NS petitions FRA for brake test training waiver; unions push back

Norfolk Southern has filed a petition with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of federal railroad safety regulations regarding refresher training for mechanical inspectors, “FRA WAIVER PETITION DOCKET No. FRA-2018-0100, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-passenger Trains and Equipment, End-Of-Train Devices (49 C.F.R. Part 232).” Two unions have filed comments disputing NS’s petition.

More from NS Investor Day

At its Investor and Financial Analyst Conference earlier this month, Norfolk Southern representatives discussed, among other subjects, how the company is “reimagining itself.”

GDOT initiates crossing signage improvement program

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has partnered with five railroads with operations in the state—Norfolk Southern, Georgia Northeastern Railroad, Georgia Southern Railway, Ogeechee Railroad Co. and St. Mary’s Railway West—to add “Stop” or “Yield” signs at nearly 600 crossings that do not have automatic warning devices.

NS targets 60% OR by 2021

Norfolk Southern, at its Feb. 11 Investor and Financial Analyst Conference in Atlanta, said it plans to hold capital expenditures to between 16% and 18% of revenues through 2021, as the railroad targets a 60% operating ratio by that year.

NS sets income, OR records

Norfolk Southern’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 financial results include record operating income for both periods, and a full-year record-low operating ratio of 65.4%. Net income was $702 million, and diluted earnings per share were $2.57 for 4Q18, and $2.67 billion and $9.51, respectively, for the full year.

NS: $1.5 billion-plus industrial development

Norfolk Southern generated more than 60,000 carloads of new rail traffic in 2018 involving 72 new and 18 expanded industries across 17 states along the company’s rail lines, representing customer investments of more than $1.5 billion.

Strong start to the year as carloads outgain intermodal

The U.S. Class I railroads started the New Year in impressive fashion, as freight and intermodal traffic notched solid gains for the week ending January 5.

Port of New York-New Jersey opens rail expansion for inland intermodal

The Port of New York and New Jersey opened a major new expansion of its rail network, capping a five-year plan to expand capacity for cargo destined for outside the region.

Former Norfolk Southern, CP execs join R.J. Corman board

Short line operator and rail services provider R. J. Corman Railroad Group appointed two longtime Class I railroad executives to its board of directors.

NS taps Cargotec/Kalmar for intermodal cranes

Norfolk Southern has contracted with Cargotec subsidiary Kalmar for four Kalmar SmartPower rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) equipped with process automation technology. Delivery is scheduled to be completed by December 2019.

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