Con-Way Southern Express (CSE)

Con-Way Freight started as Con-Way Express in the early '80s and was originally created to compete with Consolidated Freightways. Con-Way was spun-off by Consolidated Freightways, into a non-union counterpart. In the beginning, Con-Way's equipment was identical in design to CF's specs because of deregulation. In other words, if the Con-Ways failed, they could be easily folded into CF's fleet.

 When the company started, Con-Way specialized in regional LTL. These regional entities were known as Con-Way Eastern Express (CEX), Con-Way Central Express (CCX), Con-Way Southern Express (CSE), Con-Way Southwest Express (CSW), and Con-Way Western Express (CWX). CEX also bought out Penn Yan Express, which was merged into CEX. Interestingly, Penn Yan Express retained their name for a time after the buyout, with Con-Way's traditional two stripe and letter logo, PYX. It must have been a bit confusing for customers at this time, as all the Con-Way entities intermixed their equipment, so it was possible to see one company with another Con-Way company's trailer. Con-Way was using Fords and Freightliners as their primary tractor.

Time passed and Con-Way merged some of their entities together, most likely due to deregulation. CEX and CSW didn't survive. CF had suddenly decided to buy Penn Yan Express from Penn Yan, NY and they had to use the Penn Yan name for a period of two years. They changed the stripes to red and used the PYX logo. After the two year period, it became Con-Way Eastern Express. CEX was the only Teamster represented Con-Way company (They inherited this from Penn Yan) and when they went on strike in 1990 they were shut down. Operations were merged into CCX. CSW was merged into CSE in January, 1995. CSE also changed their teal/navy blue colors to green and dark blue. Con-Way also decided to change the trailer logos. To give the company a more uniformal look, the trailers were given a new gray logo with "Con-Way Transportation Services" under the stripes, and "A CNF Company" was also placed there. CNF was a financial holding company, owning CF, Menlo and Emery,(forwarding and air freight), Road Systems (trailers), and Con-Way. Con-Way also started Con-Way Truckload (CWT) but it was bought out by Covenant Transport. Con-Way then used Fords and Sterlings for their city and road power.

Con-Way Freight started as Con-Way Express in the early '80s and was originally created to compete with Consolidated Freightways. Con-Way was spun-off by Consolidated Freightways, into a non-union counterpart. In the beginning, Con-Way's equipment was identical in design to CF's specs because of deregulation. In other words, if the Con-Ways failed, they could be easily folded into CF's fleet.

 When the company started, Con-Way specialized in regional LTL. These regional entities were known as Con-Way Eastern Express (CEX), Con-Way Central Express (CCX), Con-Way Southern Express (CSE), Con-Way Southwest Express (CSW), and Con-Way Western Express (CWX). CEX also bought out Penn Yan Express, which was merged into CEX. Interestingly, Penn Yan Express retained their name for a time after the buyout, with Con-Way's traditional two stripe and letter logo, PYX. It must have been a bit confusing for customers at this time, as all the Con-Way entities intermixed their equipment, so it was possible to see one company with another Con-Way company's trailer. Con-Way was using Fords and Freightliners as their primary tractor.

Time passed and Con-Way merged some of their entities together, most likely due to deregulation. CEX and CSW didn't survive. CF had suddenly decided to buy Penn Yan Express from Penn Yan, NY and they had to use the Penn Yan name for a period of two years. They changed the stripes to red and used the PYX logo. After the two year period, it became Con-Way Eastern Express. CEX was the only Teamster represented Con-Way company (They inherited this from Penn Yan) and when they went on strike in 1990 they were shut down. Operations were merged into CCX. CSW was merged into CSE in January, 1995. CSE also changed their teal/navy blue colors to green and dark blue. Con-Way also decided to change the trailer logos. To give the company a more uniformal look, the trailers were given a new gray logo with "Con-Way Transportation Services" under the stripes, and "A CNF Company" was also placed there. CNF was a financial holding company, owning CF, Menlo and Emery,(forwarding and air freight), Road Systems (trailers), and Con-Way. Con-Way also started Con-Way Truckload (CWT) but it was bought out by Covenant Transport. Con-Way then used Fords and Sterlings for their city and road power.