NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk Southern has reduced its number of operating divisions to six from nine, continuing an industry trend toward larger divisional territories.
The move was effective Nov. 1, Chief Operating Officer Cindy Sanborn wrote in a memo to employees.
The Southern Region, which previously included the Alabama, Georgia, and Piedmont divisions, is now composed of the new Gulf and Coastal divisions. The Gulf Division is based in Birmingham, Ala. The Coastal Division is based in Atlanta.
The Central Region, which previously included the Illinois, Lake, and Pocahontas divisions, is now composed of the new Midwest and Blue Ridge divisions. The Midwest is based in Cincinnati, while the Blue Ridge division is headquartered in Roanoke, Va.
The Northern Region, which previously included the Dearborn, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg Divisions, now includes the new Great Lakes and Keystone divisions. The Great Lakes Division is based in Toledo, Ohio, while the Keystone is headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa.
Train dispatching territories did not change, but that’s subject to change at a later date, the memo says.
The railroad’s engineering and communications and signals departments will retain the nine-division alignment.
