NS funds will pay for an independent, private-sector economic development consultant, who will be hired by and work for the village of East Palestine, Ohio. (NS Photograph)

NS Delivering $500K for East Palestine Economic Development

Norfolk Southern (NS) has committed $500,000 to the village of East Palestine, Ohio, for the hiring of an independent, private-sector economic development consultant.

(Union Pacific Photograph, via Twitter)

Ratified: UP, SMART-TD Paid Sick Leave Deal (UPDATED)

Union Pacific (UP) on Aug. 2 reported ratifying an agreement with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) to provide up to eight paid sick leave days

Railroad Cost of Capital Set at 10.58% for 2022

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has determined that the cost of capital for the railroad industry was 10.58% for 2022.

NS President and CEO Alan H. Shaw (NS Photograph)

NS’s Shaw: ‘We Will See This Through’

Six months after the Norfolk Southern (NS) train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, NS President and CEO Alan Shaw wrote an open letter reflecting on the Class I’s “ongoing progress, support and

INFORM has launched its Syncrotess Optimization Plus system at Norfolk Southern’s Rossville terminal just outside of Memphis, Tenn. The Class I’s Austell facility near Atlanta, Ga., will deploy the system later this year. (Photograph Courtesy of INFORM)

Supply Side: Bohr Electronics, INFORM

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Bohr Electronics introduces fuel transfer-pump repair for locomotive maintenance shops in North America. Also, INFORM deploys its stack management and crane optimizer system at the first of two Norfolk Southern (NS) terminals.

The Northeast Alabama Regional (NEAR) Megasite is said to be the largest tract of industrial property in north Alabama. Owned by Etowah County, it is located along a Norfolk Southern mainline and interstate I-59.

NS Invests $8.7MM in Alabama Megasite

Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Industrial Development team and economic developers in Etowah County, Ala., and at the Gadsden Etowah Industrial Development Authority have moved on to Phase 3 of a 1,100-acre industrial development site, to which the Class I has committed $8.7 million over the past three years.

NTSB-provided photographs from the July 6, 2023, Norfolk Southern derailment in Virginia: Derailed gondola cars (left) and a wheelset with a burned-off bearing (right) from unit coal train 814V404. (Sources: NS, left; Federal Railroad Administration, right.)

NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on NS Coal Train Derailment

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report for the investigation of Norfolk Southern’s (NS) July 6, 2023, coal train derailment near Elliston, Va. The agency said future activity will focus on the wheelset and reconditioned bearings of the 71st railcar of the 105-car train; NS’s use of hot bearing detectors (HBD); and NS’s operating rules for defective equipment detectors.

“We are extremely excited about the growth opportunity we have unlocked with our partner, Union Pacific, in the north-south corridor between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, utilizing the Falcon Premium service product,” said Phillip Yeager, Hub Group’s President and CEO, on July 27. “Hub Group continues to expand our capabilities and deliver service, integrity and innovation to our customers’ supply chains.” (Hub Group Photograph)

Class I Briefs: UP, NS, CSX

Union Pacific (UP) reports on LinkedIn and Twitter that partner Hub Group “will leverage their growing fleet with our improved premium service product to now serve all of North America’s automotive production facilities.” Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) surprises Atlanta (Ga.) Public Schools with two $50,000 donations; and CSX celebrates its “heritage of passion and dedication” with a railroader family that reaches back four generations.

NS, SMART-TD Launch New Initiatives Aimed at Conductor Training

Norfolk Southern (NS) and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers—Transportation Division (SMART-TD) announced July 26 that they are partnering to launch several new initiatives to “further enhance the training program for conductor trainees and increase compensation for conductors who helped provide this important training.”

NS 2Q23: Profit Down on Derailment Response Charge (Updated, TD Cowen Insight)

Norfolk Southern (NS) on July 27 reported second-quarter 2023 financial results reflecting a $416 million charge associated with its ongoing response to the Feb 3 derailment in eastern Ohio. Including that charge,

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