Railroad News

Sound Transit this week completed Connect 2020, an 11-week project to connect the existing Link light-rail system to the 14-mile East Link extension in Seattle. 

The agency’s existing rail tunnel is now configured for East Link in preparation for extended service to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond, Washington, via 10 new stations in 2023.

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday announced it achieved a "breakthrough" in track inspection technology designed to enhance railroad safety and operating efficiencies.

NS officials say the Class I is the first North American freight railroad to develop and deploy an autonomous track geometry measurement system that is mounted on a locomotive.

Norfolk Southern Corp. yesterday announced promotions of three leaders to vice president and the appointment of a chief sustainability officer.

NS appointed Greg Comstock, former general manager of the railroad’s network operations center and general manager of the southern region, to VP of network operations; Lorri Kleine, former senior general counsel of workforce, properties and insurance risk management, to VP of law; and Patrick Whitehead, former assistant VP of mechanical and general manager of the northern region, to VP of transportation.

Norfolk Southern Corp.'s board has elected John "Jack" Huffard Jr. and Christopher Jones to serve as directors, the company announced today.

Huffard is cofounder of Tenable Network Security Inc. and Tenable Holdings Inc., a cybersecurity software company. He served as president and chief operating officer and as a director of Tenable Network Security from 2002 to 2018, where he was responsible for driving Tenable’s global corporate strategy and business operations and was instrumental in the venture funding and initial public offering process, NS officials said in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Corp. reported today fourth-quarter 2019 net income decreased 5 percent to $666 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, compared with net income of $702 million, or $2.57 per share, a year earlier.

The Class I's railway operating revenue declined 7 percent to $2.7 billion in the quarter, driven by a 9 percent decrease in total volume, NS officials said in a press release.

During 2018, Norfolk Southern Corp. decreased its greenhouse gas emissions by 2.6 percent year over year and achieved an all-time best operating ratio of 65 percent, according to the Class I's 12th annual Corporate Social Responsibility report.

Released yesterday, the report details NS' environmental, economic and social impacts during 2018 and early 2019.

Norfolk Southern Corp. announced yesterday that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Cynthia Earhart will retire on Nov. 1. She will be succeeded by Mark George.

Earhart joined NS in 1985 in the accounting department, where she held positions of increasing responsibility, including assistant VP, before transitioning to information technology.

Norfolk Southern Corp.'s board yesterday approved new responsibilities for Michael Farrell and Vanessa Allen Sutherland effective tomorrow.

As senior vice president of operations and mechanical, Farrell will assume responsibility for the railroad's transportation and mechanical functions.

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing Editor

Norfolk Southern Corp. today reported second-quarter 2019 net income rose 2 percent year-over-year to $722 million as the result of a 4 percent increase in railway operations income.

NS posted diluted earnings per share of $2.70, up 8 percent over the same period a year ago and a second-quarter record, the company announced in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday announced the transition to its new TOP21 operating plan earlier this month went smoothly.

The phase one roll out in July's first week in the merchandise network resulted in a seamless changeover with minimal impacts to customer service and network operations, NS officials said in a press release. The first phase focuses on the carload and automotive networks.

Today, Norfolk Southern Railway will begin rolling out its new precision scheduled railroad operating plan known as TOP21, the Class I announced yesterday in a customer service alert.

The new plan is designed to improve service performance for customers and provide network efficiencies, NS officials said in the alert.

Norfolk Southern Corp. is preparing to roll out the Class I’s new precision scheduled railroad operating plan known as TOP21.

The initiative is a key component of NS's new three-year strategic plan to "Reimagine Possible" in all aspects of its business operations. In April, the company announced that the first phase of TOP21 will focus on the general merchandise market.

Norfolk Southern Railway has recognized 58 of its chemical shipper customers with the Class I's 2018 Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award.

The award is part of an NS initiative to promote safe rail-shipping practices in communities the railroad services, according to an NS press release.

Norfolk Southern Railway in 2019 is "reimagining possible" in all aspects of its business to improve customer service, increase efficiency, drive growth and create shareholder value, President and Chief Executive Officer James Squires Squires said today at the company's annual shareholders meeting.

"We are moving full speed ahead with a new plan for the future that provides a clear path to continued success — success that benefits our customers, our employees, and our shareholders,” said Squires in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Railway and the Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) recently marked the opening of a new multimodal transfer facility in Gainesville, New York.

The Wyoming Transfer Station will serve companies interested in shipping by rail. It represents the final stage of Wyoming County's rail initiative, which began in 2008 and represents a nearly $1 million investment from the New York State Department of Transportation's (NYSDOT) multimodal program, the Wyoming County IDA, Wyoming County and private site work provided by Marquart Cos., according to an IDA press release.