ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern’s operations and service have bounced back from the disruptions created by the Feb. 3 East Palestine hazardous materials derailment and changes the railroad made to its train makeup rules after a March 4 wreck. “Service is now at levels comparable to our best performance in 2019,” CEO Alan Shaw told investors […]
Railroad: Norfolk Southern
East Palestine derailment costs take toll on Norfolk Southern’s quarterly earnings
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern’s second-quarter earnings took a hit from costs related to the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment, which more than doubled to $803 million and consumed 42% of the railroad’s operating income. “Our financial results were challenged this quarter … They reflect the decisive actions we have taken to advance our strategy and keep […]
Norfolk Southern, SMART-TD announce plan to improve conductor trainee program
Norfolk Southern and the union representing conductors will collaborate on efforts to improve the training program for conductor trainees and increase compensation for conductors who provide the training, the two parties announced Wednesday. The agreement by NS and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) comes after the Federal […]
Norfolk Southern pays $1 million for community relief to Pennsylvania areas affected by derailment
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Norfolk Southern has paid $1 million to two areas in Pennsylvania as part of its efforts to address the impact of the East Palestine derailment and toxic chemical release. The Beaver County Times reports the office of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Darlington Township will receive $660,000 and Lawrence County will receive […]
Approximately 16 cars of CSX train derail near Philadelphia (additional update)
WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Approximately 16 cars of a CSX Transportation train operating on a Norfolk Southern rail line derailed this morning (July 17) near Philadelphia, CSX said in a statement. The derailment occurred in Whitemarsh Township near the Joshua and Flourtown roads. CSX indicates one car containing hazardous materials is involved, but says there […]
A look at the Lionel 2023 Volume 2 catalog
The Lionel 2023 Volume 2 catalog is here! Sometimes Christmas does come twice a year, in the world of toy trains this celebration is typically associated with a catalog drop. For Lionel, that takes place in January and July. I typically can find something in each catalog that gets me excited for what’s to come. […]
Cincinnati Southern sale to go to voters in November
CINCINNATI — Voters will have their say on the sale of the Cincinnati Southern Railway on Nov. 7. WXIX-TV reports that Thursday, the railway board of trustees voted unanimously to place the proposed sale of the line from Cincinnati to Chattanooga, Tenn., on the ballot. If a majority of voters approve, the nation’s only municipally […]
The last grimy few: Norfolk Southern high hoods
Norfolk Southern high hoods The high-hood locomotive once numbered in the hundreds on the Norfolk Southern roster, charged with every duty from high-value manifest trains to slow coal drags. Some even helped pull the curtain down on the last steam-powered branch lines. Now, their numbers have been decimated down to the double digits, their duties […]
NTSB to investigate derailment of NS coal train in Virginia
ELLISTON, Va. — The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the derailment of a Norfolk Southern coal train Thursday night near Elliston, the Associated Press reports. The NTSB confirmed its investigation plans in a Twitter post this evening (July 7). Nineteen cars derailed but stayed upright in the incident, which came after the train crew […]
The HO scale Norfolk Southern Salem Division
Facts & features Name: Norfolk Southern Salem DivisionScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 15 x 34 feetPrototype: Norfolk Southern Locale: Salem, Va.Era: summer 1991Style: walkaroundMainline run: 80 feetMinimum radius: 22″ (branch), 25″ (main)Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 1.5%Benchwork: open gridHeight: 40″ to 46″Roadbed: corkTrack: Atlas code 83 flextrack with Peco and Shinohara turnoutsScenery: extruded-foam insulation board and Woodland […]
FRA warns Norfolk Southern on conductor training
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration is demanding immediate changes to Norfolk Southern’s conductor trainee program, citing “grave deficiencies” that have been marked by incidents resulting in “amputations and other serious injuries.” In a June 14 letter, Allison Ishihara Fultz, FRA’s chief counsel, wrote that despite nearly two years of FRA working with NS to […]
Norfolk Southern sues chemical, railcar firms over East Palestine derailment
AKRON, Ohio — Norfolk Southern is suing chemical manufacturers and a group of railcar leasing firms over the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment and toxic-chemical release, saying those companies must share in the cleanup costs from the Feb. 3 incident. Reuters reports the railroad contends the companies are liable for a share of the costs under […]