Norfolk Southern Railway

{{Infobox railway| name = Norfolk Southern Railway| logo = Norfolk Southern Railway logo.svg| logo_size = 200px| image = Norfolk Southern Railway train.jpg| image_size = 300px| locale = United States| start_year = 1982| end_year = present| preceding = Southern Railway (US), Norfolk and Western Railway| succeeding = | track_gauge = Standard gauge| length = 21,300 miles (34,300 km)| headquarters = Norfolk, Virginia| website = } Norfolk Southern Railway is a major Class I railroad in the United States, formed in 1982 through the merger of the Southern Railway (US) and the Norfolk and Western Railway. The company operates over 21,300 miles of track in 22 states, including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The railway is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and is a major competitor to other Class I railroads, including Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, and Kansas City Southern. The company's history is closely tied to the development of the Appalachian Region, with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad also playing significant roles in the region's transportation infrastructure.

● History

The history of the Norfolk Southern Railway dates back to the early 19th century, with the formation of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad in 1830 and the South Side Railroad in 1849. The Norfolk and Western Railway was formed in 1881 through the merger of several smaller railroads, including the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad and the South Side Railroad. The Southern Railway (US) was formed in 1894 through the merger of several smaller railroads, including the Richmond and Danville Railroad and the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway. The two companies operated independently until 1982, when they merged to form the Norfolk Southern Railway. The company has since acquired several other railroads, including the Conrail and the Delaware and Hudson Railway. The Norfolk Southern Railway has also been involved in several significant events, including the 1985 United States–Canada tornado outbreak and the 1993 Storm of the Century. The company has worked closely with other organizations, including the Federal Railroad Administration, the Association of American Railroads, and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

● Operations

The Norfolk Southern Railway operates a diverse range of services, including intermodal freight, automotive transportation, and coal transportation. The company has a strong presence in the Appalachian Region, with major facilities in Roanoke, Virginia, Bluefield, West Virginia, and Knoxville, Tennessee. The company also operates a significant network of short lines and regional railroads, including the Alabama Great Southern Railroad, the Central of Georgia Railroad, and the Georgia Southern and Florida Railway. The Norfolk Southern Railway has partnerships with several other companies, including Maersk, Evergreen Marine, and CSX Transportation. The company is also a member of the Intermodal Association of North America and the National Industrial Transportation League. The Norfolk Southern Railway has worked closely with several ports, including the Port of Virginia, the Port of Savannah, and the Port of Charleston.

● Locomotives_and_Rolling_Stock

The Norfolk Southern Railway operates a large fleet of locomotives, including the EMD SD70M, the GE ES44AC, and the GE Evolution Series. The company also operates a significant fleet of rolling stock, including intermodal containers, automotive racks, and coal cars. The company has a major locomotive maintenance facility in Roanoke, Virginia, and also operates several smaller facilities throughout its network. The Norfolk Southern Railway has worked closely with several manufacturers, including General Electric, Electro-Motive Diesel, and Caterpillar Inc.. The company has also partnered with several other organizations, including the Association of American Railroads and the Railway Supply Institute. The Norfolk Southern Railway has been involved in several significant projects, including the Norfolk Southern Railway's Crescent Corridor and the Heartland Corridor.

● Accidents_and_Controversies

The Norfolk Southern Railway has been involved in several significant accidents and controversies over the years, including the Cumberland, Maryland train derailment and the Graniteville, South Carolina train derailment. The company has also faced criticism for its environmental and safety record, including concerns over coal dust and noise pollution. The Norfolk Southern Railway has worked closely with several regulatory agencies, including the Federal Railroad Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. The company has also partnered with several organizations, including the National Transportation Safety Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Norfolk Southern Railway has been involved in several significant events, including the 2014 North American polar vortex and the 2015 United States floods.

● Routes_and_Divisions

The Norfolk Southern Railway operates a complex network of routes and divisions, including the Pittsburgh Line, the Chicago Line, and the Crescent Corridor. The company is divided into several major divisions, including the Alabama Division, the Central Division, and the Virginia Division. The Norfolk Southern Railway also operates several significant branch lines and spur lines, including the Kanawha River Railroad and the Tennessee Railway. The company has worked closely with several other railroads, including the CSX Transportation and the Kansas City Southern. The Norfolk Southern Railway has also partnered with several ports and terminals, including the Port of Virginia and the Port of Savannah. The company is a member of the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. Category:Railroads in the United States