Crew Call: Luther Yard

Meet some of Norfolk Southern's crew from Luther Yard in St. Louis, Mo.

Our Luther Yard in St. Louis, Missouri, is an important point in our network, serving 17 customers and class traffic for 23 destinations. Originally built for the Wabash Railroad in 1890, the Gateway Arch can be seen just to the south of the yard – the original passage point to the western United States. Today, Luther Yard serves as the main flat switching yard for classing traffic in St. Louis, with an average of 400 cars switched daily. The yard can hold around 900 cars, including 10,000 feet of Intermodal storage.

Luther Yard has an Intermodal yard and interchanges daily to points west with both BNSF and the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRAA). All traffic departing for eastern destinations must operate on TRAA trackage rights to get back on Norfolk Southern’s rails. The yard has three switch jobs around the clock, including one local to the west of town, one industry job, and an Intermodal ramp job.

Freight moved at Luther Yard includes auto, grain, steel, and chemical.

Meet four of our railroaders at Luther Yard, who help serve our customers and keep our trains moving every day:

Tyler Blakely
Conductor
Joined NS in 2015

What do you do in a typical day?
The team I’m on builds the bulk of the originating trains at the Luther Yard. It is crucial to operations to keep the yard fluid and the trains moving on time. We build the trains in blocks so they can deliver and pick up goods and products on their designated route before they arrive at their final destination.

How does your work support our customers?
As yard conductors, we are experts in all things having to do with train movement. Without conductors on the ground, trains would not get switched out and our customers would not get their product delivered safely and in a timely manner.

Safety tip on the job?
Always be aware of your surroundings. These cars are very quiet. If you aren’t aware, you could get hit. This equipment is unforgiving.

Trevor Cain
Assistant Foreman
Joined NS in 2021

What do you do in a typical day?
I do a wide variety of track related maintenance. I can do anything from changing ties, to changing rails, or building switches. I could also be flagging, piloting the surfacing gang or piloting the tie gang.

How does your work help our customers?
The work we do in the maintenance department provides a reliable infrastructure for the safe passage of our trains. We ensure that trains can move without delay and without fail for on time deliveries. That way we can meet obligations to our customers.

Safety tip on the job?
Keep your head on a swivel at all times. Anything can hurt you here. Get proper rest the night before so you can be sharp at work.

David Schaal
Carman
Joined NS in 1991; retired in 2023

What you do in a typical day?
I inspect railcars on the railroad and on the line of road. I also teach welding. No day is ever the same.

How does your work support our customers?
Our team helps to keep freight moving to its final destination by making sure that the equipment stays in good condition. It takes a lot of people to ensure that the product keeps moving. We can’t do our job without one another.

Safety tip on the job?
Stay focused on the job.

Frank Smith
Electrician
Joined NS in 1994

What you do in a typical day?
I service engines and answer line of road calls. If an engine breaks down, I get dispatched to it to see what’s wrong and fix the issue. I go as far east to the Indiana state line and as far west as Hannibal, MO.

How does your work support our customers?
I ensure that when a train has an electrical problem, it can be fixed so it can keep moving to its next destination as quickly as possible – helping to keep our network fluid.

Safety tip on the job?
Look out for your fellow railroaders because they are looking out for you. My goal every day is to come in healthy and unhurt and to leave the same way. We watch out for everyone.