PennDOT and NS are now collaborating to finalize an operating agreement and the improvements needed to increase passenger-rail service on the NS-owned corridor west of Harrisburg, officials announced on Feb. 18. Pictured: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.

Pennsylvania Eyes Second Pittsburgh-Harrisburg Train

A second daily Amtrak passenger rail trip between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg could start running in 2027 if a deal is struck between the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Norfolk Southern (NS).

To Boost Conductor Trainee Recruits, NS Offering Bonuses

Norfolk Southern (NS) conductor trainees can now expect up to $5,000 in starting bonuses, the Class I railroad reported on Feb. 17.

NS, CSX, CN Recognized for Supplier Engagement on Emissions Reduction

Norfolk Southern (NS), CSX and CN have earned spots on CDP’s 2021 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard, which recognizes companies for their work with suppliers to reduce emissions.

Rendering of Konecranes hybrid RTG, Courtesy of Konecranes

NS Adds Hybrid Cranes to Chicago, Atlanta Terminals

Norfolk Southern (NS) has completed installation of five diesel-electric hybrid overhead gantry cranes at intermodal terminals in Chicago (Landers Yard; two) and Atlanta (Inman Yard; three).

More than 300 people rode Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Inspection Train (pictured) from New Orleans to Jacksonville, Fla., in February 2016, as part of an ongoing effort to restore passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast, which was disrupted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and never resumed. (Marc Glucksman, Amtrak)

DOT to STB: ‘Set a Precedent’ in Amtrak Gulf Coast Case

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have been allowed to file additional comments with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) regarding Amtrak’s application to operate Gulf Coast service.

NS, STB Talk ‘Reciprocal Switching’

Norfolk Southern (NS) and Surface Transportation Board (STB) officials met last month to address reciprocal switching regulations, which STB first proposed in 2016 and has been encouraged to review by an Executive Order on competition issued in 2021.

Alabama-NS Eye $232MM Capacity Improvement Project

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Jan. 4 announced a proposed $231.6 million initiative to boost supply chain capacity in central and southern Alabama; Norfolk Southern (NS) is slated to provide more than 50% of the funding as part of a public-private partnership.

(Wikipedia/Artaxerxes)

Vermont Withdraws Opposition to CSX/Pan Am Combination

Vermont Transportation Agency (VTrans) and Vermont Rail System (VRS) have reached a settlement agreement with CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS) and Genesee & Wyoming (GWI) that resolves their concerns about competition if CSX and Pan Am merge.

New From Greenbrier, NS and U.S. Steel: High-Strength, Lighter-Weight ‘Green’ Gondola

The open-top gondola car is one of the oldest freight car types. The first gondola cars in North America were developed in the 1830s, and used primarily to haul coal. Early designs were flat cars with wooden sides added; they were small—30 feet or less in length, and about 13 tons or less in weight. Now, nearly two centuries after the first gondola turned a wheel, this ubiquitous car type has reached a design pinnacle through a collaboration of The Greenbrier Companies, Inc., United States Steel Corp. and Norfolk Southern.

NS Testing Intermodal Incentive Program

Norfolk Southern (NS) has launched a pilot incentive program at its Chicago, Ill., and Kansas City, Mo., international intermodal terminals in an aim to ease pandemic-related congestion.

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