CHICAGO — Percy E. Fields III has been named as president and general manager of the Belt Railway of Chicago, succeeding Mike Grace.
Fields, 42, has spent more than 22 years in railroading, beginning his career as a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad. He has most recently been Belt Railway of Chicago’s general manager. His resume also includes three years as Union Pacific’s director of transportation services and one as Northern Region superintendent of dispatching. Prior to joining BRC in 2020, he was general manager of the Alton & Southern Railway.
“I am excited and challenged to take this position as the leader of Belt Railway and I am confident we can continue to move rail freight traffic through Chicago in a safe and efficient manner,” Fields said in a press release.
Grace, who had been the Belt Railway president since 2018, will serve as executive advisor until his retirement in May 2023, which will conclude a 43-year career in the railroad industry.
“I am confident that Percy will capably lead Belt Railway into the future as Chicago continues to evolve as the dominant and largest railroad hub in the country,” Grace said.
The BRC is the nation’s largest intermediate switching terminal railroad, with 28 miles of mainline track, more than 300 miles of switching tracks, and about 450 employees. Its Clearing Yard covers 786 acres and includes more than 250 miles of track. It is owned by the six Class I railroads that serve the Chicago area.
I am glad to see that a up from ranks railroader has advanced to his new position. The railroad industry needs more of them.
Ed Burns
Well said Ed