Sunday, January 25, 2015

PRR Heritage Unit on the Lehigh Line in New Jersey

(Train sightings on 1-19-15.) 

Definitely was a cold morning here while waiting for the PRR heritage here in central NJ. Fortunately there was a sufficient number of trains to be seen passing through the Valley Road grade crossing in Hillsborough (NJ) at LEHL MP 40 and here is what I saw:

1, Unknown EB intermodal @ 9:11. Motive power was NS 9206 & NS 8878.
2. Unknown WB intermodal @ 9:15. It was held on the siding at CP SULLY for the previously mentioned EB. Motive power was NS 9542, NS 9082, NS 2741 and NS 7634.
3. NS 212 @ 11:40. Motive power was NS 9198, UP 9584 and NS 8709.
4. NS 18N @ 12:20. Motive power was NS 8102 and NS 9171.

NS 8102 makes eight heritage photographed for me and only twelve to go! Hope that the remaining twelve are passing through NJ when its warmer!
 



The Delaware River Railroad Excursions 2015 Events

Received the following via email from The Delaware River Railroad Excursions, Phillipsburg, NJ.  

The Delaware River Railroad Excursions 2015
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Easter Bunny Train Ride, A Day Out With Thomas,River Train, Steam Train, Mine Train, Winery Train 
We have many exciting trips coming up this year. Please review the email below for all that we have to offer!
The Easter Bunny Train Ride & Easter Egg Hunt
March 28,29 & April 4th
Ride the Easter Bunny Train Ride and visit with Mr. E. Bunny on the train. Your ride will wind along the scenic Delaware River leaving from the Historic District of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The train will travel along the river to Carpentersville and our destination will be the site of the historic Lime Kilns. In front of the 150 year old Lime kilns is a beautiful little glade filled with Easter eggs! Once we arrive you can get off the train, take a picture with Mr. Bunny and gather 4 Easter eggs!
On the train enjoy our banjo playing Hobo and a Juggler!

 
Trips run on:
March 28,29 and April 4tth
11am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 3:30 pm

A Day Out With Thomas
July 10,11,12,17,18,19

Day Out With Thomas is a family event that offers children and their grownups the opportunity to ride with classic storybook friend Thomas the Tank Engine™ . Parents, grandparents and siblings join their aspiring engineers in the fun. The Day Out With Thomas experience will engineer miles of smiles for the whole family and introduce a new generation to the timeless excitement of railroading.
The train pulled by Thomas leaves every hour on the hour, 10 am to 5 pm.

You may also ride  the River Train along the scenic Delaware River  to Pinchers Point, New Jersey ( an hour and fifteen minute round trip).  For an added adventure take theRiver Train  to the Ol' Susquehanna Mine , enjoy the animated Mine Shaft Explosion, History and learn how to pan for Gem Stones that you can take home!.
The trips pulled by Thomas take you along the beautiful Delaware River to North Carpentersville New Jersey, a 25 minute ride.
The River Train   pulled by our STEAM locomotive #142  follows the same route  journeying further along the river to Edingers  with a brief stop at the "Old Susquehanna" gem stone mine.  At the mine you may get off , visit the mine and learn how to pan for gems.  Each passenger receives a bag of mine tiling's , a brief history of the mine and use of the  sluice to prospect for their very own gem stones they can bring home!
 You may also purchase tickets the day of the event for all trains although we advise that you purchase your tickets in advance.
Trains to  and from the mine depart every hour.  Stay at the mine as little as an hour or as long as you like!
Experience the exploding mine shaft tour-- its a hoot!
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!
The Warren County Winery Train
May 2nd through October 26th
Enjoy a beautiful journey along the scenic Delaware River behind New Jersey's only operating steam locomotive.
Visit to one of New Jersey's most beautiful Wineries. The train will take you to the end of  our line where you will board a bus for the short trip to the winery which is located  in Finesville, New Jersey
The Warren County Winery Train is operated by the Delaware River Railroad Excursions located in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. We are a Non-profit, 501 (c) 3 corporation and staffed almost entirely by volunteers.
Your Journey
After a Steam Train ride along the Delaware and a short bus ride through rolling farmlands, you will arrive at Villa Milagro Vineyards (www.VillaMilagroVineyards.com) .
 There you will learn how grapes are grown and made into wine.  Then you will sample their delicious wines and have an opportunity to purchase them at the source.  If you would like to enjoy your wine with a picnic, bring a lunch and relax at tables in tree groves at the Ol'Susquehanna Mine and Corn Maze or at the station in Phillipsburg.  You are welcome to detrain at the Mine and spend as much time as you like relaxing in the picnic grove then catch a later train.
2015 TRIPS
The New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society inc.
The New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society is a non-profit educational society interested in the preservation of the rich railroad history of New Jersey, most specifically that of the New York Susquehanna & Western Railway. Society members are located in half of the states and have come from around the world, at times numbering up to 500. The society is primarily funded by its partnership in the Delaware River Railroad Excursions based out of Phillipsburg. Easter Bunny, A Day Out With Thomas and The Polar Express train rides are favorite themed events!
The Society has three of the original four Susquehanna Budd cars and an operating steam locomotive as part of its 20 piece collection of railroad equipment. If you are interested in railroading there are many ways to get involved. The Delaware River Railroad Excursions needs train crew and maintenance personnel. Maywood Station needs caretakers and docents. There are the meetings and publications to administer. At all sites there is always plenty to do.
Take your time and look around the site. Enter the chat room, read some stories, or just browse through the many pictures. If you are interested in riding the very best historic train trips any where, visit the train trips area and buy tickets today! 
  
Contact Us
Chris Cotty
VP & GM
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions
877trainride.com
Ride The Steam Train!


Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.


Greg Plitt Death Is Latest Railroad Stolen-Shot Tragedy

Following article is from Yahoo News.  Please see the website for photos.
http://news.yahoo.com/greg-plitt-death-latest-railroad-223647105.html

Greg Plitt Death Is Latest Railroad Stolen-Shot Tragedy


Like the Midnight Rider tragedy that took the life of Sarah Jones, Saturday’s railroad-filming accident in Burbank that killed actor and fitness guru Greg Plitt involved an attempt to steal a shot without a film permit or permission from the railroad company. “We require film permits if you’re outdoors, but there was no permit on file,” a spokesman for the Burbank Police Department said. 

Plitt, whose website features several photos and videos of him working out on railroad tracks, appears to have been filming a workout video when he was struck by a southbound Metrolink train. Burbank police said a preliminary investigation “revealed Mr. Plitt was accompanied by two other men, one of whom was filming Mr. Plitt on the train tracks. The conductor of the southbound train saw Mr. Plitt on the tracks, attempted to stop the train, and sounded the train’s horn. However, Mr. Plitt remained on the train tracks and was struck by the train. Investigators seized the camera as evidence.” He didn’t have permission from Metrolink to be filming on its tracks, either. “There are no reports of a railroad company officer being present to provide roadway worker protections or to implement other track safety protocol,” said Arthur J. Miller, one of the industry’s top experts in railroad safety. “Everything I’ve heard is that they were trying to steal a shot. It’s pretty clear that they were trespassing. Sadly, we are once again reminded that unauthorized access to railroad property and trains is a criminal act that can end in tragedy. You would think the lessons learned from the Midnight Rider tragedy would have worked to prevent this event.” 


Stealing shots on railroad tracks remains a common industry practice, even in the wake of the Midnight Rider disaster. “Reliable reports of shot-stealing have become quite numerous,” said Miller, the System Director of Safety and Regulatory Compliance for the Western Group, a consortium of Western railroad companies. “Some of it is spur-of-the-moment trespass, but there are a substantial number of instances where the trespass is premeditated and planned. Since the Sarah Jones tragedy, the number of reports I’ve personally received about film crews straying onto railroad properties has roughly quadrupled. This is a particular problem with small- and micro-budget projects.” 

Special precautions have to be taken when working on or around railroad tracks, said Miller, an instructor for the IATSE Rail Safety Awareness training program that was established after Jones’ death. “You can’t take normal film -production workplace processes and safety rules onto a railroad location,” he said. “The laws of gravity and inertia are not repealed for film crews when they’re working on a railroad. Railroad tracks are busy and dangerous, and they’re not recreation areas.” 

Working on or around trains also can be pricey, which is the main reason so many low-budget film projects try to steal shots on tracks. “Railroad filming is quite expensive,” Miller said. “Sometimes it can be cost-prohibitive.” 

Miller, who has been the railroad coordinator and railroad locations scout on more than 60 film and TV projects, including Unstoppable and The Expendables, said he worries that the deaths of Jones and Plitt might make railroad companies more skittish about cooperating with filmmakers in the future. “We try to drive home the value of railroads as story-settings,” he said, “and that only by working safely can you obtain access to this wonderful resource.”

The AMPTP Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee issued guidelines for Railroad Safety 10 months before Sarah Jones was killed. Unfortunately, those guidelines continue to be ignored.


CSX GEs Hustlin' Through the Hoarfrost

Received the following via email from our correspondent in NW Pennsylvania.

My friend Ken Heyl ventured out into the truly bitter cold with his camera and captured this frigid scene with hoarfrost covering the trees at New London, Ohio as this hot westbound CSX train swooped through the MP 47 Interlocking over well-maintained track on a brisk Wednesday a.m. (1-14-15)   Those forced-air switch point heaters were sure earning their keep!  




Saturday, January 24, 2015

NJT's Track Geometry Inspection Vehicle (TGIV) ...

(Train sightings on 1-13-15.)

... is seen heading east over NJT's Raritan Valley Line on January 13th approaching Whitehouse Station (RVL MP 44.2). The TGIV is a self-propelled vehicle that is capable of examining both track geometry and catenary. Staffed with a three man crew, two vehicle operators and a computer systems operator, the TGIV records track geometry measurements every foot at up to fifty miles-per-hour. Manufactured by the Fairmont / Tamper division of Harsco Track Technologies, it cost an estimated $2.5 million and weighs in around sixty tons. This TGIV measures in at sixty-five feet long, ten feet eight inches wide and fourteen feet nine inches high. This one replaced a previous one that caught fire on September 17, 2002 while working NJT's North Jersey Coast Line.
 



GSD Winter Meet

Received the following via email from the Garden State Division (GSD) of the NMRA.


GSD Winter Meet -
Including a Make and Take Clinic

Saturday, February 7th.  2015 at 9:00 am
Marine Corps League Clubhouse
46 Ontario Ave, Staten Island, NJ 10301

(snow date Feb 28th, 2015)

===================================================================
One of the Meet Activities will be a
Hands On Make and Take Clinic
Limited seating, advance registration is required.
For all the details about this great clinic visit the Upcoming Events page of our web site and click on the line for the flyer.  http://www.nergsd.com/upcoming.html
Please respond ASAP if interested
Materials have to be ordered.
 ==============================================================
The NMRA Garden State Division is at
Check us out
=================================================
Do you have a layout you would like to show?
e-mail us we would like to visit.

The morning will start off with coffee and doughnuts and there will be AP judging, White elephant table, Bring and Brag, and two clinics. 
In the afternoon layout open houses, including layouts not seen before, 
or you can sign up for this Make and Take clinic given at the clubhouse. 


Friday, January 23, 2015

NS "Go Rail" unit on 11J

(Train sightings on 1-10-15.) 

Sometimes one has to take what is given to them when photographing a specific subject. Case in point is the scenario that presented itself to me on Saturday (December 10) when I hoped to photograph NS's 6963, a one of a kind unit honoring the Go Rail organization. This organization mobilizes support for policies that would lead to more freight moving by rail and opposition to policies that would limit the freight railroads’ ability to meet growing freight demand. Unfortunately the location did not provide the ideal conditions necessary to get a pleasing image. My best chance was to get a panning view as the 11J passed by my location in Three Bridges, NJ as the second unit. Oh well this image is better than no image, wouldn't you agree?  




CSX Announces Record Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

Received the following via email. 

CSX Corporation Announces Record Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

Highlights:
- Record fourth-quarter and full-year results for revenue, operating income, net earnings and earnings per share
- For 2015, the company expects double-digit earnings per share growth and margin expansion, as it progresses toward a mid-60s operating ratio longer term

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - January 13, 2015 - CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) today announced record fourth-quarter 2014 net earnings of $491 million, a 15 percent increase from $426 million for the same period last year. The company also generated record fourth-quarter earnings per share of $0.49, up 17 percent from $0.42 per share in 2013.

"CSX is capturing broad-based market strength, completing strategic infrastructure projects and adding resources to further improve service performance and leverage growth opportunities," said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Building on a foundation of strong safety and customer service, we expect to continue growing our intermodal and merchandise businesses faster than the economy, pricing above inflation, and driving efficient asset utilization."

Fourth-quarter revenue increased 5 percent to $3.2 billion, with strength across merchandise, intermodal and coal. The timely addition of operating resources enhanced service through the fall peak shipping season and supported volume growth. As a result, operating income increased 11 percent to $901 million, and the operating ratio improved 140 basis points to 71.8 percent.

For the full-year, CSX produced new all-time records for revenue of $12.7 billion, operating income of $3.6 billion, net earnings of $1.9 billion and earnings per share of $1.92. At the same time, the operating ratio remained relatively stable at 71.5 percent.

Looking to 2015, CSX expects continued strong growth across its diverse business mix and is poised for sustainable business expansion. The company continues to expect to generate double-digit growth in earnings per share and margin expansion in 2015, progressing toward a mid-60s operating ratio longer term.

CSX executives will conduct a quarterly earnings conference call with the investment community on January 14, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing 1-888-EARN-CSX (888-327-6279) and asking for the CSX earnings call. Callers outside the U.S., dial 1-773-756-0199. Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call. In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible and presentation materials will be posted on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com. Following the earnings call, an internet replay of the presentation will be archived on the company website.

This earnings announcement, as well as additional detailed financial information, is contained in the CSX Quarterly Financial Report available on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com and on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CSX also uses social media channels to communicate information about the company. Although our social media channels are not intended to be the primary method of disclosure for material information, it is possible that certain information we post on social media could be deemed to be material. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the social media channels listed below. This list may be updated from time to time.
CSX on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CSX

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike.  More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.

Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

Forward-looking Statements
This information and other statements by the company may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act with respect to, among other items: projections and estimates of earnings, revenues, margins, volumes, rates, cost-savings, expenses, taxes, liquidity, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases or other financial items, statements of management's plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, and management's expectations as to future performance and operations and the time by which objectives will be achieved, statements concerning proposed new services, and statements regarding future economic, industry or market conditions or performance. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "preliminary" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. If the company updates any forward-looking statement, no inference should be drawn that the company will make additional updates with respect to that statement or any other forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual performance or results could differ materially from that anticipated by any forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by any forward- looking statements include, among others; (i) the company's success in implementing its financial and operational initiatives; (ii) changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including those affecting the transportation industry (such as the impact of industry competition, conditions, performance and consolidation); (iii) legislative or regulatory changes; (iv) the inherent business risks associated with safety and security; (v) the outcome of claims and litigation involving or affecting the company; (vi) natural events such as severe weather conditions or pandemic health crises; and (vii) the inherent uncertainty associated with projecting economic and business conditions.

Other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are specified in the company's SEC reports, accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the company's website at www.csx.com.

Contacts:
David Baggs, Investor Relations
904-359-4812

Melanie Cost, Corporate Communications
904-359-1702



Norfolk Southern EVP and CMO Don Seale to retire

Received the following via email.

January 13, 2015

Norfolk Southern EVP and CMO Don Seale to retire

NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 13, 2015 -- Donald W. Seale, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC), has announced his plan to retire effective March 1, 2015, Chairman and CEO Wick Moorman said today.

“Don’s central role in building Norfolk Southern’s culture of continuous improvement in customer focus began at the corporation’s creation, and we will continue to benefit from it well into the future,” Moorman said. “His leadership has helped position railroads not only as engines of economic growth but as true partners with the people and industries we serve.”

NS’ board of directors will name Seale’s successor at a later time.

Seale joined NS in 1976 as a management trainee. He served in numerous sales and marketing capacities relating to the railroad’s service to its merchandise and coal customers before being named senior vice president marketing services in 2003, executive vice president sales and marketing in 2004, and executive vice president and chief marketing officer in 2006.

Seale’s tenure as leader of NS’ marketing division saw expansion in demand for quality rail service. The corporation recorded its first $10 billion railway operating revenues year and annual revenues increased by approximately $4 billion during that time.

He championed new, more time-sensitive service offerings for producers, manufacturers, shippers, and receivers of coal, automobiles, chemicals, agriculture and consumer products, metals and construction materials, paper, clay, forest products, and intermodal trailers and containers. In the last three years, Seale’s team has been a leader in developing and marketing rail services to new and expanding businesses in the energy sector. He has also been a strong and tireless advocate of industrial development to spur new industries and jobs across the states Norfolk Southern serves culminating in $5.7 billion in new investments and over 4400 associated jobs in 2014 alone.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 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, automotive, and industrial products.

Media Inquiries:

Investor Inquiries:





Brand new GE U50 in UP paint - 1965

Received the following via email from our correspondent in NW Pennsylvania. 
Photo taken in 1965 at Erie, PA. 

Thought you folks would enjoy this Mr. Slides photo just forwarded by friend Todd Ferguson, down in North Carolina. (Wish he had also been able to send along a shot of it at the B&LE - EL interchange at Shenango, PA, as well!)

Imagine one of these with a pair of 4,400 h.p., 12-cylinder GEVOs in it vs. the two 2,500 h.p. FDL-16s they actually had.  


 

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Definitely a frigid day along NS's LEHL...

(Train sightings on 1-9-15.) 

...to be trackside but was worth it in capturing some winter scenes with good sunshine. Case in point is where the LEHL crosses over the Raritan River in Neshanic Station (NJ). I was hoping to catch the H76 heading east to work Aeropres in Hillsborough. Instead I was surprised with this eastbound intermodal, possibly 212, crossing an partially frozen river. Motive power was NS 7678, NS 9519 and NS 9951. With the wind starting to pick up in velocity, it was time for me to head home and thaw out!




Sunday, January 11, 2015

NS unveils first publicly funded, emissions-friendly locomotives

Received the following via email.

Norfolk Southern unveils first publicly funded, emissions-friendly locomotives

Jan. 6, 2015

ALTOONA, PA. – The first emissions-friendly locomotives funded by the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program have been released for road testing by Norfolk Southern from its Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Pa.

The first two GP33ECO switching locomotives – of a total 25 partially funded by CMAQ for production by Norfolk Southern – sport a distinctive paint scheme that reflects their environmentally friendly mission. After in-service testing in the Altoona area, they will be permanently assigned to their respective grant award areas of Chicago and Atlanta.

Funding for the locomotive to be used in the Chicago area was awarded by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency, sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. 

Funding for the locomotive to be used in Georgia (on Norfolk Southern’s Atlanta Terminal) was awarded by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division.

Dedication ceremonies will occur in the months to follow.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 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, automotive, and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Robin Chapman, 757-629-2713 (robin.chapman@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Katie Cook, 757-629-2861 (InvestorRelations@nscorp.com)


The photo below is from RailPictures.net and was taken by Casey Thomason   on 1-5-15 at the Juniata Shop of Norfolk Southern in Altoona, PA.  More information on the photo at the following web site: 
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/513366 




Evening one-seat ride service on the Raritan Valley Line starts Monday, January 12

Received the following via email.

PM one-seat ride service on the Raritan Valley Line starts Monday, January 12

NJ TRANSIT's Raritan Valley Line will begin one-seat ride service starting Monday, January 12 with weekday evening off-peak hours.

The evening one-seat trips TO New York Penn Station will be as follows:
  • Train 5150 departing Raritan at 6:39 p.m.
  • Train 5152 departing Raritan at 7:52 p.m.
  • Train 5154 departing Raritan at 8:49 p.m.
  • Train 5156 departing Raritan at 9:53 p.m.
The evening one-seat trips FROM New York Penn Station will be as follows:
  • Train 5193 departing New York at 8:48 p.m.
  • Train 5155 departing New York at 9:48 p.m.
  • Train 5197 departing New York at 10:48 p.m.
  • Train 5101 departing New York at 12:08 a.m.     
Customers should check the new schedule effective January 11 for changes in other weekday afternoon/evening train times.  


Thursday, January 08, 2015

First Central NJ snowfall of this winter...

(Train sightings on 1-6-15.)

...finds NS 22V, a Harrisburg (PA) to Elizabeth Marine Terminal (NJ) intermodal, heading east over the LEHL at MP 40 around 10:11 AM on this snowy Tuesday morning. NS 8841 (GE C40-9) and NS 2766 (EMD SD70M-2) is the power consist that is kicking up the snow as it approaches the Valley Road grade crossing in Hillsborough, NJ.




NS facilitates $5.7 billion in industrial investment along rail lines in 2014

Received the following via email.

Norfolk Southern facilitates $5.7 billion in industrial investment along rail lines in 2014

NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 7, 2015 -- Norfolk Southern assisted 94 industries in locating or expanding their businesses along its rail lines in 2014.

The 72 new and 22 expanded industries represent an investment of $5.7 billion by Norfolk Southern customers and are expected to create more than 4,420 new jobs in the railroad's territory, generating more than 205,000 carloads of new rail traffic annually.

Norfolk Southern assisted state and local government and economic development officials throughout 18 states in helping customers identify ideal locations for the projects.

“The energy sector continued to be a major driver of industrial development projects in 2014, and we began to see the return of more traditional industrial projects such as steel mills, auto assembly plants, tire manufacturers, and food processing facilities,” said Jason Reiner, assistant vice president industrial development. “We expect continued development in the energy sector, as well as growing activity in manufacturing, in 2015. We will continue to work closely with the communities we serve to ensure that high quality industrial sites are identified and ready to be presented to prospective industrial clients. We have the experience and resources available to support our communities in their efforts to compete for new manufacturing and distribution projects.”

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 supply chain analysis. During the past 10 years, Norfolk Southern's Industrial Development Department has participated in the location or expansion of 1,017 facilities, representing an investment of $57 billion and creating more than 44,000 customer jobs in the territory served by the railroad.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 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, automotive, and industrial products.

Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that may be identified by the use of words like “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “consider,” “project,” and similar references to the future. Forward-looking statements reflect our good-faith evaluation of information currently available. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and our actual results may differ materially from those projected. Please refer to our annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC for a full discussion of those risks and uncertainties we view as most important. Forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as, a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at or by which any such performance or results will be achieved. As a result, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.

Media Inquiries:


Investor Inquiries:






Customers Invest More Than $3.5 Billion on CSX Network in 2014

Received the following via email.

Customers Invest More Than $3.5 Billion on CSX Network in 2014

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - January 5, 2014 - In 2014, CSX and its customers worked together on 107 projects to build or expand facilities on CSX's network and short line partners. CSX customers invested more than $3.5 billion in these projects, which are expected to generate nearly 5,800 new jobs in local communities and approximately 161,000 annual carloads of new business for CSX.  

"In 2014, the bulk of customer investments along our network involved expanding and improving infrastructure for the energy sector. Low natural gas prices are also fueling more downstream projects in the chemicals and fertilizer arena, as well as other manufacturing industries," said Clark Robertson, assistant vice president - regional development.  "We've seen investments from both domestic and multinational companies along our rail network, in part due to the CSX network's ability to reach nearly two-thirds of American consumers. We see strong indicators that this robust activity will continue into 2015."

Over the past decade, CSX customers invested more than $30 billion in rail-served facilities, creating more than 36,000 jobs across the company's 23-state network.

"State and local economic development agencies also play a pivotal role in supporting economic opportunities for new manufacturing facilities," Robertson said. "We appreciate their assistance in helping our customers access our 21,000 mile rail network and the benefits that freight rail provides, including improving their environmental footprint and helping to reduce wear and tear on public roads."

To further expand opportunities for customers to develop on the company's network, the CSX Select Site program certifies properties expressly intended for manufacturing uses. These properties meet rigorous permitting and certification criteria to ease the development process and promote efficient timelines for customers. More information on the CSX Select Site program is available at www.csxselectsite.com.

CSX also recently launched a new online platform to support industrial development across its network, www.csxindustrialdevelopment.com. The site allows potential and current customers to search by specific facility needs, and connects customers with CSX's Select Site program and proprietary Site Design services.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

Contact:
Melanie Cost
(904) 359-1702



Wednesday, January 07, 2015

NS invites you to join us for our fourth-quarter 2014 earnings conference call

Received the following via email.

Norfolk Southern invites you to join us for our fourth-quarter 2014 earnings conference call


Please join us to review our fourth-quarter and full-year 2014 financial results during a conference call and live Internet webcast at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. Quarterly earnings results will be released at 8 a.m. ET on Jan. 26.

You can listen to the call by dialing 877-869-3847 several minutes prior to the start of the conference. In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible and presentation materials will be posted on the company's website at www.nscorp.com under the Investors section.

Following the live broadcast, an audio replay of the conference call will be available until Feb. 2, 2015, by dialing 877-660-6853 and access number 13597919. The replay also will be available as an MP3 downloadable podcast in the Investors section of the company’s website.

For electronic notification of future earnings events, we invite you to subscribe to NSInvest, Norfolk Southern’s e-mail distribution list for news releases on earnings and issues pertaining to the financial performance of Norfolk Southern. To subscribe, please follow directions on our website under the Investors section.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Katie Cook 
                                                                                         Director Investor Relations
                                                                        Norfolk Southern Corporation