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Exhibit 5
[CSX LETTERHEAD]
October 30, 2000
CSX Corporation
One James Center
901 E. Cary Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am General Counsel-Corporate of CSX Corporation (the "Company") and am
providing this opinion in connection with the filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission of a registration statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") relating to the CSX 2000 Stock Reacquistion Plan (the "Plan"). The
Registration Statement covers 1.2 million shares of Common Stock of the Company
(the "Common Stock") which have been reserved for issuance under the Plan and
Rights to purchase Preferred Stock associated with the Common Stock (the
"Rights").
In connection with the foregoing, I have made such legal and factual
examinations and inquiries as I have deemed necessary or advisable for the
purpose of rendering this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:
1. The 1.2 million shares of Common Stock, when issued or sold in
accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan, will be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
2. All corporate action required under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Virginia has been taken for the Rights, when issued in accordance with
the terms and provisions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 29,
1998 (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and Harris Trust
Company of New York, as rights agent, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
the Rights Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2000, to be validly issued.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement. I do not admit by giving this consent that I am in the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ellen M. Fitzsimmons
