What Norfolk Southern Railway does
Norfolk Southern Railway is a freight railroad that operates across the eastern United States, moving cargo like coal, chemicals, automobiles, and containers between ports, factories, and distribution centers. The company owns and maintains about 19,500 miles of track stretching from the Midwest to the Atlantic Coast and down to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. If you ship goods by rail, work for the company, live near its tracks, or are affected by a derailment or accident, understanding how Norfolk Southern operates and what it is responsible for matters to your situation.
Norfolk Southern is a publicly traded company, meaning you can buy stock in it, and it answers to federal regulators including the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The company employs roughly 20,000 people across its network and generates revenue by charging shippers to move freight. It does not carry passengers — that is Amtrak's role on most routes.
Key Takeaways
- Norfolk Southern operates freight rail across the eastern United States and is regulated by the Surface Transportation Board, Federal Railroad Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency.
- The company is responsible for maintaining its tracks, signaling systems, and train operations, and can be held liable for accidents, derailments, and environmental damage.
- If you are affected by a Norfolk Southern incident, you can file a claim with the company's insurance carrier or pursue legal action through federal court.
- Norfolk Southern publishes its hazardous materials routes and accident data publicly, and you can request this information from the FRA or the company directly.
- The company is required to notify local emergency responders about hazardous cargo moving through their area and to maintain emergency response plans.
How Norfolk Southern's operations affect your area
Norfolk Southern trains move through thousands of communities, and the company's operations can create noise, vibration, and traffic delays at road crossings. The railroad is responsible for maintaining grade crossings — the places where its tracks cross roads — and for installing and maintaining crossing signals and gates. If a crossing is poorly maintained or a signal fails, Norfolk Southern can be held responsible for accidents that result.
The company also transports hazardous materials including chemicals, petroleum products, and other substances that require special handling. Norfolk Southern must notify state and local emergency management agencies about the routes these shipments take and must maintain emergency response plans in case of a spill or accident. You can request information about hazardous materials routes in your area from your local fire department or emergency management office, which receives this data from the railroad.
If you live near Norfolk Southern tracks, you have the right to know what cargo is moving through your community. The FRA maintains a public database of railroad accidents and incidents, and you can search it by location and date. The company also publishes its own safety data and environmental compliance records.
What happens if there is a derailment or accident
When a Norfolk Southern train derails or is involved in an accident, the FRA investigates to determine the cause. The railroad is required to report the incident to the FRA within specific timeframes depending on the severity. If hazardous materials are involved, the EPA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may also investigate.
Norfolk Southern is responsible for cleaning up any spilled cargo and for restoring the track and surrounding area. If the accident damages property, injures someone, or contaminates soil or water, affected parties can file claims against the company's insurance or sue in federal court. The company carries liability insurance, and claims are typically handled through the insurance carrier rather than directly with Norfolk Southern.
If you are injured or your property is damaged in a Norfolk Southern accident, you should document the damage with photographs, keep medical records if you were hurt, and report the incident to local police. You can then contact the company's claims department or consult an attorney who handles railroad liability cases. The statute of limitations for filing a claim varies by state but is typically two to three years from the date of the incident.
Norfolk Southern's regulatory obligations
The Surface Transportation Board oversees railroad rates, service, and mergers. The Federal Railroad Administration sets safety standards for track maintenance, train operations, signaling, and crew qualifications. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the transport of hazardous materials and holds railroads responsible for environmental compliance.
Norfolk Southern must inspect its tracks regularly, maintain its signaling systems, and may support its locomotives and cars meet safety standards. The company must also comply with hours-of-service rules for train crews, maintain records of maintenance and inspections, and report safety violations to the FRA. If the FRA finds violations, it can issue citations and fines, and in serious cases can restrict the railroad's operations.
The company is also subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act for any passenger services it may offer and must comply with labor laws regarding its employees. Norfolk Southern workers are represented by several unions, and labor disputes or safety concerns raised by workers are handled through union grievance procedures and OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
How to file a complaint or report a safety concern
If you witness unsafe conditions on Norfolk Southern property, such as a damaged crossing signal, deteriorating track, or hazardous materials leaking from a car, you can report it to the FRA's Office of Safety Analysis. The FRA maintains a public reporting system where you can submit a safety concern online or by phone. The FRA will investigate and can require Norfolk Southern to take corrective action.
If you have a complaint about service, rates, or the railroad's conduct, you can file a complaint with the Surface Transportation Board. The STB handles disputes between shippers and railroads over rates and service, and between the public and railroads over operational issues.
If you believe Norfolk Southern has violated environmental regulations, you can report it to the EPA's environmental violations hotline. If you suspect labor violations or unsafe working conditions affecting employees, you can report it to OSHA or to the railroad's union representative if the worker is unionized.
Understanding Norfolk Southern's financial and ownership structure
Norfolk Southern is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NSC. This means the company is owned by shareholders, and its financial performance is reported quarterly to investors and the public. You can find Norfolk Southern's annual reports, quarterly earnings statements, and SEC filings on the company's investor relations website.
The company's revenue comes from shipping fees charged to customers who use its rail network. Norfolk Southern competes with other freight railroads, trucking companies, and shipping lines for business. The company's profitability affects its ability to invest in track maintenance, safety improvements, and equipment upgrades.
If you own Norfolk Southern stock or are considering buying it, you should review the company's financial statements and risk disclosures. The company faces risks including fuel price volatility, economic downturns that reduce shipping demand, regulatory changes, and liability from accidents or environmental incidents.
How to contact Norfolk Southern or access public information
Norfolk Southern's main customer service line handles inquiries about shipping rates, service, and account issues. The company's website includes contact information for different departments, including claims, safety, and environmental compliance. If you need to file a claim for property damage or injury, you should contact Norfolk Southern's claims department or its insurance carrier directly.
Public information about Norfolk Southern's operations is available through several sources. The FRA's Office of Safety Analysis maintains a searchable database of railroad accidents, inspections, and violations. The Surface Transportation Board publishes railroad financial data and service metrics. The EPA maintains records of hazardous materials transport and environmental compliance. Your local city or county planning department may also have records of Norfolk Southern's operations in your area, including track maintenance agreements and crossing safety plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue Norfolk Southern if a train accident damages my property?
Yes. Norfolk Southern is liable for property damage caused by its operations if the damage results from the company's negligence or failure to maintain its equipment and tracks. You can file a claim with the company's insurance carrier or sue in federal court. You will need to document the damage and show that Norfolk Southern's actions or inactions caused it. An attorney who handles railroad liability cases can advise you on the strength of your claim and the likely settlement value.
How do I find out what hazardous materials are being transported through my neighborhood?
Contact your local fire department or emergency management office and ask for the hazardous materials routes that Norfolk Southern operates in your area. Railroads are required to provide this information to local emergency responders. You can also request this information directly from Norfolk Southern's environmental compliance department. The FRA also maintains some hazardous materials data that is publicly available.
What should I do if I see a damaged railroad crossing signal or deteriorating track?
Report it to the FRA's Office of Safety Analysis through their online reporting system or by phone. Provide the location of the problem, a description of what you observed, and the date and time. The FRA will investigate and can require Norfolk Southern to make repairs. You can also report it to your local city or county public works department, which may have jurisdiction over the crossing.
Is Norfolk Southern responsible for noise and vibration from trains?
Norfolk Southern is responsible for operating its trains safely and in compliance with regulations, but noise and vibration from normal train operations are generally considered a cost of living near railroad tracks. However, if the noise or vibration results from negligent maintenance or operation — such as excessive speed through a residential area or failure to maintain the track — you may have a claim. Local zoning laws may also restrict how close residential areas can be to railroad tracks.
How can I find Norfolk Southern's safety record and accident history?
The FRA's Office of Safety Analysis maintains a searchable database of railroad accidents, inspections, and violations at safetydata.fra.dot.gov. You can search by railroad name, location, and date range. Norfolk Southern also publishes its own safety metrics and environmental compliance reports on its investor relations website. These sources will show you the number and type of incidents, inspection findings, and any violations or citations issued by the FRA.