estate and resort
operations, are now included in other income. Amounts for periods prior to 
June 28, 1996 have been restated to conform to the revised presentation.
 
All per share data for periods prior to December 21, 1995 have been adjusted
for the two- for-one common stock split distributed to shareholders on that
date.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
                SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA FOR CONRAIL
   
  The selected financial data presented below for the six months ended June
30, 1997 were derived from information provided to the Company by Conrail's
management. The selected financial data presented below for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993
were derived from the consolidated financial statements of Conrail and its
subsidiaries and should be read in conjunction with the information and
consolidated statements and related notes and Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition contained in
Conrail's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 and
its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter and six months ended June
30, 1996. Reports on Form 10-K for years prior to 1993 were filed by
Consolidated Rail Corporation, Conrail's only significant subsidiary and
primary asset for those time periods, and 1992 historical data presented
herein are with respect to such corporation.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                          AS OF OR FOR
                         THE SIX MONTHS
                         ENDED JUNE 30,      AS OF OR FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         ------------------ --------------------------------------------
                          1997       1996     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992
                         -------    ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                 (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                      <C>        <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
  Revenues.............. $ 1,843    $ 1,838 $  3,714 $  3,686 $  3,733 $  3,453 $  3,345
  Operating income
   (loss)...............    (115)       123      601      456      606      591      534
  Income (loss) before
   cumulative effect of
   changes in accounting
   principles...........    (213)        57      342      264      324      234      282
  Net income (loss).....    (213)        57      342      264      324      160      282
PER SHARE DATA
  Income per common
   share before the
   cumulative effect of
   changes in accounting
   principles:
    Primary.............     (a)    $  0.66 $   4.25 $   3.19 $   3.90 $   2.74 $   3.28
    Fully diluted.......     (a)       0.64     3.89     2.94     3.56     2.51     2.99
  Net income
    Primary.............     (a)    $  0.66 $   4.25 $   3.19 $   3.90 $   1.82 $   3.28
    Fully diluted.......     (a)       0.64     3.89     2.94     3.56     1.70     2.99
  Book Value............ $ 34.17      35.06    37.91    35.66    36.69    34.57    34.16
  Cash dividends per
   common share.........    .475(b)    0.85     1.80     1.60     1.40     1.20     1.00
BALANCE SHEET DATA
  Total assets.......... $ 8,538    $ 8,341 $  8,402 $  8,424 $  8,322 $  7,948 $  7,315
  Total debt, including
   current maturities...   2,045      2,078    2,105    2,181    2,182    2,184    1,911
  Shareholders' equity..   2,944      2,899    3,107    2,977    2,925    2,784    2,748
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO
 FIXED CHARGES..........     (c)       1.7x     3.2x     2.5x     3.2x     3.0x     3.3x
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(a) Subsequent to the acquisition of its remaining outstanding shares by the
    Company and NSC during the quarter ended June 30, 1997, Conrail is not
    required to report earnings per share ("EPS") data.     
   
(b) Cash dividends per common share in 1997 include only a first quarter
    dividend. Dividend payments were suspended upon the acquisition of all
    Conrail shares by the Company and NSC during the quarter ended June 30,
    1997.     
   
(c) Earnings available for fixed charges were insufficient by $167 million for
    the six months ended June 30, 1997.     
   
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,     
   
1997-- Operating income includes charges totaling $394 million to reflect
       obligations for separation-related compensation to certain Conrail
       executives, including vesting of benefits under certain stock
       compensation plans, and the termination of Conrail's Employee Stock
       Ownership Plan. Operating income also includes other merger-related
       costs of $68 million. These items, totaling $462 million on a pre-tax
       basis, reduced net income by $405 million.     
   
1996-- Operating income includes a charge of $135 million for voluntary
       separation programs, which reduced net income by $83 million and EPS
       $1.06 on a primary basis and 95 cents on a fully-diluted basis.     
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

         


1996-- Operating income includes a charge of $135 million for voluntary
       separation programs, which reduced net income by $83 million and EPS
       $1.06 on a primary basis and 95 cents on a fully diluted basis.
       Operating income also includes merger-related costs of $16 million,
       which reduced net income by $10 million and EPS by 13 cents on a primary
       basis and 11 cents on a fully diluted basis.     
 
1995-- Operating income includes an asset disposition charge of $285 million
       for rail lines and other assets written down to estimated net realizable
       value, which reduced net income by $176 million and EPS $2.24 on a
       primary basis and $1.98 on a fully diluted basis. Net income also
       includes a one-time $21 million benefit related to a decrease in a state
       income tax rate which increased EPS 27 cents on a primary basis and 23
       cents on a fully diluted basis.
 
1994-- Included in operating income is a charge of $84 million ($51 million
       after tax benefits) for a voluntary early retirement program and related
       costs. This reduced EPS 64 cents on a primary basis and 57 cents on a
       fully diluted basis.
 
1993-- Net income includes charges of $74 million as a result of the adoption
       of required changes in accounting for income taxes and postretirement
       benefits other than pensions which reduced EPS 92 cents on a primary
       basis and 81 cents on a fully diluted basis; $50 million ($80 million
       before tax benefit of $30 million) for the disposition of a subsidiary
       which decreased EPS 62 cents on a primary basis and 55 cents on a fully
       diluted basis; and $34 million for the increase in the federal corporate
       income tax rate which decreased EPS 42 cents on a primary basis and 37
       cents on a fully diluted basis.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>

                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  On May 23, 1997, the Joint Tender Offer for the Conrail Shares expired. As a
result of the contribution by the Company and NSC of Conrail shares owned by
them before the Joint Tender Offer as well as the contribution of funds to
complete the Joint Tender Offer and the merger, they have, respectively, a 42
percent and a 58 percent economic interest in the Acquisition Entity which now
owns all of the Conrail shares. Such shares are being held in a voting trust
pending STB approval. The Company and NSC also each may exercise a 50 percent
voting interest in the Acquisition Entity and each has the right to appoint
half of that entity's directors and a full-time Co-Chief Executive Officer.
Under the CSX/NSC Agreement, subject to STB approval, the Company will operate
routes and assets (or rights thereto) that generated approximately 42 percent
of Conrail's 1995 revenues.
   
  The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements included herein present a
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position for the Company as of
June 27, 1997, and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the six
months ended June 27, 1997, and the fiscal year ended December 27, 1996. The
pro forma financial statements reflect (i) the completion by the Company and
NSC of their Joint Tender Offer for the Conrail Shares and the merger at $115
per share through the Acquisition Entity; and (ii) the related borrowings by
the Company, including the Debentures.     
   
  These events occurred prior to June 27, 1997 and, with the exception of
certain transaction fees expected to be incurred after that date, the
Historical Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position includes the
Company's 42% investment in Conrail. The Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Statement of Financial Position reflects all transaction fees as if they had
been incurred on or before June 27, 1997. The Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Earnings reflect the events as if they had occurred at the
beginning of the period presented. The financial information for Conrail was
based upon its historical financial statements for the six months ended June
30, 1997, provided to the Company by Conrail's management, and such financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 1996, as reported in its Form 10-K.
Conrail's results for the six months ended June 30, 1997 included one-time
charges of $394 million (pre-tax) to reflect obligations for separation-
related compensation to certain Conrail executives and the termination of its
Employee Stock Ownership Plan, as well as $ 68 million (pre-tax) in other
acquisition-related costs. Conrail's 1996 results included a special charge of
$135 million (pre-tax) for voluntary separation programs, as well as $16
million (pre-tax) in acquisition-related costs.     
   
  The Company is using the equity method of accounting for its interest in
Conrail following consummation of the Joint Tender Offer and the merger and
continuing as long as the Conrail shares are held in the voting trust--a
period that will extend at least until the effective date of the STB's
decision approving the transactions contemplated by the CSX/NSC Agreement (if
such approval is obtained). In accordance with Accounting Principles Board
("APB") Opinion No. 18, "The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in
Common Stock," the excess of the Company's purchase price over the underlying
net assets acquired ("Excess") is being amortized. Based on a preliminary
analysis of the fair value of the underlying net assets of Conrail, the
Company believes a significant portion of the Excess will be allocated to
long-lived assets other than goodwill. Further information as to the values of
assets and liabilities, as well as additional analysis of such information and
specific allocations to the Company or NSC, may affect these preliminary
estimates.     
   
  The method of accounting for the investment in Conrail subsequent to
dissolution of the voting trust will depend on the final terms of the
ownership arrangement between the Company and NSC approved by the STB.
Additionally, the ultimate terms of leases, operating partnerships and other
arrangements will affect the accounting. It is also expected that some of the
assets and operations of Conrail will remain subject to joint control by the
Company and NSC and, thus, may continue to be accounted for using the equity
method of accounting even after STB approval.     
 
  The unaudited pro forma financial statements do not reflect synergies and,
accordingly, do not account for any potential increases in operating income,
any estimated cost savings, any adjustments to conform accounting practices or
any capital expenditures to be realized or made by either the Company or
Conrail to achieve such
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
improvements. THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE PREPARED FOR
ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF THE FINANCIAL
POSITION OR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS THAT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED HAD THE APPLICABLE
TRANSACTIONS ACTUALLY TAKEN PLACE ON THE DATE INDICATED, OR OF FUTURE RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS OR FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE STANDALONE OR COMBINED ENTITIES.
   
  The unaudited pro forma financial statements are based on the historical
consolidated financial statements of the Company and Conrail and should be
read in conjunction with such historical financial statements and the notes
thereto, except with respect to the historical consolidated financial
statements of Conrail for the six months ended June 30, 1997. Such financial
statements have been provided to the Company by Conrail's management and,
subsequent to the joint acquisition, are not required to be reported on Form
10-Q.     

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
        PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
                               
                            AS OF JUNE 27, 1997     
                                   UNAUDITED
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PRO FORMA
                                                                      CSX WITH
                                              CSX      PRO FORMA      CONRAIL
                                           HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS    INVESTMENT
                                           ---------- -----------    ----------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>            <C>
ASSETS
  Current assets..........................  $ 2,153      $ (20)/(1)/  $ 2,133
  Properties--net.........................   11,998                    11,998
  Investment in Conrail...................    4,188         20 /(1)/    4,208
  Other long-term assets..................    1,130                     1,130
                                            -------      -----        -------
    Total assets..........................  $19,469      $ --         $19,469
                                            =======      =====        =======
LIABILITIES
  Current liabilities.....................  $ 2,430                   $ 2,430
  Long-term debt..........................    6,753                     6,753
  Deferred income taxes...................    2,779                     2,779
  Other long-term liabilities.............    2,197                     2,197
                                            -------      -----        -------
    Total liabilities.....................   14,159      $ --          14,159
                                            -------      -----        -------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Common stock............................      218                       218
  Other capital...........................    1,482                     1,482
  Retained earnings.......................    3,717                     3,717
  Minimum pension liability...............     (107)                     (107)
                                            -------      -----        -------
    Total shareholders' equity............    5,310        --           5,310
                                            -------      -----        -------
    Total liabilities and shareholders'
     equity...............................  $19,469      $ --         $19,469
                                            =======      =====        =======
</TABLE>    
 
      See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
             PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                         
                      SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 27, 1997     
                                   UNAUDITED
                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                  PRO FORMA
                                                                   CSX WITH
                                        CSX      PRO FORMA         CONRAIL
                                     HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS     INVESTMENT (5)
                                     ---------- -----------     --------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>             <C>
Operating revenue...................  $  5,245                     $  5,245
Operating expense...................     4,488                        4,488
                                      --------                     --------
Operating income....................       757                          757
Other income (expense)..............        11    $   (3)(/3/)            8
Interest expense....................       195        61 (/2/)          256
                                      --------    ------           --------
Earnings before income taxes........       573       (64)               509
Income tax expense..................       195       (23)(/4/)          172
                                      --------    ------           --------
Net earnings........................  $    378    $  (41)          $    337
                                      ========    ======           ========
Earnings per share..................  $   1.74    $(0.19)          $   1.55
Average common shares outstanding
 (thousands)........................   217,456                      217,456
</TABLE>    
 
      See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
 
             PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                      FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 27, 1996
                                   UNAUDITED
                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                  PRO FORMA
                                                                   CSX WITH
                                        CSX      PRO FORMA         CONRAIL
                                     HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS     INVESTMENT (5)
                                     ---------- -----------     --------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>             <C>
Operating revenue...................  $10,536                      $10,536
Operating expense...................    9,014                        9,014
                                      -------                      -------
Operating income ...................    1,522                        1,522
Other income........................       43     $   73 (/3/)         116
Interest expense....................      249        284 (/2/)         533
                                      -------     ------           -------
Earnings before income taxes........    1,316       (211)            1,105
Income tax expense..................      461        (96)(/4/)         365
                                      -------     ------           -------
Net earnings........................  $   855     $ (115)          $   740
                                      =======     ======           =======
Earnings per share..................    $4.00     $(0.54)            $3.46
Average common shares outstanding
 (thousands)........................  213,633                      213,633
</TABLE>    
 
      See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
               NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
NOTE 1. PRELIMINARY CALCULATION OF PURCHASE PRICE
   
  Pursuant to the CSX/NSC Agreement, CSX has invested approximately $4.124
billion (including $1.955 billion expended in November 1996, and excluding
transaction fees) to acquire, through its ownership interest in Conrail,
various Conrail routes and assets or rights thereto. The acquisition was
financed with a combination of debentures and commercial paper. The purchase
price has been preliminarily calculated as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
   <S>                                                                  <C>
   Estimated Conrail shares outstanding at May 23, 1997 (000's)......     86,150
   Less: Shares acquired pursuant to CSX's first tender offer (a)....    (17,775)
     Shares acquired pursuant to NSC's first tender offer............     (8,200)
                                                                        --------
     Shares acquired pursuant to Joint Tender Offer and merger.......     60,175
   Joint Tender Offer and merger price per share.....................   $    115
                                                                        --------
     Cost of shares acquired pursuant to Joint Tender Offer and merg-
      er.............................................................   $  6,920
   Add: Cost of shares acquired pursuant to CSX's first tender offer
    (a)..............................................................      1,955
     Cost of shares acquired pursuant to NSC's first tender offer....        943
                                                                        --------
      Joint purchase price...........................................      9,818
   CSX's allocation..................................................         42%
                                                                        --------
     Joint purchase price payable by CSX.............................      4,124
   Estimated transaction fees payable by CSX.........................         50
                                                                        --------
   Purchase price payable by CSX, including transaction fees.........      4,174
   Less: Portion of transaction fees estimated to be incurred after
    June 27, 1997....................................................        (20)
   Add: CSX's equity in Conrail's earnings, less amortization of the
    purchase price in excess of 42% of Conrail's net assets, through
    June 27, 1997....................................................         34
                                                                        --------
   Investment in Conrail at June 27, 1997............................      4,188
   Pro forma adjustment to investment in Conrail for transaction fees
    estimated to be incurred after June 27, 1997.....................         20
                                                                        --------
   Pro forma investment in Conrail...................................   $  4,208
                                                                        ========
</TABLE>    
- --------
(a) Exclusive of 85,000 shares previously sold by CSX at an average price of
    $98.983 per share.
 
NOTE 2. DEBT
   
  As a consequence of the Company's first tender offer and its share of the
subsequent Joint Tender Offer and merger, short-term and long-term debt of
$4.204 billion is outstanding at June 27, 1997, as outlined below. This debt
is inclusive of the proceeds of the $2.5 billion of Debentures, reduced by net
repayments of commercial paper previously outstanding.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                  WEIGHTED-
                                                               AVERAGE INTEREST
                                                    PRINCIPAL RATE FOR PRO FORMA
                                                     AMOUNT       ADJUSTMENT
                                                    --------- ------------------
   <S>                                              <C>       <C>
   Debentures......................................  $2,500    7.55% (fixed)
   Commercial paper................................   1,704    5.85% (variable)
                                                     ------
   Total debt incurred by CSX......................  $4,204    6.86%
                                                     ======
</TABLE>    
   
  As of June 27, 1997, the Company had financed with debt the following costs
related to the joint acquisition of Conrail:     
 
<TABLE>   
     <S>                                                                 <C>
     Joint purchase price payable by CSX................................ $4,124
     Debt issuance--related financing fees..............................     50
     Transaction fees paid through June 27, 1997........................     30
                                                                         ------
       Total costs financed with debt................................... $4,204
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>    
 
  Pro forma interest expense has been increased as a result of the additional
debt incurred, as noted below. Debt placement fees, debt discount and related
costs are being amortized on the interest method and, together
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
   
with annual commitment fees, approximate $7 million in the first year after
consummation of the Joint Tender Offer. Inclusive of these costs, the
effective interest rate is approximately 7.02%. If interest rates assumed were
to change by one-eighth of one percent, the pro forma interest expense on
variable rate debt associated with the transaction would vary by $2 million
annually.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED
                                             JUNE 27, 1997     DEC. 27, 1996
                                            ---------------- -----------------
   <S>                                      <C>              <C>
   Effective interest on $4.204 billion of
    debt...................................       $148             $295
   Less: interest already recognized in
    historical financial statements(a).....        (87)             (11)
                                                  ----             ----
   Pro forma adjustment....................       $ 61             $284
                                                  ====             ====
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(a) Resulting from long-term debt incurred to finance the first tender offer
    in 1996 and, additionally, the Joint Tender Offer and subsequent merger in
    the second quarter of 1997.     
 
NOTE 3. OTHER INCOME
   
  The equity method of accounting will be applied to the Company's investment
in Conrail throughout the period the investment is held in the voting trust.
In accordance with APB Opinion No. 18, "The Equity Method of Accounting for
Investments in Common Stock," other income includes 42% of Conrail's
historical net income, adjusted for amortization, net of tax, of the
difference between the Company's investment in Conrail and 42% of Conrail's
underlying equity in net assets. The difference is primarily attributable to
the estimated fair value of property and equipment, net of the related
deferred taxes, and includes approximately $654 million in goodwill. This
allocation is based on preliminary estimates of fair values of all Conrail
assets and liabilities and is likely to change after regulatory approvals are
obtained. To the extent that specific assets and liabilities are allocated to
Conrail entities over which the Company will have a controlling financial
interest, the allocation will be redesignated to follow the method in which
the investment is accounted for subsequent to the approval by the STB. The
preliminary estimates are also likely to change as additional information
concerning fair values and remaining useful lives becomes available. An
appraisal of the assets is currently underway. The Company intends to amortize
any goodwill resulting from the purchase over a period of 40 years.
Adjustments to property and equipment are depreciated over their estimated
remaining useful lives, which range from 2 to 102 years.     
 
  PRELIMINARY ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE
 
<TABLE>   
     <S>                                                              <C>
     Approximate net assets of Conrail at May 23, 1997...............  $ 3,203
     CSX's economic interest......................................... X     42%
                                                                      --------
     CSX's share of Conrail net assets...............................    1,345
     Estimated fair value adjustments, principally property and
      equipment......................................................    3,480
     Deferred taxes on estimated fair value adjustments and transac-
      tion fees......................................................   (1,305)
     Estimated goodwill..............................................      654
                                                                      --------
       Purchase price payable by CSX (including transaction fees)....  $ 4,174
                                                                      ========
</TABLE>    
 
  DETAIL OF PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENT
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                      SIX MONTHS    FISCAL YEAR
                                                         ENDED         ENDED
                                                     JUNE 27, 1997 DEC. 27, 1996
                                                     ------------- -------------
     <S>                                             <C>           <C>
     Conrail net income(a).........................       $150          $342
     CSX's economic interest.......................      X  42%        X  42%
                                                         -----         -----
       Equity earnings from investment in Conrail..         63           144
     Depreciation..................................        (39)          (77)
     Amortization of goodwill (40-year life).......         (8)          (16)
     Tax benefit on depreciation...................         15            30
                                                         -----         -----
     Net impact on other income....................         31            81
     Less: amounts recognized in historical finan-
      cial statements (cost method for fiscal year
      ended Dec. 27, 1996); equity method for the
      six months ended June 27, 1997)..............        (34)           (8)
                                                         -----         -----
       Pro forma adjustment to Other Income (Ex-
        pense).....................................       $ (3)         $ 73
                                                         =====         =====
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(a) For the Company's six months ended June 27, 1997, Conrail's net income has
    been adjusted to exclude certain separation-related charges (see Notes 5
    and 6).     
 
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
NOTE 4. INCOME TAX EXPENSE
 
  Income tax expense includes the tax benefit on the additional interest
expense (see Note 2) as well as the tax effect on equity income:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                    SIX MONTHS    FISCAL YEAR
                                                       ENDED         ENDED
                                                   JUNE 27, 1997 DEC. 27, 1996
                                                   ------------- -------------
   <S>                                             <C>           <C>
   Tax benefit on acquisition debt interest ex-
    pense........................................      $(52)         $(104)
   Tax expense on dividends received.............         1              5
                                                       ----          -----
   Net tax benefit...............................       (51)           (99)
   Less tax benefit previously recognized........       (28)            (3)
                                                       ----          -----
     Pro forma adjustment to income tax expense..      $(23)         $ (96)
                                                       ====          =====
</TABLE>    
   
NOTE 5. UNUSUAL EVENTS     
   
  As described in Note 3, pro forma amounts reflected in the Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings were calculated and presented in
accordance with the equity method of accounting. Conrail's operating results
for the six months ended June 30, 1997 included certain acquisition-related
charges that the acquiring companies are required to account for as
liabilities established in connection with a purchase business combination
under generally accepted accounting principles. These charges reflect
obligations for separation-related compensation to certain Conrail executives,
including vesting of benefits under certain stock compensation plans, and the
termination of Conrail's Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The charges, which
totaled $394 million on a pre-tax basis and $363 million on an after-tax
basis, were excluded from the net earnings of Conrail in determining the
proportionate share of such earnings recorded by the Company.     
   
  Conrail incurred other one-time costs during its six months ended June 30,
1997 and fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 which were included in its net
earnings in determining the proportionate share of such earnings recognized by
the Company for purposes of the Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Earnings. If the effects of 42% of Conrail's after-tax acquisition-related
costs of $42 million had been excluded for the six months ended June 27, 1997,
the Company's pro forma net earnings and pro forma earnings per share would
have been $354 million and $1.63, respectively. If the effects of 42% of
Conrail's one-time after-tax charge of $83 million related to voluntary
separation programs and after-tax acquisition-related costs of $10 million had
been excluded for the fiscal year ended December 27, 1996, the Company's pro
forma net earnings and pro forma earnings per share would have been $779
million and $3.65, respectively.     
 
NOTE 6. SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED CONRAIL FINANCIAL DATA
   
  Because of the numerous agreements that must be negotiated and completed,
and because STB approval must be obtained, it is not possible to present some
or most of the Company's investment in Conrail based on separate assets,
liabilities and operations. However, the Company has a 42% economic interest
in the entity formed to acquire Conrail Shares. It is expected that in some
form the Company will have a primary operating interest in certain routes and
facilities, as described more fully in "The Company--Joint CSX/NSC Acquisition
of Conrail". The following historical Conrail financial data, as of and for
the six months ended June 30, 1997 and the year ended December 31, 1996,
respectively, are presented to facilitate an understanding of the Company's
ultimate economic interest in Conrail:     
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
                                  CONRAIL INC.
 
                  SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                     SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                      JUNE 30, 1997
                                  -------------------------
                                               EXCLUDING
                                             SEPARATION--        YEAR ENDED
                                  ACTUAL    RELATED CHARGES   DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                  ------    ---------------   -----------------
<S>                               <C>       <C>               <C>
Revenues........................  $1,843        $1,843             $3,714
Operating expenses..............   1,958(a)      1,564(a)(c)        3,113(b)
                                  ------        ------             ------
  Income from operations........    (115)          279                601
Interest expense................     (90)          (90)              (182)
Other income--net...............      51            51                112
                                  ------        ------             ------
Income (loss) before income tax-
 es.............................    (154)          240                531
  Income taxes..................      59            90                189
                                  ------        ------             ------
  Net income (loss).............  $ (213)       $  150             $  342
                                  ======        ======             ======
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(a) Operating expenses include $68 million in acquisition-related costs, $42
    million after-tax.     
   
(b) Operating expenses include a $135 million charge for voluntary separation
    programs, $83 million after-tax, and $16 million in acquisition-related
    costs, $10 million after-tax.     
   
(c) Operating expenses exclude $394 million in separation-related charges, $363
    million after-tax, resulting from the joint CSX/NSC acquisition.     
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
 
                                 CONRAIL INC.
 
                     SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                 AS OF           AS OF
                             JUNE 30, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996
                             ------------- -----------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>
ASSETS
  Current assets............    $1,137          $1,117
  Property and equipment....     6,668           6,590
  Other assets..............       733             695
                                ------          ------
    Total assets............    $8,538          $8,402
                                ======          ======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLD-
 ERS' EQUITY
  Current liabilities(a)....    $1,211          $1,092
  Long-term debt............     1,879           1,876
  Other long-term
   liabilities(a)...........     2,504           2,327
                                ------          ------
    Total liabilities.......     5,594           5,295
  Stockholders' equity......     2,944           3,107
                                ------          ------
    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity...    $8,538          $8,402
                                ======          ======
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(a) Of the $394 million expensed for separation-related charges, $265 million
    remained payable as of June 30, 1997. Current liabilities and other long
    term liabilities include separation-related payables of $110 million and
    $155 million, respectively.     
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
                              THE EXCHANGE OFFERS
 
  The Old Debentures were sold by the Company on May 6, 1997 (except for the
Old 2032 Debentures which were sold on May 8, 1997) to the Initial Purchasers,
who in turn sold the Old Debentures to a limited number of qualified
institutional buyers and accredited investors pursuant to Rule 144A and
Regulation D, respectively, under the Securities Act. In connection with the
sale of the Old Debentures, the Company and the Initial Purchasers entered
into a registration rights agreement dated as of May 6, 1997 (the
"Registration Rights Agreement"), which requires the Company to file with the
Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to
the New Debentures of the Company, which are identical in all material
respects to the Old Debentures, and to use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective under the Securities Act. The
Company is further obligated, upon the effectiveness of that registration
statement, to offer the holders of the Old Debentures the opportunity to
exchange their Old Debentures for a like principal amount of New Debentures,
which will be issued without a restrictive legend and may be reoffered and
resold by the holder without restrictions or limitations under the Securities
Act. In the event certain circumstances occur which would result in either the
New Debentures not becoming freely tradeable or certain holders of the Old
Debentures not being eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer, then the
Company is required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and use its best
efforts to cause the Old Debentures to be registered under the Securities Act.
A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The Exchange
Offers are being made pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to satisfy
the Company's obligations thereunder. The term "Holder" with respect to the
Exchange Offers means any person in whose name Old Debentures are registered
on the security registrar's books or any other person who has obtained a
properly completed assignment from the registered holder or any participant in
the DTC system whose name appears on a security position listing as the holder
of such Old Debentures and who desires to deliver such Old Debentures by book-
entry transfer at DTC. See "Description of the New Debentures--Registration
Rights Agreement."
 
  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the
Exchange Offers), the Company will accept for exchange Old Debentures which
are properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not withdrawn as
permitted below. As used herein, the term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on   , 1997; provided, however, that if the Company, in
its sole discretion, has extended the period of time during which any or all
of the Exchange Offers are open, the term "Expiration Date" means the latest
time and date to which the applicable Exchange Offer is extended.
 
  As of the date of this Prospectus, $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of the Old 2002 Debentures, $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old
2004 Debentures, $450,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old 2007
Debentures, $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old 2017
Debentures, $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old 7.95% 2027
Debentures, $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old 6.95% 2027
Debentures, $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old 7.25% 2027
Debentures, and $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Old 2032
Debentures, are outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter of
Transmittal, is first being sent on or about   , 1997 to all Holders of Old
Debentures known to the Company. The Company's obligation to accept Old
Debentures for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offers is subject to certain
customary conditions as set forth under "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offers" below.
 
  The Company expressly reserves the right, at any time or from time to time,
to extend the period of time during which any or all of the Exchange Offers
are open, and thereby delay acceptance for exchange of any Old Debentures, by
giving oral or written notice of such extension to the Holders thereof as
described below. During any such extension, all Old Debentures previously
tendered will remain subject to the Exchange Offers and may be accepted for
exchange by the Company. Any Old Debentures not accepted for exchange for any
reason will be returned without expense to the tendering Holder thereof as
promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange
Offers.
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
  Old Debentures tendered in the Exchange Offers must be in denominations of
principal amount of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.
 
  The Company expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate any or all of
the Exchange Offers, and not to accept for exchange any Old Debentures not
theretofore accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions
of the Exchange Offers specified below under "--Certain Conditions to the
Exchange Offers." The Company will give oral or written notice of any
extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the Holders of the Old
Debentures as promptly as practicable, such notice in the case of any extension
to be issued by means of a press release or other public announcement no later
than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the
previously scheduled Expiration Date.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD DEBENTURES
 
  Only a Holder of Old Debentures may tender such Old Debentures in the
Exchange Offers. The tender to the Company of Old Debentures by a Holder
thereof as set forth below and the acceptance thereof by the Company will
constitute a binding agreement between the tendering Holder and the Company
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and
in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal. A Holder who wishes to tender Old
Debentures for exchange pursuant to any or all of the Exchange Offers must
transmit a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal,
including all other documents required by such Letter of Transmittal, to The
Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Exchange Agent") at the address set forth below
under "--Exchange Agent" or (in the case of a book-entry transfer) an Agent's
Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal on or prior to the Expiration
Date. In addition, either (i) certificates for such Old Debentures must be
received by the Exchange Agent along with the Letter of Transmittal, (ii) a
timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of
such Old Debentures, if such procedure is available, into the Exchange Agent's
account at The Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility")
pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below, must be
received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii) the
Holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below (see
"--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures").
 
  THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD DEBENTURES, LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF
THE HOLDERS. INSTEAD OF DELIVERY BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS USE AN
OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION
DATE. NO LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR CERTIFICATES FOR OLD DEBENTURES SHOULD BE
SENT TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS,
COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OF OTHER NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE
TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS.
 
  The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to and received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a
Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express
acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment states that
such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the Letter of
Transmittal and that the Company may enforce the Letter of Transmittal against
such participant.
 
  Any beneficial owner whose Old Debentures are registered in the name of a
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee and who wishes
to tender should contact the registered Holder promptly and instruct such
registered Holder to tender on such beneficial owner's behalf. If such
beneficial owner wishes to tender on such owner's own behalf, such owner must,
prior to completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal and delivering such
owner's Old Debentures, either make appropriate arrangements to register
ownership of the Old Debentures in such beneficial owner's name or obtain a
properly completed bond power from the registered Holder. The transfer of
registered ownership may take considerable time.
 
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
 
  Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal described
below (see "--Withdrawal Rights"), as the case may be, must be guaranteed (see
"--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures") unless the Old Debentures surrendered for
exchange pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered Holder of the Old
Debentures who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal
or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution (as defined below). In the
event that signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as
the case may be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantees must be by a
financial institution (including most banks, savings and loan associations and
brokerage houses) that is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program or the Stock
Exchanges Medallion Program (collectively, "Eligible Institutions"). If Old
Debentures are registered in the name of a person other than a signer of the
Letter of Transmittal, the Old Debentures surrendered for exchange must be
endorsed by or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by the Company in its
sole discretion, duly executed by the registered Holder exactly as the name or
names of the registered Holder or Holders appear on the Old Debentures with the
signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of Old Debentures tendered for exchange will be
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination shall be
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and
all tenders of any particular Old Debentures not properly tendered or not to
accept any particular Old Debentures which acceptance might, in the judgment of
the Company or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute
right to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the Exchange
Offers as to any particular Old Debentures either before or after the
Expiration Date (including the right to waive the ineligibility of any Holder
who seeks to tender Old Debentures in the Exchange Offers). The interpretation
of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers as to any particular Old
Debentures either before or after the Expiration Date (including the Letter of
Transmittal and the instructions thereto) by the Company shall be final and
binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in
connection with tenders of Old Debentures for exchange must be cured within
such reasonable period of time as the Company shall determine. None of the
Company, the Exchange Agent or any other person shall be under any duty to give
notification of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Old
Debentures for exchange, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure
to give such notification.
 
  If the Letter of Transmittal or any Old Debentures or powers of attorney are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such person should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the
Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so
act must be submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.
   
  By tendering, each Holder will represent to the Company that, among other
things, the New Debentures acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offers are being
obtained in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such New
Debentures, whether or not such person is the Holder, and that neither the
Holder nor such other person has any arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of the New Debentures. If any Holder
or any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act, of the Company or is engaged in or intends to engage in, or has
an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a
distribution of such New Debentures to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange
Offers, such Holder or any such other person (i) may not rely on the applicable
interpretation of the staff of the Commission set forth in the No-Action
Letters and (ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction
unless such resale is made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements.
Each broker-dealer that receives New Debentures for its own account in exchange
for Old Debentures, where such Old Debentures were acquired by such broker-
dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities,
must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of
the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New Debentures. See
"Plan of Distribution." The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act.     
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
 
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD DEBENTURES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF NEW DEBENTURES
 
  Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange Offers,
the Company will accept on, or promptly after, the Expiration Date, all Old
Debentures properly tendered and will issue the New Debentures promptly after
acceptance of the Old Debentures. See "--Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offers" below. For purposes of the Exchange Offers, the Company will be deemed
to have accepted properly tendered Old Debentures for exchange when, as and if
the Company has given oral (promptly confirmed in writing) or written notice
thereof to the Exchange Agent.
 
  For each Old Debenture accepted for exchange, the Holder of such Old
Debenture will receive as set forth below under "Description of the New
Debentures--Book-Entry, Delivery and Form" a New Debenture having a principal
amount equal to that of the surrendered Old Debenture. Accordingly, registered
Holders of New Debentures on the relevant record date for the first interest
payment date following the consummation of the Exchange Offers will receive
interest accruing from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on
the Old Debentures or, if no interest has been paid, from May 1, 1997. Old
Debentures accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after
the date of consummation of the Exchange Offers. Holders whose Old Debentures
are accepted for exchange will not receive any payment in respect of accrued
interest on such Old Debentures otherwise payable on any interest payment date
the record date for which occurs on or after consummation of the Exchange
Offers. In the event that (i) by November 2, 1997 (or November 4, 1997 with
respect to the Old 2032 Debentures), neither the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is declared effective nor (if the Exchange Offers are not permitted
as described above) the Shelf Registration Statement is filed with the
Commission, or (ii) by December 2, 1997 (or December 4, 1997 with respect to
the Old 2032 Debentures), one or more of the Exchange Offers with respect to
any series of Debentures is not consummated or the Shelf Registration Statement
is not declared effective with respect thereto (each such event referred to in
clauses (i) or (ii), a "Registration Default"), interest will accrue on the
applicable Old Debentures (in addition to stated interest on such Old
Debentures) from and including the next day following each such Registration
Default. In each case such additional interest (the "Special Interest") will be
payable in cash semiannually in arrears each May 1 and November 1, at a rate
per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of such Old Debentures for
each such Registration Default. The aggregate amount of Special Interest
payable pursuant to the above provisions will in no event exceed 0.25% per
annum of the principal amount of such Old Debentures. Upon (a) the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the filing of the
Shelf Registration Statement after the date set forth in clause (i) above or
(b) the consummation of the Exchange Offer for such Old Debentures or the
effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, after the
date set forth in clause (ii) above, the Special Interest payable on such Old
Debentures as a result of the applicable Registration Default will cease to
accrue.
 
  In all cases, issuance of New Debentures for Old Debentures that are accepted
for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offers will be made only after timely
receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Old Debentures or a
timely Book-Entry Confirmation of such Old Debentures into the Exchange Agent's
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal or an Agent's Message in lieu thereof and all
other required documents. If any tendered Old Debentures are not accepted for
any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers or if
Old Debentures are submitted for a greater principal amount than the Holder
desires to exchange, such unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Debentures will be
returned without expense to the tendering Holder thereof (or, in the cases of
Old Debentures tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the book-entry
procedures described below, such non-exchanged Old Debentures will be credited
to an account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility) as promptly as
practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offers.
 
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
 
  The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the Old Debentures at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility for purposes of the
Exchange Offers within two business days after the date of this
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
 
Prospectus unless the Exchange Agent already has established an account with
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility suitable for the Exchange Offers, and any
financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of Old Debentures by causing
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Debentures into the
Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with
such Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for transfer. However, although
delivery of Old Debentures may be effected through book-entry transfer at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility, the Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile thereof,
with any required signature guarantees or an Agent's Message in lieu thereof
and any other required documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and
received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth below under "--Exchange
Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date or the guaranteed procedures
described below must be complied with.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
  If a registered Holder of the Old Debentures desires to tender such Old
Debentures and time will not permit such Holder's Old Debentures or other
required documents to reach the Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date, or
the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, a
tender may be effected if (i) the tender is made through an Eligible
Institution, (ii) on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such Eligible Institution a
properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
substantially in the form provided by the Company (by telegram, telex,
facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), setting forth the name and
address of the Holder of Old Debentures and the amount of Old Debentures
tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that
within three New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days after the date of
execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the certificates for all
physically tendered Old Debentures, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-
Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, together with a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in
lieu thereof) with any required signature guarantees and any other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the Eligible
Institution with the Exchange Agent, and (iii) the certificates for all
physically tendered Old Debentures, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-
Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, together with a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in
lieu thereof) with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal are deposited by the Eligible Institution
within three NYSE trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery.
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
 
  Tenders of Old Debentures may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date. For a withdrawal to be effective, a
written notice or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received
by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth below under "--Exchange Agent."
Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person having
tendered the Old Debentures to be withdrawn, identify the Old Debentures to be
withdrawn (including the principal amount of such Old Debentures), and (where
certificates for Old Debentures have been transmitted) specify the name in
which such Old Debentures are registered, if different from that of the
withdrawing Holder. If certificates for Old Debentures have been delivered or
otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then, prior to the release of such
certificates the withdrawing Holder must also submit the serial numbers of the
particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice of withdrawal with
signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless such Holder is an
Eligible Institution in which case such guarantee will not be required. If Old
Debentures have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer
described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of
the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the
withdrawn Old Debentures and otherwise comply with the procedures of such
facility. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including
time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Company, whose
determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any Old Debentures so
withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for
purposes of the Exchange Offers. Any Old Debentures which have been
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
 
tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be
returned to the Holder thereof without cost to such Holder (or, in the case of
Old Debentures tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the book-entry transfer
procedures described above, such Old Debentures will be credited to an account
maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility for the Old Debentures) as
soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the
Exchange Offers. Properly withdrawn Old Debentures may be retendered by
following one of the procedures described under "--Procedures for Tendering Old
Debentures" above at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
   
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFERS     
 
  Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offers, and subject to
its obligations pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
shall not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue New Debentures in
exchange for, any Old Debentures and may terminate or amend any or all of the
Exchange Offers, if at any time before the acceptance of such New Debentures
for exchange, any of the following events shall occur:
 
    (i) any injunction, order or decree shall have been issued by any court
  or any governmental agency that would prohibit, prevent or otherwise
  materially impair the ability of the Company to proceed with any of the
  respective Exchange Offers; or
 
    (ii) the Exchange Offers will violate any applicable law or any
  applicable interpretation of the staff of the Commission.
 
  The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company in whole or in part at any time and from time to time
upon advice of outside counsel. The failure by the Company at any time to
exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such
right and such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at
any time and from time to time.
 
  In addition, the Company will not accept for exchange any Old Debentures
tendered and no New Debentures will be issued in exchange for any such Old
Debentures, if at such time any stop order is threatened by the Commission or
in effect with respect to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part or the qualification of the Indenture with respect to the New
Debentures under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
 
  The Exchange Offer is not conditioned on any minimum principal amount of Old
Debentures being tendered for exchange.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
  The Chase Manhattan Bank has been appointed as the Exchange Agent for the
Exchange Offers. All executed Letters of Transmittal should be directed to the
Exchange Agent at the address set forth below. Questions and requests for
assistance, requests for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter
of Transmittal and requests for Notices of Guaranteed Delivery should be
directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:
 
                    The Chase Manhattan Bank, Exchange Agent
 
                  By Mail, Overnight Courier or Hand Delivery:
 
                              450 West 33rd Street
                                   15th Floor
                         New York, New York 10001-2697
                         Attention: Ronald J. Halleran
 
                                 By Facsimile:
                                  212-946-8158
                                  212-946-8159
 
                             Confirm by Telephone:
                                  212-946-3068
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
 
  DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY OF SUCH LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
  The Company will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offers.
 
  The expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offers will be
paid by the Company. Such expenses include registration fees, fees and expenses
of the Exchange Agent and Trustee, accounting and legal fees and printing
costs, among others.
 
TRANSFER TAXES
 
  Holders who tender their Old Debentures for exchanges will not be obligated
to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith, except that Holders who
instruct the Company to register New Debentures in the name of, or request that
Old Debentures not tendered or not accepted in the Exchange Offers be returned
to, a person other than the registered tendering Holder will be responsible for
the payment of any applicable transfer tax thereon.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD DEBENTURES
 
  Holders of Old Debentures who do not exchange their Old Debentures for New
Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offers will continue to be subject to the
provisions in the Old Debentures regarding transfer and exchange of the Old
Debentures and the restrictions on transfer of such Old Debentures as set forth
in the legend thereon as a consequence of the issuance of the Old Debentures
pursuant to exemptions from, or in transactions not subject to, the
registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities
laws. In general, the Old Debentures may not be offered or sold, unless
registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The
Company does not currently anticipate that it will register under the
Securities Act Old Debentures not tendered. See "Description of the New
Debentures--Registration Rights Agreement."
   
  Based on interpretations by the staff of the Commission, as set forth in the
No-Action Letters, the Company believes that New Debentures issued pursuant to
the Exchange Offers in exchange for Old Debentures may be offered for resale,
resold or otherwise transferred by Holders thereof (other than any such Holder
which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Debentures
are acquired in the ordinary course of such Holders' business and such Holders,
other than broker-dealers, have no arrangement or understanding with any person
to participate in the distribution of such New Debentures. However, the
Commission has not considered the Exchange Offers in the context of a no-action
letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would
make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offers as in such
other circumstances. Each Holder, other than a broker-dealer, must acknowledge
that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of
such New Debentures and has no arrangement or understanding to participate in a
distribution of New Debentures. If any Holder is an affiliate of the Company or
is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any arrangement or understanding
with respect to the distribution of the New Debentures to be acquired pursuant
to the Exchange Offers, such Holder (i) may not rely on the applicable
interpretations of the staff of the Commission set forth in the No-Action
Letters and (ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
Each broker-dealer that receives New Debentures for its own account in exchange
for Old Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offers must acknowledge that such
Old Debentures were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities and that it will deliver a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
such New Debentures. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging
and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be     
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
 
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New
Debentures received in exchange for Old Debentures where such Old Debentures
were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities. The Company has agreed that for a period of 180 days
after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such laws of certain
jurisdictions, if applicable, where the New Debentures may not be offered or
sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in such
jurisdictions or any exemption from registration or qualification is available
and is complied with. The Company has agreed, pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement, subject to certain limitations specified therein, to register
or qualify the New Debentures for offer or sale under the securities laws of
such jurisdictions as any Holder reasonably requests in writing. Unless a
Holder so requests, the Company does not currently intend to register or
qualify the sale of the New Debentures in any such jurisdictions.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF NEW DEBENTURES
 
GENERAL
   
  The Old Debentures were issued under the Indenture and the New Debentures
also will be issued under the Indenture. Each series of Old Debentures and the
corresponding series of New Debentures will be treated as a single series of
securities under the Indenture. The following summary of the material
provisions of the Indenture and the terms of the Debentures does not purport
to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions
of certain terms therein and those terms made a part thereof by the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. A copy of the Indenture is available from
the Company upon request. Whenever defined terms of the Indenture not
otherwise defined herein are referred to, such defined terms are incorporated
herein by reference. The term "Debentures" means the New Debentures and the
Old Debentures treated as a single class.     
 
  The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of securities
that can be issued thereunder. Securities may be issued in one or more series
as may be authorized from time to time by the Company. Ten series of
securities, including the Debentures, are currently outstanding under the
Indenture.
 
  Payments of interest on the Debentures may be made at the option of the
Company by check mailed to the registered holders thereof or, at the option of
a holder, by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank
located in the United States designated by such holder.
 
  The Debentures may be transferred or exchanged at an office or agency to be
maintained by the Company, subject to the limitations provided in the
Indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or
governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Each series of Debentures
is issuable in denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
 
  All moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or held by the
Company, in trust for the payment of principal of or interest on any
Debentures and remaining unclaimed at the end of two years after such
principal or interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the
Company, and the holders of such Debentures will thereafter look only to the
Company for payment thereof.
 
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE 2002 DEBENTURES
 
  The 2002 Debentures will be limited to $350 million aggregate principal
amount and will mature on May 1, 2002. The 2002 Debentures will bear interest
at the rate of 7.05% per annum from May 1, 1997, payable semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 1997, to
the persons in whose names the 2002 Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the preceding April 15 or October 15, each a record date, as the
case may be. If an Interest Payment Date would otherwise be a day that is not
a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall not be postponed; provided,
however, that any payment required to be made on such date that is not a
Business Day need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such
date, and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed
payment. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months. The 2002 Debentures will not be subject to any
sinking fund.
 
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE 2004 DEBENTURES
 
  The 2004 Debentures will be limited to $300 million aggregate principal
amount and will mature on May 1, 2004. The 2004 Debentures will bear interest
at the rate of 7.25% per annum from May 1, 1997, payable semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 1997, to
the persons in whose names the 2004 Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the preceding April 15 or October 15, each a record date, as the
case may be. If an Interest Payment Date would otherwise be a day that is not
a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall not be postponed; provided,
however, that any payment required to be made on such date that is not a
Business Day need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such
date, and no additional interest shall
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
accrue as a result of such delayed payment. Interest will be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The 2004 Debentures
will not be subject to any sinking fund.
 
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE 2007 DEBENTURES
 
  The 2007 Debentures will be limited to $450 million aggregate principal
amount and will mature on May 1, 2007. The 2007 Debentures will bear interest
at the rate of 7.45% per annum from May 1, 1997, payable semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 1997, to
the persons in whose names the 2007 Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the preceding April 15 or October 15, each a record date, as the
case may be. If an Interest Payment Date would otherwise be a day that is not a
Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall not be postponed; provided,
however, that any payment required to be made on such date that is not a
Business Day need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date,
and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve
30-day months. The 2007 Debentures will not be subject to any sinking fund.
 
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE 2017 DEBENTURES
 
  The 2017 Debentures will be limited to $400 million aggregate principal
amount and will mature on May 1, 2017. The 2017 Debentures will bear interest
at the rate of 7.90% per annum from May 1, 1997, payable semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 1997, to
the persons in whose names the 2017 Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the preceding April 15 or October 15, each a record date, as the
case may be. If an Interest Payment Date would otherwise be a day that is not a
Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall not be postponed; provided,
however, that any payment required to be made on such date that is not a
Business Day need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date,
and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve
30-day months. The 2017 Debentures will not be subject to any sinking fund.
 
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE 7.95% 2027 DEBENTURES
 
  The 7.95% 2027 Debentures will be limited to $500 million aggregate principal
amount and will mature on May 1, 2027. Such Debentures will bear interest at
the rate of 7.95% per annum from May 1, 1997, payable semiannually in arrears
on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 1997, to the
persons in whose names the 7.95% 2027 Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the preceding April 15 or October 15, each a record date, as the
case may be. If an Interest Payment Date would otherwise be a day that is not a
Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall not be postponed; provided,
however, that any payment required to be made on such date that is not a
Business Day need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date,
and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve
30-day months. The 7.95% 2027 Debentures will not be subject to any sinking
fund.
 
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE 6.95% 2027 DEBENTURES
 
  The 6.95% 2027 Debentures will be limited to $100 million aggregate principal
amount and will mature on May 1, 2027. Such Debentures will bear interest at
the rate of 6.95% per annum from May 1, 1997, payable semiannually in arrears
on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 1997, to the
persons in whose names the 6.95% 2027 Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the preceding April 15 or October 15, each a record date, as the
case may be. If an Interest Payment Date would otherwise be a day that is not a
Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall not be postponed; provided,
however, that any payment required to be made on such date that is not a
Business Day need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date,
and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
 
year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The 6.95% 2027 Debentures will not be
subject to any sinking fund, but are subject to repurchase at the option of the
holder. See "--Purchase at Option of Holder."
 
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE 7.25% 2027 DEBENTURES
 
  The 7.25% 2027 Debentures will be limited to $250 million aggregate principal
amount and will mature on May 1, 2027. Such Debentures will bear interest at
the rate of 7.25% per annum from May 1, 1997, payable semiannually in arrears
on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 1997, to the
persons in whose names the 7.25% 2027 Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the preceding April 15 or October 15, each a record date, as the
case may be. If an Interest Payment Date would otherwise be a day that is not a
Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall not be postponed; provided,
however, that any payment required to be made on such date that is not a
Business Day need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date,
and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve
30-day months. The 7.25% 2027 Debentures will not be subject to any sinking
fund, but are subject to repurchase at the option of the holder. See "--
Purchase at Option of Holder."
 
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE 2032 DEBENTURES
 
  The 2032 Debentures will be limited to $150 million aggregate principal
amount and will mature on May 1, 2032. The 2032 Debentures will bear interest
at the rate of 8.30% per annum from May 1, 1997, payable semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 1997, to
the persons in whose names the 2032 Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the preceding April 15 or October 15, each a record date, as the
case may be. If an Interest Payment Date would otherwise be a day that is not a
Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall not be postponed; provided,
however, that any payment required to be made on such date that is not a
Business Day need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date,
and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve
30-day months. The 2032 Debentures will not be subject to any sinking fund, but
are subject to redemption at the option of the Company. See "--Redemption."
 
REDEMPTION
 
  Other than the 2032 Debentures, none of the other series of Debentures is
subject to redemption prior to maturity.
 
  The 2032 Debentures are not redeemable prior to May 1, 2007. On or after May
1, 2007 and prior to maturity, the Company, at its option, may redeem all or,
from time to time, any part of the 2032 Debentures on at least 30 days' but not
more than 60 days' notice, as provided in the Indenture, at the following
redemption prices (expressed in percentages of the principal amount) during the
12-month periods beginning May 1:
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                               <C>
      2007............................................................. 104.150%
      2008............................................................. 103.735%
      2009............................................................. 103.320%
      2010............................................................. 102.905%
      2011............................................................. 102.490%
      2012............................................................. 102.075%
      2013............................................................. 101.660%
      2014............................................................. 101.245%
      2015............................................................. 100.830%
      2016............................................................. 100.415%
</TABLE>
 
and thereafter at 100%, together in each case with accrued interest to the date
fixed for redemption.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
 
PURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER
 
  Each holder of 6.95% 2027 Debentures and each holder of 7.25% 2027
Debentures will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a
portion of such series of Debentures owned by such holder (the "Put Option")
on May 1, 2002 and May 1, 2005, respectively (the "Put Option Exercise Date"),
at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Debentures
tendered by such holder plus accrued interest thereon. On and after the Put
Option Exercise Date, interest will cease to accrue on such Debentures or any
portion thereof tendered for repayment. On or before the Put Option Exercise
Date, the Company shall deposit with a paying agent (or the Trustee) money
sufficient to pay the principal of and any accrued interest on such Debentures
to be tendered for repayment.
 
  A holder must provide the Company with notice of such holder's intention to
exercise the Put Option during the period from and including March 1, 2002
through and including April 1, 2002 (with respect to the 6.95% 2027
Debentures) and the period from and including March 1, 2005 through and
including April 1, 2005 (with respect to the 7.25% 2027 Debentures). Such
notice, once given, will be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.
 
  The Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and
any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act if required and will file
Schedule 13E-4 or any other schedule if required thereunder in connection with
any offer by the Company to purchase the 6.95% 2027 Debentures or the 7.25%
2027 Debentures.
 
RANKING
   
  The New Debentures will be Senior Debt of the Company and the indebtedness
evidenced thereby will rank pari passu with all other Senior Debt of the
Company. As of June 27, 1997, the Company had approximately $5.9 billion of
Senior Debt outstanding (including $2.5 billion of Old Debentures).     
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY
 
  The Indenture does not limit the amount of indebtedness or lease obligations
that may be incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries. The Indenture does
not contain provisions which would give holders of the Debentures the right to
require the Company to repurchase their Debentures in the event of a decline
in the credit rating of the Company's debt securities resulting from a
takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring.
 
 Limitation on Liens on Stock or Indebtedness of Principal Subsidiaries
 
  The Indenture provides that, with respect to the Debentures, the Company may
not, nor may it permit any Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or suffer to
exist any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge or security interest of
any kind upon any stock or indebtedness, whether owned on the date of the
Indenture or thereafter acquired, of any Principal Subsidiary, to secure any
Obligation (other than the Debentures) of the Company, any Subsidiary or any
other Person, without in any such case making effective provision whereby all
of the outstanding Debentures (and other outstanding debt securities issued
from time to time pursuant to the Indenture) shall be directly secured equally
and ratably with such Obligation. This provision does not restrict any other
property of the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Indenture defines
"Obligation" as indebtedness for money borrowed or indebtedness evidenced by a
bond, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness; "Principal
Subsidiary" as CSXT, Sea-Land and ACL; and "Subsidiary" as a corporation a
majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Company or one or more Subsidiaries, or by the Company and
one or more Subsidiaries. The Indenture does not prohibit the sale by the
Company or any Subsidiary of any stock or indebtedness of any Subsidiary.
 
 Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company may, without the consent of the
holders of any of the outstanding Debentures of a series, consolidate with,
merge into or transfer its assets substantially as an entirety to any
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
   
corporation organized under the laws of any domestic or foreign jurisdiction,
provided that (i) the successor corporation assumes, by a supplemental
indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium
and interest on all debt securities issued under the Indenture and the
performance of every covenant of the Indenture, (ii) immediately after giving
effect thereto, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse
of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be
continuing, and (iii) the Company delivers to the Trustee an officer's
certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that such transaction and
such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with the applicable article of the
Indenture and that all conditions precedent therein relating to such
transaction have been complied with.     
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 
  An Event of Default with respect to the Debentures of any series is defined
in the Indenture as being a:
 
    (a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Debenture of that
  series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for
  a period of 30 days; or
 
    (b) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any
  Debenture of that series at its Maturity; or
 
    (c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of
  the Company in the Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default
  in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere
  specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in the
  Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Debentures other than that
  series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days
  after there has been given written notice of such default to the Company by
  the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least
  25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures of that series; or
 
    (d) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
  Company.
   
  No Event of Default with respect to any particular series of Debentures
necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series
of Debentures. The Indenture provides that the Trustee thereunder may withhold
notice to the holders of the Debentures of the occurrence of a default with
respect to such Debentures (except a default in payment of principal, premium,
if any, or interest) if the Trustee in good faith determines it is in the
interest of the holders to do so. For example, if a default is trivial or
temporary, and cure is both imminent and verifiable by the Trustee, the
Trustee may decide that it is in the interests of the debenture holders to
withhold notice of such default in light of the potential harm to debenture
holders arising from the disruption in the market for such debentures that
could follow the giving of such notice.     
 
  The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default with respect to any
Debentures of any series then outstanding issued thereunder shall occur and be
continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of such Debentures then outstanding may declare the
principal amount of all such Debentures of that series to be due and payable
immediately, but upon certain conditions such declaration may be rescinded and
annulled by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such
Debentures then outstanding.
 
  Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
requiring each Trustee, during an Event of Default under the relevant
Indenture, to act with the requisite standard of care, the Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the
request or direction of any of the holders of any Debentures unless such
holders have offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to the
foregoing, holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Debentures
of any series then outstanding issued under the Indenture shall have the
right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee under the
Indenture with respect to such Debentures. The Indenture requires the annual
filing by the Company with the Trustee of a certificate as to whether or not
the Company is in default under the terms of the Indenture.
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
 
  Except as described below, each series of Debentures sold will be issued in
the form of one or more Global Securities. The Global Securities will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and registered in the name of
the Depositary or its nominee. Except as set forth below, the Global Securities
may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to the Depositary or another
nominee of the Depositary. Investors may hold their beneficial interests in the
Global Securities directly through the Depositary if they have an account with
the Depositary or indirectly through organizations which have accounts with the
Depositary.
 
  Debentures (i) originally purchased by or transferred to institutional
"accredited investors" who are not QIBS or (ii) except as described below,
purchased by or transferred to Persons outside the United States pursuant to
sales in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act (collectively
referred to herein as the "Non-Global Purchasers"), will be in registered form
without interest coupons ("Certificated Debentures"). Upon the transfer to a
QIB of Certificated Debentures initially issued to a Non-Global Purchaser, such
Certificated Debentures will be exchanged for an interest in the Global
Security. For a description of the restrictions on transfer of Certificated
Debentures, see "Notice to Investors."
 
  Debentures originally purchased by persons outside the United States pursuant
to sales in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act will be
represented upon issuance by a temporary global Debenture certificate in fully
registered form without interest coupons (the "Temporary Certificate") which
will not be exchangeable for Certificated Debentures until the expiration of
the "40-day restricted period" within the meaning of Rule 903(c)(3) of
Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Temporary Certificate will be
registered in the name of, and held by, a temporary certificate holder until
the expiration of such 40-day period, at which time the Temporary Certificate
will be delivered to the Trustee in exchange for Certificated Debentures
registered in the names requested by such temporary certificate holder. In
addition, until the expiration of such 40-day period, transfers of interests in
the Temporary Certificate can only be effected through such temporary
certificate holder in accordance with the requirements set forth in "Notice to
Investors."
 
  The Depositary has advised the Company as follows: The Depositary is a
limited-purpose trust company and organized under the laws of the State of New
York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within
the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and "a clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The
Depositary was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts
with the Depositary ("participants") and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities
through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The
Depositary's participants include securities brokers and dealers (which may
include the Initial Purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations. Access to the Depositary's book-entry system
is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant,
whether directly or indirectly ("indirect participants").
 
  Upon the issuance of the Global Securities, the Depositary or its custodian
will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal
amount of the Debentures represented by such Global Securities to the accounts
of participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the Initial
Purchasers (as defined below) of such series of Debentures. Ownership of
beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be limited to participants
or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of
beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be shown on, and the
transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records
maintained by the Depositary or its nominee (with respect to participants'
interests) and such participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial
interests in the Global Securities other than participants). The laws of some
jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair
the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the Global
Securities.
 
  So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder and owner
of the Global Securities, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be,
will be considered the sole legal owner and holder of the related
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
 
Debentures for all purposes of such Debentures and the Indenture. Except as set
forth below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Securities will not
be entitled to have the Debentures represented by the Global Securities
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of certificated Debentures in definitive form and will not be
considered to be the owners or holders of any Debentures under the Global
Securities. The Company understands that under existing industry practice, in
the event an owner of a beneficial interest in the Global Securities desires to
take any action that the Depositary, as the holder of the Global Securities, is
entitled to take, the Depositary would authorize the participants to take such
action, and that the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning
through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the
instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
 
  Payment of principal of and interest on Debentures represented by the Global
Securities registered in the name of and held by the Depositary or its nominee
will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner and holder of the Global Securities.
 
  The Company expects that the Depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any
payment of principal of or interest on the Global Securities, will credit
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global
Securities as shown on the records of the Depositary or its nominee. The
Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in the Global Securities held through such participants will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the
responsibility of such participants. The Company will not have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or
payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the Global
Securities for any Debentures or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect
of the relationship between the Depositary and its participants or the
relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial interests
in the Global Securities owning through such participants.
 
  Unless and until exchanged in whole or in part for certificated Debentures in
definitive form, the Global Securities for each series of Debentures may not be
transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of such Depositary
or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of
such Depositary or by the Depositary or any nominee to a successor of the
Depositary or a nominee of such successor.
 
  Although the Depositary has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Securities among participants
of the Depositary, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform
such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither
the Trustee nor the Company will have any responsibility for the performance by
the Depositary or its participants or indirect participants of their respective
obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
 
  The Global Securities representing the Debentures are exchangeable for
definitive Debentures in registered form, of like tenor and of an equal
aggregate principal amount, only if (x) the Depositary notifies the Company
that it is unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as Depositary for such
Global Securities or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act, (y) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that the Global Securities representing the Debentures
shall be exchangeable for definitive Debentures in registered form or (z) any
event shall have happened and be continuing which, after notice or lapse of
time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to such
Debentures. In the event that any Global Security representing the Debentures
is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence, it shall be exchangeable in
whole for definitive Debentures in registered form, of like tenor and of an
equal aggregate principal amount, in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof. Such definitive Debentures shall be registered in the name
or names of such person or persons as the Depositary shall instruct the
security registrar. It is expected that such instructions may be based upon
directions received by the Depositary from its participants with respect to
ownership of Debentures.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
  The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the relevant series of Debentures, as the case may
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
 
be, then outstanding and affected by a modification or amendment, to modify or
amend any of the provisions of the Indenture or of such Debentures or the
rights of the holders of such Debentures under the Indenture, provided that no
such modification or amendment shall, without the consent of each holder of
each outstanding Debenture affected thereby:
 
    (i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of
  interest on, any such Debenture or reduce the principal amount thereof or
  any premium thereon, or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or change the
  coin or currency in which any Debenture or any premium or interest thereon
  is payable, or impair the holder's right to institute suit to enforce the
  payment of any such Debentures on or after the Stated Maturity,
 
    (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage in principal amount of such
  Debentures, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such
  modification or amendment or the consent of whose holders is required for
  any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or
  certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) or reduce the
  requirements for a quorum or voting at a meeting of holders of such
  Debentures,
 
    (iii) change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or
  agency in the places and for the purposes required by the Indenture, or
 
    (iv) modify any of the above provisions.
 
  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, without the consent of the holders of such Debentures issued
thereunder, to modify or amend the Indenture in order, among other things:
 
    (a) to add any additional Events of Default or add to the covenants of
  the Company for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of
  Debentures issued under the Indenture;
 
    (b) to establish the form or terms of Debentures of any series;
 
    (c) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision therein
  which may be inconsistent with any other provision therein, or to make any
  other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the
  Indenture which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of
  any debt securities issued thereunder in any material respect; or
 
    (d) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture,
  provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only
  when there is no debt security outstanding of any series issued under the
  Indenture created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture
  which is entitled to the benefit of such provision.
   
  The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Debentures of a series may, on behalf of the holders of Debentures
of that series, waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive
provisions of the Indenture, including the covenant described above under
"Certain Covenants and Agreements of the Company--Limitation on Liens on Stock
or Indebtedness of Principal Subsidiaries." The holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of such outstanding Debentures of any
series may, on behalf of all holders of such series of Debentures, waive any
past default under the Indenture with respect to such Debentures and its
consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, or interest on such Debentures or in respect of a covenant or provision
which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding Debenture affected.     
 
  The Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of
the Debentures of any series. A meeting may be called at any time by the
Trustee, and also, upon request, by the Company or the holders of at least 10%
in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debentures of any series, in
any such case upon notice given in accordance with the provisions of the
Indenture. Except for any consent which must be given by the holder of each
outstanding Debenture affected thereby, as described above, any resolution
presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum
(as described below) is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority in principal amount of such outstanding Debentures of
that series; provided, however, that any resolution with respect to any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action which may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
 
percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of such
outstanding Debentures may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly
reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the holders
of such specified percentage in principal amount of such outstanding
Debentures. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders
of Debentures of any series duly held in accordance with the Indenture will be
binding on all holders of such Debentures. The quorum required for any meeting
called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be persons
holding or representing a majority in principal amount of such outstanding
Debentures, subject to certain exceptions.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF THE INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
 
  The Indenture shall generally cease to be of any further effect if (a) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all debt securities
issued thereunder or (b) all debt securities issued thereunder not theretofore
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or
are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be
called for redemption within one year, and the Company shall have deposited
with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount sufficient to pay and
discharge at Stated Maturity or upon redemption the entire indebtedness on all
debt securities issued thereunder (and if, in either case, the Company has paid
or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the Indenture by the Company
and the Company has delivered an officers' certificate and an opinion of
counsel each stating that the requisite conditions have been complied with).
   
  In addition, the Company shall have a "legal defeasance option" (pursuant to
which it may terminate, with respect to any series of Debentures, all of its
obligations under such Debentures and the Indenture with respect to such
Debentures) and a "covenant defeasance option" (pursuant to which it may
terminate, with respect to any series of Debentures, its obligations with
respect to such Debentures under the covenant described herein under "--Certain
Covenants and Agreements of the Company--Limitation on Liens on Stock or
Indebtedness of Principal Subsidiaries"). If the Company exercises its legal
defeasance option with respect to any series of Debentures, payment of such
Debentures may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the
Company exercises its covenant defeasance option with respect to any series of
Debentures, payment of such Debentures may not be accelerated because of an
Event of Default related to such covenant. The Company may exercise its legal
defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance
option.     
 
  The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant
defeasance option with respect to any series of Debentures, only if (a) the
Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee cash and/or U.S.
Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest with respect to such Debentures to maturity or redemption, as the case
may be, and the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants expressing their opinion that
the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the
deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without
investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be
sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due with
respect to all such Debentures to maturity or redemption, as the case may be,
(b) no Event of Default with respect to the Debentures of such series shall
have occurred and be continuing (i) on the date of such deposit or (ii) with
respect to certain bankruptcy defaults, at any time during the period ending on
the 123rd day after the date of such deposit, (c) such legal defeasance or
covenant defeasance does not result in the trust arising from such deposit to
constitute, unless it is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (d) the legal defeasance or
covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute
a default under, the Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which
the Company is a party or by which it is bound, (e) the Company delivers to the
Trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of such Debentures will not
recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as
a result of such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to
United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case if such legal defeasance or covenant
defeasance had not occurred, and (f) the Company delivers to the Trustee an
officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of such Debentures as
contemplated by the Indenture have been complied with. The opinion of counsel,
with respect to legal defeasance, referred to in clause (e) above,
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
 
must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a
change in applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after the
date of the Indenture.
 
  The Trustee shall hold in trust cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited
with it as described above and shall apply the deposited cash and the proceeds
from deposited U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of principal,
premium, if any, and interest with respect to such Debentures.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
  The Company has the right to replace the Trustee under certain circumstances,
including (subject to the Company's satisfying certain conditions) if the
Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or
substantially all of its corporate trust business or assets to another
corporation or banking association.
 
  The Company and certain of its subsidiaries may from time to time maintain
lines of credit, and have other customary banking and commercial relationships,
with the Trustee and its affiliates. The Trustee also acts as trustee under
another indenture pursuant to which the Company issued its 9% Debentures Due
2006. The Trustee is the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement and is
an affiliate of one of the Initial Purchasers, Chase Securities Inc. In
addition, the Trustee and certain of its affiliates may own Debentures.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
  The Company entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Initial
Purchasers in connection with the sale of the Old Debentures pursuant to which
the Company has agreed, for the benefit of the holders of each series of Old
Debentures, at the Company's cost, to (i) file the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, of which this Prospectus is a part, within 150 days after the date
of original issuance of such Old Debentures (May 8, 1997 for the Old 2032
Debentures and May 6, 1997 for the other Old Debentures, the "Issue Date") with
the Commission with respect to the Exchange Offers and (ii) use its best
efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared
effective under the Securities Act within 180 days after the Issue Date.
Promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective,
the Company will consummate the Exchange Offers. The Company will keep the
Exchange Offers open for not less than 30 days (or longer if required by
applicable law) after the date notice of the Exchange Offers is mailed to the
holders of Old Debentures.
 
  In the event that any changes in law or applicable interpretations of the
staff of the Commission do not permit the Company to effect the Exchange Offers
with respect to any series of Old Debentures, or if for any reason the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective within 180 days
following the Issue Date, or upon the request of the Initial Purchasers under
certain circumstances, the Company will, in lieu of effecting the registration
of the applicable New Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and at its cost, (i) as promptly as practicable, file with the
Commission a Shelf Registration Statement covering resales of the applicable
Old Debentures, (ii) use its best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration
Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the 210th day
after the Issue Date (or promptly in the event of a request by the Initial
Purchasers) and (iii) keep effective the Shelf Registration Statement until the
earliest of (x) the second anniversary of the Issue Date (or the first
anniversary of the effective date if such Shelf Registration Statement is filed
at the request of the Initial Purchasers), (y) the time when the Old Debentures
registered thereunder can be sold by non-affiliates pursuant to Rule 144 under
the Securities Act without limitation under clauses (c), (e), (f) and (h) of
Rule 144, or (z) such time as all the Old Debentures registered thereunder have
been sold. During any consecutive 365-day period, the Company will have the
ability to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement for up
to two periods of up to 45 consecutive days, but no more than an aggregate of
60 days during any 365-day period. The Company will, in the event of the filing
of a Shelf Registration Statement, provide to each holder of such applicable
Old Debentures copies of the prospectus which is part of the Shelf Registration
Statement, notify each such holder when the Shelf Registration Statement for
such Old Debentures has become effective and take certain other actions as are
required to permit unrestricted
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
 
resales of such Old Debentures. A holder of such Old Debentures that sells such
Old Debentures pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement generally will be
required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus and
to deliver a prospectus to the purchaser, will be subject to certain of the
civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such
sales and will be bound by the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement
which are applicable to such a holder (including certain indemnification
obligations). In addition, each Holder of such Old Debentures will be required
to deliver information to be used in connection with the Shelf Registration
Statement and to provide comments on the Shelf Registration Statement within
the time periods set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement in order to
have their Old Debentures included in the Shelf Registration Statement and to
benefit from the provisions regarding Special Interest set forth in the
following paragraph. If the Company has consummated the Exchange Offers, then,
subject to certain limited exceptions, the Company will have no obligation to
file or to maintain the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with
respect to any Old Debentures that are not tendered in the Exchange Offers.
 
  In the event that (i) by the 150th day following the Issue Date, the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement is not filed with the Commission, (ii) by the
180th day following the Issue Date, neither the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is declared effective nor (if the Exchange Offers are not permitted
as described above) the Shelf Registration Statement is filed with the
Commission, or (iii) by the 210th day following the Issue Date, one or more of
the Exchange Offers with respect to any series of Old Debentures is not
consummated or the Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective with
respect thereto (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a
"Registration Default"), interest will accrue on the applicable Old Debentures
(in addition to stated interest on such Old Debentures) from and including the
next day following each such Registration Default. In each case such additional
interest (the "Special Interest") will be payable in cash semiannually in
arrears each May 1 and November 1, at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the
principal amount of such Old Debentures for each such Registration Default. The
aggregate amount of Special Interest payable pursuant to the above provisions
will, however, in no event exceed 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of
such Old Debentures. Upon (a) the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement after the 150-day period described in clause (i) above, (b) the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the filing of the
Shelf Registration Statement after the 180-day period described in clause (ii)
above or (c) the consummation of the Exchange Offer for such Old Debentures or
the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, after
the 210-day period described in clause (iii) above, the Special Interest
payable on such Old Debentures as a result of the applicable Registration
Default will cease to accrue. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the
curing of a Registration Default by the means described in clause (b) above
shall constitute a cure of the Registration Defaults described in clauses (i)
and (ii) above, and the curing of a Registration Default by the means described
in clause (c) above shall constitute a cure of the Registration Defaults
described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above.
 
  In the event that a Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective
pursuant to the paragraph preceding the immediately preceding paragraph, if the
Company fails to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for
the period required by the Registration Rights Agreement (except as
specifically permitted therein), then from such time as the Shelf Registration
Statement is no longer effective until the earlier of (i) the date that the
Shelf Registration Statement is again deemed effective and (ii) the date that
is the earliest of (x) the second anniversary of the Issue Date (or until the
first anniversary of the effective date if the Shelf Registration Statement is
filed at the request of the Initial Purchasers), (y) the time when the Old
Debentures registered thereunder can be sold by non-affiliates pursuant to Rule
144 under the Securities Act without any limitation under clauses (c), (e), (f)
and (h) of Rule 144, or (z) the date as of which all such Old Debentures are
sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, Special Interest shall
accrue at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the Old
Debentures and shall be payable in cash semiannually in arrears each May 1 and
November 1.
   
  The summary herein of the material provisions of the Registration Rights
Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Registration Rights
Agreement, a copy of which is available upon request to the Company.     
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
 
            CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION
                             IN THE EXCHANGE OFFERS
   
  The following summary fairly describes the material United States federal
income tax consequences expected to apply to the exchange of Old Debentures for
New Debentures and is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, the final, temporary and proposed regulations promulgated
thereunder, and administrative rulings and judicial decisions now in effect,
all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) or
different interpretations. This discussion is for general information only and
does not purport to address all of the possible federal income tax consequences
or any state, local or foreign tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership
and disposition of the Old Debentures or New Debentures. It is limited to
investors who hold the Old Debentures and the New Debentures as capital assets
and does not address the federal income tax consequences that may be relevant
to particular investors in light of their unique circumstances or to certain
types of investors (such as dealers in securities, insurance companies,
financial institutions, foreign corporations, partnership, trusts, nonresident
individuals, and tax-exempt entities) who may be subject to special treatment
under federal income tax laws.     
 
  An exchange of the Old Debentures for the New Debentures pursuant to the
Exchange Offers will not constitute a taxable event for federal income tax
purposes. As a result, holders who exchange their Old Debentures for New
Debentures should not recognize any income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes with respect to such exchange. An exchanging holder will have the same
adjusted basis and holding period in the New Debentures as it had in the Old
Debentures immediately before the exchange.
 
  HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX
CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF EXCHANGING OLD DEBENTURES FOR NEW DEBENTURES IN THE
EXCHANGE OFFERS, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR
FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  Each broker-dealer that receives New Debentures for its own account pursuant
to the Exchange Offers must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
such New Debentures. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New
Debentures received in exchange for Old Debentures where such Old Debentures
were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, starting on the
Expiration Date and ending on the close of business 180 days after the
Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
 
  The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of New Debentures by
broker-dealers. New Debentures received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offers may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,
through the writing of options on the New Debentures or a combination of such
methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices
related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such
resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers
who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any
such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Debentures. Any
broker-dealer that resells New Debentures that were received by it for its own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offers and any broker or dealer that
participates in a distribution of such New Debentures may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit of any
such resale of New Debentures and any commissions or concessions received by
any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the
Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it
will deliver and by delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
 
  For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, the Company will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such
documents in the Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all
expenses incident to the Exchange Offers (including the expenses of one
counsel for the holders of the Old Debentures) other than commissions or
concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the
Old Debentures (including any broker dealers) against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                            VALIDITY OF DEBENTURES
   
  The validity of the New Debentures offered hereby will be passed upon for
the Company by McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P., Richmond, Virginia.
Robert L. Burrus, Jr., a partner of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P.,
is a director of the Company and owns 6,737 shares of the Company's common
stock.     
 
                                    EXPERTS
   
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company, included in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and in the Registration Statement, have been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included
therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and in the
Registration Statement in reliance upon such report given upon the authority
of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.     
 
  The consolidated financial statements of Conrail as of December 31, 1996 and
1995, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1996 have been incorporated by reference in reliance on the report of Price
Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm
as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
  With respect to the unaudited consolidated financial information of Conrail
for the quarters ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus, Price Waterhouse LLP reported that they have applied limited
procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such
information. However, their separate report dated April 16, 1997 incorporated
by reference herein, states that they did not audit and they do not express an
opinion on that unaudited consolidated financial information. Price Waterhouse
LLP has not carried out any significant or additional audit tests beyond those
which would have been necessary if their report had not been included.
Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should
be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied.
Price Waterhouse LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11
of the Securities Act for their report on the unaudited consolidated financial
information because that report is not a "report" or a "part" of the
registration statement prepared or certified by Price Waterhouse LLP within
the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
                                     (MAP)
   
THE MAP ABOVE ILLUSTRATES IN OUTLINE FORM THE PROPOSED DIVISION BETWEEN CSX
AND NSC OF THE PRESENT CONRAIL ROUTE SYSTEM. SEE "THE COMPANY--JOINT CSX/NSC
ACQUISITION OF CONRAIL." THE MAP DOES NOT PROVIDE DETAILED LINE SEGMENT
INFORMATION. IT ALSO DOES NOT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN TRACKAGE RIGHTS AND
OWNERSHIP OR INDICATE THE GRANT OF TRACKAGE RIGHTS BY CSX AND NSC TO THE OTHER
OVER THE ROUTES ALLOCATED ABOVE.     
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY IN-
FORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE
HEREBY EXCEPT AS CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE
ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION SET FORTH OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE
DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICI-
TATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SO-
LICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                               ----------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Available Information....................................................   2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference..........................   2
Summary..................................................................   4
Risk Factors.............................................................  10
The Company..............................................................  11
Use of Proceeds..........................................................  15
Capitalization...........................................................  16
Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Selected Financial
 Ratio...................................................................  17
Selected Historical Financial Data for the Company.......................  18
Selected Historical Financial Data for Conrail...........................  20
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements.................................  22
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements........................  27
The Exchange Offers......................................................  32
Description of New Debentures............................................  40
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of Participation in the Exchange
 Offers..................................................................  51
Plan of Distribution.....................................................  51
Validity of Debentures...................................................  52
Experts..................................................................  52
</TABLE>    
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
$2,500,000,000
 
CSX CORPORATION
 
$350,000,000
7.05% DEBENTURES DUE 2002
 
$300,000,000
7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2004
 
$450,000,000
7.45% DEBENTURES DUE 2007
 
$400,000,000
7.90% DEBENTURES DUE 2017
 
$500,000,000
7.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027
 
$100,000,000
6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027
 
$250,000,000
7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2027
 
$150,000,000
8.30% DEBENTURES DUE 2032

[LOGO OF CSX CORPORATION APPEARS HERE]

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
DATED       , 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  Article 10 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act allows, in general, for
indemnification, in certain circumstances, by a corporation of any person
threatened with or made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of
the fact that he or she is, or was, a director, officer, employee or agent of
such corporation. Indemnification is also authorized with respect to a
criminal action or proceeding where the person had no reasonable cause to
believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. Article 9 of the Virginia Stock
Corporation Act provides limitations on damages payable by officers and
directors, except in cases of willful misconduct or knowing violation of
criminal law or any federal or state securities law.
 
  Article VII of the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
provides for mandatory indemnification of any director or officer of the
Company who is, was or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding
(including any proceeding by or on behalf of the Company) by reason of the
fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company against all
liabilities and reasonable expenses incurred in the proceeding, except such
liabilities and expenses as are incurred because of such director's or
officer's willful misconduct or knowing violation of the criminal law.
 
  The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation also provide
that in every instance permitted under Virginia corporate law in effect from
time to time, the liability of a director of officer of the Company to the
Company or its shareholders arising out of a single transaction, occurrence or
course of conduct shall be limited to one dollar.
 
  The Company maintains a standard policy of officers' and directors'
liability insurance.
 
  Reference is made to the Purchase Agreement included herein as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement for provisions regarding indemnification of the
Company's officers, directors and controlling persons against certain
liabilities.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS
 
EXHIBIT
 
<TABLE>
 <C>   <S>
  4.1  Indenture, dated August 1, 1990, between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank,
       as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form SE, dated
       September 7, 1990, filed with the Commission)
  4.2  First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 15, 1991, between the Company and The
       Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(c)
       to the Company's Form SE, dated May 28, 1992, filed with the Commission)
  4.3  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 6, 1997, between the Company and The
       Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (a)
  4.4  Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 6, 1997, between the Company and Salomon
       Brothers Inc, individually and as representative of the Initial Purchasers (a)
  4.5  Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 6, 1997, between the Company and Salomon
       Brothers Inc, individually and as representative of the Initial Purchasers (a)
  4.6  Form of New 7.05% Debenture Due 2002 (b)
  4.7  Form of New 7.25% Debenture Due 2004 (b)
  4.8  Form of New 7.45% Debenture Due 2007 (b)
  4.9  Form of New 7.90% Debenture Due 2017 (b)
  4.10 Form of New 7.95% Debenture Due 2027 (b)
  4.11 Form of New 6.95% Debenture Due 2027 (b)
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
EXHIBIT
<TABLE>   
 <C>   <S>
  4.12 Form of New 7.25% Debenture Due 2027 (b)
  4.13 Form of New 8.30% Debenture Due 2032 (b)
  5.1  Opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P., regarding validity of New
       Debentures being registered (b)
 12.1  Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges (b)
 15.1  Awareness Letter of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants (b)
 23.1  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors (b)
 23.2  Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants (b)
 23.3  Consent of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P. contained in the opinion filed as
       Exhibit 5.1 hereto
 24.1  Powers of Attorney of certain directors and officers of the Company (a)
 25.1  Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee
       under the Indenture (a)
 99.1  Form of Letter of Transmittal (b)
 99.2  Form of Exchange Agent Agreement between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank,
       as Exchange Agent (b)
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(a) Previously filed.     
   
(b) Filed herewith.     
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
    (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) to include any
  prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii)
  to reflect in the prospectus any acts or events arising after the effective
  date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
  amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
  fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration
  Statement (notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
  volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities
  offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from
  the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be
  reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
  Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 if, in the aggregate, the
  changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
  maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
  Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement); (iii) to
  include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
  not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material
  change to such information in this Registration Statement; provided,
  however, that subparagraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the information
  required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
  subparagraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Company
  pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
  1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
  to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
  herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
  be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
  any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
  termination of the offering.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes that, for the purpose
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant, pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first-class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement through
the date of responding to the request.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-
effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company
being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in
the Registration Statement when it became effective.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT TO ITS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON
ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF
RICHMOND, COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, ON THE 8TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1997.     
 
                                          CSX Corporation
 
                                                                      
                                          By        /s/ James L. Ross
                                             ----------------------------------
                                                       JAMES L. ROSS
                                               VICE PRESIDENT AND CONTROLLER
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
TO THE REGISTRANT'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING
PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON THE 8TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1997.     
 
              SIGNATURE                                 TITLE
              ---------                                 -----
 
          /s/ John W. Snow*            Chairman, President, Chief Executive
- -------------------------------------   Officer and Director (Principal
            JOHN W. SNOW                Executive Officer)
 
 
        /s/ Paul R. Goodwin*           Executive Vice President--Finance and
- -------------------------------------   Chief Financial Officer (Principal
           PAUL R. GOODWIN              Financial Officer)
 
 
         /s/ James L. Ross*            Vice President and Controller 
- -------------------------------------   (Principal Accounting Officer)
            JAMES L. ROSS                                             
 
 
      /s/ Elizabeth E. Bailey*         Director
- -------------------------------------
         ELIZABETH E. BAILEY
 
 
     /s/ Robert L. Burrus, Jr.*        Director
- -------------------------------------
        ROBERT L. BURRUS, JR.
 
 
       /s/ Bruce C. Gottwald*          Director
- -------------------------------------
          BRUCE C. GOTTWALD
 
 
          /s/ John R. Hall*            Director
- -------------------------------------
            JOHN R. HALL
 
 
       /s/ Robert D. Kunisch*          Director
- -------------------------------------
          ROBERT D. KUNISCH
 
 
      /s/ Hugh L. McColl, Jr.*         Director
- -------------------------------------
         HUGH L. MCCOLL, JR.         
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
              SIGNATURE                                  TITLE
 
 
      /s/ James W. McGlothlin*          Director
- -------------------------------------
         JAMES W. MCGLOTHLIN
 
 
      /s/ Southwood J. Morcott*         Director
- -------------------------------------
        SOUTHWOOD J. MORCOTT
 
 
        /s/ Charles E. Rice*            Director
- -------------------------------------
           CHARLES E. RICE
 
 
     /s/ William C. Richardson*         Director
- -------------------------------------
        WILLIAM C. RICHARDSON
 
 
         /s/ Frank S. Royal*            Director
- -------------------------------------
           FRANK S. ROYAL
 
          
*By:    /s/ Alan A. Rudnick 
    ---------------------------------
            ALAN A. RUDNICK
           ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>   <S>
  4.1  Indenture, dated August 1, 1990, between the Company and The Chase
       Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to the
       Company's Form SE, dated September 7, 1990, filed with the Commission)
  4.2  First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 15, 1991, between the
       Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (incorporated herein by
       reference to Exhibit 4(c) to the Company's Form SE, dated May 28, 1992,
       filed with the Commission)
  4.3  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 6, 1997, between the
       Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (a)
  4.4  Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 6, 1997, between the Company and
       Salomon Brothers Inc, individually and as representative of the Initial
       Purchasers (a)
  4.5  Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 6, 1997, between the Company
       and Salomon Brothers Inc, individually and as representative of the
       Initial Purchasers (a)
  4.6  Form of New 7.05% Debenture Due 2002 (b)
  4.7  Form of New 7.25% Debenture Due 2004 (b)
  4.8  Form of New 7.45% Debenture Due 2007 (b)
  4.9  Form of New 7.90% Debenture Due 2017 (b)
  4.10 Form of New 7.95% Debenture Due 2027 (b)
  4.11 Form of New 6.95% Debenture Due 2027 (b)
  4.12 Form of New 7.25% Debenture Due 2027 (b)
  4.13 Form of New 8.30% Debenture Due 2032 (b)
  5.1  Opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P., regarding validity
       of New Debentures being registered (b)
 12.1  Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed
       charges (b)
 15.1  Awareness Letter of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants (b)
 23.1  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors (b)
 23.2  Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants (b)
 23.3  Consent of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P. contained in the
       opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto
 24.1  Powers of Attorney of certain directors and officers of the Company (a)
 25.1  Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as
       trustee under the Indenture (a)
 99.1  Form of Letter of Transmittal (b)
 99.2  Form of Exchange Agent Agreement between the Company and The Chase
       Manhattan Bank, as Exchange Agent (b)
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(a) Previously filed.     
   
(b) Filed herewith.     

<PAGE>
 
     UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED
BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.


                              -------------------

                                CSX CORPORATION

                              -------------------


                                    FORM OF
                                 $
                                  -----------
                            7.05% DEBENTURE DUE 2002



No.                                                             CUSIP 
   ---                                                               ----------


          This security (the "Security") is one of a duly authorized issue of
securities (herein called the "Securities") of CSX Corporation, a Virginia
corporation (hereinafter called the "Company," which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an indenture, unlimited as to aggregate
principal amount, dated as of August 1, 1990 between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined)), as supplemented
by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1991 and a Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997, to which indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto (the indenture, as supplemented being herein
called the "Indenture") reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on
the face hereof, which series has been issued in an aggregate initial principal
amount of $_____________(_____________________________DOLLARS).  This Security
represents an aggregate initial principal amount of $____________
(____________________DOLLARS) (as adjusted from time to time in accordance with
the terms and provisions hereof and as set forth on Exhibit A hereto, the
"Principal Amount") of the Securities of such series, with the
     


<PAGE>
 
                                       2


Interest Payment Dates, date of original issuance, and date of Maturity
specified herein and bearing interest on said Principal Amount at the interest
rate specified herein.

          The Company, for value received, hereby promises to pay____________, 
or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $____________(__________________
DOLLARS) on May 1, 2002, and to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) thereon from May 1, 1997 or from the most recent
Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or,
if the date of this Security is an Interest Payment Date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, then from the date hereof, semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 in each year, commencing November 1, 1997, and
at Maturity at the rate of 7.05% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid
or duly made available for payment. The Company shall pay interest on overdue
principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent lawful) interest on overdue
installments of interest at the rate per annum borne by the Security. The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose
name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be
the April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be,
next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture, any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date to
be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, notice
whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than 10 days
prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Security of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in such Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable on this Security at Maturity
will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

          This Security is exchangeable in whole or from time to time in part
for definitive Registered Securities of this series only as provided in this
paragraph.  If (x) the U.S. Depository with respect to the Securities of this
series (the "U.S. Depository") notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable
or ineligible to continue as U.S. Depository for this Security or if at any time
the U.S. Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (y) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive
Registered Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order
providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have
happened and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which, after notice
or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of the series of which this Security is a part, this Security or any
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       3


portion hereof shall, in the case of clause (x) above, be exchanged for
definitive Registered Securities of this series, and in the case of clauses (y)
and (z) above, be exchangeable for definitive Registered Securities of this
series, provided that the definitive Security so issued in exchange for this
Security shall be in authorized denominations and be of like tenor and of an
equal aggregate principal amount as the portion of the Security to be exchanged,
and provided further that, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, definitive
Registered Securities of this series will be issued in exchange for this
Security, or any portion hereof, only if such definitive Registered Securities
were requested by written notice to the Security Registrar by or on behalf of a
Person who is a beneficial owner of an interest herein given through the Holder
hereof.  Any definitive Registered Security of this series issued in exchange
for this Security, or any portion hereof, shall be registered in the name or
names of such Person or Persons as the Holder hereof shall instruct the Security
Registrar.  Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Security in
definitive form and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose
under the Indenture.

          Any exchange of this Security or portion hereof for one or more
definitive Registered Securities of this series will be made at the New York
office of the Security Registrar.  Upon exchange of any portion of this Security
for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this series, the Trustee
shall endorse Exhibit A of this Security to reflect the reduction of its
Principal Amount by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
definitive Registered Securities of this series so issued in exchange, whereupon
the Principal Amount hereof shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so
exchanged and noted.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Indenture,
until exchanged in full for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this
series, this Security shall in all respects be subject to and entitled to the
same benefits and conditions under the Indenture as a duly authenticated and
delivered definitive Registered Security of this series.

          The principal and any interest in respect of any portion of this
Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date or at the Stated
Maturity thereof, in each case occurring prior to the exchange of such portion
for a definitive Registered Security or Securities of this series, will be paid,
as provided herein, to the Holder hereof which will undertake in such
circumstances to credit any such principal and interest received by it in
respect of this Security to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the
beneficial owners of such interests on such Interest Payment Date or at Stated
Maturity.  If a definitive Registered Security or Registered Securities of this
series are issued in exchange for any portion of this Security after the close
of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any
Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency
on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and
before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed
date for payment of Defaulted Interest, then interest or Defaulted Interest, as
the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed
date for payment, as the case may
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       4


be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest
Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the
Holder hereof, and the Holder hereof will undertake in such circumstances to
credit such interest to the account or accounts of the Persons who were the
beneficial owners of such portion of this Security on such Regular Record Date
or Special Record Date, as the case may be.

          Payment of the principal of and any such interest on this Security
will be made at the offices of The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Paying Agent, in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of
the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts by check mailed to the registered Holders thereof;
provided, however, that at the option of the Holder, payment of interest may be
- --------  -------                                                              
made by wire transfer of immediately funds to an account of the Person entitled
hereto as such account shall be provided to the Security Registrar and shall
appear in the Security Register.

          If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
(including this Security and the interests represented hereby) may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii)
of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of
the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and any
interest on the Securities of this series (including this Security and the
interests represented hereby) shall terminate.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a)
the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Security and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related defaults and Events of Default, upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions shall
apply to this Security.

          The provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture apply to
Securities of this series.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby.  The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       5


Outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain
past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or
waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security  and the Persons who are
beneficial owners of interests represented hereby, and of any Security issued in
exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.

          As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no
Holder of any Security of this series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of this series shall have made written request, and offered
reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on this Security on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein and herein set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities of the
series of which this Security is a part may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of such Securities for registration of
transfer at the office of the Security Registrar, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or two more new
Securities of this Series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for
the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee
or transferees.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange of Securities as provided above, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       6


          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          The Securities of this series of which this Security is a part are
issuable only in registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000.00
and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to
certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series
and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

          The Securities of this series shall be dated the date of their
authentication.

          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or
its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized
officers, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       7

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.


Dated:      , 1997
      ------


                                    CSX CORPORATION
 


[Seal]                       By:
                                ----------------------------------------------
                                Name: David D. Owen
                                Title:   Managing Director--Corporate Finance


Attest:

- --------------------------- 
    Corporate Secretary



                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

          This is one of the Securities of a series issued under the Indenture
described herein.


                              THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee



 
                              By:
                                 -----------------------------------------
                                            Authorized Officer
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       8


                            FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE


          FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
- ----------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting

and appointing_______________________________ attorney to transfer said 

Debenture on the books of the Security Registrar with full power of substitution

in the premises.


Date:
     -------------                  --------------------------------------------
                                    NOTICE: The signature to this assignment
                                    must correspond with the name as written
                                    upon the face of the within-mentioned
                                    instrument in every particular, without
                                    alteration or any change whatsoever.
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       9

                                                           EXHIBIT A
                                                           ------- -


                             Schedule of Exchanges
                             ---------------------
     

<PAGE>
 
     UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED
BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.


                              -------------------

                                CSX CORPORATION

                              -------------------


                                    FORM OF
                                 $
                                  ----------
                           7.25 % DEBENTURE DUE 2004



No.                                                           CUSIP 
   ----                                                            ------------
 

          This security (the "Security") is one of a duly authorized issue of
securities (herein called the "Securities") of CSX Corporation, a Virginia
corporation (hereinafter called the "Company," which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an indenture, unlimited as to aggregate
principal amount, dated as of August 1, 1990 between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined)), as supplemented
by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1991 and a Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997, to which indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto (the indenture, as supplemented being herein
called the "Indenture") reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on
the face hereof, which series has been issued in an aggregate initial principal
amount of $              (                         DOLLARS).  This Security
           -------------- ------------------------ 
represents an aggregate initial principal amount of $
                                                     --------------------
(                    DOLLARS) (as adjusted from time to time in accordance with
 -------------------
the terms and provisions hereof and as set forth on Exhibit A hereto, the
"Principal Amount") of the Securities of such series, with the Interest
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       2


Payment Dates, date of original issuance, and date of Maturity specified herein
and bearing interest on said Principal Amount at the interest rate specified
herein.

          The Company, for value received, hereby promises to pay              ,
                                                                  -------------
or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $               (
                                                 --------------- --------------
DOLLARS) on May 1, 2004, and to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) thereon from May 1, 1997 or from the most recent
Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or,
if the date of this Security is an Interest Payment Date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, then from the date hereof, semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 in each year, commencing November 1, 1997, and
at Maturity at the rate of 7.25% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid
or duly made available for payment. The Company shall pay interest on overdue
principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent lawful) interest on overdue
installments of interest at the rate per annum borne by the Security. The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose
name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be
the April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be,
next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture, any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date to
be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, notice
whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than 10 days
prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Security of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in such Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable on this Security at Maturity
will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

          This Security is exchangeable in whole or from time to time in part
for definitive Registered Securities of this series only as provided in this
paragraph.  If (x) the U.S. Depository with respect to the Securities of this
series (the "U.S. Depository") notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable
or ineligible to continue as U.S. Depository for this Security or if at any time
the U.S. Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (y) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive
Registered Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order
providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have
happened and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which, after notice
or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of the series of which this Security is a part, this Security or any
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       3

portion hereof shall, in the case of clause (x) above, be exchanged for
definitive Registered Securities of this series, and in the case of clauses (y)
and (z) above, be exchangeable for definitive Registered Securities of this
series, provided that the definitive Security so issued in exchange for this
Security shall be in authorized denominations and be of like tenor and of an
equal aggregate principal amount as the portion of the Security to be exchanged,
and provided further that, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, definitive
Registered Securities of this series will be issued in exchange for this
Security, or any portion hereof, only if such definitive Registered Securities
were requested by written notice to the Security Registrar by or on behalf of a
Person who is a beneficial owner of an interest herein given through the Holder
hereof.  Any definitive Registered Security of this series issued in exchange
for this Security, or any portion hereof, shall be registered in the name or
names of such Person or Persons as the Holder hereof shall instruct the Security
Registrar.  Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Security in
definitive form and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose
under the Indenture.

          Any exchange of this Security or portion hereof for one or more
definitive Registered Securities of this series will be made at the New York
office of the Security Registrar.  Upon exchange of any portion of this Security
for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this series, the Trustee
shall endorse Exhibit A of this Security to reflect the reduction of its
Principal Amount by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
definitive Registered Securities of this series so issued in exchange, whereupon
the Principal Amount hereof shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so
exchanged and noted.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Indenture,
until exchanged in full for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this
series, this Security shall in all respects be subject to and entitled to the
same benefits and conditions under the Indenture as a duly authenticated and
delivered definitive Registered Security of this series.

          The principal and any interest in respect of any portion of this
Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date or at the Stated
Maturity thereof, in each case occurring prior to the exchange of such portion
for a definitive Registered Security or Securities of this series, will be paid,
as provided herein, to the Holder hereof which will undertake in such
circumstances to credit any such principal and interest received by it in
respect of this Security to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the
beneficial owners of such interests on such Interest Payment Date or at Stated
Maturity.  If a definitive Registered Security or Registered Securities of this
series are issued in exchange for any portion of this Security after the close
of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any
Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency
on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and
before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed
date for payment of Defaulted Interest, then interest or Defaulted Interest, as
the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed
date for payment, as the case may
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       4


be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest
Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the
Holder hereof, and the Holder hereof will undertake in such circumstances to
credit such interest to the account or accounts of the Persons who were the
beneficial owners of such portion of this Security on such Regular Record Date
or Special Record Date, as the case may be.

          Payment of the principal of and any such interest on this Security
will be made at the offices of The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Paying Agent, in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of
the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts by check mailed to the registered Holders thereof;
                                                                           
provided, however, that at the option of the Holder, payment of interest may be
- --------  -------                                                              
made by wire transfer of immediately funds to an account of the Person entitled
hereto as such account shall be provided to the Security Registrar and shall
appear in the Security Register.

          If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
(including this Security and the interests represented hereby) may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii)
of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of
the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and any
interest on the Securities of this series (including this Security and the
interests represented hereby) shall terminate.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a)
the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Security and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related defaults and Events of Default, upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions shall
apply to this Security.

          The provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture apply to
Securities of this series.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby.  The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       5


Outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain
past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or
waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security  and the Persons who are
beneficial owners of interests represented hereby, and of any Security issued in
exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.

          As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no
Holder of any Security of this series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of this series shall have made written request, and offered
reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on this Security on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein and herein set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities of the
series of which this Security is a part may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of such Securities for registration of
transfer at the office of the Security Registrar, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or two more new
Securities of this Series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for
the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee
or transferees.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange of Securities as provided above, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       6


          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          The Securities of this series of which this Security is a part are
issuable only in registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000.00
and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to
certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series
and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

          The Securities of this series shall be dated the date of their
authentication.

          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or
its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized
officers, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       7


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.


Dated:     , 1997
      -----


                              CSX CORPORATION



[Seal]                        By:
                                 ---------------------------------------- 
                                 Name:  David D. Owen
                                 Title: Managing Director--Corporate Finance


Attest:

- ----------------------------------- 
      Corporate Secretary



                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

          This is one of the Securities of a series issued under the Indenture
described herein.


                              THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee



 
                          By:
                             --------------------------------------
                                        Authorized Officer
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       8

                            FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE


          FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
- ----------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting

and appointing                           attorney to transfer said Denture on
               ------------------------- 

the books of the Security Registrar with full power of substitution in the

premises.


Date:
      --------------               --------------------------------------------
                                   NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must
                                   correspond with the name as written upon the
                                   face of the within-mentioned instrument in
                                   every particular, without alteration or any
                                   change whatsoever.
     
<PAGE>
 
                                                              EXHIBIT A
                                                              ------- -


                             Schedule of Exchanges
                             ---------------------
     

<PAGE>
 
    
     UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED
BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.


                              ---------------------

                                 CSX CORPORATION

                              ---------------------

                                    FORM OF
                                  $
                                   -----------
                            7.45% DEBENTURE DUE 2007



No.                                                           CUSIP 
    ---                                                             -----------

          This security (the "Security") is one of a duly authorized issue of
securities (herein called the "Securities") of CSX Corporation, a Virginia
corporation (hereinafter called the "Company," which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an indenture, unlimited as to aggregate
principal amount, dated as of August 1, 1990 between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined)), as supplemented
by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1991 and a Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997, to which indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto (the indenture, as supplemented being herein
called the "Indenture") reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on
the face hereof, which series has been issued in an aggregate initial principal
amount of $___________ (__________________________ DOLLARS).  This Security
represents an aggregate initial principal amount of $___________
(___________________ DOLLARS) (as adjusted from time to time in accordance with
the terms and provisions hereof and as set forth on Exhibit A hereto, the
"Principal Amount") of the Securities of such series, with the
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       2



Interest Payment Dates, date of original issuance, and date of Maturity
specified herein and bearing interest on said Principal Amount at the interest
rate specified herein.

          The Company, for value received, hereby promises to pay _____________,
or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $___________ (__________________
DOLLARS) on May 1, 2007 and to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) thereon from May 1, 1997 or from the most recent
Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or,
if the date of this Security is an Interest Payment Date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, then from the date hereof, semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 in each year, commencing November 1, 1997, and
at Maturity at the rate of 7.45% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid
or duly made available for payment. The Company shall pay interest on overdue
principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent lawful) interest on overdue
installments of interest at the rate per annum borne by the Security. The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose
name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be
the April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be,
next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture, any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date to
be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, notice
whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than 10 days
prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Security of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in such Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable on this Security at Maturity
will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

          This Security is exchangeable in whole or from time to time in part
for definitive Registered Securities of this series only as provided in this
paragraph.  If (x) the U.S. Depository with respect to the Securities of this
series (the "U.S. Depository") notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable
or ineligible to continue as U.S. Depository for this Security or if at any time
the U.S. Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (y) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive
Registered Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order
providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have
happened and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which, after notice
or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of the series of which this Security is a part, this Security or any
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       3

portion hereof shall, in the case of clause (x) above, be exchanged for
definitive Registered Securities of this series, and in the case of clauses (y)
and (z) above, be exchangeable for definitive Registered Securities of this
series, provided that the definitive Security so issued in exchange for this
Security shall be in authorized denominations and be of like tenor and of an
equal aggregate principal amount as the portion of the Security to be exchanged,
and provided further that, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, definitive
Registered Securities of this series will be issued in exchange for this
Security, or any portion hereof, only if such definitive Registered Securities
were requested by written notice to the Security Registrar by or on behalf of a
Person who is a beneficial owner of an interest herein given through the Holder
hereof.  Any definitive Registered Security of this series issued in exchange
for this Security, or any portion hereof, shall be registered in the name or
names of such Person or Persons as the Holder hereof shall instruct the Security
Registrar.  Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Security in
definitive form and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose
under the Indenture.

          Any exchange of this Security or portion hereof for one or more
definitive Registered Securities of this series will be made at the New York
office of the Security Registrar.  Upon exchange of any portion of this Security
for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this series, the Trustee
shall endorse Exhibit A of this Security to reflect the reduction of its
Principal Amount by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
definitive Registered Securities of this series so issued in exchange, whereupon
the Principal Amount hereof shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so
exchanged and noted.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Indenture,
until exchanged in full for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this
series, this Security shall in all respects be subject to and entitled to the
same benefits and conditions under the Indenture as a duly authenticated and
delivered definitive Registered Security of this series.

          The principal and any interest in respect of any portion of this
Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date or at the Stated
Maturity thereof, in each case occurring prior to the exchange of such portion
for a definitive Registered Security or Securities of this series, will be paid,
as provided herein, to the Holder hereof which will undertake in such
circumstances to credit any such principal and interest received by it in
respect of this Security to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the
beneficial owners of such interests on such Interest Payment Date or at Stated
Maturity.  If a definitive Registered Security or Registered Securities of this
series are issued in exchange for any portion of this Security after the close
of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any
Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency
on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and
before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed
date for payment of Defaulted Interest, then interest or Defaulted Interest, as
the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed
date for payment, as the case may      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       4

be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest
Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the
Holder hereof, and the Holder hereof will undertake in such circumstances to
credit such interest to the account or accounts of the Persons who were the
beneficial owners of such portion of this Security on such Regular Record Date
or Special Record Date, as the case may be.

          Payment of the principal of and any such interest on this Security
will be made at the offices of The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Paying Agent, in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of
the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts by check mailed to the registered Holders thereof;
                                                                           
provided, however, that at the option of the Holder, payment of interest may be
- --------  -------                                                              
made by wire transfer of immediately funds to an account of the Person entitled
hereto as such account shall be provided to the Security Registrar and shall
appear in the Security Register.

          If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
(including this Security and the interests represented hereby) may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii)
of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of
the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and any
interest on the Securities of this series (including this Security and the
interests represented hereby) shall terminate.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a)
the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Security and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related defaults and Events of Default, upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions shall
apply to this Security.

          The provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture apply to 
Securities of this series.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby.  The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       5

Outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain
past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or
waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security  and the Persons who are
beneficial owners of interests represented hereby, and of any Security issued in
exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.

          As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no
Holder of any Security of this series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of this series shall have made written request, and offered
reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on this Security on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein and herein set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities of the
series of which this Security is a part may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of such Securities for registration of
transfer at the office of the Security Registrar, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or two more new
Securities of this Series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for
the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee
or transferees.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange of Securities as provided above, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       6

          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          The Securities of this series of which this Security is a part are
issuable only in registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000.00
and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to
certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series
and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

          The Securities of this series shall be dated the date of their
authentication.

          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or
its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized
officers, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       7

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.


Dated: ______, 1997



                                        CSX CORPORATION



[Seal]                                  By:
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Name:  David D. Owen
                                           Title: Managing Director--Corporate 
                                                  Finance


Attest:


- ----------------------------------------
         Corporate Secretary



                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

          This is one of the Securities of a series issued under the Indenture
described herein.


                                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee



 
                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                   Authorized Officer
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       8

                            FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE


          FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
- ----------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting
and appointing ___________________________________ attorney to transfer said
Debenture on the books of the Security Registrar with full power of substitution
in the premises.



Date:
      --------------          -------------------------------------------------
                              NOTICE:  The signature to this assignment must
                              correspond with the name as written upon the face
                              of the within-mentioned instrument in every
                              particular, without alteration or any change
                              whatsoever.
     
<PAGE>
 
    

                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ------- -


                             Schedule of Exchanges
                             ---------------------
     

<PAGE>
 
     
     UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED
BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.


                             =====================

                                CSX CORPORATION

                             =====================

                                    FORM OF
                                  $
                                   -----------
                            7.90% DEBENTURE DUE 2017



No.                                                           CUSIP 
    ----                                                            -----------

          This security (the "Security") is one of a duly authorized issue of
securities (herein called the "Securities") of CSX Corporation, a Virginia
corporation (hereinafter called the "Company," which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an indenture, unlimited as to aggregate
principal amount, dated as of August 1, 1990 between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined)), as supplemented
by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1991 and a Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997, to which indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto (the indenture, as supplemented being herein
called the "Indenture") reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on
the face hereof, which series has been issued in an aggregate initial principal
amount of $___________ (____________________ DOLLARS).  This Security represents
an aggregate initial principal amount of $___________ (___________________
DOLLARS) (as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms and
provisions hereof and as set forth on Exhibit A hereto, the "Principal Amount")
of the Securities of such series, with the Interest     
<PAGE>
 
                                       2

    
Payment Dates, date of original issuance, and date of Maturity specified herein
and bearing interest on said Principal Amount at the interest rate specified
herein.

          The Company, for value received, hereby promises to pay _____________,
or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $___________ (________________
DOLLARS) on May 1, 2017, and to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) thereon from May 1, 1997 or from the most recent
Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or,
if the date of this Security is an Interest Payment Date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, then from the date hereof, semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 in each year, commencing November 1, 1997, and
at Maturity at the rate of 7.90% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid
or duly made available for payment. The Company shall pay interest on overdue
principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent lawful) interest on overdue
installments of interest at the rate per annum borne by the Security. The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose
name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be
the April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be,
next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture, any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date to
be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, notice
whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than 10 days
prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Security of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in such Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable on this Security at Maturity
will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

          This Security is exchangeable in whole or from time to time in part
for definitive Registered Securities of this series only as provided in this
paragraph.  If (x) the U.S. Depository with respect to the Securities of this
series (the "U.S. Depository") notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable
or ineligible to continue as U.S. Depository for this Security or if at any time
the U.S. Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (y) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive
Registered Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order
providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have
happened and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which, after notice
or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of the series of which this Security is a part, this Security or any
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       3
    
portion hereof shall, in the case of clause (x) above, be exchanged for
definitive Registered Securities of this series, and in the case of clauses (y)
and (z) above, be exchangeable for definitive Registered Securities of this
series, provided that the definitive Security so issued in exchange for this
Security shall be in authorized denominations and be of like tenor and of an
equal aggregate principal amount as the portion of the Security to be exchanged,
and provided further that, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, definitive
Registered Securities of this series will be issued in exchange for this
Security, or any portion hereof, only if such definitive Registered Securities
were requested by written notice to the Security Registrar by or on behalf of a
Person who is a beneficial owner of an interest herein given through the Holder
hereof.  Any definitive Registered Security of this series issued in exchange
for this Security, or any portion hereof, shall be registered in the name or
names of such Person or Persons as the Holder hereof shall instruct the Security
Registrar.  Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Security in
definitive form and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose
under the Indenture.

          Any exchange of this Security or portion hereof for one or more
definitive Registered Securities of this series will be made at the New York
office of the Security Registrar.  Upon exchange of any portion of this Security
for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this series, the Trustee
shall endorse Exhibit A of this Security to reflect the reduction of its
Principal Amount by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
definitive Registered Securities of this series so issued in exchange, whereupon
the Principal Amount hereof shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so
exchanged and noted.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Indenture,
until exchanged in full for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this
series, this Security shall in all respects be subject to and entitled to the
same benefits and conditions under the Indenture as a duly authenticated and
delivered definitive Registered Security of this series.

          The principal and any interest in respect of any portion of this
Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date or at the Stated
Maturity thereof, in each case occurring prior to the exchange of such portion
for a definitive Registered Security or Securities of this series, will be paid,
as provided herein, to the Holder hereof which will undertake in such
circumstances to credit any such principal and interest received by it in
respect of this Security to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the
beneficial owners of such interests on such Interest Payment Date or at Stated
Maturity.  If a definitive Registered Security or Registered Securities of this
series are issued in exchange for any portion of this Security after the close
of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any
Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency
on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and
before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed
date for payment of Defaulted Interest, then interest or Defaulted Interest, as
the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed
date for payment, as the case may     
<PAGE>
 
                                       4
    
be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest
Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the
Holder hereof, and the Holder hereof will undertake in such circumstances to
credit such interest to the account or accounts of the Persons who were the
beneficial owners of such portion of this Security on such Regular Record Date
or Special Record Date, as the case may be.

          Payment of the principal of and any such interest on this Security
will be made at the offices of The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Paying Agent, in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of
the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts by check mailed to the registered Holders thereof;
provided, however, that at the option of the Holder, payment of interest may be
- --------  -------                                                              
made by wire transfer of immediately funds to an account of the Person entitled
hereto as such account shall be provided to the Security Registrar and shall
appear in the Security Register.

          If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
(including this Security and the interests represented hereby) may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii)
of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of
the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and any
interest on the Securities of this series (including this Security and the
interests represented hereby) shall terminate.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a)
the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Security and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related defaults and Events of Default, upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions shall
apply to this Security.

          The provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture apply to
Securities of this series.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby.  The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time     
<PAGE>
 
                                       5
    
Outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain
past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or
waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security  and the Persons who are
beneficial owners of interests represented hereby, and of any Security issued in
exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.

          As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no
Holder of any Security of this series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of this series shall have made written request, and offered
reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on this Security on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein and herein set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities of the
series of which this Security is a part may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of such Securities for registration of
transfer at the office of the Security Registrar, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or two more new
Securities of this Series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for
the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee
or transferees.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange of Securities as provided above, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.     
<PAGE>
 
                                       6
    
          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          The Securities of this series of which this Security is a part are
issuable only in registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000.00
and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to
certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series
and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

          The Securities of this series shall be dated the date of their
authentication.

          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or
its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized
officers, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.     
<PAGE>
 
                                       7
    
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.


Dated:      , 1997
       -----


                                   CSX CORPORATION



[Seal]                         By:
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                   Name:  David D. Owen
                                   Title: Managing Director--Corporate Finance


Attest:

- ------------------------------------------- 
          Corporate Secretary



                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

     This is one of the Securities of a series issued under the Indenture
described herein.


                                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee


 
                               By:
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                              Authorized Officer
     
<PAGE>
 
                                       8
    
                            FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE


          FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
- ----------------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting
and appointing ____________________________ attorney to transfer said Debenture
on the books of the Security Registrar with full power of substitution in the
premises.


Date:
      ----------                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  NOTICE:  The signature to this assignment must
                                  correspond with the name as written upon the
                                  face of the within-mentioned instrument in
                                  every particular, without alteration or any
                                  change whatsoever.
     
<PAGE>
 
     
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------


                             Schedule of Exchanges
                             ---------------------
     

<PAGE>
 
    
     UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED
BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.


                            ======================= 

                                CSX CORPORATION

                            ======================= 

                                    FORM OF
                                  $___________
                            7.95% DEBENTURE DUE 2027



No. ___                                                     CUSIP ___________


          This security (the "Security") is one of a duly authorized issue of
securities (herein called the "Securities") of CSX Corporation, a Virginia
corporation (hereinafter called the "Company," which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an indenture, unlimited as to aggregate
principal amount, dated as of August 1, 1990 between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined)), as supplemented
by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1991 and a Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997, to which indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto (the indenture, as supplemented being herein
called the "Indenture") reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on
the face hereof, which series has been issued in an aggregate initial principal
amount of $___________ (___________________ DOLLARS).  This Security represents
an aggregate initial principal amount of $___________ (___________________
DOLLARS) (as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms and
provisions hereof and as set forth on Exhibit A hereto, the "Principal Amount")
of the Securities of such series, with the Interest      
<PAGE>
 
     
                                       2

Payment Dates, date of original issuance, and date of Maturity specified herein
and bearing interest on said Principal Amount at the interest rate specified
herein.

          The Company, for value received, hereby promises to pay _____________,
or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $___________ (__________________
DOLLARS) on May 1, 2027, and to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) thereon from May 1, 1997 or from the most recent
Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or,
if the date of this Security is an Interest Payment Date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, then from the date hereof, semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 in each year, commencing November 1, 1997, and
at Maturity at the rate of 7.95% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid
or duly made available for payment. The Company shall pay interest on overdue
principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent lawful) interest on overdue
installments of interest at the rate per annum borne by the Security. The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose
name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be
the April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be,
next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture, any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date to
be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, notice
whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than 10 days
prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Security of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in such Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable on this Security at Maturity
will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

          This Security is exchangeable in whole or from time to time in part
for definitive Registered Securities of this series only as provided in this
paragraph.  If (x) the U.S. Depository with respect to the Securities of this
series (the "U.S. Depository") notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable
or ineligible to continue as U.S. Depository for this Security or if at any time
the U.S. Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (y) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive
Registered Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order
providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have
happened and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which, after notice
or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of the series of which this Security is a part, this Security or any
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       3


portion hereof shall, in the case of clause (x) above, be exchanged for
definitive Registered Securities of this series, and in the case of clauses (y)
and (z) above, be exchangeable for definitive Registered Securities of this
series, provided that the definitive Security so issued in exchange for this
Security shall be in authorized denominations and be of like tenor and of an
equal aggregate principal amount as the portion of the Security to be exchanged,
and provided further that, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, definitive
Registered Securities of this series will be issued in exchange for this
Security, or any portion hereof, only if such definitive Registered Securities
were requested by written notice to the Security Registrar by or on behalf of a
Person who is a beneficial owner of an interest herein given through the Holder
hereof.  Any definitive Registered Security of this series issued in exchange
for this Security, or any portion hereof, shall be registered in the name or
names of such Person or Persons as the Holder hereof shall instruct the Security
Registrar.  Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Security in
definitive form and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose
under the Indenture.

          Any exchange of this Security or portion hereof for one or more
definitive Registered Securities of this series will be made at the New York
office of the Security Registrar.  Upon exchange of any portion of this Security
for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this series, the Trustee
shall endorse Exhibit A of this Security to reflect the reduction of its
Principal Amount by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
definitive Registered Securities of this series so issued in exchange, whereupon
the Principal Amount hereof shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so
exchanged and noted.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Indenture,
until exchanged in full for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this
series, this Security shall in all respects be subject to and entitled to the
same benefits and conditions under the Indenture as a duly authenticated and
delivered definitive Registered Security of this series.

          The principal and any interest in respect of any portion of this
Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date or at the Stated
Maturity thereof, in each case occurring prior to the exchange of such portion
for a definitive Registered Security or Securities of this series, will be paid,
as provided herein, to the Holder hereof which will undertake in such
circumstances to credit any such principal and interest received by it in
respect of this Security to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the
beneficial owners of such interests on such Interest Payment Date or at Stated
Maturity.  If a definitive Registered Security or Registered Securities of this
series are issued in exchange for any portion of this Security after the close
of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any
Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency
on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and
before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed
date for payment of Defaulted Interest, then interest or Defaulted Interest, as
the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed
date for payment, as the case may      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       4

be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest
Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the
Holder hereof, and the Holder hereof will undertake in such circumstances to
credit such interest to the account or accounts of the Persons who were the
beneficial owners of such portion of this Security on such Regular Record Date
or Special Record Date, as the case may be.

          Payment of the principal of and any such interest on this Security
will be made at the offices of The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Paying Agent, in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of
the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts by check mailed to the registered Holders thereof;
provided, however, that at the option of the Holder, payment of interest may be
- --------  -------                                                              
made by wire transfer of immediately funds to an account of the Person entitled
hereto as such account shall be provided to the Security Registrar and shall
appear in the Security Register.

          If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
(including this Security and the interests represented hereby) may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii)
of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of
the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and any
interest on the Securities of this series (including this Security and the
interests represented hereby) shall terminate.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a)
the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Security and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related defaults and Events of Default, upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions shall
apply to this Security.

          The provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture apply to
Securities of this series.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby.  The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       5

Outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain
past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or
waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such
Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security  and the Persons who are
beneficial owners of interests represented hereby, and of any Security issued in
exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.

          As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no
Holder of any Security of this series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of this series shall have made written request, and offered
reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on this Security on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein and herein set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities of the
series of which this Security is a part may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of such Securities for registration of
transfer at the office of the Security Registrar, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or two more new
Securities of this Series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for
the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee
or transferees.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange of Securities as provided above, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       6

          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          The Securities of this series of which this Security is a part are
issuable only in registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000.00
and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to
certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series
and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

          The Securities of this series shall be dated the date of their
authentication.

          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or
its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized
officers, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       7

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.


Dated: _____, 1997



                                       CSX CORPORATION
                                  
                                  
                                  
[Seal]                              By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                          Name:    David D. Owen
                                          Title:   Managing Director--Corporate 
                                                   Finance


Attest:


- -------------------------------------------------- 
              Corporate Secretary



                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

          This is one of the Securities of a series issued under the Indenture
described herein.


                                    THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee



 
                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                                  Authorized Officer
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       8

                            FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
- ----------------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting
and appointing ___________________________________ attorney to transfer said
Debenture the books of the Security Registrar with full power of substitution in
the premises.


Date:
     -------------------        ------------------------------------------------
                                NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must
                                correspond with the name as written upon the
                                face of the within-mentioned instrument in every
                                particular, without alteration or any change
                                whatsoever.
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ------- -


                             Schedule of Exchanges
                             ---------------------
     

<PAGE>
 
    
     UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED
BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.


                           =========================

                                CSX CORPORATION

                           =========================

                                    FORM OF
                                  $__________
                           6.95% DEBENTURE DUE 2027

No. ____                                                    CUSIP ______________


     This security (the "Security") is one of a duly authorized issue of 
securities (herein called the "Securities") of CSX Corporation, a Virginia 
corporation (hereinafter called the "Company," which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), issued and to be 
issued in or more series under an indenture, unlimited as to aggregate principal
amount, dated as of August 1, 1990 between the Company and The Chase Manhattan 
Bank, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any successor 
trustee under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined)), as supplemented by a 
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1991 and a Second Supplemental
Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997, to which indenture and all indentures 
supplemental thereto (the indenture, as supplemented being herein called the 
"Indenture") reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights 
thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of 
the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and 
delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, 
which series has been issued in an aggregate initial principal amount of 
$___________ (______________ DOLLARS). This Security represents an aggregate 
initial principal amount of $____________ (______________ DOLLARS) (as adjusted 
from time to time in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof and as set 
forth on Exhibit A hereto, the "Principal Amount") of the Securities of such 
series, with the Interest      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       2
 
Payment Dates, date of original issuance, and date of Maturity specified herein 
and bearing interest on said Principal Amount at the interest rate specified 
herein.

        The Company for value received hereby promises to pay ________________,
or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $_________ (______________ 
DOLLARS) on May 1, 2027, and to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) thereon from May 1, 1997 or from the most recent
Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or,
if the date of this Security is an Interest Payment Date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, then from the date hereof, semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 in each year, commencing November 1, 1997, and
at Maturity at the rate of 6.95% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid
or duly made available for payment. The Company shall pay interest on overdue
principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent lawful) interest on overdue
installments of interest at the rate per annum borne by the Security. The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose
name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be
the April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be,
next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture, any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date to
be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, notice
whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than 10 days
prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Security of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in such Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable on this Security at Maturity
will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

        This Security is exchangeable in whole or from time to time in part for
definitive Registered Securities of this series only as provided in this
paragraph. If (x) the U.S. Depository with respect to the Securities of this
series (the "U.S. Depository") notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable
or ineligible to continue as a U.S. Depository for this Security or if at any
time the U.S. Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (y) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive
Registered Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order
providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have
happened and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which, after notice
or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of the series of which this Security is a part, this Security or any
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       3

portion hereof shall, in the case of clause (x) above, be exchanged for
definitive Registered Securities of this series, and in the case of clauses (y)
and (z) above, be exchangeable for definitive Registered Securities of this
series, provided that the definitive Security so issued in exchange for this
Security shall be in authorized denominations and be of like tenor and of an
equal aggregate principal amount as the portion of the Security to be exchanged,
and provided further that, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, definitive
Registered Securities of this series will be issued in exchange for this
Security, or any portion hereof, only if such definitive Registered Securities
were requested by written notice to the Security Registrar by or on behalf of a
Person who is a beneficial owner of an interest herein given through the Holder
hereof.  Any definitive Registered Security of this series issued in exchange
for this Security, or any portion hereof, shall be registered in the name or
names of such Person or Persons as the Holder hereof shall instruct the Security
Registrar.  Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Security in
definitive form and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose
under the Indenture.

          Any exchange of this Security or portion hereof for one or more
definitive Registered Securities of this series will be made at the New York
office of the Security Registrar.  Upon exchange of any portion of this Security
for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this series, the Trustee
shall endorse Exhibit A of this Security to reflect the reduction of its
Principal Amount by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
definitive Registered Securities of this series so issued in exchange, whereupon
the Principal Amount hereof shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so
exchanged and noted.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Indenture,
until exchanged in full for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this
series, this Security shall in all respects be subject to and entitled to the
same benefits and conditions under the Indenture as a duly authenticated and
delivered definitive Registered Security of this series.

          The principal and any interest in respect of any portion of this
Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date or at the Stated
Maturity thereof, in each case occurring prior to the exchange of such portion
for a definitive Registered Security or Securities of this series, will be paid,
as provided herein, to the Holder hereof which will undertake in such
circumstances to credit any such principal and interest received by it in
respect of this Security to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the
beneficial owners of such interests on such Interest Payment Date or at Stated
Maturity.  If a definitive Registered Security or Registered Securities of this
series are issued in exchange for any portion of this Security after the close
of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any
Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency
on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and
before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed
date for payment of Defaulted Interest, then interest or Defaulted Interest, as
the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed
date for payment, as the case may
     
<PAGE>
 
     
                                       4

be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest
Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the
Holder hereof, and the Holder hereof will undertake in such circumstances to
credit such interest to the account or accounts of the Persons who were the
beneficial owners of such portion of this Security on such Regular Record Date
or Special Record Date, as the case may be.

          Payment of the principal of and any such interest on this Security
will be made at the offices of The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Paying Agent, in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of
the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts by check mailed to the registered Holders thereof;
provided, however, that at the option of the Holder, payment of interest may be
- --------  -------                                                              
made by wire transfer of immediately funds to an account of the Person entitled
hereto as such account shall be provided to the Security Registrar and shall
appear in the Security Register.

          The Company may be required to repurchase the Securities of this
series, in whole or in part (the "Put Option"), on May 1, 2002, (the "Put Option
Exercise Date") at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount
tendered by the Holder, plus accrued interest, if any, to the Put Option
Exercise Date.   On or before the Put Option Exercise Date, the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee money sufficient to pay the principal of and any
interest accrued on the such Securities to be tendered for repayment.  On and
after the Put Option Exercise Date, interest will cease to accrue on such
Securities or any portion thereof tendered for repayment.

          In the event of repurchase of this Security in part only, a new
Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unpurchased
portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the
cancellation hereof.

          A holder must provide the Company with notice of its intention to
exercise the Put Option during the period from and including March 1, 2002
through and including April 1, 2002.  Such notice, once given, will be
irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

          If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
(including this Security and the interests represented hereby) may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii)
of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of
the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and any
interest on the      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       5

Securities of this series (including this Security and the interests represented
hereby) shall terminate.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a)
the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Security and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related defaults and Events of Default, upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions shall
apply to this Security.

          The provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture apply to 
Securities of this series.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby.  The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time Outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series
to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding
upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security  and the Persons
who are beneficial owners of interests represented hereby, and of any Security
issued in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such
consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

          As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no
Holder of any Security of this series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of this series shall have made written request, and offered
reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on this Security on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       6

unconditional to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this
Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein
prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein and herein set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities of the
series of which this Security is a part may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of such Securities for registration of
transfer at the office of the Security Registrar, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or two more new
Securities of this Series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for
the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee
or transferees.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange of Securities as provided above, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.

          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          The Securities of this series of which this Security is a part are
issuable only in registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000.00
and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to
certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series
and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

          The Securities of this series shall be dated the date of their 
authentication.

          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or
its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized
officers, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       7

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be 
duly executed under its corporate seal.


Dated: _____, 1997



                                                    CSX CORPORATION



[Seal]                                   By:
                                            --------------------------------
                                            Name: David D. Owen
                                            Title: Managing Director--Corporate
                                                   Finance


Attest:

 
- -------------------------------------------
          Corporate Secretary



                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

           This is one of the Securities of a series issued under the Indenture
described herein.


                              THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee



 
                              By:
                                 ------------------------------------------
                                              Authorized Officer 
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       8

                            FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE


           FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
- ----------------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting
and appointing _______________________________ attorney to transfer said
Debenture on the books of the Security Registrar with full power of substitution
in the premises.



Date: 
     ------------                     ------------------------------------------
                                      NOTICE: The signature to this assignment
                                      must correspond with the name as written
                                      upon the face of the within-mentioned
                                      instrument in every particular, without
                                      alteration or any change whatsoever.
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       9

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE


          If you wish to have all or a portion of this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Article Fifteen of the Indenture, state the amount (in
principal amount): $________________.

Date:
     -------------

Your Signature:
               ----------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Sign exactly as your name appears elsewhere on this 
                    Security)

Signature Guarantee:
                    ------------------------------- 
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------


                             Schedule of Exchanges
                             ---------------------
     

<PAGE>
 
    
     UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED
BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.


                           ========================
                                CSX CORPORATION
                           ========================


                                    FORM OF
                                  $
                                   ---------     
                            7.25% DEBENTURE DUE 2027



No.                                                          CUSIP
   -----                                                           ---------


          This security (the "Security") is one of a duly authorized issue of
securities (herein called the "Securities") of CSX Corporation, a Virginia
corporation (hereinafter called the "Company," which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an indenture, unlimited as to aggregate
principal amount, dated as of August 1, 1990 between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined)), as supplemented
by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1991 and a Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997, to which indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto (the indenture, as supplemented being herein
called the "Indenture") reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on
the face hereof, which series has been issued in an aggregate initial principal
amount of $___________ (_________________________ DOLLARS).  This Security
represents an aggregate initial principal amount of $___________
(___________________ DOLLARS) (as adjusted from time to time in accordance with
the terms and provisions hereof and as set forth on Exhibit A hereto, the
"Principal Amount") of the Securities of such series, with the      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       2


Interest Payment Dates, date of original issuance, and date of Maturity
specified herein and bearing interest on said Principal Amount at the interest
rate specified herein.

          The Company, for value received, hereby promises to pay _____________,
or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $___________ (__________________
DOLLARS) on May 1, 2027, and to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) thereon from May 1, 1997 or from the most recent
Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or,
if the date of this Security is an Interest Payment Date to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, then from the date hereof, semiannually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 in each year, commencing November 1, 1997, and
at Maturity at the rate of 7.25% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid
or duly made available for payment. The Company shall pay interest on overdue
principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent lawful) interest on overdue
installments of interest at the rate per annum borne by the Security. The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose
name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be
the April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be,
next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture, any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date to
be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, notice
whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Security not less than 10 days
prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Security of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may
be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in such Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable on this Security at Maturity
will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

          This Security is exchangeable in whole or from time to time in part
for definitive Registered Securities of this series only as provided in this
paragraph.  If (x) the U.S. Depository with respect to the Securities of this
series (the "U.S. Depository") notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable
or ineligible to continue as U.S. Depository for this Security or if at any time
the U.S. Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (y) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive
Registered Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order
providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have
happened and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which, after notice
or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of the series of which this Security is a part, this Security or any
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       3

portion hereof shall, in the case of clause (x) above, be exchanged for
definitive Registered Securities of this series, and in the case of clauses (y)
and (z) above, be exchangeable for definitive Registered Securities of this
series, provided that the definitive Security so issued in exchange for this
Security shall be in authorized denominations and be of like tenor and of an
equal aggregate principal amount as the portion of the Security to be exchanged,
and provided further that, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, definitive
Registered Securities of this series will be issued in exchange for this
Security, or any portion hereof, only if such definitive Registered Securities
were requested by written notice to the Security Registrar by or on behalf of a
Person who is a beneficial owner of an interest herein given through the Holder
hereof.  Any definitive Registered Security of this series issued in exchange
for this Security, or any portion hereof, shall be registered in the name or
names of such Person or Persons as the Holder hereof shall instruct the Security
Registrar.  Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Security in
definitive form and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose
under the Indenture.

          Any exchange of this Security or portion hereof for one or more
definitive Registered Securities of this series will be made at the New York
office of the Security Registrar.  Upon exchange of any portion of this Security
for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this series, the Trustee
shall endorse Exhibit A of this Security to reflect the reduction of its
Principal Amount by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
definitive Registered Securities of this series so issued in exchange, whereupon
the Principal Amount hereof shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so
exchanged and noted.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Indenture,
until exchanged in full for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this
series, this Security shall in all respects be subject to and entitled to the
same benefits and conditions under the Indenture as a duly authenticated and
delivered definitive Registered Security of this series.

          The principal and any interest in respect of any portion of this
Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date or at the Stated
Maturity thereof, in each case occurring prior to the exchange of such portion
for a definitive Registered Security or Securities of this series, will be paid,
as provided herein, to the Holder hereof which will undertake in such
circumstances to credit any such principal and interest received by it in
respect of this Security to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the
beneficial owners of such interests on such Interest Payment Date or at Stated
Maturity.  If a definitive Registered Security or Registered Securities of this
series are issued in exchange for any portion of this Security after the close
of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any
Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency
on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and
before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed
date for payment of Defaulted Interest, then interest or Defaulted Interest, as
the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed
date for payment, as the case may      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       4

be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest
Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the
Holder hereof, and the Holder hereof will undertake in such circumstances to
credit such interest to the account or accounts of the Persons who were the
beneficial owners of such portion of this Security on such Regular Record Date
or Special Record Date, as the case may be.

          Payment of the principal of and any such interest on this Security
will be made at the offices of The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Paying Agent, in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of
the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts by check mailed to the registered Holders thereof;
                                                                           
provided, however, that at the option of the Holder, payment of interest may be
- --------  -------                                                              
made by wire transfer of immediately funds to an account of the Person entitled
hereto as such account shall be provided to the Security Registrar and shall
appear in the Security Register.

          The Company may be required to repurchase the Securities of this
series, in whole or in part (the "Put Option"), on May 1, 2005, (the "Put Option
Exercise Date") at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount
tendered by the Holder, plus accrued interest, if any, to the Put Option
Exercise Date.   On or before the Put Option Exercise Date, the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee money sufficient to pay the principal of and any
interest accrued on the such Securities to be tendered for repayment.  On and
after the Put Option Exercise Date, interest will cease to accrue on such
Securities or any portion thereof tendered for repayment.

          In the event of repurchase of this Security in part only, a new
Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unpurchased
portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the
cancellation hereof.

          A holder must provide the Company with notice of its intention to
exercise the Put Option during the period from and including March 1, 2005
through and including April 1, 2005.  Such notice, once given, will be
irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

          If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
(including this Security and the interests represented hereby) may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii)
of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of
the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and any
interest on the      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       5

Securities of this series (including this Security and the interests represented
hereby) shall terminate.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a)
the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Security and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related defaults and Events of Default, upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions shall
apply to this Security.

          The provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture apply to
Securities of this series.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby.  The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time Outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series
to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding
upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security  and the Persons
who are beneficial owners of interests represented hereby, and of any Security
issued in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such
consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

          As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no
Holder of any Security of this series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of this series shall have made written request, and offered
reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on this Security on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       6

unconditional to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this
Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein
prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein and herein set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities of the
series of which this Security is a part may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of such Securities for registration of
transfer at the office of the Security Registrar, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or two more new
Securities of this Series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for
the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee
or transferees.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange of Securities as provided above, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.

          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          The Securities of this series of which this Security is a part are
issuable only in registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000.00
and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to
certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series
and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

           The Securities of this series shall be dated the date of their
authentication.

          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or
its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized
officers, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       7

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.


Dated: _____, 1997



                                         CSX CORPORATION



[Seal]                            By:
                                        ----------------------------------
                                  Name:  David D. Owen
                                  Title: Managing Director--Corporate Finance


Attest:

- ----------------------------------- 
        Corporate Secretary



                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

        This is one of the Securities of a series issued under the Indenture
described herein.


                                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee

 
                                  By:
                                      --------------------------------------  
                                                Authorized Officer
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       8

                            FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE


          FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
- ----------------------------------


- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee


- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting
and appointing__________________________ attorney to transfer said Debenture on
the books of the Security Registrar with full power of substitution in the
premises.

Date:
     -------------------        ------------------------------------------------
                                NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must
                                correspond with the name as written upon the
                                face of the within-mentioned instrument in every
                                particular, without alteration or any change
                                whatsoever.
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       9

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE


          If you wish to have all or a portion of this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Article Fifteen of the Indenture, state the amount (in
principal amount): $               .  
                     --------------

Date: 
      ----------------------


Your Signature:
                ------------------------------------------------------------  
               (Sign exactly as your name appears elsewhere on this Security)


Signature Guarantee:  
                      ------------------------------------
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------


                             Schedule of Exchanges
                             ---------------------
     

<PAGE>
 
    
     UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR
ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED
BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.


                             =====================

                                 CSX CORPORATION

                             =====================


                                    FORM OF
                                 $___________
                           8.30% DEBENTURE DUE 2032



No.                                                            CUSIP 
    ---                                                              -----------

          This security (the "Security") is one of a duly authorized issue of
securities (herein called the "Securities") of CSX Corporation, a Virginia
corporation (hereinafter called the "Company," which term includes any successor
corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an indenture, unlimited as to aggregate
principal amount, dated as of August 1, 1990 between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined)), as supplemented
by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 1991 and a Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 1997, to which indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto (the indenture, as supplemented being herein
called the "Indenture") reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on
the face hereof, which series has been issued in an aggregate initial principal
amount of $___________ (_________________________ DOLLARS).  This Security
represents an aggregate initial principal amount of $___________
(_________________________ DOLLARS) (as adjusted from time to time in accordance
with the terms and provisions hereof and as set forth on Exhibit A hereto, the
"Principal Amount") of the Securities of such series, with the Interest Payment
Dates, date of original issuance, and date of Maturity      
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       2


specified herein and bearing interest on said Principal Amount at the interest
rate specified herein.

          The Company, for value received, hereby promises to pay _____________,
or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $___________
(_______________________ DOLLARS) on May 1, 2032, and to pay interest (computed
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) thereon from May 1, 1997
or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or
duly provided for, or, if the date of this Security is an Interest Payment Date
to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, then from the date hereof,
semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 in each year, commencing
November 1, 1997, and at Maturity at the rate of 8.30% per annum, until the
principal hereof is paid or duly made available for payment. The Company shall
pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent
lawful) interest on overdue installments of interest at the rate per annum borne
by the Security. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid
to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest, which shall be the April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a
Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, any such interest not so
punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the
Holder on such Regular Record Date and may be paid to the Person in whose name
this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close
of business on a Special Record Date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment
of such Defaulted Interest, notice whereof shall be given to the Holder of this
Security not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid
at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of
any securities exchange on which the Security of this series may be listed, and
upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided
in such Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable on this
Security at Maturity will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

          This Security is exchangeable in whole or from time to time in part
for definitive Registered Securities of this series only as provided in this
paragraph.  If (x) the U.S. Depository with respect to the Securities of this
series (the "U.S. Depository") notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable
or ineligible to continue as U.S. Depository for this Security or if at any time
the U.S. Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (y) the Company in its sole
discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for definitive
Registered Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order
providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have
happened and be continuing an Event of Default or any event which, after notice
or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of the series of which this Security is a part, this Security or any
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       3

portion hereof shall, in the case of clause (x) above, be exchanged for
definitive Registered Securities of this series, and in the case of clauses (y)
and (z) above, be exchangeable for definitive Registered Securities of this
series, provided that the definitive Security so issued in exchange for this
Security shall be in authorized denominations and be of like tenor and of an
equal aggregate principal amount as the portion of the Security to be exchanged,
and provided further that, in the case of clauses (y) and (z) above, definitive
Registered Securities of this series will be issued in exchange for this
Security, or any portion hereof, only if such definitive Registered Securities
were requested by written notice to the Security Registrar by or on behalf of a
Person who is a beneficial owner of an interest herein given through the Holder
hereof.  Any definitive Registered Security of this series issued in exchange
for this Security, or any portion hereof, shall be registered in the name or
names of such Person or Persons as the Holder hereof shall instruct the Security
Registrar.  Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this
Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Security in
definitive form and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose
under the Indenture.

          Any exchange of this Security or portion hereof for one or more
definitive Registered Securities of this series will be made at the New York
office of the Security Registrar.  Upon exchange of any portion of this Security
for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this series, the Trustee
shall endorse Exhibit A of this Security to reflect the reduction of its
Principal Amount by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
definitive Registered Securities of this series so issued in exchange, whereupon
the Principal Amount hereof shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so
exchanged and noted.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Indenture,
until exchanged in full for one or more definitive Registered Securities of this
series, this Security shall in all respects be subject to and entitled to the
same benefits and conditions under the Indenture as a duly authenticated and
delivered definitive Registered Security of this series.

          The principal and any interest in respect of any portion of this
Security payable in respect of an Interest Payment Date or at the Stated
Maturity thereof, in each case occurring prior to the exchange of such portion
for a definitive Registered Security or Securities of this series, will be paid,
as provided herein, to the Holder hereof which will undertake in such
circumstances to credit any such principal and interest received by it in
respect of this Security to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the
beneficial owners of such interests on such Interest Payment Date or at Stated
Maturity.  If a definitive Registered Security or Registered Securities of this
series are issued in exchange for any portion of this Security after the close
of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any
Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency
on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and
before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed
date for payment of Defaulted Interest, then interest or Defaulted Interest, as
the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed
date for payment, as the case may      


<PAGE>
 
    
                                       4

be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest
Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the
Holder hereof, and the Holder hereof will undertake in such circumstances to
credit such interest to the account or accounts of the Persons who were the
beneficial owners of such portion of this Security on such Regular Record Date
or Special Record Date, as the case may be.

          Payment of the principal of and any such interest on this Security
will be made at the offices of The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Paying Agent, in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of
the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts by check mailed to the registered Holders thereof;
provided, however, that at the option of the Holder, payment of interest may be
- --------  -------                                                              
made by wire transfer of immediately funds to an account of the Person entitled
hereto as such account shall be provided to the Security Registrar and shall
appear in the Security Register.

          The Securities of this series are subject to redemption on or after
May 1, 2007, in whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the
following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount):
if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning May 1 of the years indicated,

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
          YEAR                         REDEMPTION PRICE
          ----                         -----------------
          <S>                          <C>
          2007                         104.150%
          2008                         103.735
          2009                         103.320
          2010                         102.905
          2011                         102.490
          2012                         102.075
          2013                         101.660
          2014                         101.245
          2015                         100.830
          2016                         100.415
          2017 and thereafter          100.000
</TABLE>

in each case with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however,
that installments of interest on this Security whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder of this Security, or
one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the
relevant Regular Record Dates referred to on the face hereof all as provided in
the Indenture.  Notice of redemption will be given by mail to Holders of
Securities, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       5

for redemption, all as provided in the Indenture.  In the event of redemption of
this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of
like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the
Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

          If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
(including this Security and the interests represented hereby) may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii)
of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of
the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and any
interest on the Securities of this series (including this Security and the
interests represented hereby) shall terminate.

          The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a)
the entire indebtedness of the Company on this Security and (b) certain
restrictive covenants and the related defaults and Events of Default, upon
compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions shall
apply to this Security.

          The provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture apply to
Securities of this series.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby.  The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time Outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series
to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding
upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security  and the Persons
who are beneficial owners of interests represented hereby, and of any Security
issued in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such
consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

          As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no
Holder of any Security of this series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       6

Outstanding Securities of this series shall have made written request, and
offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as
trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of this series a
direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on this Security on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein and herein set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities of the
series of which this Security is a part may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of such Securities for registration of
transfer at the office of the Security Registrar, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or two more new
Securities of this Series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for
the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee
or transferees.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange of Securities as provided above, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.

          Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

          The Securities of this series of which this Security is a part are
issuable only in registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000.00
and any integral multiple thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to
certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series
and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

          The Securities of this series shall be dated the date of their
authentication.
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       7


          All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or
its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized
officers, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       8

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.


Dated:      , 1997
       -----


                                  CSX CORPORATION



[Seal]                       By:
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                 Name: David D. Owen
                                 Title:  Managing Director--Corporate Finance


Attest:


- --------------------------------------- 
         Corporate Secretary



                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

     This is one of the Securities of a series issued under the Indenture
described herein.


                                  THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Trustee



 
                             By:
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                              Authorized Officer
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                       9

                            FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE


          FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
- ----------------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the within Debenture and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting
and appointing ________________________________ attorney to transfer said
Debenture on the books of the Security Registrar with full power of substitution
in the premises.



Date:
     --------------------         ----------------------------------------------
                                  NOTICE:  The signature to this assignment must
                                  correspond with the name as written upon the
                                  face of the within-mentioned instrument in
                                  every particular, without alteration or any
                                  change whatsoever.
     
<PAGE>
 
    
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------


                             Schedule of Exchanges
                             ---------------------
     

<PAGE>
 
    
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


         OPINION AND CONSENT OF McGUIRE, WOODS, BATTLE & BOOTHE, L.L.P.


              [McGUIRE, WOODS, BATTLE & BOOTHE, L.L.P. LETTERHEAD]


                                August 8, 1997



CSX Corporation
One James Center
901 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to CSX Corporation (the "Company") in connection
with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") being
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the
proposed issuance by the Company of $350,000,000 in principal amount of 7.05%
Debentures Due 2002, $300,000,000 in principal amount of 7.25% Debentures Due
2004, $450,000,000 in principal amount of 7.45% Debentures Due 2007,
$400,000,000 in principal amount of 7.90% Debentures Due 2017, $500,000,000 in
principal amount of 7.95% Debentures Due 2027, $100,000,000 in principal amount
of 6.95% Debentures Due 2027, $250,000,000 in principal amount of 7.25%
Debentures Due 2027 and $150,000,000 in principal amount of 8.30% Debentures Due
2032 (collectively, the "New Debentures") registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), in exchange for up to $350,000,000 in
principal amount of the Company's outstanding 7.05% Debentures Due 2002,
$300,000,000 in principal amount of the Company's outstanding 7.25% Debentures
Due 2004, $450,000,000 in principal amount of the Company's outstanding 7.45%
Debentures Due 2007, $400,000,000 in principal amount of the Company's
outstanding 7.90% Debentures Due 2017, $500,000,000 in principal amount of the
Company's outstanding 7.95% Debentures Due 2027, $100,000,000 in principal
amount of the Company's outstanding 6.95% Debentures Due 2027, $250,000,000 in
principal amount of the Company's outstanding 7.25% Debentures Due 2027 and
$150,000,000 in principal amount of the Company's outstanding 8.30% Debentures
Due 2032 (collectively, the "Old Debentures"), respectively. The New Debentures
will be issued under an Indenture, dated August 1, 1990 (the "Indenture"), as
amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated June 15, 1991
and the Second Supplemental Indenture dated May 6, 1997, between the Company and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee").

     We have examined such corporate records, certificates and other documents,
and reviewed such questions of law, as we have considered necessary or
appropriate for the purpose of this opinion.

     On the basis of such examination and review, we advise you that, in our
opinion, when the Registration Statement has become effective under the
Securities Act, and the New Debentures have been duly issued and exchanged in
the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, and assuming due
authentication thereof by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in accordance
with the provisions of the Indenture,as amended and supplemented, the Debentures
will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

<PAGE>
 
     
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Validity of the New Debentures" contained in the Prospectus included therein.
In giving this consent we do not admit that we are in the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.

                                     Very truly yours,


                                     /s/ McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P.
     

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1


                                CSX Corporation
                      Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                             (Dollars in millions)
<TABLE>    
<CAPTION>
 
 
                                                          For the Six   
                                                          Months Ended                  For the Fiscal Years Ended
                                                      --------------------  -------------------------------------------------
                                                      
                                                      June 27,   June 28,   Dec. 27,   Dec. 29,  Dec. 30,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
                                                        1997       1996       1996       1995      1994      1993      1992
                                                        ----       ----       ----       ----      ----      ----      ----
                                                      
Earnings                                              
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
     Earnings (loss) before income taxes                 $ 573      $ 584     $1,316     $  974    $1,006    $  633      $ (7)
     Interest expense                                      195        131        249        270       281       298       276
     Amortization of debt discount                         ---        ---          2          2         3         1         1
     Interest portion of fixed rent                         94         94        189        184       206       206       216
     Undistributed earnings (loss) of affiliates       
        accounted for using the equity method              (12)        (2)        (6)         3        10         7        (2) 
     Minority interest                                      20         18         42         32        21        14        15
                                                         -----      -----     ------     ------    ------    ------      ----
                                                      
Earnings, as Adjusted                                    $ 870      $ 825     $1,792     $1,465    $1,527    $1,159      $499
                                                         =====      =====     ======     ======    ======    ======      ====
                                                      
                                                      
Fixed Charges                                         
     Interest expense                                    $ 195      $ 131     $  249     $  270    $  281    $  298      $276
     Capitalized interest expense                            1          2          5          6         9         6         6
     Amortization of debt discount                         ---        ---          2          2         3         1         1
     Interest portion of fixed rent                         94         94        189        184       206       206       216
                                                         -----      -----     ------     ------    ------    ------      ----
                                                      
Fixed Charges                                            $ 290      $ 227     $  445     $  462    $  499    $  511      $499
                                                         =====      =====     ======     ======    ======    ======      ====
                                                      
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges                        3.0x       3.6x       4.0x       3.2x      3.1x      2.3x      1.0x
                                                         =====      =====     ======     ======    ======    ======      ====
</TABLE>     

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 15.1


       AWARENESS LETTER OF PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP, INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


       
 August 6, 1997     

 Securities and Exchange Commission
 450 Fifth Street, N.W.
 Washington, D.C. 20549

 Dear Sirs:
    
 We are aware that CSX Corporation has incorporated by reference our report
 dated April 16, 1997 related to Conrail Inc. (issued pursuant to the provisions
 of Statement on Auditing Standards No. 71) in Amendment No. 1 to its
 Registration Statement on Form S-4 No. 333-28523 to be filed on August 8, 1997.
 We are also aware of our responsibilities under the Securities Act of 1933. 
         
 Very truly yours,

 /s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
 Thirty South Seventeenth Street
 Philadelphia, PA 19103

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


 We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Selected
 Historical Financial Data for the Company" and "Experts" in the Registration
 Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of CSX Corporation and
 subsidiaries, and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
 January 31, 1997 (except for Note 2, as to which the date is March 7, 1997),
 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of CSX Corporation and
 subsidiaries included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
 December 27, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                         /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
        
 Richmond, Virginia
 August 6, 1997          

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


           CONSENT OF PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP, INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

    
 We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
 constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of CSX Corporation
 of our report dated January 21, 1997, except as to Note 2, which is as of March
 7, 1997, on the consolidated financial statements of Conrail Inc. for the year
 ended December 31, 1996, which appears in the Current Report on Form 8-K of CSX
 Corporation filed as of June 4, 1997. We also consent to the references to us
 under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.    

 /s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
 Philadelphia, PA

        
 August 6, 1997          

<PAGE>
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                                CSX CORPORATION
 
                              OFFERS TO EXCHANGE
 
                   ALL OUTSTANDING               REGISTERED
 
          7.05% DEBENTURES DUE 2002   FOR   7.05% DEBENTURES DUE 2002
          7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2004   FOR   7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2004
          7.45% DEBENTURES DUE 2007   FOR   7.45% DEBENTURES DUE 2007
          7.90% DEBENTURES DUE 2017   FOR   7.90% DEBENTURES DUE 2017
          7.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027   FOR   7.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027
          6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027   FOR   6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027
          7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2027   FOR   7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2027
          8.30% DEBENTURES DUE 2032   FOR   8.30% DEBENTURES DUE 2032
 
                 PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED      , 1997
 
 
 THE EXCHANGE OFFERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
                  CITY TIME, ON      , 1997 UNLESS EXTENDED.
 
                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, Exchange Agent
 
  By Mail, Overnight Courier or Hand                    By Facsimile:
               Delivery:

         450 West 33rd Street                   212-946-8158 or 212-946-8159 
              15th Floor   
     New York, New York 10001-2697                  Confirm by Telephone:
     Attention: Ronald J. Halleran                      212-946-3068 
                                                                              
                                                                 
                                                                 
  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE, OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER
OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
  THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
 
  The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received and reviewed the
Prospectus, dated      , 1997 (the "Prospectus"), of CSX Corporation, a
Virginia corporation (the "Company"), and this Letter of Transmittal (the
"Letter of Transmittal"), which together constitute the Company's offers (the
"Exchange Offers") to exchange, from the registered holders (the "Holders")
thereof (i) an aggregate principal amount of up to $350,000,000 of the
Company's 7.05% Debentures Due 2002 (the "New 2002 Debentures"), which have
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus is a part,
for a like principal amount of the issued and outstanding 7.05% Debentures Due
2002 (the "Old 2002 Debentures") of the Company, (ii) an aggregate principal
amount of up to $300,000,000 of the Company's 7.25% Debentures Due 2004 (the
"New 2004 Debentures"), which have been registered under the Securities Act,
pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus is a part, for a
like principal amount of the issued and outstanding 7.25% Debentures Due 2004
(the "Old 2004 Debentures") of the Company, (iii) an aggregate principal
amount of up to $450,000,000 of the Company's 7.45% Debentures Due 2007 (the
"New 2007 Debentures"), which have been registered under the Securities Act,
pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus is a part, for a
like principal amount of the issued and outstanding 7.45% Debentures Due 2007
(the "Old 2007 Debentures") of the Company, (iv) an aggregate principal amount
of up to
<PAGE>
 
$400,000,000 of the Company's 7.90% Debentures Due 2017 (the "New 2017
Debentures"), which have been registered under the Securities Act, pursuant to
a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus is a part, for a like
principal amount of the issued and outstanding 7.90% Debentures Due 2017 (the
"Old 2017 Debentures") of the Company, (v) an aggregate principal amount of up
to $500,000,000 of the Company's 7.95% Debentures Due 2027 (the "New 7.95%
2027 Debentures"), which have been registered under the Securities Act,
pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus is a part, for a
like principal amount of the issued and outstanding 7.95% Debentures Due 2027
(the "Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures") of the Company, (vi) an aggregate principal
amount of up to $100,000,000 of the Company's 6.95% Debentures Due 2027 (the
"New 6.95% 2027 Debentures"), which have been registered under the Securities
Act, pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus is a part,
for a like principal amount of the issued and outstanding 6.95% Debentures Due
2027 (the "Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures") of the Company, (vii) an aggregate
principal amount of up to $250,000,000 of the Company's 7.25% Debentures Due
2027 (the "New 7.25% 2027 Debentures"), which have been registered under the
Securities Act, pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus
is a part, for a like principal amount of the issued and outstanding 7.25%
Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures") of the Company, and
(viii) an aggregate principal amount of up to $150,000,000 of the Company's
8.30% Debentures Due 2032 (the "New 2032 Debentures"), which have been
registered under the Securities Act, pursuant to a Registration Statement of
which the Prospectus is a part, for a like principal amount of the issued and
outstanding 8.30% Debentures Due 2032 (the "Old 2032 Debentures") of the
Company. The New 2002 Debentures, New 2004 Debentures, New 2007 Debentures,
New 2017 Debentures, New 7.95% 2027 Debentures, New 6.95% 2027 Debentures, New
7.25% 2027 Debentures and New 2032 Debentures are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "New Debentures," and the Old 2002 Debentures, Old 2004
Debentures, Old 2007 Debentures, Old 2017 Debentures, Old 7.95% 2027
Debentures, Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures and Old 2032
Debentures are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "Old
Debentures."
 
  The term "Expiration Dates" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
    ,1997, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends the Exchange
Offers, in which case the term shall mean the latest date and time to which
the Exchange Offers are extended. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.
 
  For each Old Debenture accepted for exchange, the Holder of such Old
Debenture will receive a New Debenture having a principal amount equal to that
of the surrendered Old Debenture. Accordingly, registered Holders of New
Debentures on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date
following the consummation of the Exchange Offer will receive interest
accruing from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Old
Debentures or, if no interest has been paid, from May 1, 1997. Old Debentures
accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after the date of
consummation of the Exchange Offer. Holders whose Old Debentures are accepted
for exchange will not receive any payment in respect of accrued interest on
such Old Debentures otherwise payable on any interest payment date the record
date for which occurs on or after consummation of the Exchange Offer.
 
  This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by a Holder of Old Debentures
either if certificates for such Old Debentures are to be forwarded herewith or
if a tender of Old Debentures is to be made by book-entry transfer to the
account maintained by The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Exchange Agent") at The
Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" or "DTC")
pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offers--Book-Entry
Transfer" section of the Prospectus and an Agent's Message is not delivered.
Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an Agent's
Message in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal. The term "Agent's Message"
means a message, transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to and
received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation
(as defined below), which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has
received an express acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which
acknowledgment states that such participant has received and agrees to be
bound by the Letter of Transmittal and that the Company may enforce the Letter
of Transmittal against such participant. Holders of Old Debentures whose
certificates for such Old Debentures are not immediately available, or who are
unable to deliver their certificates or confirmation of the book-entry tender
of their Old Debentures into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") and all other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent on or prior to
the Expiration Date, must tender their Old Debentures according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offers--Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures" section of the Prospectus. See Instruction 1.
 
           DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY
              DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this
Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take
with respect to the Exchange Offers.
 
  THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX BELOW ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF 7.05%
DEBENTURES DUE 2002", "DESCRIPTION OF 7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2004", "DESCRIPTION
OF 7.45% DEBENTURES DUE 2007", "DESCRIPTION OF 7.90% DEBENTURES DUE 2017",
"DESCRIPTION OF 7.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027", "DESCRIPTION OF 6.95% DEBENTURES
DUE 2027", "DESCRIPTION OF 7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2027" OR "DESCRIPTION OF 8.30%
DEBENTURES DUE 2032", OR ANY COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE, AND SIGNING THIS LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE OLD DEBENTURES AS SET FORTH
IN SUCH BOXES BELOW.
 
                 PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                     CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE BOXES
 
  List below the Old Debentures to which this Letter of Transmittal relates.
If the space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and
principal amount of Old Debentures should be listed on a separate signed
schedule affixed hereto.
 
           DESCRIPTION OF 7.05% DEBENTURES DUE 2002 TENDERED HEREBY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


<S>                         <C>                    <C>                 <C> 
     NAME AND ADDRESS                                                   PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
 OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS                                                OLD 2002 DEBENTURES
    IT APPEARS ON THE                              AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL TENDERED (MUST BE IN
    OLD 2002 DEBENTURE                             AMOUNT REPRESENTED  INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)  CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)*  BY CERTIFICATE(S)        $1,000)**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------
                                       TOTAL
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 ** Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount of Old 2002
    Debentures Tendered," any tendering Holder of Old 2002 Debentures will
    be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate principal amount
    represented by the column labeled "Aggregate Principal Amount
    Represented by Certificate(s)."
 
   The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old 2002
   Debentures and all tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000 in
   principal amount.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            DESCRIPTION OF 7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2004 TENDERED HEREBY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NAME AND ADDRESS                                                   PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
 OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS                                                OLD 2004 DEBENTURES
    IT APPEARS ON THE                              AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL TENDERED (MUST BE IN
   OLD 2004 DEBENTURES                             AMOUNT REPRESENTED  INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)  CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)*  BY CERTIFICATE(S)        $1,000)**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                    <C>                 <C> 

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------
                                       TOTAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 ** Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount of Old 2004
    Debentures Tendered," any tendering Holder of Old 2004 Debentures will
    be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate principal amount
    represented by the column labeled "Aggregate Principal Amount
    Represented by Certificate(s)."
 
   The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old 2004
   Debentures and all tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000 in
   principal amount.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            DESCRIPTION OF 7.45% DEBENTURES DUE 2007 TENDERED HEREBY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     NAME AND ADDRESS                                                   PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
 OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS                                                OLD 2007 DEBENTURES
    IT APPEARS ON THE                              AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL TENDERED (MUST BE IN
   OLD 2007 DEBENTURES                             AMOUNT REPRESENTED  INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)  CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)*  BY CERTIFICATE(S)        $1,000)**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                    <C>                 <C> 

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------
                                       TOTAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 ** Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount of Old 2007
    Debentures Tendered," any tendering Holder of Old 2007 Debentures will
    be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate principal amount
    represented by the column labeled "Aggregate Principal Amount
    Represented by Certificate(s)."
 
   The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old 2007
   Debentures and all tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000 in
   principal amount.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               DESCRIPTION OF 7.90% DEBENTURES DUE 2017 TENDERED HEREBY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NAME AND ADDRESS                                                   PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
 OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS                                                OLD 2017 DEBENTURES
    IT APPEARS ON THE                              AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL TENDERED (MUST BE IN
   OLD 2017 DEBENTURES                             AMOUNT REPRESENTED  INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)  CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)*  BY CERTIFICATE(S)        $1,000)**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                    <C>                 <C> 

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------

                                  ----------------------------------------------------------
                                       TOTAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 ** Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount of Old 2017
    Debentures Tendered," any tendering Holder of Old 2017 Debentures will
    be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate principal amount
    represented by the column labeled "Aggregate Principal Amount
    Represented by Certificate(s)."
 
   The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old 2017
   Debentures and all tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000 in
   principal amount.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               DESCRIPTION OF 7.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027 TENDERED HEREBY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NAME AND ADDRESS                                                   PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
 OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS                                                   OLD 7.95% 2027
    IT APPEARS ON THE                              AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL  DEBENTURES TENDERED
OLD 7.95% 2027 DEBENTURES                          AMOUNT REPRESENTED   (MUST BE IN INTEGRAL
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)  CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)*  BY CERTIFICATE(S)  MULTIPLES OF $1,000)**
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                     <C>                <C> 

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                       TOTAL
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders. 
 ** Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount of Old 7.95%
    2027 Debentures Tendered," any tendering Holder of Old 7.95% 2027
    Debentures will be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate
    principal amount represented by the column labeled "Aggregate Principal
    Amount Represented by Certificate(s)."
 
   The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old 7.95%
   2027 Debentures and all tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000
   in principal amount.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  DESCRIPTION OF 6.95% DEBENTURES DUE 2027 TENDERED HEREBY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NAME AND ADDRESS                                                     PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
 OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS                                                 OF OLD 6.95% 2027
    IT APPEARS ON THE                              AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL  DEBENTURES TENDERED
OLD 6.95% 2027 DEBENTURES                          AMOUNT REPRESENTED   (MUST BE IN INTEGRAL
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)  CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)*  BY CERTIFICATE(S)  MULTIPLES OF $1,000)**
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                    <C>                 <C> 

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------

                                  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                       TOTAL
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 ** Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount of Old 6.95%
    2027 Debentures Tendered," any tendering Holder of Old 6.95% 2027
    Debentures will be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate
    principal amount represented by the column labeled "Aggregate Principal
    Amount Represented by Certificate(s)."
 
   The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old 6.95%
   2027 Debentures and all tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000
   in principal amount.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               DESCRIPTION OF 7.25% DEBENTURES DUE 2027 TENDERED HEREBY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NAME AND ADDRESS                                                  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OLD
 OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS                                                7.25% 2027 DEBENTURES
    IT APPEARS ON THE                              AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL  TENDERED (MUST BE IN
OLD 7.25% 2027 DEBENTURES                          AMOUNT REPRESENTED   INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)  CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)*  BY CERTIFICATE(S)         $1,000)**
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                    <C>                  <C> 

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                                       TOTAL
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 ** Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount of Old 7.25%
    2027 Debentures Tendered," any tendering Holder of Old 7.25% 2027
    Debentures will be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate
    principal amount represented by the column labeled "Aggregate Principal
    Amount Represented by Certificate(s)."
 
   The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old 7.25%
   2027 Debentures and all tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000
   in principal amount.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                DESCRIPTION OF 8.30% DEBENTURES DUE 2032 TENDERED HEREBY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     NAME AND ADDRESS                                                  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OLD
 OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS                                                   2032 DEBENTURES
    IT APPEARS ON THE                              AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL  TENDERED (MUST BE IN
   OLD 2032 DEBENTURES                             AMOUNT REPRESENTED   INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)  CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)*  BY CERTIFICATE(S)         $1,000)**
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                    <C>                  <C> 

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                                       TOTAL
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 ** Unless indicated in the column labeled "Principal Amount of Old 2032
    Debentures Tendered," any tendering Holder of Old 2032 Debentures will
    be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate principal amount
    represented by the column labeled "Aggregate Principal Amount
    Represented by Certificate(s)."
 
   The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Old 2032
   Debentures and all tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000 in
   principal amount.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
[_] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD DEBENTURES ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH.
 
[_] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD DEBENTURES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
    TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND
    COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS (AS HEREINAFTER
    DEFINED) ONLY):
 
    Name of Tendering Institution 
                                  -----------------------------------------
 
    DTC Account Number 
                       ----------------------------------------------------
 
    Transaction Code Number 
                            -----------------------------------------------
 
[_] CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF
    TENDERED OLD DEBENTURES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
    GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE
    FOLLOWING (FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY):
 
    Name(s) of Registered Holder(s) 
                                    ---------------------------------------
 
    Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery 
                                                       --------------------
 
    Window Ticket Number (if available) 
                                        -----------------------------------
 
    Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery 
                                                  -------------------------
 
    DTC Account Number (if delivered by book-entry transfer) 
                                                             --------------
 
    Transaction Code Number (if delivered by book-entry transfer) 
                                                                  ---------
 
    Name of Tendering Institution (if delivered by book-entry
    transfer) 
              -------------------------------------------------------------

[_] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OLD
    DEBENTURES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH
    ABOVE (FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY). 

[_] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD DEBENTURES FOR
    YOUR OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
    (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES
    OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO
    (FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY). 
 
    Name: 
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Address: 
             --------------------------------------------------------------
  
             --------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offers, the
undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the aggregate principal amount of
Old Debentures indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance
for exchange of the Old Debentures tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby
exchanges, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all
right, title and interest in and to such Old Debentures as are being tendered
hereby, including all rights to accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of the
Expiration Date. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
the Exchange Agent its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that
the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Company in connection with
the Exchange Offers) with respect to the tendered Old Debentures with full
power of substitution to (i) deliver certificates for such Old Debentures, or
transfer ownership of such Old Debentures on the account books maintained by
DTC, to the Company and deliver all accompanying evidences of transfer and
authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company and (ii) present such Old
Debentures for transfer on the books of the Company and receive all benefits
and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old
Debentures, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offers. The power
of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be deemed irrevocable and coupled
with an interest.
 
  The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old
Debentures tendered hereby and to acquire the New Debentures issuable upon the
exchange of tendered Old Debentures and that the Company will acquire good and
unencumbered title to the tendered Old Debentures, free and clear of all
liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse
claim when the same are accepted for exchange by the Company. The undersigned
hereby further represents (i) that any New Debentures acquired in exchange for
Old Debentures tendered hereby will have been acquired in the ordinary course
of business of the person receiving such New Debentures, whether or not such
person is the undersigned, (ii) that neither the Holder of such Old Debentures
nor any such other person is participating in, intends to participate in or
has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of such New Debentures and (iii) that neither the Holder of such
Old Debentures nor any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined in Rule
405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of
the Company.

  The undersigned also acknowledges that the Exchange Offers are being made in
reliance on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"), as set forth in no-action letters issued to third
parties, including Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13,
1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5, 1991), Shearman &
Sterling (available July 2, 1993) and similar no-action letters (the "Prior
No-Action Letters"), that the New Debentures issued pursuant to the Exchange
Offers in exchange for the Old Debentures may be offered for resale, resold
and otherwise transferred by Holders thereof (other than any such Holder which
is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Debentures
are acquired in the ordinary course of such Holders' business and such Holders
have no arrangement with any person to participate in a distribution of such
New Debentures. However, the SEC has not considered the Exchange Offers in the
context of a no-action letter and there can be no assurance that the staff of
the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offers
as in other circumstances. If the undersigned or the person receiving the New
Debentures covered hereby is a broker-dealer that is receiving the New
Debentures for its own account in exchange for Old Debentures that were
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities,
the undersigned acknowledges that it or such other person will deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale of such New Debentures; however, by so acknowledging and by
delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it
is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. The undersigned
and any such other person acknowledge that, if they are participating in the
Exchange Offers for the purpose of distributing the New Debentures, they
cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC enunciated in the Prior
No-Action Letters and, in the absence of an exemption therefrom, must comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act in connection with the resale transaction. If the undersigned or the
person receiving the New Debentures covered by this letter is an "affiliate"
(as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act) of the Company, the
undersigned represents to the Company that the undersigned understands and
acknowledges that neither the undersigned nor any such other person may rely
on the position of the staff of the SEC enunciated in the Prior No-Action
Letters, and that such New Debentures may not be offered for resale, resold or
otherwise transferred by the undersigned or such other person without
registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. 
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
  The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Company or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or
desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the Old
Debentures tendered hereby. The undersigned further agrees that acceptance of
any tendered Old Debentures by the Company and the issuance of New Debentures
in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in full by the Company of
its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and that the Company
shall have no further obligations or liabilities thereunder for the
registration of the Old Debentures or the New Debentures. All authority
conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal and every
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors,
assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal
representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall
survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. This tender may be
withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in "The Exchange
Offers--Withdrawal Rights" section of the Prospectus.
 
  The Exchange Offers are subject to certain conditions set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offers--Certain Conditions to the
Exchange Offers." The undersigned recognizes that as a result of these
conditions (which may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Company), as more
particularly set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may not be required to
exchange any of the Old Debentures tendered hereby and, in such event, the Old
Debentures not exchanged will be returned to the undersigned at the address
shown below the signature of the undersigned.
 
  Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" below,
certificates for all New Debentures delivered in exchange for tendered Old
Debentures (and, if applicable, Old Debentures delivered herewith but not
exchanged) will be registered in the name of the undersigned and shall be
delivered to the undersigned at the address shown below the signature of the
undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry delivery of Old Debentures, the
account indicated above maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility shall
be credited.
 
 
- -------------------------------------    -------------------------------------- 
    SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS            SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
    (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3, 4 AND 5)              (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
 
   To be completed ONLY (i) if               To be completed ONLY if certif-
 certificates for Old Debentures           icates for Old Debentures not
 not tendered, or New Debentures           tendered, or New Debentures is-
 issued in exchange for Old Deben-         sued in exchange for Old Deben-
 tures accepted for exchange, are          tures accepted for exchange, are
 to be issued in the name of some-         to be sent to someone other than
 one other than the undersigned,           the undersigned, or to the under-
 or (ii) if Old Debentures ten-            signed at an address other than
 dered by book-entry transfer              that shown above.
 which are not exchanged are to be
 returned by credit to an account
 maintained at DTC other than the
 DTC Account Number set forth
 above.
 
 Issue certificate(s) to:                  Mail to:
                                     
 Name                                      Name                              
      -----------------------------             -----------------------------
           (PLEASE PRINT)                             (PLEASE PRINT)         
                                     
 Address                                   Address 
         --------------------------                --------------------------
 
 ----------------------------------        ----------------------------------

 ----------------------------------        ----------------------------------
         (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)                         (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
                                      
 ----------------------------------        ----------------------------------
    (TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR                (TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR
        SOCIAL SECURITY NO.)                       SOCIAL SECURITY NO.)
                                      
 Credit Old Debentures not ex-        
 changed and delivered by book-en-    
 try transfer to the DTC account      
 set forth below:                     
                                      
 DTC Account Number                   
                    ---------------     
- -------------------------------------    --------------------------------------
 
                PLEASE READ ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
                                PLEASE SIGN HERE
                   (TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS)
                  (Complete accompanying Substitute W-9 below)
 
                                                                         , 1997
- ---------------------------------------------    ------------------------
                                                            DATE
                                                                         , 1997
- ---------------------------------------------    ------------------------
          SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S)                         DATE             

                                                              
 
Area Code and Telephone Number: 
                                -------------
 
  This Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly
as the name(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s) for the Old Debentures hereby
tendered or on a security position listing, or by any person(s) authorized to
become registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith.
If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, officer or
other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth
the signer's full title. See Instruction 3.
 
Name(s): 
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
Capacity (Full Title): 
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
 
Address: 
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
Area Code(s) and Telephone Number: 
                                   ---------------------------------------------
 
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number: 
                                                   -----------------------------
 
                              SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
                         (if required by Instruction 3)
 
Signature(s) Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution:
 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (TITLE)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (NAME OF FIRM)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   (ADDRESS)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        (AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER)
 
Dated:                      , 1997
       ---------------------

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                                 INSTRUCTIONS
        FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFERS
 
  1. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Old Debentures; Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders
of Old Debentures either if certificates for such Old Debentures are to be
forwarded herewith or if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for
delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange Offers--Book-Entry
Transfer" section of the Prospectus and an Agent's Message is not delivered.
Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an Agent's
Message in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal. The term "Agent's Message"
means a message, transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to and
received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a Book-Entry
Confirmation, which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received
an express acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment
states that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the Letter
of Transmittal and that the Company may enforce the Letter of Transmittal
against such participant. Certificates for all physically tendered Old
Debentures, or Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, as well as a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
hereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof) and any other documents required by
this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at the
address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the tendering
holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below.
Old Debentures tendered hereby must be in denominations of principal amount of
$1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
 
  Holders who wish to tender their Old Debentures, but whose certificates for
Old Debentures are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their
certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or
prior to the Expiration Date, or who cannot complete the procedure for book-
entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender their Old Debentures pursuant to
the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offers--
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" section of the Prospectus. Pursuant to such
procedures, (i) such tender must be made through an Eligible Institution (as
defined below); (ii) on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must receive from such Eligible
Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, substantially in the form provided by the Company (by telegram,
telex, facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), setting forth the name
and address of the Holder of Old Debentures and the principal amount of Old
Debentures tendered stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days
after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the
certificates for all physically tendered Old Debentures, in proper form for
transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, together with a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof) with any required signature
guarantees and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal will
be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (iii)
the certificates for all physically tendered Old Debentures, in proper form
for transfer, or Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, together with a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof) with any required signature
guarantees and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, are
deposited with the Exchange Agent by the Eligible Institution within three
NYSE trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
 
  The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, the Old Debentures and
all other required documents is at the election and risk of the tendering
Holders, and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received or
confirmed by the Exchange Agent. If Old Debentures are sent by mail, it is
suggested that the mailing be by registered mail, properly insured, with
return receipt requested, and made sufficiently in advance of the Expiration
Date to permit delivery to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date.
 
  Only a Holder (as defined in the Prospectus) of Old Debentures may tender
such Old Debentures in the Exchange Offers. Any beneficial holder of Old
Debentures who is not the registered holder and who wishes to tender should
arrange with the registered holder to execute and deliver this Letter of
Transmittal on his or her behalf or must, prior to completing and executing
this Letter of Transmittal and delivering the Old Debentures, either make
appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old Debentures in such
holder's name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) or acceptance of tendered Old Debentures and withdrawal of tendered
Old Debentures will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which
determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute
right to reject any and all Old Debentures not properly tendered or any Old
Debentures the Company's acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel
for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any
defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Old
Debentures. The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offers (including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal)
shall be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or
irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Debentures must be cured
within such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the
Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give
notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old
Debentures, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such
notification. Tenders of Old Debentures will not be deemed to have been made
until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Old
Debentures received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and
as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will
be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering Holders of Old Debentures,
unless otherwise provided in this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as
practicable following the Expiration Date.
 
  See "The Exchange Offers" section of the Prospectus.
 
  2. Partial Tenders (Not Applicable to Debenture Holders who Tender by Book-
Entry Transfer). If less than all the Old Debentures evidenced by a submitted
certificate is to be tendered, the tendering Holder(s) should fill in the
aggregate principal amount of Old Debentures to be tendered in the boxes above
entitled "Description of 7.05% Debentures Due 2002 Tendered Hereby--Principal
Amount of Old 2002 Debentures Tendered", "Description of 7.25% Debentures Due
2004 Tendered Hereby--Principal Amount of Old 2004 Debentures Tendered",
"Description of 7.45% Debentures Due 2007 Tendered Hereby--Principal Amount of
Old 2007 Debentures Tendered", "Description of 7.90% Debentures Due 2017
Tendered Hereby--Principal Amount of Old 2017 Debentures Tendered",
"Description of 7.95% Debentures Due 2027 Tendered Hereby--Principal Amount of
Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures Tendered", "Description of 6.95% Debentures Due 2027
Tendered Hereby--Principal Amount of Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures Tendered",
"Description of 7.25% Debentures Due 2027 Tendered Hereby--Principal Amount of
Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures Tendered", and "Description of 8.30% Debentures Due
2032 Tendered Hereby--Principal Amount of Old 2032 Debentures Tendered." A
reissued certificate representing the balance of nontendered Old Debentures
will be sent to such tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the
appropriate box of this Letter of Transmittal, promptly after the Expiration
Date. All of the Old Debentures delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed
to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
 
  3. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal, Bond Powers and Endorsements,
Guarantee of Signatures. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the Holder
of the Old Debentures tendered hereby, the signature must correspond exactly
with the name as written on the face of the certificates or on a DTC security
position listing without any change whatsoever.
 
  If any tendered Old Debentures are owned of record by two or more joint
owners, all of such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
 
  If any tendered Old Debentures are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate copies of this Letter of Transmittal as there are different
registrations of certificates.
 
  When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder or
holders of the Old Debentures specified herein and tendered hereby, no
endorsements of certificates or separate bond powers are required. If,
however, the New Debentures are to be issued, or any untendered Old Debentures
are to be reissued, to a person other than the registered holder, then
endorsements of any certificates transmitted hereby or separate bond powers
are required. Signatures on such certificate(s) must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder or holders of any certificate(s) specified herein, such
certificate(s) must be endorsed accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in
either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or
holders appear(s) on the certificate(s) and signatures on such certificate(s)
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or bond powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
such persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the
Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so
act must be submitted.
 
  Endorsements on certificates for Old Debentures or signatures on bond powers
required by this Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by a financial institution
(including most banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses)
that is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the
New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchanges
Medallion Program (each, an "Eligible Institution").
 
  Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution, provided the Old Debentures are tendered: (i) by a
registered holder of Old Debentures who has not completed the box entitled
"Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on this
Letter of Transmittal, or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution.
 
  4. Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions. Tendering holders of Old
Debentures should indicate in the applicable box the name and address (or
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) to which New Debentures issued
pursuant to the Exchange Offers and/or substitute certificates evidencing Old
Debentures not exchanged are to be issued or sent (or deposited), if different
from the name or address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In
the case of issuance in a different name, the employer identification or
social security number of the person named must also be indicated. Debenture
holders tendering Old Debentures by book-entry transfer may request that Old
Debentures not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at the Book-
Entry Transfer Facility as such noteholder may designate hereon. If no such
instructions are given, such Old Debentures not exchanged will be returned to
the name and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal.
 
  5. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the transfer of Old Debentures to it or its order pursuant to
the Exchange Offers. If, however, New Debentures and/or substitute Old
Debentures not exchanged are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old
Debentures tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Debentures are registered in
the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of
Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the
transfer of Old Debentures to the Company or its order pursuant to the
Exchange Offers, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the
registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering
holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption
therefrom is not submitted herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be
billed to such tendering holder and the Exchange Agent will retain possession
of an amount of New Debentures with a face amount equal to the amount of such
transfer taxes due by such tendering holder pending receipt by the Exchange
Agent of the amount of such taxes.
 
  Except as provided in this Instruction 5, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Debentures specified in this
Letter of Transmittal.
 
  6. Waiver of Conditions. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive
satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.
 
  7. No Conditional Tenders. No alternative, conditional, irregular or
contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Old Debentures,
by execution of this Letter of Transmittal or on Agent's Message in lieu
thereof, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of their
Old Debentures for exchange.
 
  Although the Company intends to notify holders of defects or irregularities
with respect to tenders of Old Debentures, neither the Company, the Exchange
Agent nor any other person shall incur any liability for failure to give any
such notice.
 
  8. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Old Debentures. Any holder whose Old
Debentures have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the
Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further instructions. This
Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the
procedures for replacing lost, stolen or destroyed Old Debentures have been
followed.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
  9. Withdrawal of Tenders. Tenders of Old Debentures may be withdrawn at any
time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
 
  For a withdrawal of a tender of Old Debentures to be effective, a written or
facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange
Agent at its address set forth above prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the
name of the person having deposited the Old Debentures to be withdrawn (the
"Depositor"), (ii) identify the Old Debentures to be withdrawn, including the
certificate number or numbers (where certificates for Old Debentures have been
transmitted) and principal amount of such Old Debentures, or in the case of
Old Debentures transferred by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited, (iii) be signed by
the holder in the same manner as the original signature on this Letter of
Transmittal (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by
documents of transfer sufficient to have the trustee under the Indenture
register the transfer of such Old Debentures into the name of the person
withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name in which any such Old
Debentures are registered, if different from that of the Depositor. All
questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt)
of such notices will be determined by the Company, whose determination shall
be final and binding on all parties. Any Old Debentures so withdrawn will be
deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the
Exchange Offers and no New Debentures will be issued with respect thereto
unless the Old Debentures so withdrawn are validly retendered. Any Old
Debentures that have been tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged
for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such
holder as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or
termination of the Exchange Offers. Properly withdrawn Old Debentures may be
retendered by following the procedures described above at any time on or prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
 
  10. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions relating to the
procedure for tendering, as well as requests for additional copies of the
Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal and other related documents may be
directed to the Exchange Agent, at the address and telephone number indicated
above.
 
  11. Important Tax Information. Under current federal income tax law, a
holder of New Debentures is required to provide the Company (as payor) through
the Exchange Agent, with such holder's correct taxpayer identification number
("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 or otherwise establish a basis for exemption
from backup withholding to prevent backup withholding on any New Debentures
delivered pursuant to the Exchange Offers and any payments received in respect
of the New Debentures. If a holder of New Debentures is an individual, the TIN
is such holder's social security number. If the Company is not provided with
the correct TIN, a holder of New Debentures may be subject to a $50 penalty
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Accordingly, each prospective holder
of New Debentures to be issued pursuant to Special Issuance Instructions
should complete the attached Substitute Form W-9. The Substitute Form W-9 need
not be completed if the box entitled Special Issuance Instructions has not
been completed.
 
  Certain holders of New Debentures (including, among others, all
corporations, financial institutions and certain foreign individuals) are not
subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Exempt
prospective holders of New Debentures should indicate their exempt status on
Substitute Form W-9. A foreign individual may qualify as an exempt recipient
by submitting to the Company, through the Exchange Agent, a properly completed
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (which the Exchange Agent will provide upon
request) signed under penalty of perjury, attesting to the holder's exempt
status. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional instructions.
 
  If backup withholding applies, the Company is required to withhold 31% of
any payment made to the holder of New Debentures or other payee. Backup
withholding is not an additional federal income tax. Rather, the federal
income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced
by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of
taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
 
  To prevent backup withholding on any New Debentures delivered pursuant to
the Exchange Offers and any payments received in respect of the New
Debentures, each prospective holder of New Debentures to be issued pursuant to
Special Issuance Instructions should provide the Company, through the Exchange
Agent, with either: (i) such prospective holder's correct TIN by completing
the form below, certifying that the TIN provided on Substitute Form W-9 is
correct (or that such
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
prospective holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (A) such prospective holder has
not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he or she is subject to
backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or
dividends or (B) the Internal Revenue Service has notified such prospective
holder that he or she is no longer subject to backup withholding; or (ii) an
adequate basis for exemption.
 
  The prospective holder of New Debentures to be issued pursuant to Special
Issuance Instructions is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g.,
social security number or employer identification number) of the prospective
record owner of the New Debentures. If the New Debentures will be held in more
than one name or are not held in the name of the actual owner, consult the
enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance regarding which number to report.
 
  To prevent backup withholding, each tendering holder of Old Debentures must
provide its correct TIN by completing the Substitute Form W-9 set forth below,
certifying that the TIN provided is correct (or that such holder is awaiting a
TIN) and that (i) the holder is exempt from backup withholding, or (ii) the
holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such holder
is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all
interest or dividends or (iii) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the
holder that such holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. If the
tendering holder of Old Debentures is a nonresident alien or foreign entity
not subject to backup withholding, such holder must give the Company a
completed Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status. These forms may be obtained
from the Exchange Agent. If the Old Debentures are in more than one name or
are not in the name of the actual owner, such holder should consult the W-9
Guidelines for information on which TIN to report. If such holder does not
have a TIN, such holder should consult the W-9 Guidelines for instructions on
applying for a TIN, check the box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 and
write "applied for" in lieu of its TIN. Checking this box and writing "applied
for" on the form means that such holder has already applied for a TIN or that
such holder intends to apply for one in the near future. If such holder does
not provide its TIN to the Company within 60 days, backup withholding will
begin and continue until such holder furnishes its TIN to the Company.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                            TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL
                          TENDERING SECURITY HOLDERS
                             (SEE INSTRUCTION 11)
 
                         PAYER'S NAME: CSX CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE
 SUBSTITUTE             YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT     TIN 
 FORM W-9               RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY           ---------------
                        SIGNING AND DATING          Social Security Number OR
                        BELOW.                       Employer Identification
                                                             Number          
                        --------------------------------------------------------
                        CERTIFICATION--UNDER THE PENAL-
                        TIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT
                        (1) The number shown on this form         PART 2     
DEPARTMENT OF THE       is my correct Taxpayer Identifi-        TIN Applied 
TREASURY INTERNAL       cation Number (or I am waiting          For [_] 
REVENUE SERVICE         for a number to be issued to me);
                        (2) I am not subject to backup
                        withholding either because: (a) I
                        am exempt from backup withhold-
                        ing, or (b) I have not been noti-
                        fied by the Internal Revenue
                        Service (the "IRS") that I am
                        subject to backup withholding as
                        a result of failure to report all
                        interest or dividends, or (c) the
                        IRS has notified me that I am no
                        longer subject to backup with-
                        holding; and (3) any other infor-
                        mation provided on this form is
                        true and correct.
 
                        Signature:            Date:      , 1997
                                   ---------        ----- 

                        You must cross out clause (c) of
                        item (2) of the above
                        certification if you have been
                        notified by the IRS that you are
                        subject to backup withholding
                        because of underreporting of
                        interest or dividends on your tax
                        return and you have not been
                        notified by the IRS that you are
                        no longer subject to backup
                        withholding.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
      RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY AMOUNTS PAID TO YOU PURSUANT
      TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR
      CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
      FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
      YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN
      PART II OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
 I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
 has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
 application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
 Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or
 (b) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I
 understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the
 time of the payment, 31 percent of all reportable payments made to me
 thereafter will be withheld until I provide a taxpayer identification
 number.
 
 Signature:                                 Date:
            --------------------------            ---------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                                   TO TENDER
 
              OUTSTANDING                            REGISTERED
       7.05% Debentures Due 2002      For     7.05% Debentures Due 2002
       7.25% Debentures Due 2004      For     7.25% Debentures Due 2004
       7.45% Debentures Due 2007      For     7.45% Debentures Due 2007
       7.90% Debentures Due 2017      For     7.90% Debentures Due 2017
       7.95% Debentures Due 2027      For     7.95% Debentures Due 2027
       6.95% Debentures Due 2027      For     6.95% Debentures Due 2027
       7.25% Debentures Due 2027      For     7.25% Debentures Due 2027
       8.30% Debentures Due 2032      For     8.30% Debentures Due 2032
                                      OF
                                CSX CORPORATION
 
  This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or a form substantially equivalent hereto
must be used to accept the Exchange Offers of CSX Corporation (the "Company")
made pursuant to the Prospectus, dated   , 1997 (the "Prospectus"), if
certificates for the Company's outstanding 7.05% Debentures Due 2002 (the "Old
2002 Debentures"), 7.25% Debentures Due 2004 (the "Old 2004 Debentures"),
7.45% Debentures Due 2007 (the "Old 2007 Debentures"), 7.90% Debentures Due
2017 (the "Old 2017 Debentures"), 7.95% Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 7.95%
2027 Debentures"), 6.95% Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 6.95% 2027
Debentures"), 7.25% Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures") or
the 8.30% Debentures Due 2032 of the Company (the "Old 2032 Debentures")
(collectively, the "Old Debentures") are not immediately available or if the
procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis or
time will not permit all required documents to reach the Exchange Agent prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date of the Exchange
Offers. Such form may be delivered or transmitted by telegram, telex,
facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery to The Chase Manhattan Bank
("Exchange Agent") as set forth below. Capitalized terms not defined herein
are defined in the Prospectus.
 
                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, Exchange Agent
 
                               By Mail, Hand or
                              Overnight Delivery:
 
          The Chase Manhattan Bank, 450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor,
          New York, New York 10001-2697 Attention: Ronald J. Halleran
 
                By Facsimile: (212) 946-8158 or (212) 946-8159
 
                     Confirm by Telephone: (212) 946-3068
 
  DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS
SET FORTH ABOVE, OR TRANSMISSION VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
  THIS FORM IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE SIGNATURES. IF A SIGNATURE ON A
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION
UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, THE SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE
APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE SIGNATURE BOX IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
 
  Upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus, the undersigned
hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Old 2002 Debentures, Old
2004 Debentures, Old 2007 Debentures, Old 2017 Debentures, Old 7.95% 2027
Debentures, Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures or Old 2032
Debentures, or any combination of Old Debentures, set forth below, pursuant to
the guaranteed delivery procedure described in "The Exchange Offers--
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" section of the Prospectus.
 
                  DESCRIPTION OF OLD 2002 DEBENTURES TENDERED
 
Name and address of registered holder as it appears on the Old 2002
Debentures: 
            -------------------------------------------------------------------

Principal Amount of Old 2002 Debentures Tendered: $ 
                                                    ---------------------------
 
If Old 2002 Debentures will be delivered to Depository Trust Company, provide
account number: 
                ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
Certificate Nos. (if available): 
                                 ----------------------------------------------
 
Total Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s): $ 
                                                        -----------------------
 
                  DESCRIPTION OF OLD 2004 DEBENTURES TENDERED
 
Name and address of registered holder as it appears on the Old 2004
Debentures: 
            -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Principal Amount of Old 2004 Debentures Tendered: $ 
                                                    ---------------------------
 
If Old 2004 Debentures will be delivered to Depository Trust Company, provide
account number: 
                ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
Certificate Nos. (if available): 
                                 ----------------------------------------------
 
Total Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s): $ 
                                                        -----------------------
 
                  DESCRIPTION OF OLD 2007 DEBENTURES TENDERED
 
Name and address of registered holder as it appears on the Old 2007
Debentures: 
            -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Principal Amount of Old 2007 Debentures Tendered: $ 
                                                    ---------------------------
 
If Old 2007 Debentures will be delivered to Depository Trust Company, provide
account number: 
                ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
Certificate Nos. (if available): 
                                 ----------------------------------------------
 
Total Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s): $ 
                                                        -----------------------
 
                  DESCRIPTION OF OLD 2017 DEBENTURES TENDERED
 
Name and address of registered holder as it appears on the Old 2017
Debentures:
            -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Principal Amount of Old 2017 Debentures Tendered: $ 
                                                    ---------------------------
 
If Old 2017 Debentures will be delivered to Depository Trust Company, provide
account number:
                ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
Certificate Nos. (if available): 
                                 ----------------------------------------------
 
Total Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s): $ 
                                                        -----------------------
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
               DESCRIPTION OF OLD 7.95% 2027 DEBENTURES TENDERED
 
Name and address of registered holder as it appears on the Old 7.95% 2027
Debentures: 
            --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Principal Amount of Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures Tendered: $ 
                                                          ----------------------
 
If Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures will be delivered to Depository Trust Company,
provide account number: 
                        --------------------------------------------------------
 
Certificate Nos. (if available): 
                                 -----------------------------------------------
 
Total Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s): $ 
                                                        ------------------------
 
               DESCRIPTION OF OLD 6.95% 2027 DEBENTURES TENDERED
 
Name and address of registered holder as it appears on the Old 6.95% 2027
Debentures: 
            --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Principal Amount of Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures Tendered: $ 
                                                          ----------------------
 
If Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures will be delivered to Depository Trust Company,
provide account number: 
                        --------------------------------------------------------
 
Certificate Nos. (if available): 
                                 -----------------------------------------------
 
Total Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s): $ 
                                                        ------------------------
 
               DESCRIPTION OF OLD 7.25% 2027 DEBENTURES TENDERED
 
Name and address of registered holder as it appears on the Old 7.25% 2027
Debentures: 
            --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Principal Amount of Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures Tendered: $ 
                                                          ----------------------
 
If Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures will be delivered to Depository Trust Company,
provide account number: 
                        --------------------------------------------------------
 
Certificate Nos. (if available): 
                                 -----------------------------------------------
 
Total Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s): $ 
                                                        ------------------------
 
                  DESCRIPTION OF OLD 2032 DEBENTURES TENDERED
 
Name and address of registered holder as it appears on the Old 2032
Debentures: 
            --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Principal Amount of Old 2032 Debentures Tendered: $ 
                                                    ----------------------------
 
If Old 2032 Debentures will be delivered to Depository Trust Company, provide
account number: 
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
Certificate Nos. (if available): 
                                 -----------------------------------------------
 
Total Principal Amount Represented by Certificate(s): $ 
                                                        ------------------------
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
                        THE FOLLOWING MUST BE COMPLETED
 
                                   GUARANTEE
 
                   (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEES)
 
  The undersigned, a financial institution (including most banks, savings and
loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a participant in the
Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange
Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program, hereby
guarantees that the undersigned will deliver to the Exchange Agent the
certificates representing the Old Debentures being tendered hereby in proper
form for transfer or confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Old
Debentures into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company
pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the
Prospectus, in either case, together with one or more properly completed and
duly executed Letters of Transmittal/or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message
in lieu thereof and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal
within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution
of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
Name of Firm: 
              -------------------------------
 
Address: 
         ------------------------------------
 

- ---------------------------------------------
 
Area Code & Telephone No.: 
                           ------------------
 
Authorized Signature 
                     ------------------------
 

- ---------------------------------------------
Name (Please Type or Print)
 

- ---------------------------------------------
Title
 
                                       , 1997
- ---------------------------------------
Dated
 
NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES OF OLD DEBENTURES WITH THIS FORM. CERTIFICATES
      OF OLD DEBENTURES SHOULD BE SENT ONLY WITH A COPY OF THE PREVIOUSLY
      EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
                                      21

<PAGE>
 
     
                                                                          , 1997
                                                             -------------

                            EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT
                            ------------------------


The Chase Manhattan Bank
450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
New York, New York 10001

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     CSX Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the "Company"), proposes to make
offers (the "Exchange Offers") to exchange (i) an aggregate principal amount of
up to $350,000,000 of the Company's 7.05% Debentures Due 2002 (the "New 2002
Debentures"), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), for a like principal amount of its issued and
outstanding 7.05% Debentures Due 2002 (the "Old 2002 Debentures"), (ii) an
aggregate principal amount of up to $300,000,000 of the Company's 7.25%
Debentures Due 2004 (the "New 2004 Debentures"), which have been registered
under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued and
outstanding 7.25% Debentures Due 2004 (the "Old 2004 Debentures"), (iii) an
aggregate principal amount of up to $450,000,000 of the Company's 7.45%
Debentures Due 2007 (the "New 2007 Debentures"), which have been registered
under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued and
outstanding 7.45% Debentures Due 2007 (the "Old 2007 Debentures"), (iv) an
aggregate principal amount of up to $400,000,000 of the Company's 7.90%
Debentures Due 2017 (the "New 2017 Debentures"), which have been registered
under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued and
outstanding 7.90% Debentures Due 2017 (the "Old 2017 Debentures"), (v) an
aggregate principal amount of up to $500,000,000 of the Company's 7.95%
Debentures Due 2027 (the "New 7.95% 2027 Debentures"), which have been
registered under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued
and outstanding 7.95% Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 7.95% 2027 Debentures"),
(vi) an aggregate principal amount of up to $100,000,000 of the Company's 6.95%
Debentures Due 2027 (the "New 6.95% 2027 Debentures"), which have been
registered under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued
and outstanding 6.95% Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures"),
(vii) an aggregate principal amount of up to $250,000,000 of the Company's 7.25%
Debentures Due 2027 (the "New 7.25% 2027 Debentures"), which have been
registered under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued
and outstanding 7.25% Debentures Due 2027 (the "Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures") and
(viii) an aggregate principal amount of up to $150,000,000 of the Company's
8.30% Debentures Due 2032 (the "New 2032 Debentures"), which have been
registered under the Securities Act, 
     

<PAGE>
 
     
for a like principal amount of its issued and outstanding 8.30% Debentures Due
2032 (the "Old 2032 Debentures"). The New 2002 Debentures, New 2004 Debentures,
New 2007 Debentures, New 2017 Debentures, New 7.95% 2027 Debentures, New 6.95%
2027 Debentures, New 7.25% 2027 Debentures and New 2032 Debentures are sometimes
referred to herein collectively as the "New Debentures," and the Old 2002
Debentures, Old 2004 Debentures, Old 2007 Debentures, Old 2017 Debentures, Old
7.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 6.95% 2027 Debentures, Old 7.25% 2027 Debentures and
Old 2032 Debentures are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "Old
Debentures." The terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers as currently
contemplated are set forth in a Prospectus, dated _________, 1997 (the
"Prospectus"), distributed to all record holders of the Old Debentures on
________, 1997. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.

     The Company hereby appoints The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as exchange
agent (the "Exchange Agent") in connection with the Exchange Offers.  References
hereinafter to "you" shall refer to The Chase Manhattan Bank.

     The Exchange Offers are expected to be commenced by the Company on or about
__________, 1997. The Letter of Transmittal accompanying the Prospectus is to be
used by the holders of the Old Debentures to accept the Exchange Offers and
contains certain instructions with respect to (i) the delivery of certificates
for Old Debentures tendered in connection therewith and (ii) the book-entry
transfer of Old Debentures to the Exchange Agent's account at the Depository
Trust Company ("DTC").

     The Exchange Offers shall expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
______, 1997 or on such later date or time to which the Company may extend the
Exchange Offers (the "Expiration Date").  Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Prospectus, the Company expressly reserves the right to extend
the Exchange Offers from time to time by giving oral (to be confirmed in
writing) or written notice to you no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on the business day following the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

     The Company expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the Exchange
Offers, and not to accept for exchange any Old Debentures not theretofore
accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the
Exchange Offers specified in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange
Offers -- Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offers."  The Company will give
oral (to be confirmed in writing) or written notice of any amendment,
termination or nonacceptance of Old Debentures to you as promptly as
practicable.

     In carrying out your duties as Exchange Agent, you are to act in accordance
with the following instructions:

     1.  You will perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically
set forth herein and such duties which are necessarily incidental thereto;
                                                                          
provided, however, that in no
- --------  -------            
     

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     
event will your general duty to act in good faith be discharged by the
foregoing.

     2.  You will establish an account with respect to the Old Debentures at DTC
(the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") for purposes of the Exchange Offers within
two business days after the date of the Prospectus, and any financial
institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's systems
may make book-entry delivery of the Old Debentures by causing the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Debentures into your account in
accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedure for such transfer.

     3.  You are to examine each of the Letters of Transmittal, certificates for
Old Debentures (or confirmations of book-entry transfers into your account at
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility), Notices of Guaranteed Delivery and any
Agent's Message or other documents delivered or mailed to you by or for holders
of the Old Debentures to ascertain whether: (i) the Letters of Transmittal,
Notices of Guaranteed Delivery, Agent's Message and any such other documents are
duly executed and properly completed in accordance with instructions set forth
therein and (ii) the Old Debentures have otherwise been properly tendered. In
each case where the Letter of Transmittal, Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
Agent's Message or any other document has been improperly completed or executed
or any of the certificates for Old Debentures are not in proper form for
transfer or some other irregularity in connection with the acceptance of the
Exchange Offers exists, you will endeavor to inform the presenters of the need
for fulfillment of all requirements and to take any other action as may be
necessary or advisable to cause such irregularity to be corrected. 

     4.  Final determination of all questions as to the validity, form,
eligibility and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Old Debentures shall be
made by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final
and binding.  The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any or all
tenders of Old Debentures determined by it not to be timely or in proper form or
the acceptance of or exchange for which may, in the opinion of the Company's
counsel, be unlawful and to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offers
or any defect or irregularity in the tender of the Old Debentures, and the
Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers will
be final.  Upon notification by any person designated in writing by the Company
(a "Designated Officer") (such approval, if given orally, to be confirmed in
writing) or any other party designated by any such Designated Officer in
writing, you are authorized to waive any irregularities in connection with any
tender of Old Debentures pursuant to the Exchange Offers.

     5.  Tenders of Old Debentures may be made only as set forth in the Letter
of Transmittal and in the section of the Prospectus captioned "The Exchange
Offers -- Procedures for Tendering Old Debentures" and Old Debentures shall be
considered properly tendered to you only when tendered in accordance with the
procedures set forth therein.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph 5, Old Debentures which
any Designated Officer of the Company shall approve as having been properly
tendered shall be considered to be properly tendered (such approval, if given
orally, shall be confirmed in 
     

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     
writing).

     6.  You shall advise the Company with respect to any Old Debentures
delivered subsequent to the Expiration Date and accept its instructions with
respect to disposition of such Old Debentures.

     7.  You shall accept tenders:

     (a) in cases where the Old Debentures are registered in two or more names
only if signed by all named holders;

     (b) in cases where the signing person (as indicated on the Letter of
Transmittal) is acing in a fiduciary or a representative capacity only when
proper evidence of such person's authority to so act is submitted; and

     (c) from persons other than the registered holder of Old Debentures
provided that customary transfer requirements, including payment of any
applicable transfer taxes, are fulfilled.

     You shall accept partial tenders of Old Debentures where so indicated and
as permitted in the Letter of Transmittal and deliver certificates for Old
Debentures to the transfer agent for split-up and return any untendered Old
Debentures to the holder (or to such other person as may be designated in the
Letter of Transmittal) as promptly as practicable after expiration at or
termination of the Exchange Offers. 

     8.  Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange
Offers, the Company will notify you (such notice, if given orally, to be
confirmed in writing) of the Company's acceptance, promptly after the Expiration
Date, of all Old Debentures properly tendered and you, on behalf of the Company,
will exchange such Old Debentures for New Debentures and cause such Old
Debentures to be canceled.  Delivery of New Debentures will be made on behalf of
the Company by you at the rate of $1,000 principal amount of New Debentures for
each $1,000 principal amount of the Old Debentures tendered promptly after
notice (such notices, if given orally, to be confirmed in writing) of acceptance
of said Old Debentures by the Company, provided, however, that in all cases, Old
                                       --------  -------                        
Debentures tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offers will be exchanged only after
timely receipt by you of certificates for such Old Debentures (or confirmation
of book-entry transfer into your account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility), a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof) with any required signature guarantees (or an Agent's Message in lieu
thereof) and any required documents unless otherwise waived by the Company. You
shall accept tendered Old Debentures and issue New Debentures only in
denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.

     9.   Tenders pursuant to the Exchange Offers are irrevocable, except that,
subject to the terms and upon the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the
Letter of Transmittal,
     

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     
Old Debentures tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offers may be withdrawn at any
time on or prior to the Expiration Date.

     10.  The Company shall not be required to accept for exchange any Old
Debentures tendered if any of the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offers
are not met.  Notice of any decision by the Company not to exchange any Old
Debentures tendered shall be given (such notice, if given orally, shall be
confirmed in writing) by the Company to you.

     11.  If, pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offers, the Company does not
accept for exchange all or part of the Old Debentures tendered because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offers -- Certain Conditions to the
Exchange Offers" or otherwise, you shall as soon as practicable after the
expiration or termination of the Exchange Offers return those certificates for
unaccepted Old Debentures (or effect the appropriate book-entry transfer of the
unaccepted Old Debentures), together with any related required documents and the
Letter of Transmittal relating thereto that are in your possession, to the
persons who deposited them.

     12.  All certificates for reissued Old Debentures, unaccepted Old
Debentures or for New Debentures shall be forwarded by (a) first-class mail,
return receipt requested, under a blanket surety bond protecting you and the
Company from loss or liability arising out of the non-receipt or non-delivery of
such certificates or (b) by registered mail insured separately for the
replacement value of each of such certificates.

     13.  You are not authorized to pay or offer to pay any concessions,
commissions or solicitation fees to any broker, dealer, bank or other persons or
to engage or utilize any person to solicit tenders.

     14.  As Exchange Agent hereunder you:

     (a)  will be regarded as making no representations and having no
responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of any of
the certificates or the Old Debentures represented thereby deposited with you
pursuant to the Exchange Offers, and will not be required to and will make no
representation as to the validity, value or genuineness of the Exchange Offers;
provided, however, that in no event will your general duty to act in good faith 
- --------  -------                                                               
be discharged by the foregoing;

     (b)  shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder which might
in your reasonable judgment involve any expense or liability, unless you shall
have been furnished with reasonable indemnity satisfactory to you;

     (c)  may conclusively rely on and shall be fully protected in acting in
good faith in reliance upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice,
letter, facsimile or other document or security delivered to you and reasonably
believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or
parties;
     

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     
     (d)  may conclusively act upon any tender, statement, request, agreement or
other instrument whatsoever not only as to its due execution and validity and
effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any
information contained therein, which you shall in good faith reasonably believe
to be genuine or to have been signed or represented by a proper person or
persons;

     (e)  may conclusively rely on and shall be fully protected in acting upon
written or oral instructions from any Designated Officer of the Company with
respect to the Exchange Offers;

     (f)  shall not advise any person tendering Old Debentures pursuant to the
Exchange Offers as to the wisdom of making such tender or as to the market value
or decline or appreciation in market value of any Old Debentures; and

     (g)  may consult with your counsel with respect to any questions relating
to your duties and responsibilities, and the written opinion or advice of such
counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of
any action taken, suffered or omitted by you hereunder in good faith and in
accordance with such written opinion of such counsel.

     15.  You shall take such action as may from time to time be requested by
any Designated Officer of the Company (and such other action as you may
reasonably deem appropriate) to furnish copies of the Prospectus, and
supplements thereto, the Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, or such other forms as may be approved from time to time by the
Company, to all persons requesting such documents and to accept and comply with
telephone requests for information relating to the Exchange Offers, provided
that such information shall relate only to the procedures for accepting (or
withdrawing from) the Exchange Offers.  The Company will furnish you with copies
of such documents at your request.

     16.  You shall advise by facsimile transmission or telephone, and promptly
thereafter confirm in writing to David D. Owen, Managing Director-Corporate 
Finance of the Company, and such other person or persons as the Company may
request, daily (and more frequently during the week immediately preceding the
Expiration Date and if otherwise requested) up to and including the Expiration
Date, as to the principal amount of the Old Debentures which have been tendered
pursuant to the Exchange Offers and the items received by you pursuant to this
Agreement, separately reporting and giving cumulative totals as to items
properly received and items improperly received and items covered by Notices of
Guaranteed Delivery. In addition, you will inform, and cooperate in making
available to, the Company or any other person or persons identified to you by
the Company from time to time prior to the Expiration Date of such other
information as they or such persons reasonably request. Such cooperation shall
include, without limitation, the granting by you to the Company and such persons
identified to you by the Company of access to those persons on your staff who
are responsible for receiving tenders, in order to ensure that immediately prior
to the Expiration Date, the Company shall have received information in
sufficient detail to enable it to decide whether to
     

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     
extend the Exchange Offers.  You shall prepare a list of persons who failed to
tender or whose tenders were not accepted and the aggregate principal amount of
Old Debentures not tendered or Old Debentures not accepted and deliver said list
to the Company at least seven days prior to the Expiration Date.  You shall also
prepare a final list of all persons whose tenders were accepted, the aggregate
principal amount of Old Debentures tendered and the aggregate principal amount
of Old Debentures accepted and deliver said list to the Company.

     17.  Letters of Transmittal and Notices of Guaranteed Delivery shall be
stamped by you as to the date and the time of receipt thereof and shall be
preserved by you for a period of time at least equal to the period of time you
preserve other records pertaining to the transfer of securities.  You shall
dispose of unused Letters of Transmittal and other surplus materials by
returning them to the Company at the address set forth below for notices. 

     18.  For services rendered as Exchange Agent hereunder, you shall be
entitled to such compensation and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses as are set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.

     19.  You hereby acknowledge receipt of the Prospectus and the Letter of
Transmittal and further acknowledge that you have examined each of them to the
extent necessary to perform your duties hereunder.  Any inconsistency between
this Agreement, on the one hand, and the Prospectus and the Letter of
Transmittal (as they may be amended from time to time), on the other hand, shall
be resolved in favor of the latter two documents except with respect to the
duties, liabilities and indemnification of you as Exchange Agent, which shall be
controlled by this Agreement.

     20.  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold you (and your officers,
directors, employees and agents) harmless in your capacity as Exchange Agent
hereunder against any liability, cost or expense, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of your
duties hereunder, other than those losses resulting from your negligence, bad
faith or willful misconduct.

     21.  This Agreement and your appointment as Exchange Agent hereunder shall
be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state,
and without regard to conflicts of law principles, and shall inure to the
benefit of, and the obligations created hereby shall be binding upon, the
successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

     22.  All communications, including notices, required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
if (i) delivered personally with receipt acknowledged, (ii) sent by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, (iii) transmitted by facsimile
(which shall be confirmed by telephone and by a writing sent by registered or
certified mail on the business day that such facsimile is sent) or (iv) sent by
recognized overnight courier for next business day delivery, addressed to the
parties at the addresses or facsimile numbers as any party shall hereafter
specify by
     

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     
communication to the other parties in the manner provided herein:

<TABLE> 
            <S>                       <C> 
            Company:                  CSX Corporation
                                      One James Center
                                      901 East Cary Street
                                      Richmond, Virginia 23219
                                      Fax No.: 804-783-1346
                                      Attention: David D. Owen 
       
            with a copy to:           McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P.
                                      One James Center
                                      901 East Cary Street
                                      Richmond, Virginia 23219
                                      Fax No.: 804-775-1061
                                      Attention: Joseph C. Carter, III, Esq.
       
            Exchange Agent:           The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                      450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
                                      New York, New York 10001-2697
                                      Fax No.: 212-946-8161
                                      Attention: Ronald Halleran
       
            with a copy to:           Dewey Ballantine
                                      1301 Avenue of the Americas
                                      New York, New York 10019-6092
                                      Fax No.: 212-259-6333
                                      Attention: Charles R. Hager, Esq.
</TABLE> 

     23.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.

     24.  In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

     Please acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and confirm the arrangements
herein provided by signing and returning the enclosed copy.

                                      CSX CORPORATION



                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------
                                         Name: David D. Owen
                                         Title: Managing Director - Corporate
                                                                    Finance
     

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     
Accepted as of the date first
above written:

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Exchange Agent


By:
   --------------------------
   Name:
   Title:
     

                                       9


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