Reduced cycle times and operational excellence help NS target spot and long-term growth opportunities
Our Operations and Marketing teams have been working to inject greater predictability and discipline into our operations to safely meet customer needs and create a runway for long-term growth.
After making strategic operational adjustments at local interchanges and yards across the network, Norfolk Southern’s cycle times began to improve year-over-year starting in July 2024.
In fact, from July through October 2024, we loaded:
The joint efforts of the Bulk team in the Network Operations Center (NOC), Field Operations, Marketing, and Customer Logistics were instrumental in this achievement. This teamwork not only contributed to increased carloads but also built internal trust with improved processes and reinforced reliability with our customers.
The improvements have enabled our railroad to capture additional volume and handle spot opportunities created by market conditions. A spot opportunity arises from unexpected fluctuations in supply and demand, such as sudden market shifts, seasonal surges, disruptions like natural disasters, or temporary shortages. These conditions create a need for quick, flexible transportation or logistics solutions to meet immediate demand.
“Operations and Marketing are working lockstep to capitalize on spot train opportunities that can serve our customers while making Norfolk Southern successful. We’re working closely across boundaries so we can make decisions more rapidly and continue to capitalize on opportunities to move vital commodities that Americans depend on.” - Jon Wills , Director of Unit Train Operations
For example, when West Texas faced drought conditions, we responded quickly to mitigate grain supply impacts across the U.S. By identifying potential market disruptions and collaborating across multiple teams, NS deployed solutions to bridge the supply gap and keep America’s grain moving.
“We recognized early that the West Texas drought could impact the grain supply chain. There was also higher demand for rail equipment due to backlogs and embargoes. By mobilizing idle unit grain trains to assist, we were able to keep essential supplies moving toward the Texas Panhandle region, underscoring Norfolk Southern’s commitment to maintaining a resilient supply chain, even in tough conditions.” - Mark Adams , Group Manager
Our teams utilized NS-owned equipment and partnered with Western rail carriers to send more than 50 unit trains into the region, allowing us to deliver adequate grain supply to markets affected by the drought.
Through these collaborative efforts, NS not only met grain demands in the West but also facilitated the movement of grain to the Gulf of Mexico for export, supporting both domestic and international needs.
And, as the grain harvest season began, NS was well-prepared to lock in on our targets for October and see numbers we haven't seen in several years.?
Learn more about how we keep America's agriculture, forestry, and consumer goods industries moving.