Company Overview

Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major North American freight railroad company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operating one of the largest rail networks in the eastern United States. In 2025, the company reported quarterly revenues exceeding $3 billion and recently announced an agreement to combine with Union Pacific to create America's first transcontinental railroad.

Key Leadership

Executive Team:

CEO: Mark R. George
CFO: Jason A. Zampi
COO: John Orr

Employee Demographics:

Global Workforce: 20,700

Equipment & Infrastructure

Specialized Equipment:

Locomotive Fleet: Operating approximately 2,800 active locomotives as of early 2020, with a mix of models primarily from EMD and GE, used for freight transport across their rail network.
Railcar Fleet: Maintains a large and diverse fleet of freight railcars, including boxcars, hoppers, gondolas, and intermodal cars, serving a wide variety of commodity markets.

Technology Platforms:

TIBCO BusinessEvents and BusinessWorks: Real-time event processing and integration platform that centralizes operational data from legacy systems, enabling accurate, real-time visibility of railroad assets and supporting next-generation operations applications.

Warehouses & Logistics Hubs

Major Facilities:

Atlanta Intermodal Terminal: Major intermodal hub located in Atlanta, Georgia, serving as a critical freight transfer point within Norfolk Southern's network.
Bellevue Yard: Large classification yard in Bellevue, Ohio, recognized as one of the largest rail yards in the United States, facilitating extensive freight sorting and distribution.

Certifications:

ISO 14001: Environmental management system standard that provides a framework for organizations to manage their environmental responsibilities and ensure compliance with regulations.

Operational Capabilities:

Operating Ratio: 61.7% in Q1 2025
Railway Operating Revenues: $3.0 billion in Q1 2025
Service Performance: Improved dwell and velocity metrics in Q1 2025

warehouses and logistics hubs showcasing modern distribution centers, automated facilities, and supply chain infrastructure

Global Locations & Network

Extensive global network connecting businesses worldwide with reliable logistics solutions.

Geographic Scope:

Norfolk Southern operates the largest intermodal rail network in eastern North America, spanning 19,420 route miles across 22 eastern U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and with trackage rights extending into Canada via the Albany to Montreal corridor. Its scale includes moving over 7 million carloads annually and connecting major metropolitan areas and ports, enabling seamless freight movement and international trade.

Strategic Hubs:

Atlanta, USA: The Atlanta headquarters serves as Norfolk Southern's central hub for executive leadership, dispatch operations, service support, crew management, corridor operations, customer service, and administrative functions, making it the strategic nerve center for the entire 22-state rail network.
Norfolk, USA: The Norfolk Terminal, including Lamberts Point, is a key operational hub for Norfolk Southern, historically significant as a former Norfolk & Western main line and currently vital for connecting major East Coast ports with inland rail corridors.
Chicago, USA: Chicago functions as a major Midwest hub for Norfolk Southern, facilitating the interchange of freight between eastern and western railroads and serving as a critical gateway for national and international cargo distribution.
Cleveland, USA: Cleveland is a pivotal Midwest hub, with intermodal terminals such as Maple Heights providing direct access to regional and national transportation corridors, supporting efficient freight movement and supply chain integration.
Macon, USA: The Macon District is a primary southern hub for Norfolk Southern, serving as the main line to Florida and supporting high-capacity freight movement between the Southeast and the rest of the network.

Partnerships:

Norfolk Southern forms strategic partnerships and alliances through public-private collaborations, joint ventures with other railroads, and multi-year community initiatives to expand capacity, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth.

Carrier Partners & Alliances

Strategic partnerships and alliances that enhance our global reach and service capabilities.

Strategic Partnerships:

Partner	Type
Union Pacific	Merger
Alabama & Tennessee River Railway	Alliance
Various Short Line Railroads	Service Partner
Local Atlanta Organizations	Alliance
Union Pacific	Intermodal Service Partner

Service Portfolio

Comprehensive range of logistics and transportation services tailored to meet diverse customer needs.

Core Services:

Merchandise Freight: Transportation of diverse commodities such as chemicals, agriculture products, metals, construction materials, paper, and consumer goods, offering tailored solutions for various industrial sectors.
Intermodal Freight: Movement of shipping containers and trailers, connecting ports and inland distribution centers, with advanced technology for real-time tracking and seamless integration with other transportation modes.

Value-Added Services:

Digital Train Inspection Portals: Uses AI and machine vision technology to inspect trains at high speeds, enhancing safety and reducing downtime by detecting defects more efficiently than manual inspections.

Digital Offerings:

AccessNS: An online e-commerce platform that allows customers to track shipments in real time, manage shipping orders, request pricing, and customize dashboards for transportation logistics.

Industry Reputation & News

Recognition and achievements that demonstrate our commitment to excellence and innovation.

Awards & Recognition:

Energy Efficiency Initiative of the Year, Americas: Recognizes Norfolk Southern's sustainable and energy-efficient corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, highlighting innovative building design and technology that achieved LEED Gold Certification and advanced water conservation efforts.

Recent Developments:

Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern Merger Proposal: Union Pacific has proposed an $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, aiming to create the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. The merger is endorsed by some major unions and shippers for its potential to improve delivery speed and network efficiency, but faces opposition from other unions and industry groups concerned about job security, competition, and possible service disruptions.

Analysis & Future Outlook

Strategic vision and future initiatives that will shape the next generation of logistics services.

Weaknesses:

Unresolved lawsuits: Norfolk Southern faces ongoing legal challenges, which can result in financial liabilities and damage to its reputation.

Opportunities:

Short Line Partnerships Expansion: Norfolk Southern can grow by deepening partnerships with over 260 short-line railroads, leveraging their entrepreneurial spirit to increase efficiency and volume across its network.

Risks:

Market Uncertainty: Norfolk Southern faces risks from a dynamic economic environment, which could pressure revenue growth and impact financial performance.

Strategic Initiatives:

Operational Efficiency and Safety Enhancement: Norfolk Southern is prioritizing operational efficiency and safety through leadership changes, productivity improvement targets, and a focus on providing safe, dependable service for customers and employees.

Norfolk Southern