Norfolk Southern Corporation

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the premier freight transportation companies in North America, operating approximately 19,420 route miles of track across 22 eastern states and the District of Columbia, with additional rights extending to Montreal, Canada. As one of the five largest railroad operators in North America by revenue, Norfolk Southern plays a vital role in powering America's economy through safe, efficient, and sustainable rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods. The company's heritage stretches back to 1827, marking nearly two centuries of contribution to American commerce and industrial development. However, the modern Norfolk Southern Corporation was formed on June 1, 1982, through the merger of the Norfolk and Western Railway and Southern Railway, with headquarters established in Norfolk, Virginia before later relocating to Atlanta, Georgia. Incorporated in Virginia on July 23, 1980, Norfolk Southern is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol NSC. The company operates the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern United States, serving every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. This strategic network connects manufacturers, distribution centers, and consumers across approximately half of the U.S. population and manufacturing base. Norfolk Southern's freight transportation services span diverse commodity groups including intermodal containers and trailers (29% of 2022 revenue), general merchandise such as automotive, chemicals, metals and construction materials (57%), and coal (14%). The company maintains connections to other Class I railroads, numerous regional railroads, and short-line carriers, providing customers with comprehensive transportation solutions across North America. In fiscal year 2024, Norfolk Southern generated railway operating revenues of $12.1 billion with income from railway operations of $4.1 billion, demonstrating strong operational performance and market leadership. The company has achieved significant efficiency improvements, with its operating ratio reaching 66.4% in 2024, down from 67.4% in 2023, reflecting 160 basis points of improvement. Under the leadership of President and CEO Mark R. George, who was appointed in September 2024, Norfolk Southern is focused on operational excellence, customer service, safety, and sustainable growth while navigating major industry developments including a proposed merger with Union Pacific announced in July 2025.