Sunday, February 28, 2010

A sunny warm day in Georgia!!

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his.

Been railfanning during the run down to Mosaic Phosphates...the test doesn't start till Monday. Visited some shortlines and the CSX/ NS operations en-route. Stopped by the St Mary's West in Waresboro, GA...shot 2 switchers towards the sun & behind fences, but was able to snag about 20 Progress Rail hulks in storage there....they must have 200 or more stored there. Was surprised to see the KCS / ex TFM SDP-40 there. Waycross was filled with stored CSXT units...3-4 tracks full. Many B30/36-7's there, as well as two future slugs from GP-30's...one ex READING! Ended the day at the Folkson Funnel....had a train about every 20 minutes or so....busy, busy, busy!!!

At Baldwin, FL tonight, Should make it to Barstow/ Mulberry area tomorrow (Sat)


CSXT 2375 & 2376 future road slugs at Waycross, GA



CSXT 7363 southbound thru Folkston, GA Q-441 I think



KCS 3057 at Waresboro, GA



PRSX 7486 ex Savage, CSXT, CR at Waycross, GA

Saturday, February 27, 2010

A break from shoveling snow...

(Train sightings on 2-26-10.)

with the third driveway of Friday morning finally cleared of six inches of wet snow here in Manville along the LEHL, it was time for a much needed break with a cup of coffee trackside. NS 11J was kicking up the snow as it passed by my vantage point headed west approaching Manville's 13th Street grade crossing. After 11J had passed, time to dig in and shovel out of this storm. Only 22 days until spring arrives officially marking the end to a very snowy winter...


NS CIO to address J. P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Defense Conference

Received the following via email.

February 26, 2010

Norfolk Southern Chief Information Officer Butler to address
J. P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Defense Conference


NORFOLK, VA. - Deb Butler, executive vice president planning and chief information officer for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC), will address the J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Defense Conference on March 10.

J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation & Defense Conference
Wednesday, March 10, 9 a.m. EST
J.P. Morgan Conference Center
383 Madison Ave, New York City
Webcast URL:
http://bit.ly/9i8xHf

Interested investors can listen via simultaneous webcast. After the webcast, the presentations will be posted at www.nscorp.com.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Leanne Marilley, 757-629-2861 (leanne.marilley@nscorp.com

Friday, February 26, 2010

Tribute Series of my Father's Photos #1

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text and captions are his. Photos are by his father, Kermit Geary, Sr.
Our condolences to Kermit Jr. and his family.

Greetings all: It has been a rough couple of weeks...My father, Kermit SR, passed away suddenly on 2/10/10. Sperry allows a 3 day "bereavement leave" after which you got to return to work. So here I am in Kentucky waiting at a coalmine for a train to be pulled to test their trackage. Then it is off to Florida and a test at Mosaic Phosphates next week.

As both a healing processes for me and and a chance to finally showcase some of my Father's work, I will be sending out some retro-photos that Dad liked...I do not have dates for these yet...they are recorded somewhere, tho. I hope you all enjoy them as much as he enjoyed taking and viewing them.


C&NW 1119 - a 4-6-0



Cleveland Transit System 4116



CN 3532 - a 2-8-2 at Vegreville



CP 3525 mounting loco tire



D&H 302 - a 4-8-4 & D&H 4017 - an RS-2

Dansville & Mt. Morris 565 taking water

Monday, February 22, 2010

It was worthwhile being trackside on Saturday morning...

(Train sightings on 2-20-10.)

Pattenburg:

NS 11J @ 8:43-would have NS 9745 and NS 8884 for one loooong train of autoracks. By my count, there were 120 autoracks. 11J would take the long siding on the tunnel's west side for 21M to pass.

NS 21M @ 9:00-had NS 9412, NS 9251 and NS 9460 as its motive power.

Three Bridges:

NS 22V @ 10:35-would have NS 9524 and NS 8339.

NS 68Q @ 11:20-had NS 9715 and NS 7671 bringing eighty tank cars of ethanol along with two buffer cars east.


NS 214 @ 11:30-this was the train I was waiting for! 214 would have UP 4009, UP 3966 and NS 9735.

Once 214 had passed, I chose not to see what BR&W's power was for shuffling cars on their tracks and decided heading for home was the best option now that I got the image I set out for.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Old Rail Inspection Automobiles

Received the following via email.
Note: to see an enlarged image, just click on the picture.
Use your Browser's BACK button to return the blog.

These are from a fellow who worked on the MKT when he was a 16 year of kid (1943) out of Parsons, Kansas with a group of my high school buddies from Caney, Kansas. He was eventually promoted to "timekeeper" on the work gang and got to run up and down the track checking on different gangs.

You had to know the schedules of passenger and freight trains so you could "set off" on a siding at the appropriate time, otherwise you were in danger of getting smacked.

Old rail inspection car photos (all classics, for sure)
Most appear to be from Canadian lines.








































Thursday, February 18, 2010

NS Crescent Corridor project awarded $105 million TIGER grant

Received the following via email.

February 17, 2010

Norfolk Southern's Crescent Corridor is awarded $105 million TIGER grant from U.S. Department of Transportation

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern's Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight Program of Projects today was awarded $105 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program.

In September 2009, lead state Pennsylvania, joined by Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia, submitted an application to USDOT for a $300 million TIGER grant to help improve Norfolk Southern's rail lines and facilities between the Gulf Coast and the Northeast. Although the award represents a shortfall from the original TIGER request, it will enable NS and its partners to begin construction of several previously announced Crescent Corridor projects, while delaying other elements for later public-private partnerships.

"This was an extremely competitive process, and we are grateful that the economic opportunities and environmental benefits of our Crescent Corridor initiative have been recognized," said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. "We commend Sec. Ray LaHood and his Tiger Team at USDOT for their acknowledgement that the only way a program of this magnitude could be accomplished is through a partnership - one in which the public sector and Norfolk Southern are both key contributors. Since the TIGER grant application was submitted in September, the interest and support the Crescent Corridor has received from federal, state, and local government officials, major companies, metropolitan planning organizations, and trade and environmental associations has been remarkable. We thank Govs. Ed Rendell, Bob Riley, Haley Barbour, Phil Bredesen, Bob McDonnell, and former Gov. Tim Kaine for their leadership and guidance. We will continue to work diligently with federal and state agencies to identify and secure additional funding alternatives for the Crescent Corridor."

The Crescent Corridor is an existing 2,500-mile rail network through 13 states from Louisiana to New Jersey that touches 26 percent of the nation's population and 30 percent of the nation's manufacturing output. When fully operational it will handle more rail freight traffic faster and more reliably, creating or benefiting some 73,000 green jobs by 2030, and producing these estimated annual benefits:

· 1.3 million long-haul trucks diverted from interstates
· $146 million in accident avoidance savings
· 1.9 million tons in CO2 reduction
· $575 million in congestion savings
· $92 million in highway maintenance savings
· 169 million gallons in fuel savings

The $105 million TIGER grant joins funding from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Norfolk Southern already committed to Crescent Corridor projects. The Crescent Corridor program of projects is estimated to cost $2.5 billion for full development by 2020. Crescent Corridor projects currently planned for development include new independent intermodal facilities at Memphis, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala., and Franklin County, Pa.; the expansion of intermodal terminals in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pa.; and the addition of freight rail capacity in Virginia and Mississippi. The program includes significant investments in rail route improvements consisting of additional passing tracks, double track projects, improved signaling systems, and other track speed improvements.

For more information about the Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight Project, visit www.TheFutureNeedsUs.com.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is a leading North American transportation provider. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts
Media Rudy Husband 610-567-3377 rudy.husband@nscorp.com
Investors Leanne Marilley 757-629-2861 leanne.marilley@nscorp.com

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Mission Accomplished!

(Train sightings 0n 2-14-10.)

Thanks to this age of the internet, I read where NS 214 was going to have a UP leader on it for Sunday morning. Add that to the sun that was forecasted to be out and that made this a good day to be trackside. Needless to say, I wasn't disappointed with my time trackside despite some chilly winds. The trains seen during my three hours were as follows:

NS 22V @ 8:34 passing through Three Bridges with NS 7629 and NS 9569 for power.

NS 64J @ 9:21 had NS 9195 bringing a long string of empty trash containers back for refills.

NS 214 @ 10:22 after getting a cup of hot coffee to ward off the cold, headed out to catch 214 at Stanton Station's curves. I have always enjoyed taking photos here as the tracks' curvature adds an unusual perspective to the scene. Motive power consisted of UP 4988, PRR 8316 (ex-CR 6056) and NS 9316.


NS M1J @ 11:30 had NS 9836, NS 9258 and NS 9239 bringing 109 empty autoracks west through Three Bridges.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

My wife just laughed at me...

(Train sightings on 2-10-10.)

With the prospect of no work on Wednesday due to the pending snowstorm, I told my wife Tuesday night that come Wednesday I might go trackside. Upon hearing that, she asked me if I got pelted with one too many snowflakes when I was out for Tuesday's nightly walk. My response was that all I had to do was walk down to NJ Transit's RVL to see what was running. Checking my NJT train schedule, I saw that there would be two trains. Train 5719 was due out of Raritan at 10:57 and Train 5729 departed at 1:57. I opted to photograph train 5719 since weather conditions would supposedly worsen later in the day according to weather reports. Seeing an approaching headlight in the distance, I shook off the snow that accumulated on my parka, made a few final camera adjustments and waited for the train to come closer. The resulting image was well worth the effort. Hope you enjoy in the warmth of your room.


Friday, February 12, 2010

NS Service Alert

Received the following via email.

February 11, 2010

Service Alert – Second Storm Impacting Operations in Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

Over the last few days, a second major winter storm in less than a week moved across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. The storm brought heavy snow and high winds to many areas in this region which resulted in power outages, downed trees, and poor road conditions. While these conditions have impacted our operations, we are working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. Customers with traffic moving through these areas should continue to expect delays of 48 to 72 hours over the next few days.

Customers with questions regarding specific shipments are encouraged to contact their Customer Service Representative.

Customer Service - 800 635.5768

Central Yard Operations representatives are also available to answer any questions regarding local service (set/pull) in the affected area.

Central Yard Operations - 800 898.4296

Norfolk Southern facilitates $3.1 billion in industrial investment along rail lines in 2009

Received the following via email.

February 11, 2010

Norfolk Southern facilitates $3.1 billion in industrial investment along rail lines in 2009

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corporation participated in the location of 70 new industries and the expansion of 23 existing industries along its rail lines in 2009.

New plants and expansions represented an investment of more than $3.1 billion by Norfolk Southern customers and are expected to create 3,000 jobs in the railroad's territory, eventually generating more than 138,500 carloads of new rail traffic annually.

Norfolk Southern assisted state and local government and economic development officials throughout 19 states in helping customers identify ideal locations for new and expanded facilities.

"The energy sector anchored our results during 2009," said Newell Baker, assistant vice president industrial development. "Our group assisted in the location or expansion of 24 energy related facilities in 12 states across our service area. Ethanol production and distribution accounted for the lion's share of energy projects, with 11 new and expanded facilities that began to receive NS rail service in 2009."

The balance of other projects secured during 2009 was distributed among several of the broad product areas Norfolk Southern serves.

Norfolk Southern works with state and local economic development authorities on projects involving site location and development of infrastructure to connect customers to its rail system and provides free and confidential plant location services, including industrial park planning, site layout, track design, and logistics assistance. During the past 10 years, Norfolk Southern's Industrial Development Department has participated in the location or expansion of 1,084 facilities, representing an investment of $23.9 billion and creating nearly 50,000 customer jobs in the territory served by the railroad.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serving every major container port in the eastern United States and providing efficient connections to western rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is North America's largest rail carrier of metals and automotive products.

Norfolk Southern contacts
Media Frank Brown 757-629-2710 fsbrown@nscorp.com
Investors Leanne Marilley 757-629-2861 leanne.marilley@nscorp.com

Norfolk Southern Foundation awards $5.7 million in 2009

Received the following via email.

February 11, 2010

Norfolk Southern Foundation awards $5.7 million in 2009

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Foundation, the charitable giving affiliate of Norfolk Southern Corporation, awarded grants worth more than $5.7 million to nonprofit charitable organizations in 2009.

The grants included $1.47 million in employee matching gifts in support of 535 organizations. Grants other than matching gifts went to 329 organizations in Norfolk Southern's operating territory.

The Foundation contributed to 75 United Way campaigns plus other health and human services nonprofits ($1,600,300), educational institutions ($1,100,587), cultural and arts groups ($1,145,478), and civic, community, and environmental organizations ($402,750). Among the largest recipients were the United Ways in Norfolk and Roanoke, Va., and Atlanta; National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia Arts Festival, Penn State Altoona, ACCESS Scholarship Foundation, Taubman Museum of Art, The Nature Conservancy of Virginia, Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Virginia Opera, Woodruff Arts Center, Virginia Symphony, Elizabeth River Project, and Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.

Of the $5.7 million granted in 2009, $2.05 million (excluding matching gifts) went to charitable organizations in Norfolk Southern's three primary locations: Norfolk and Roanoke, Va., and Atlanta.

As part of its educational funding, the Foundation awarded a total of $258,500 in grants to 13 universities under the Norfolk Southern College Partnership Program. This program, established in 2006, builds relationships to enhance the railroad's recruiting opportunities, particularly for business and engineering graduates.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts
Media Frank Brown 757-629-2710 fsbrown@nscorp.com
NS Foundation Deborah Wyld 757-629-2861 Deborah.Wyld@nscorp.com

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Dodging a bullet...

(Train sightings on 2-6-10.)

Dodging a bullet is what Central NJ did with the snow on February 6, 2010. Preliminary weather forecasts called for an estimated 7 to 12 inches of snow but this section of the state was spared with only 4 to 7 inches. Despite the snow, NJT was still operating close to a regular Saturday schedule on the RVL as seen here. NJT Train 5519 is arriving at the Raritan, NJ station right on time at 12:42. Taking the train though remained the best way of getting around in Central NJ on this snowy day.


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

2 More Winter Storm Alerts from Norfolk Southern

Received the following via email.
Also see our posting below on Feb. 7, 2010.


Winter Storm Impacting Mid-Atlantic Operations – Update

February 9, 2010

A severe winter storm with large amounts of snow, ice and high winds is affecting Norfolk Southern operations in critical traffic areas in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Traffic moving through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey and the Carolinas is being impacted. Norfolk Southern personnel are working to restore normal operations as soon as possible. Customers with traffic moving through these areas should expect delays of at least 24 hours. Norfolk Southern will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates.

Note to customers with committed service agreements: Norfolk Southern is lifting Force Majeure for traffic moving through these areas effective 9:00am Tuesday, February 9th, 2010.



Winter Storm effecting Operations in the Midwest and Northeast

February 8, 2010

A severe winter storm with large amounts of snow, ice and high winds is affecting Norfolk Southern operations in critical traffic areas in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Traffic moving through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey and the Carolinas is being impacted. Norfolk Southern personnel are working to restore normal operations as soon as possible. Customers with traffic moving through these areas should expect delays of at least 24 hours. Norfolk Southern will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates.

Monday, February 08, 2010

What a difference a week makes...

(Train sightings on 12-27-09.)
Somehow this got lost in the In Box. Better late than never.

...when it comes to the weather. Last Sunday was spent cleaning seven inches of snow from the driveway, walkways, steps and any other place that needed to be made passable. Last weeknd's snowfall is history, washed away by this Saturday's rains and warmer temperatures. That allowed me to make a Sunday morning trip out to Bloomsbury to see what was running. The sun was just creeping over Jugtown Mountain when NS 22V and its colorful consist of COFCs at 9:29 came east. It would be instructed to hold at CP64 for westbound 11J. About twenty minutes later, NS 20W (Chicago, IL to Croxton, NJ) had a restricted approach at CP 67 and would also hold for 11J. Perhaps the midwestern storms had delayed this train since I can't recall seeing this on any previous Sunday mornings. With 20W clear, NS 11J would then pass by at around 10:05 with eighty-five empty autoracks. I will definitely take a Sunday morning like this compared to the previous Sunday morning!

NS 20W near Bloomsbury, NJ on 12-27-09.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

2 Winter Storm Alerts from Norfolk Southern

Received the following via email.

February 05, 2010

Winter Storm Impacting Mid-Atlantic Operations

A winter storm is bringing heavy snow and wind, to many areas in the Mid-Atlantic region and is moving into the Northeast impacting service in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New jersey and New York. Customers with shipments moving through these areas should expect delays of up to 48 hours. Local service will also be affected in some of the heaviest hit areas.

Norfolk Southern will be working to restore normal service in these areas as quickly as possible. Customers with questions regarding specific shipments should contact their Customer Service Representative.

Customer Service - 800 635.5768

Central Yard Operations representatives are also available to answer any questions regarding local service (set/pull) in the affected area.

Central Yard Operations - 800 898.4296


February 06, 2010

Winter Storm effecting Operations in the Midwest and Northeast - Force Majeure in effect

A severe winter storm with large amounts of snow, ice and high winds is affecting Norfolk Southern operations in critical traffic areas in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Traffic moving through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey and the Carolinas is being impacted. Norfolk Southern personnel are working to restore normal operations as soon as possible. Customers with traffic moving through these areas should expect delays of at least 48 hours. Norfolk Southern will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates.

Note to customers with committed service agreements: Norfolk Southern is invoking Force Majeure for traffic moving through these areas effective 6:00am Saturday February 6th, 2010.

Note: Force Majeure is French for "superior force," and is a legal term invoked when one party to a contract cannot fulfill the terms of the contract because of something beyond their control.

Friday, February 05, 2010

O-scale brass BiCentennial GG1

A Big-Little Railroad Shop Exclusive

Production Model Photo

In association with 3rd Rail Division of Sunset Models, The Big Little Railroad Shop is proud to announce this all Brass, extremely limited production of Conrail GG1 #4800 in BiCenntenial paint. Production is limited to just (20) 3-rail and (5) 2-rail models.

The model features:

Motors w/ flywheel

Working pantographs

Full cab interior detail, lighted

Directional lighting

TMCC / Railsounds 4.0

Coil couplers

054 3-rail track or 48" radius 2-rail track

MSRP is $999.95

To reserve, please call (908) 685-8892 during business hours and ask for Jan.

A $100.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your model.

Delivery is expected in February 2010.

Prototype Photo

Sure to become a rare collectors item.

Note: to see the photos enlarged, just click on them. Then use your browser's BACK button to return to the blog.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Norfolk Southern CFO Squires to address 2010 BB&T Capital Markets Transportation Services Conference and Stifel Nicolaus Transportation Conference

Received the following via email.

February 3, 2010

Norfolk Southern CFO Squires to address 2010 BB&T Capital Markets Transportation Services Conference and Stifel Nicolaus Transportation Conference

NORFOLK, VA. - James A. Squires, executive vice president finance and chief financial officer for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC), will participate in the following upcoming transportation conferences:

BB&T Capital Markets 25th Annual Transportation Services Conference

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 10:45 a.m. (EST)

The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Fla.

Webcast URL: http://bit.ly/aOcBP6


Stifel Nicolaus 2010 Transportation Conference

Thursday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m. (EST)

The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Fla.

Webcast URL: http://bit.ly/cc5SeG


Interested investors can listen via simultaneous webcasts. After the webcasts, the presentations will be posted at www.nscorp.com.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts
Media Frank Brown 757-629-2710 fsbrown@nscorp.com
Investors Leanne Marilley 757-629-2861 leanne.marilley@nscorp.com

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Braving the cold...

(Train sightings on 1-30-10)

...to bring you this trackside report on a rather nippy Saturday morning in Stanton Station where the temperature registered in at 14 degrees-Brrrrr....! So here goes now that my fingers have thawed out and I can type once again, here is what I saw.

NS 21M @ 9:09 was instructed to take the passing siding and hold for NS 212 and 22V. Evidently interlock problems at CP 64 (Pattenburg) wouldn't allow 21M to hold there. So the decision was made to hold them at 53 for two eastbounders. Motive power consisted of NS 9586, NS 9369 and NS 9803.

NS 212 @ 9:15 would have UP 7655 (AC45CCTE) as its leader followed by NS 7717.


NS 22V @ 9:50 waiting for this train, the minutes seemed to go by ever so slowly. Thirty-five minutes later, NS 9634 and NS 9306 would bring this train load of COFCs east.


Despite the cold and gray skies, I want consider this a not so bad day in my book.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Norfolk Southern seeks approval to declassify its board of directors

Received the following via email.

January 28, 2010

Norfolk Southern seeks approval to declassify its board of directors

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) said today it will seek to declassify its board of directors, as an enhancement to the company's corporate governance practices.

Declassification would subject all Norfolk Southern directors to annual election, replacing the current structure in which three classes of directors are elected for staggered three-year terms.

"The decision to seek declassification sends a message of accountability," said Norfolk Southern Chairman and CEO Wick Moorman. "Shareholder interests will be better served when our owners have an annual opportunity to evaluate the entire board's performance."

To implement declassification, the board will seek shareholder approval to amend the company's articles of incorporation at the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders. If approved, declassification will begin at the 2011 annual meeting. At that time, the board will nominate director candidates for one-year terms to fill vacancies as of that date. Directors elected to serve three-year terms prior to the amendment's approval, and directors elected at the 2010 annual meeting, will continue to serve until their terms expire. Beginning at the 2013 annual meeting, the entire Norfolk Southern board of directors will be elected annually.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts
Media Frank Brown 757-629-2710 fsbrown@nscorp.com
Investors Leanne Marilley 757-629-2861 leanne.marilley@nscorp.com

Monday, February 01, 2010

Sperry Primer #3

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text, photos and captions are his, except as noted.
Also see our posting yesterday - Sperry Primer #2.

To answer a couple of questions...we (SRS) have 17 "big cars" or railbound cars in our active fleet. The crew consisting of 2-3 people will live on the car for the duration of the test, going to stores, etc. along the way for food & laundry. The cars are equipped with a shower and a commode. It takes a dedicated person to work on the big cars...lots of responsibilities and work.

The Sperry company was founded in 1928 by Dr Sperry. He developed a technique to shoot an electrical current through the rails and determining by the returning signal if there was a defect there. This was the induction method and is still in use by Sperry an many of its vehicles. Of the other rail testing companies out there, Sperry is the only one to use induction.

This lesson shows one of the earliest Fairmont-built test cars...these were followed by three BRILL cars which didn't work well and were soon retired (and Re-sold to Remington Arms)(some have been returned to service recently by the Edwards Rail Car Co for tourist train service. The Black River & Western has one running as the Delaware Turtle!!!).

Sperry soon standardized on the Winton Powered EMC railcar, buying up many examples from the LV, B&O, SAL, CNW, B&M, RI, NYC, and SOO Line.

The third car pictured is the MACK FCD-railbus that was built for the New Haven. We use this car for subway tests and is semi-permanently assigned to the NYCTA. It can be seen occasionally in transit from the NYCTA to the home office of Sperry in Danbury, CT. Car 403 was rebuilt from the 402 after it derailed and burned in the tunnels of Detroit, MI.

The next lessons will be on the rubber-tired vehicles in our fleet.

SRS 403 in Danbury, CT



SRS 109 C-B-A one of the first test vehicles



SRS 121 with J.H.DePuy in the late 1930's...coll. of Bob Eilerman


SRS 402 in Trenton, NJ