Norfolk Southern

Construction is slated to start this fall on a new $1.1 billion Encina manufacturing facility, which will be served by North Shore Railroad, Railway Age’s 2017 Short Line of the Year. (Photo: North Shore Railroad)

Small-Road Briefs: NSRR, Watco

Encina is planning to build a $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in Point Township, Pa., to be served by North Shore Railroad. Also, the Birmingham-Jefferson County (Ala.) Port Authority and Watco are investing $1.9 billion to boost business at Port Birmingham.

NS reported double-digit revenue and EPS growth in first-quarter 2022, noting that fuel and pricing gains “more than offset volume declines.”

NS 1Q22: ‘Solid, Despite Network Challenges’ (UPDATED, Cowen)

“I am confident that our efforts to improve our service through accelerated hiring and refinements to our operating plan will provide a platform for long-term growth and efficiency for both our customers and shareholders,” Norfolk Southern (NS) President Alan H. Shaw said during a first-quarter 2022 earnings announcement on April 27.

Commentary

‘Unvarnished Feedback from the Front Lines’

Editor’s Note: The Surface Transportation Board is conducting an in-person hearing April 26-27 (EP 770, Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service) with the CEOs of the “Big Four” Class I railroads—BNSF, CSX, Norfolk

Round 6: The Port Raises a Statutory Issue

At this writing, Amtrak is preparing to present its case to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) disputing the amount of new infrastructure that potential host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern claim must

Round 5: A Skirmish Over a Model

The “Second Battle of Mobile” is in full swing. Prospective host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern, along with the Port of Mobile, are in a hearted dispute with Amtrak at the Surface Transportation Board (STB) about how much infrastructure must be built between New Orleans and Mobile before Amtrak will be allowed to run two daily round trips between those cities.

STB Approves CSX-Pan Am Combination

All five Surface Transportation Board members on April 14 signed off on CSX’s proposal to acquire Pan Am Systems, Inc., and its short line railroad subsidiaries, effective May 14.

NS Expands Conductor Trainee Incentive Program

Norfolk Southern (NS) has expanded its conductor trainee incentive program to three new “priority” locations, where trainees are eligible to receive starting bonuses of $5,000, the Class I railroad reported on April 14. There are now 15 such “priority” locations on the NS network.