NS
Over the past year, NS has made “substantial progress decongesting rail yards”—particularly in Chicago, Harrisburg, and Atlanta—by reducing car numbers, the railroad reported Dec. 13. “Using a data driven approach, we are delivering better service to our customers and increasing our productivity,” according to the Class I, which is also improving intermodal car velocity.
The NS Network Planning and Optimization group examined volumes by terminal and the associated demand for cars, and then used data “to match the car supply to meet service needs through several process improvement tactics,” the railroad reported.
The new car movement strategy has improved both efficiency and productivity. NS said cars now move more directly to terminals throughout its 22-state network, and it can better predict when terminals need cars to meet customer demand. “These approaches have reduced transit times for empty cars going to other railroads,” NS reported.
Even though NS is handling 6% higher volumes, the railroad said it has:
- Reduced delays for cars by 30% “by ensuring a consistent supply of cars.”
- “Achieved significant savings by substantially reducing our car cost per load for the 3.5 million loads we transport annually.”
- Eliminated more than “100,000 feet of intermodal equipment roaming the network, which increased terminal productivity and fluidity due to having to move fewer cars.”
“We are implementing new strategies across our network to improve how we deliver safe, reliable, and resilient service to our customers,” NS Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Paul Duncan said. “We’ve improved intermodal car velocity by taking a fresh look at how we balance cars in our yards. As a result, we’ve seen less congestion and greater speed with the movement of cars.”
In other NS news, the Class I has announced the recipients of its second-annual Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards competition. The awards recognize partner companies who are leaders in energy efficiency, innovation and environmental stewardship. A cross-department team at NS reviewed the applications for “measurable” corporate program progress in 2022 and selected winners based on program novelty, relevance and impact.
And the 13 winners are (by category):
“Railroads are an essential part of a low-carbon supply chain,” NS Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins said. “Each year, Norfolk Southern helps our customers avoid 15 million metric tons of emissions and reduce congestion and wear on public highways. In doing so, we are always inspired by our customers’ matched efforts to create a greener supply chain. Our Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards recognize their incredible achievements and underscore our shared commitment to lowering our nation’s overall carbon footprint.”
“Taking strides to reduce our environmental impact goes beyond our own initiatives; it involves actively supporting our partners in reaching their sustainability targets as well,” NS Chief Sustainability Officer Josh Raglin said. “This year’s 13 honorees stand out as trailblazers in environmental leadership. Recognizing their accomplishments is pivotal as we collectively work towards building a better, more sustainable planet.”
NS established the Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards program in 2022.
CN / UP
CN and UP have been named to the World and North American Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI World and DJSI North America) for 2023.
DJSI World and DJSI North America represent the top 10% of the largest 2,500 companies and the top 20% of the largest 600 North American companies, respectively, in the S&P Global BMI, based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria.
The S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) provides CSA Scores, which are among the key factors considered for determining eligibility of companies for potential inclusion in the DJSIs, as well as numerous other ESG Indices including the S&P 500 ESG and the S&P Global 1200 ESG Indices. More than 13,000 companies are invited to participate in the CSA every year, but only about 3,500 of the largest companies globally are eligible for inclusion in any DJSI.
“We are thrilled to once again be recognized for our commitment to being a leader in sustainability,” said Ghislain Houle, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at CN, which ranked on the World and North American Sustainability Indices for the 12th and 15th consecutive year, respectively. “At CN, sustainability is core to how we do business and an essential part of our culture. Our inclusion on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Indices is a testament to our team of railroaders who make it their mission to deliver responsibly every day, in all areas of our business for all our stakeholders.”
CN in June released its 2022 Sustainability Data Supplement Report, which outlines key performance metrics in the areas of environment, safety, people, community and economy.
“Recognition in the DJSI [Dow Jones Sustainability Indices] is a testament to Union Pacific’s transparent progress to reduce our environmental impact, enhance the value we bring employees through meaningful work, and meet the highest ethical standards,” said Beth Whited, President of UP, which is the first U.S. Class I to be recognized on DJSI World and has been listed on DJSI North America for the second year. “We are honored to be among this elite international group and recognize that our work is not done. We look forward to creating a sustainable future for our employees, customers and communities.”
UP regularly reports its progress in all areas of environmental, social and governance practices through its Building America Report, Climate Action Plan and We Are One reports.
This year, CSX was also named to DJSI North America and CPKC was listed on both DJSI World and DJSI North America.
CSX
CSX Engineering Vehicle Operator McKinley “Mac” Williams of Baltimore, Md., has marked 57 years of rail service. CSX celebrated his achievement by sharing a special video via social media (see below).
“Every time you see a train, it’s like the first time you’ve seen a train,” Williams said during the video interview. “Every time. I don’t care how long someone’s been out on the railroad, how may trains they’ve seen; we always stop, and we take a look. And it has a story to tell.”
Born Aug. 11, 1941, “overlooking the Pennsylvania Railroad,” Williams started his railroad career in 1967, and told CSX that he is “very glad and very proud” of ending up with the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I.
Williams said he appreciates “the various opportunities that are here with CSX,” noting that “it’s not just in the department that I’m in, the Track department; I always try to learn something about Transportation, Mechanical, Signal, Bridge, Facility.”
He also said he’s “a firm believer in waking up, getting up, showing up. But always put safety above everything.” According to Williams, he has never missed a day’s work because of illness or injury. “I’m very fortunate,” he said. “If I wasn’t on the job, it would be because it’s a holiday, a vacation day, etc., etc. I take pride in that.”
“His drive is still there after all these years,” CSX Senior Track Supervisor John Duvall reported in the video. “His drive is still there, day in, day out. His dedication, his service, his mentoring, his leadership is first and foremost. His future still looks bright. He’s got 57 years’ service, and I look forward to spending the rest of my career with him.”
