CSX
CSX on Oct. 15 released a video on social media (above) congratulating its Frontier Yard team in Buffalo, N.Y., for more than 2,000 injury-free days.
The No. 1 reason for this achievement is “job briefings,” according to CSX Carman Relief Supervisor, Frontier Yard Chris Chiappetta, who said in the video that workers start off the day with briefings and conduct re-job briefings throughout the day.
“Safety briefing is critical,” agreed Brian Esseltine, a Frontier Yard Carman who recently marked 31-years of injury-free service. “In addition to that, as craftsmen, we rely on each other to point out safety items, and if I’m not watching out, I know my fellow employees are going to be watching out, and we kind of self-correct each other.”
“I have an employee, in terms of safety, that made up a little placard [above] with the saying about looking out for each other,” Senior Mechanical Manager, Frontier Yard Dan Belles reported in the video. “Just one morning, he shows up to work, comes up to me, saying, ‘Hey, Dan, I want to show you what I made last night.’ And I don’t know what else I can ask for from an employee willing to come in and use their own time and say, ‘Hey, if someone sits here and reads this, it might help someone today and remind them to look out for each other,’ because at the end of the day, we have nothing if we’re not looking out for each other.”
NS
During National Hunger Action Month this September, NS committed $856,800 in grants to 32 organizations across 16 states to combat food insecurity through its Thriving Communities and Hampton Roads Community Foundation grant programs, the railroad reported Oct. 11. These grants, along with NS’s ongoing partnership with local food banks, will directly support efforts to ensure that children, families, and seniors have access to food during everyday challenges and times of crisis like the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, according to NS.
“This partnership reflects Norfolk Southern’s commitment to supporting resilient communities,” said Kristin Wong, Director of the NS Foundation and Community Impact. “By ensuring food banks are prepared, not just for everyday needs but also for times of crisis, we are investing in the well-being of our communities and providing critical support where it’s needed most.”
NS said its commitment to addressing food insecurity this year extended beyond its own financial contributions. The railroad’s employees held a month-long food drive at NS’s Atlanta, Ga., headquarters to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank; volunteered at food banks in Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, collectively assisting nearly 1,000 families; and contributed, through a special 2:1 match campaign on the Thoroughbred Giving Portal, an extra $3,000 to organizations supporting Hunger Action Month.
In related news, NS recently contributed an additional $400,000 to the American Red Cross to aid its large-scale relief efforts.
NS earlier this month officially completed its field office in downtown East Palestine with the addition of the NS sign. The office, located at 248 N. Market Street, is home to the Family Assistance Center and open to community members Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Family Assistance Center was originally set up at the Abundant Life Fellowship Church in New Waterford within 24 hours of the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment. It was later relocated to Rebecca Place at 191 East Rebecca Street in East Palestine, before moving to its current location.
NS Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins and Port of Virginia CEO and Executive Director Stephen Edwards had a “fireside chat” at the recent Virginia Maritime Association International Trade Symposium (VMA24). They discussed how strategic investments in infrastructure, sustainability, and collaboration between rail and ports are transforming the logistics landscape, according to NS.
“Elkins emphasized that NS’s focus on building customer trust through reliable service, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices is critical in today’s evolving market,” the railroad reported Oct. 14. “Edwards echoed this, highlighting how the Port of Virginia’s $1.4 billion modernization plan, including the Central Rail Yard (CRY) expansion and upcoming 55-foot-deep shipping channel, is positioning the port as a top-tier global trade hub. These enhancements, along with NS’s investments in rail infrastructure, ensure shippers have the agility and capacity needed to navigate unpredictable global demand.”
According to NS, key takeaways from the event were:
- The Port of Virginia has completed 19 significant infrastructure projects in 2024, increasing its capacity by 455,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) annually.
- The port is on track to become the deepest on the U.S. East Coast by 2025, positioning it for the largest container vessels.
- NS’s rail network helps provide connectivity to inland and Midwest markets, offering shippers the ability to reach 75% of the U.S. population within two days.
- Sustainability is central to both NS’s and the Port of Virginia’s strategies, with NS streamlining operations to reduce supply chain emissions and the Port of Virginia operating on 100% “clean electricity” since January 2024.
Elkins concluded the session by reaffirming NS’s commitment to “building resilient, future-proof supply chains,” according to NS, which said he “highlighted that while market volatility remains a constant, the combined power of rail and port infrastructure will remain crucial to navigating macroeconomic shifts and supporting our mutual customers’ long-term growth.”
UP
UP raised $860,000 for United Way affiliates across its 23-state system during an annual employee giving campaign in September, the railroad reported Oct. 11 in the Inside Track section of its website.
“United Way’s nationwide network allows companies like UP to direct donations to nearly 90 chapters, leveraging the reach of our enterprise to improve hundreds of UP communities through one unified campaign,” UP Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary Craig Richardson was quoted as saying. “As this year’s campaign chair, I was privileged to experience firsthand our employees’ teamwork, passion and camaraderie as they rallied for great causes. This is who we are.”
UP reported that since 2003 it has raised nearly $30 million for United Way chapters in the communities where its employees live and work.
UP President Beth Whited launched the campaign with a video testimonial, and CEO Jim Vena’s leadership team engaged with local nonprofits and UP employees at a Community Village social in Omaha, Neb. Railroad department coordinators organized activities like treat carts, railroad-themed bingo, conference room “putt-putt” (see above), pumpkin carving, pizza parties, and volunteer opportunities.
“I am always amazed by people’s passion and follow-through on community projects,” said UP Banking Specialist, Finance Krista Radloff, who volunteered her time as part of the United Way of the Midlands Day of Caring in Nebraska, according to UP. “It’s a yearly reminder to reach out and give more in my daily life.”
