CSX Corp. (CSX) executives said Wednesday they see little chance for a quick end to the economic downturn, projecting a double-digit decline in the railroad's freight volume for the second quarter.

The Jacksonville, Fla., company also said it has furloughed about 2,400 employees and idled 500 locomotives - or 9% of its fleet - in response to the downturn.

In January, CSX said it had about 1,600 employees on furlough and about 400 locomotives in storage.

"We are taking swift and decisive actions to resize our resources" to match the lowered volumes, Chief Executive Michael Ward told analysts on a conference call Wednesday.

CSX reported a 30% drop in first-quarter profit late Tuesday amid a 17.4% slump in volume.

Executives said during Wednesday's conference call that volumes will continue to decline by double-digits in the second quarter, and said they expect second-quarter revenue to be down in nine of the 10 markets served by the railroad.

-By Bob Sechler; Dow Jones Newswires; 512-394-0285; bob.sechler@dowjones.com