CSX today named former Surface Transportation Board Chair Ann Begeman to its board of directors. Separately, Norfolk Southern said it has appointed former Celanese CEO Lori J. Ryerkerk to its board, a move made after a search process that was a part of an agreement with activist investor Ancora Holdings. “Ann brings a wealth of […]
Tag: Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern asks court to dismiss lawsuit over Amtrak Crescent on-time performance
WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern today asked a federal court to dismiss the Justice Department’s lawsuit over the railroad’s handling of Amtrak’s Crescent, arguing that the government’s “extreme” interpretation of passenger train right of preference doesn’t hold water. NS says the Justice Department “complaint depends on the idea that freight railroads must totally clear their tracks […]
NS customers invest $4.3 billion in rail-served projects in 2024
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern customers advanced projects representing $4.3 billion in industrial development along its lines or those of a shortline partner in 2024, the railroad said today (Jan. 22). The investments involved 149 projects, including 65 representing $1.2 billion in investment and 1,700 jobs that were completed and began shipping on the railroad. Overall, […]
Saluda Grade to sell for $31.5 million
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The organization seeking to buy the Saluda Grade from Norfolk Southern for conversion to a trail will pay $31.5 million — $1 million a mile — for the route between Zirconia, N.C., and Inman, S.C., the Spartanburg Post and Courier reports. The states of North Carolina and South Carolina will each contribute […]
No injuries in Norfolk Southern derailment in Kentucky
SADIEVILLE, Ky. — Cleanup continues after 12 cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed Thursday evening north of Lexington, Ky. WKYT-TV reports no injuries were reported. No cargo was spilled and no hazardous materials were involved. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office initially reported that State Route 32 would be closed because of the derailment, but […]
Columbia, S.C., receives federal funding for grade-separation project
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The city of Columbia will receive $204 million in federal funding for a downtown grade-crossing separation project, the Columbia Post & Courier reports. The newspaper was informed of the grant by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). The funding will be used to eliminate grade crossings on Assembly Street, a major downtown thoroughfare […]
Norfolk Southern awards more than $6 million in community grants
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has awarded more than $6 million to 408 organizations during 2024 as part of two grant programs launched in 2023, the railroad has announced. The Safety First grant program awarded $2.2 million to 184 organizations in 19 states. These awards are to enhance emergency response capabilities and promote community safety. The […]
Norfolk Southern grant to help with restoration of Lehigh & New England diesel
SOUDERTON, Pa. — Norfolk Southern has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society Inc. for its restoration of the last intact diesel from the Lehigh & New England Railroad. The funds will be used to rehabilitate the traction motors of Alco S2 No. 611, built in September 1948 and operated by […]
Ten cars of NS train derail in Roanoke
ROANOKE, Va. — Ten cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed shortly after departing Roanoke today (Friday, Jan. 3, 2025), WSLS-TV reports. No injuries were reported and no leaks occurred that would pose an injury to the public, a railroad representative told the station. At least one tank car was involved, but firefighters say no […]
Terminal dwell is (mostly) down across Class I railroads as service recovery continues
CHICAGO — Remarks from top railroad officials during the most recent round of earnings calls have been encouraging and analysts, without direct ties to railroads, agree. With railroads reporting its weekly performance to the Surface Transportation Board, the numbers don’t lie. As 2025 arrives, railroads have showed improvements to terminal dwell, and train speeds are […]
News Wire’s stories of the year, 2018-2024
Welcome to a new year. As we wait to find out what 2025 has in store for us, here’s one final look at our top stories of 2024, as well as a review of previous top stories, to give this year’s events some context. Norfolk Southern ends up in the top spot for the second […]
News Wire top stories of 2024, No. 1: Turmoil at Norfolk Southern
For Norfolk Southern, 2024 was the second turbulent year in a row that the railroad probably would like to forget. As the year began, NS executives held private meetings with a Cleveland-based activist investor that sought seats on the company’s board and wanted the railroad to improve its lagging financial performance in the wake of […]
