Norfolk Southern

Area Development talked with Norfolk Southern GVP of Industrial Development Craig Hudson about the evolving importance of rail in site selection, supply chain sustainability, and emerging sectors like metals and advanced materials.

We're proud to continue our support for our communities and team members affected by #HurricaneHelene and #HurricaneMilton. We've donated an additional $400,000 to the American Red Cross, bringing our total disaster relief contributions in 2024 to $775,000. This financial aid represents more than just a donation—it’s a commitment to helping rebuild lives and communities impacted by these devastating storms. “As we stand alongside our communities during this challenging time, we’re not just offering financial support—we’re providing hope and helping rebuild what’s been lost,” said Kristin Wong, Director, NS Foundation and Community Impact. In addition to supporting the Red Cross’s disaster recovery efforts, we’re ensuring our team members have access to our Employee Disaster Relief Program, which provides grants to cover hurricane-related expenses and losses. Together, we’re making sure our communities and team members have the resources they need for both immediate relief and long-term recovery. ?? Learn more at https://lnkd.in/efqJpbMF.

?? Thank You, Team NS! ?? After Hurricane Helene’s powerful landfall, our resilient railroaders swiftly prepared and adapted to ensure the safety of our team, restore service, and recover from the storm’s impact across our network. We had personnel, equipment, and materials positioned in key locations ahead of the storm, ready to respond as soon as it passed. In the first 72 hours following the hurricane’s landfall, our Engineering team cleared over 15,000 trees, repaired multiple washouts and over 50 damaged slide fences, deployed 400+ generators, and safely operated in more than 1,000 locations without commercial power, reopening all affected mainline track. There’s still more work to be done as we continue to evaluate heavily impacted areas like our line through Asheville, NC, where damage assessments are still underway. To our railroaders on the ground, thank you for your hard work, perseverance, and for going above and beyond. Your teamwork and dedication are what keep our steel wheels rolling for our customers, no matter the challenge, and we remain committed to supporting the ongoing recovery efforts. ?? Learn more about our recovery efforts at https://lnkd.in/ekFh_9pt. As Hurricane Milton approaches, our thoughts are with those in its path. Team NS is standing by, prepared to respond, prioritizing safety and service every step of the way.

?? Teamwork in action at Norris Yard ?? At Norris Yard in Irondale, AL, our team is driving major performance improvements that help us deliver safe, reliable, and resilient service for our customers. With a focus on accountability, communication, and respect, they’ve transformed the yard into a model of efficiency. Key wins include: ?? AAR DWELL: The yard has reduced the average time trains remain idle by 13 hours compared to 2023. This reduction ensures trains keep moving efficiently. ?? TRAIN CONNECTIONS: Efficiency in placing cars on the correct departing trains has seen a marked improvement, with a 15% increase in train connections compared to the previous year. This improvement enhances service reliability. ?? LEFT BEHIND CARS: A vital metric for operational efficiency, the number of left-behind cars has been reduced by 50%. Norris Yard isn’t just moving freight — they’re setting the standard for excellence across our network. From hands-on training with the conductor trainee boot camp to boosting on-time departures, it’s all about driving continuous improvement. ?? Learn more about Norris Yard and our performance improvements at https://lnkd.in/eABa32c2. #TeamNS #RailroadInnovation #FreightLeadership

We’re proud to announce that members of the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers - Mechanical Department (SMART-MD) have voted to ratify the new agreements a month before the start of the next collective bargaining round. The ratification by ATDA and SMART-MD follows successful ratification votes by the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division/TCU (BRC) and the Transportation Communications Union (TCU) last month. To date, NS has reached tentative agreements with nine of our 13 unions, covering nearly 65% of our craft workforce. Covered employees will enjoy significant improvements to pay, health care, and vacation in the upcoming year. As CEO Mark George said, “The collaborative relationship Norfolk Southern has with our labor partners that enables these early agreements is vital to avoiding a multi-year bargaining process and ensuring peace of mind for covered employees. We’re thankful for the support of our labor leaders and look forward to continuing to work together to deliver for our customers, our communities, and our people.” ?? Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ehktGTZk.

Working in Asheville and helping Norfolk Southern?and our neighbors get back on their feet.?

Yesterday, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association gave Norfolk Southern the opportunity to present the many ways we are taking action to produce growth in the rail industry by partnering with short lines. The Eastern & Southern Region meeting set record attendance, and as always, the ASLRRA staff put on an amazing conference. Norfolk Southern’s Better Way requires that we maximize our partnerships and successes with these entrepreneurial rail partners. And while we have several initiatives to do so in-play, our challenge to you is to keep bringing your ideas and opportunities to us. Thank you to all the NS team that attended to spread this message and desire to grow together.

Rail connectivity is fueling economic growth for a family-owned business in Pennsylvania! ?????? NS, in partnership with the North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates, provides the vital rail access that enabled Country View Family Farms to open their new, state-of-the-art feed mill. This $47 million project, 20 years in the making, expands the family-owned business’s market reach and creates 50 new jobs in the community. At a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, we celebrated how this rail partnership is driving regional economic growth and connecting local businesses to global markets. ?? Learn more about the impact of this project: https://lnkd.in/dgBCq5RP Photo credit for the first image: Mark Eyer, Trains Magazine #RailConnectivity #EconomicGrowth #TeamNS

Norfolk Southern is proactively working to keep America’s #supplychain moving despite the East Coast work stoppage. Our priority is minimizing disruption and providing our customers and partners with clear guidance during this challenging time. Here are the steps we’ve taken so far: ?? SERVICE CURTAILMENT SCHEDULE: We planned, communicated, and began implementing a curtailment schedule for services between intermodal markets and East Coast port locations on Sept. 23. ?? ALTERNATIVE WESTBOUND SERVICES: We’re redirecting containers to West Coast ports through available lanes, leveraging our extensive network and partnerships with short line railroads and western Class I railroads. Team NS is dedicated to ensuring that essential goods continue to flow as efficiently as possible. ?? ?? Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eers2hfQ.

Excited to share that the Norfolk Southern #LivingShoreline received international recognition last week in the category of #climatechange adaptation and resilience. This restoration project at Lamberts Point in Norfolk, Virginia, is a prime example of our commitment to #environmentalstewardship. By working with the Elizabeth River Project, we transformed an erosion challenge into a sustainable solution that not only protects our rail infrastructure but also enhances local #biodiversity and #waterquality while providing a revenue source. This initiative reflects our belief that business success and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. With over a million gallons of water filtered daily by our oyster reef, we’re contributing to cleaner water, better habitats, and climate resilience. The marsh sill installation of this project was recently completed as a second phase, to be followed by shoreline grading and nourishment of the intertidal zone in 2025. We will soon have #NutrientCredits in the form of up to 1,115 pounds of phosphorus and 5,486 pounds of nitrogen reductions for sale in the Elizabeth River watershed. This award belongs to our dedicated team and partners who made this vision a reality. A special thanks to Adam Motsinger, MaryBeth Flournoy, MBA, Daniel Dueren, MBA B. Chandler Van Voorhis, Casey Jensen Conservation Plus, and EcoCap. We’re committed to continuing this journey, proving that rail can lead the way toward a greener, more sustainable future.