NS
NS on Nov. 24 reported presenting a $100,000 grant to the Chicago Police Foundation, which works with the Chicago Police Department “to identify needs and secure innovative resources for the city.” The railroad’s contribution, through its Safety First Grant Program, “supports the foundation’s mission to provide resources that supplement the Chicago Police Department’s capabilities, ensuring officers have the tools and technology needed to serve Chicagoans safely and effectively.”
For example, the drone and vehicles purchased “will help prevent theft before it happens, saving local businesses, law enforcement, and residents time and money,” according to NS.
“Having great corporate citizens like Norfolk Southern and their leadership work with the Chicago Police Foundation in support of the CPD for equipping our department with the latest technology and supporting the well-being of our officers is a model to be followed,” said Rick Simon, Chairman of the Chicago Police Foundation Board.
“We’re proud to support the Chicago Police Department by providing the tools they need to protect both the city and the officers who serve it,” NSPD Regional Superintendent Eric Oliver said. “We recognize the dedication of Chicago’s officers and are honored to help deliver resources that make a real impact—from advanced drone technology to vehicles that strengthen mobility and response.”
Meanwhile, NS is “spreading holiday cheer” with a new collection of in-house designed merchandise, which is available in the official Norfolk Southern Company Store.
Highlights include:
- Collectible Items: Ornaments and keepsakes. Plus, limited-edition toy trains, including a locomotive and three freight cars, are “coming soon.”
- Seasonal Apparel: Branded socks, gloves, scarves and beanies.
- Other Items: Drinkware, a charcuterie board, and stocking stuffers “with a Norfolk Southern twist.”
Also available: the 2026 NS calendar.
“Railroads have always been a part of holiday traditions, from delivering gifts to inspiring generations of train enthusiasts,” said Emily Murray, NS Assistant Director, Creative and Brand. “Our holiday collection is a way for fans to celebrate that connection and share it with loved ones.”
CSX
CSX on Nov. 24 celebrated its Rocky Mount terminal via social media, sharing a specially produced video (above). In the past 12 months, crews there have handled more than 89,000 railcars for loading, unloading, and other operations, and managed 300,000-plus railcar arrivals and departures, readying assets for their next destination, according to the railroad.
“This historic freight-classification yard has been operating in the same location in North Carolina since the early 1900s and continues to set the standard for excellence,” CSX reported. “Thank you to our Rocky Mount team for your hard work and for powering what’s possible. You are a vital part of our #ONECSX family!”
BNSF
“Something new is happening at BNSF-served customer NEW Cooperative,” the Class I railroad reported via social media on Nov. 25. “The co-op, which operates rail-served facilities across Iowa, recently expanded its Osceola location by adding a dry fertilizer facility to its existing grain shuttle train-loading loop track.” The addition, BNSF said, includes a dry fertilizer dump pit, conveyor system, and a large fertilizer warehouse. Since October, the facility has been unloading potash, phosphate and sulfate fertilizers through the new system.
“For now, NEW Cooperative is unloading single-car shipments of dry fertilizer, but as volumes grow, some of those movements could be converted to unit trains in the future,” BNSF reported. “Thank you, NEW Cooperative, for your continued trust in BNSF.”
UP
UP’s new point protection technology is said to give crews “a modern, high-tech view of their surroundings—boosting safety, precision and confidence during train movements.”
The railroad, in a Nov. 25 article published on its website, reported that advanced cameras on locomotives stream high-definition, wide-angle video directly to the crew at a yard in Livonia, La. The system, it said, delivers “near, far and 180-degree panoramic views around the knuckle and down both sides of the track—even at crossings.”
“It’s a technological leap that blends simplicity with sophistication,” said Brian Partlow, UP Director, Tech. “The new system eliminates potential blind spots caused by a locomotive’s structure, helping crews make safe decisions in real time.”
It also includes safeguards to maintain visibility, according to UP. “The live video feed confirms the cameras are working properly, while built-in latency detection alerts users within a second if there is delayed video,” the railroad reported.
“Think of it like lane assist in your car,” added Brenten Starr, UP General Director, Engineering. “It’s an added safeguard that boosts precision to strengthen protection for everyone.”
“This is how we move forward,” Partlow summed up. “We test, we learn, we evolve—and we keep making rail operations safer for our employees, our communities and the customers who rely on us for dependable service.”
