NS

abbreviationStandard termRailroad

A Class I freight railroad operating primarily in the eastern United States.

Norfolk Southern Railway is one of the major Class I railroads in North America. It operates an extensive network across the eastern and midwestern US, moving bulk commodities, intermodal containers, and general freight over thousands of route miles.

Heard on the job

That NS manifest train is tied down on the siding waiting for a fresh crew.

Insider tip

Crews often just refer to it as Norfolk or simply read the reporting mark when calling out consists.