Richard D. Sanborn, 52; Conrail Chief

Richard D. Sanborn, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Conrail, died Sunday of an apparent heart attack. He was 52.

Sanborn became ill at home and was taken to the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, where he died, the Philadelphia-based rail company said.

Sanborn, who had 27 years of experience in the railroad business, took over as chairman Jan. 1 with the retirement of L. Stanley Crane, who in eight years guided the company from huge losses to profitability.

Conrail was formed by Congress in 1976 to reorganize six bankrupt Northeast railroads, including the Penn Central. After 11 years of government ownership, the company was sold March 26, 1987, for $1.6 billion in the largest public stock offering in U.S. history.

Before joining Conrail, Sanborn was president and CEO for CSX Distribution Services Inc.