Shipper groups sound alarm over Norfolk Southern proxy fight

Associations representing railroad shippers say they’re concerned about Ancora Holdings’ proxy battle at Norfolk Southern, fearing that the activist investors will put an emphasis on boosting short-term profits at the expense of service. “Seems as if NS is making strides on improving service which, to a certain degree, means abandoning some of the Precision Scheduled […]

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STB chairman rips activist investors for threatening viability of railroad industry

Man gesturing while talking

ATLANTA — The activist investors targeting Norfolk Southern pose a threat to the railroad industry and the U.S. economy and may prompt new regulations, outgoing Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman told a shipper conference today. Oberman was highly critical of Ancora Holdings’ proxy battle against NS, along with its efforts to replace current […]

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Amid proxy battle, Norfolk Southern CEO defends railroad’s strategy and notes support from customers, regulators, and rail labor

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, who has been a punching bag for the activist investors who are trying to oust him, defended the railroad’s growth strategy at a shipper conference today. “I am fighting. I am fighting for what’s right and I am fighting for the industry,” Shaw told the Southeast Association of […]

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Norfolk Southern, RapidSOS introduce new digital incident information system for first responders

Norfolk Southern logo

NEW YORK — Norfolk Southern and RapidSOS, which provides secure data information to first responders, have unveiled a rail safety system to increase availability of critical information at significant incidents. The collaborative effort announced today will be free to public safety agencies across the U.S. It will provide access to cargo and hazardous material information, […]

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Preliminary report: NS engineer was killed when locomotive was hit by rolling railcars

Diagram of accident in rail yard

WASHINGTON — The Norfolk Southern engineer killed in a Jan. 31 incident in Decatur, Ala., suffered fatal injuries when his locomotive was struck by a group of 35 railcars rolling on an adjacent track, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary accident report released today (Wednesday, Feb. 28). The incident occurred about 4:15 […]

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Rail industry’s future hinges on outcome of proxy fight at Norfolk Southern: Analysis

The proxy battle that activist investor Ancora Holdings is waging against Norfolk Southern isn’t just about the direction NS should take and who should run the company. It’s a fight for the future of the railroad industry. The Cleveland-based activist investor seems to be taking the position that railroads shouldn’t grow. They argue that intermodal, […]

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Engineers’ union throws support behind Norfolk Southern, criticizes activist investor proposals

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen today said it will “vigorously oppose” an activist investor’s attempt to gain control of the Norfolk Southern board and oust CEO Alan Shaw and Chief Operating Officer Paul Duncan. Cleveland-based Ancora Holdings is waging a proxy battle and has proposed a slate of eight directors […]

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NS nominates two new board members, rejects activist investor’s ‘short-sighted strategy’

ATLANTA — Amid its proxy fight with an activist investor, Norfolk Southern today nominated former Amtrak and Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson and former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp to serve on the company’s board of directors. The NS board also confirmed its unanimous support for CEO Alan Shaw and the railroad’s “better way forward” […]

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Signalmen’s union sees red over proxy battle at Norfolk Southern

Logo of the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen

FRONT ROYAL, Va. — The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen has become the first rail labor union to come out against the activist investor group that’s plotting to oust Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw and gain control of the railroad’s board. The union today expressed “grave concern” with Ancora Holdings’ proxy battle. The union said Ancora […]

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ScaleTrains HO General Electric ES44AC

Title screen of Product Review video with HO scale locomotive painted dark red.

The ScaleTrains HO General Electric ES44AC diesel locomotive is the subject of our latest Product Review video. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of Norfolk Southern 8104, points out the details on the Rivet Counter line model, demonstrates the sound and light functions, and uses the contemporary six-axle […]

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FRA Administrator cautions Norfolk Southern on ‘backsliding’ on safety

Man in suit speaking at conference

WASHINGTON — Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose, in a Wednesday letter to Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, has cautioned against “backsliding, as a result of a change in leadership or otherwise, on the safety-oriented path” the railroad has established since the February 2023 East Palestine derailment. Bose’s letter comes in response to an effort by […]

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Activist investor seeks to install former UPS president to run Norfolk Southern (updated)

Head shot of man in sit

CLEVELAND — Activist investor Ancora Holdings Group, which seeks to oust current Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, would replace him with former United Parcel Service President Jim Barber Jr., the investment group said today in announcing its slate of eight candidates for the company’s board of directors. Jamie Boychuk, former CSX executive vice president of […]

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