Fwd: [NSInfo] Norfolk Southern rolls out next-generation AccessNS online customer portal

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Norfolk Southern rolls out next-generation AccessNS online customer portal

E-commerce tool offers efficiency, timely information, ease of doing business

NORFOLK, Va., March 6, 2018 – Norfolk Southern has released its next-generation AccessNS, an e-commerce tool that gives customers an efficient and convenient one-stop digital platform to conduct business with the railroad.

The revamped online portal features faster functionality and a modern, intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate, putting customers in the driver’s seat. By selecting digital “widgets,” customers can create personalized dashboards that give them quick access to information they consider most vital to their transportation logistics needs.

The overhaul is part of a broader company initiative to drive business growth and supply-chain value through enhanced service offerings, including technology that significantly improves the customer experience.

“We have redesigned AccessNS from the ground up, giving it a totally new look,” said Fred Ehlers, vice president information technology and chief information officer. “Next-generation AccessNS is all about meeting the unique shipping needs of each customer. We want to provide our customers with timely and reliable data they need to satisfy the demands of their customers and grow their business. Our goal is to be the transportation industry leader in providing data the way customers want it.”

With the overhaul, customers can use AccessNS to seamlessly:

·         Track shipments using interactive maps.

·         Obtain real-time data on rail car movements, including deliveries and pickups.

·         Request pricing, place shipping orders, and manage shipment exceptions.

Norfolk Southern’s AccessNS redesign is based on extensive customer engagement over the past 18 months. The company plans to use ongoing customer feedback to continuously improve the AccessNS digital experience. Within the next several months, Norfolk Southern plans additional updates to AccessNS and the release of an AccessNS mobile app for customers on the go.

“Our launch of the new AccessNS is about facilitating a low-touch, high-quality service experience on Norfolk Southern,” said Mike McClellan, vice president industrial products. “This is just the beginning of our next-generation digital journey. With input from all of our customers, we look forward to providing continuous enhancements to the AccessNS platform to meet the ever-evolving demands of the market.”

Learn more about Norfolk Southern’s new digital customer experience in this AccessNS video.

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 19,500 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:

Jon Glass, 757-629-2789 (jonathan.glass@nscorp.com)

Investor Inquiries:

Clay Moore, 757-629-2861 (clay.moore@nscorp.com)

http://www.norfolksouthern.com

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Fwd: 1995: Rail Congestion in Harrisburg...

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ensued following a power outage caused by CR's first double-stack train through the Harrisburg area that brought down a low hanging power line at 4:45 AM on September 7, 1995. Seen here are four trains, starting from the left side, PIAL's tank cars, followed by the James E. Strates Carnival train coming off the Buffalo Line. A unit coal train powered by two CSX and four CR diesels stopped on the adjacent track. A CR intermodal with nine double stacks and TOFCs crawls west waiting on the Strates train to clear. This photo was taken from the Linglestown Road Bridge (Route 39).

Fwd: NS's 36T through Weiders Crossing

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Have long wanted to get a photo of NS's 36T or 37T going through Weiders Crossing (PA), sometimes referred to as Lehigh Gap, and Tuesday was that day. Seen here around 9:40 is the 36T with NS 2669, NS 6754 and NS 9283 bringing its mixed consist south near MP 107. Those concrete remnants seen in the foreground are all that remain from when the 1,076 foot long L&NE bridge that once spanned the Lehigh River at this location. It was abandoned in 1961 and eventually removed in 1967. That concrete pier standing, seen off to the left, is the only support still standing as all the other ones have been removed. Since luck was with me on the sunny day, I decided to buy lottery tickets in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey hoping my good fortune will continue!

June 5, 1982: D&RGW's Zephyr

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With limited free time available due to attending a wedding in Denver, I decided to head down to Union Station and see what I might be fortunate enough to see on this Saturday morning. Being loaded up for its next run was DRGW's Zephyr. For this eastern visitor it was an awesome sight for my early morning eyes and worth getting up early for after a red eye flight from NJ.

1983: "Erie Southern Tier Express"

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The date is November 13, 1983 as Tri-State Railway Historical's excursion named "Erie Southern Tier Express" crosses over the Lackawaxen River in Lackawaxen (PA). Motive power was two NJT diesels, numbers unknown, for the consist of ten coaches. Off in the upper left hand corner can be seen Roebling Bridge spanning the Delaware River. Another trip back in time!

Ardent Mills CAGX 608

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On a whim headed up Route 611 on Friday around Martins Creek (PA) and found Ardent Mills CAGX 608 shuffling some of that yard's covered hoppers in what once was Alpha Cement's facility. It is now part of the Ardent Mills facilities here in Martins Creek. When Alpha Cement closed in 1964 that would end seventy-three years of cement manufacturing along the Delaware River. In 1971, Con Agra purchased Alpha's plant for $167,000 as the yard continues to see a number of hoppers stored here until needed.

Virginian heritage unit leading 21M!

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21M has the heritage unit leading followed by NS 9935 and NS 7030. It was held at the Lehigh Line's CP SULLY near MP 40 around 9 AM for two intermodals before heading west around 9:35. NS 1069 is seen here crossing over the Route 206 Bridge on Main 2 in Hillsborough (NJ). Built in 1930 it was part of a grade elimination project by the LVRR. A project to replace this bridge is scheduled to start in June, 2019.  This bridge has been considered a roadblock that has delayed the widening project NJ's DOT to add a lane in each direction to alleviate the congestion on this stretch of road. All of this construction is scheduled to be completed by May, 2021.

NJT's Route 206 Bridge in Raritan (NJ): 2004 and 2018

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One aspect of doing railroad photography I enjoy is taking a photo of a particular location and then trying to photograph that same location years later. When NJT's RVL Bridge was rebuilt back in 2004 I photographed NJT 4208 leading its consist across this bridge on March 20, 2004. Back then there were no trees planted or grass growing as this was all recently landscaped. Fourteen years later I am back close to where that first photo was taken. Mature trees have partially obscured some of the bridge as NJT train 5123 is led across the bridge by NJT 4534. That is the "NJ Transit salutes our Military Members and Veterans" unit leading its consist of bilevels!

[NSInvest] Norfolk Southern reports fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 results

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Norfolk Southern reports fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 results

Achieves record 2017 operating ratio and earnings per share

NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 24, 2018 – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today reported fourth-quarter and 2017 financial results.

Net income for the quarter was $3,968 million and diluted earnings per share were $13.79. For the year, net income was $5,404 million and diluted earnings per share were $18.61. These results include effects of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“tax reform”), which added $3,482 million to net income in both periods and increased diluted earnings per share by $12.10 for the quarter and $12.00 for the year.

Absent the effects of tax reform, fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted net income was $486 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.69, compared with $416 million, and $1.42 per diluted share, during the same period of 2016. For the year, adjusted net income was $1,922 million versus $1,668 million in 2016. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $6.61, an 18 percent increase over last year’s record diluted earnings per share of $5.62.

“Norfolk Southern is open for growth, and we are optimistic as we head into 2018 that the current economic environment will provide an opportunity for continuing growth,” said James A. Squires, Norfolk Southern chairman, president and CEO. “The hard work and dedication of our employees in executing our Strategic Plan are clearly evident as we continue to achieve record results and deliver on the commitments we made to our shareholders. We remain steadfast in our commitment to deliver on the goals in our Strategic Plan, of which positioning ourselves for growth is a key element. We are laser-focused on execution of our strategy and are confident that we can achieve our targets by 2020 or sooner.”

For 2017, Norfolk Southern invested over $1.7 billion in capital - reinvesting in the maintenance of its rail infrastructure and supporting economic growth. These investments range from sidings that better support network fluidity, to terminal expansions that accommodate volume growth, to roadway infrastructure that supports regional competitiveness. The recently-completed Portageville Bridge is one example; funded through a public-private partnership, it will support economic growth and jobs across New York’s Southern Tier region. Norfolk Southern also realized new business in 2017 from 75 industries it assisted in locating or expanding along its lines – representing a customer investment of over one billion dollars.

Looking forward in 2018 with respect to capital deployment, Norfolk Southern plans to invest $1.8 billion to maintain the safety of its rail network, enhance service, improve operational efficiency, and support growth. In addition, Norfolk Southern’s board of directors approved an 18 percent increase in its quarterly dividend on the company’s common stock, from $0.61 to $0.72 per share. The dividend is payable March 10, to shareholders of record on Feb. 2. Since its inception in 1982, Norfolk Southern has paid dividends on its common stock for 142 consecutive quarters.

Fourth-quarter summary

·         Railway operating revenues of $2.7 billion increased 7 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2016, as overall volumes were up 5 percent reflecting growth in all three major commodity categories of intermodal, coal and merchandise.  

• Railway operating expenses decreased $74 million, or 4 percent, to $1.7 billion compared with the same period last year. The effects of tax reform decreased railway operating expenses $151 million, more than offsetting increases resulting from increased incentive compensation, higher fuel prices and the 5% growth in volume, which were offset in part by efficiency gains and higher property sales. 

• Income from railway operations was $1,014 million. Excluding the $151 million benefit from tax reform, adjusted income from railway operations was $863 million, an increase of 13 percent year-over-year, and the adjusted railway operating ratio, or operating expenses as a percentage of revenues, was 67.7 percent, a 170 basis point improvement over prior year. 

2017 summary

·         Railway operating revenues of $10.6 billion increased 7 percent compared with 2016, as overall volumes were up 5 percent reflecting growth in the major commodity categories of coal and intermodal.  

• Railway operating expenses of $7.0 billion increased $151 million, or 2 percent, compared with last year. Expenses related to higher diesel fuel prices, increased incentive compensation, higher inflationary costs and volume growth were offset in part by efficiency savings and the $151 million benefit from tax reform.

• Income from railway operations was $3,586 million. Excluding the tax reform benefit, adjusted income from railway operations was $3,435 million, an increase of 12 percent over the prior year, and the adjusted railway operating ratio was 67.4 percent, a 150 basis point improvement over the prior year’s record. 

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 19,500 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.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided in the table below, entitled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” 

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:

Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 (susan.terpay@nscorp.com)

Investor Inquiries:

Clay Moore, 757-629-2861 (clay.moore@nscorp.com)

http://www.norfolksouthern.com

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Information included within this press release includes non-GAAP financial measures, as defined by SEC Regulation G. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, the financial measures reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

GAAP financial results are adjusted to exclude the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("tax reform"), signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017. Specifically, the adjustments remove the effects of remeasurements of net deferred tax liabilities related to the reduction of the federal tax rate from 35% to 21%.

The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally and believes this information provides useful supplemental information to investors to facilitate making period-to-period comparisons by excluding the effects of tax reform. While the Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similar measures presented by other companies.

($ in millions except per share amounts)		Fourth Quarter 2017		Year-Ended Dec. 31, 2017
Income from railway operations	$	1,014)	$	3,586)
Effect of tax reform		(151)		(151)
Adjusted income from railway operations	$	863)	$	3,435)
Operating ratio (%)		62.0)		66.0)
Effect of tax reform (%)		5.7)		1.4)
Adjusted operating ratio (%)		67.7)		67.4)
Net income	$	3,968)	$	5,404)
Effect of tax reform		(3,482)		(3,482)
Adjusted net income	$	486)	$	1,922)
Diluted earnings per share	$	13.79)	$	18.61)
Effect of tax reform		(12.10)		(12.00)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	1.69)	$	6.61)

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