Norfolk Southern: At 30, still growing

Norfolk Southern, a railroad that has more than once been characterized as the world's most successful, observes its 30th anniversary June 2 in a position of strength and growth, despite a weakened national economy.

On the eve of the railroad’s anniversary—it was created by the merger the Southern Railway and the Norfolk & Western—CEO Wick Moorman issued a “thank you” to employees, customers, and others who have influenced its progress.

Rising employment was among the measures of growth cited by Moorman: “NS is a job creator. In the last decade the railroad helped locate and expand 1,053 facilities, representing an investment of $30 billion by NS customers and generating more than 46,000 jobs by those customer companies. NS itself hired 4,000 new employees in 2011 and plans to hire 2,800 more in 2012 to address attrition and the growing need for freight transportation service.”

“The Norfolk Southern of 2012 is safer, more customer-focused, and more successful by every measure than it ever has been,” said Moorman (pictured at left). “We are highly competitive, environmentally conscious, and constantly seeking new opportunities. The future of our business looks very bright.

“For this we thank our employees and their families, customers, shareholders, suppliers, and communities. They have made NS what it is today, and they will carry us forward,” he said.