Railroad News

Norfolk Southern Corp. yesterday announced a commitment of $400,000 in grants to 31 food banks located along its national network in an effort to combat food insecurity.

More than 34 million Americans — including 9 million children — are food insecure, meaning they have limited or uncertain access to adequate food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Norfolk Southern Corp. is presenting its 2021 Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award to 48 shippers to recognize their efforts in safely handling the movement of hazardous materials.

The 43 chemical manufacturers and five chemical plants chosen as winners safely transported or originated 100% of their shipments over the railroad’s network without a single incident last year, NS officials said in a press release. The winners are listed here.

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday released its 15th annual environmental, social and governance (ESG) report, which highlights the company's efforts to reduce its environmental impact, create a culture of inclusion, invest in its people, strengthen governance practices and help customers achieve their sustainability goals.

"Norfolk Southern is a customer-centric, operations-driven company, which means helping our customers achieve their supply-chain emissions goals and reducing our own carbon footprint," said President and CEO Alan Shaw in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday announced the awardees of the Thoroughbred Scholars program, which provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to 100 children of NS employees.

The program will provide $2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years, to full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited two- or four-year institution. The program received more than 500 applications, NS officials said in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Railway is increasing conductor trainee pay to $25 per hour, with a minimum of $200 in earnings per shift, the Class I announced yesterday.

Additionally, conductor trainees are eligible for an on-the-job training incentive of $300 per bi-weekly pay period, provided they make themselves available to work, NS officials said in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Railway today announced the official launch of TOP|SPG, the Class I's latest operating plan designed to improve service, enhance productivity and create a platform for growth.

The plan builds on previous Thoroughbred Operating Plans (TOP) with goals for service, productivity and growth (SPG), NS officials said in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Railway will provide rail service to the Middle Georgia Megasite, which the state and Peach County Development Authority purchased through a partnership.

The 1,100-acre site is located adjacent to Georgia Highway 96, with access to Interstate 75. Rail service will be provided by NS on the north side, plus an additional rail line on the west side. Both the ports of Savannah and Brunswick can be reached via rail in less than five hours, authority officials said in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Corp. officials yesterday rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange to mark 40 years since the merger of Norfolk and Western Railway and Southern Railway created Norfolk Southern Railway on June 1, 1982.

Joining NS President and CEO Alan Shaw and the NS senior executive team on the NYSE bell podium were six craft railroaders from the company’s operating division.

Norfolk Southern Railway will deliver long-term value to shareholders by becoming more customer-centric and operations-driven, President and CEO Alan Shaw said at the company's annual meeting held last week.

“My first priority, and the top priority of every member of the Norfolk Southern team, is to restore service to the quality our customers expect and deserve,” said Shaw in a press release.