Class I Briefs: CN, NS

CN releases its latest Customer Safety Handbook. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) contributes $1 million to Preservation Virginia’s Save Jamestown campaign.

CN

CN on Jan. 9 announced via LinkedIn that it has released its latest Customer Safety Handbook. The 56-page document (download below) includes information, tools and videos on how to operate safely.

“Safety is our core value and helping our customers operate safely is a top priority. Keeping up to date on safety best practices is key to ensure everyone goes home the same way they came into work,” the Class I railroad stated in the LinkedIn post.

NS

NS on Jan. 9 announced that it has made a $1 million contribution to Preservation Virginia’s Save Jamestown campaign.

This campaign, NS says, “aims to protect the site, the first permanent English settlement in America, from the ongoing threats of flooding and sea-level rise.”

NS’s donation establishes the company as a Founding Partner of the Save Jamestown Campaign, “ensuring the continued preservation of this historically significant location,” the Class I railroad said in a release. Preservation Virginia’s CEO, Elizabeth S. Kostelny, expressed gratitude for NS’s generous grant, “emphasizing its vital role in protecting the archaeological resources that contribute to understanding America’s democratic roots.” Preservation Virginia has owned the site since 1893, which is also home to the renowned Jamestown Rediscovery archaeology program.

The Save Jamestown campaign was launched to raise awareness of the destruction caused by rising waters and funds for the urgently needed infrastructure to protect the history yet to be uncovered. NS’s $1 million contribution “provides a crucial start to the campaign, ensuring the continued preservation of Historic Jamestowne,” according to Preservation Virginia.

“The archaeological story of the people and events that planted the seeds of our American democracy is revealed every day at Historic Jamestowne,” said Preservation Virginia Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth S. Kostelny. “The future of this internationally significant site is threatened if actions are not taken to protect the archaeological resources. This incredibly generous gift from Norfolk Southern gives us the confidence to continue the work to Save Jamestown.”

NS Chief Sustainability Officer Josh Raglin highlighted the company’s responsibility to safeguard the region’s historical legacy and environmental integrity. “As a company deeply rooted in Virginia’s history and communities, we feel a strong responsibility to protect the historical legacy and environmental integrity of this region,” said Raglin. “Preserving this historically significant site is critical in the face of environmental challenges. Our support for the Save Jamestown campaign underscores our dedication to our communities and a better planet that we aim to safeguard for future generations.”

NS says its funds will support environmental and archaeological studies necessary for the design and construction of protective measures, such as berms, floodgates and pumping stations. The support for the Save Jamestown campaign aligns with the Class I railroad’s “dedication to community and environmental stewardship,” NS said.

In addition to its contribution to Historic Jamestowne, NS has partnered with the Elizabeth River Project to develop a living shoreline near its Lambert’s Point marine terminal in Norfolk, addressing environmental concerns in the region beyond Jamestown.

“The exponential impacts of the effects of climate change mean a good portion of Jamestown may be underwater in our lifetimes,” said Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation President and Chief Officer Dr. James Horn. “The archaeological resources that exist here represent the earliest history of our nation and they will be lost without a significant effort to protect them. We’re delighted to receive the support of Norfolk Southern and hope it inspires others to give generously to help us Save Jamestown.”