NS
NS on March 3 shared a LinkedIn post by Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer Anil Bhatt on its Digital Train Inspection Portals, which launched in 2023. Bhatt, who joined the railroad last summer, provided a “milestone” update on the portals, each of which is equipped with Machine Vision Inspection technology featuring a setup of 24-megapixel trackside cameras and stadium lighting to capture ultra-high-resolution, 360-degree images of passing railcars. The synchronized cameras are said to record 1,000 images per railcar at speeds up to 70 mph, detecting defects at angles “that are difficult to see during stationary inspections.”
“Recently, we achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the North American rail industry — our AI autonomously detected a hairline crack in a wheel,” Bhatt reported (see images above). “Identifying such defects in real-world conditions is an immense challenge, and this breakthrough further strengthens our ability to prevent potential train incidents. As soon as the flaw was detected, our railroaders immediately took action, removing the affected car from service and preventing a potential issue before it could escalate. This is a powerful example of how AI and human expertise come together to enhance safety across our network.”
In 2023, NS announced that it would deploy the portals, whose Machine Vision Inspection Technology was developed in partnership with the Georgia Tech Research Institute, which engineered the hardware, and NS’s Data Science/Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Mechanical teams. The first portal was installed Leetonia, Ohio, where trains pass through approximately every hour; and the second in Jackson, Ga., on NS’s Atlanta South District Subdivision, where approximately 19 trains pass through daily. The railroad now has seven portals in operation.
According to NS, the AI transmits the information to the railroad’s Network Operations Center, where the data is reviewed. “Guided by a robust response protocol, subject-matter experts then identify and address issues to proactively ensure the safety of rail operations,” NS reported in April 2024, when it deployed the Jackson, Ga.-based portal. “Critical defects found are flagged for immediate handling. AI analyzes these images for potential defects. Our in-house Data Science/AI team has developed approximately 40 advanced Deep Learning algorithms and already deployed them across heavily trafficked lanes. We plan to roll out an additional 20 algorithms by year’s end. These best-in-class, field-proven algorithms have demonstrated very high accuracy levels, while having very low false-indicators.”
Meanwhile, NS has a new brand campaign, “Thoroughbreds Power More” (watch above), which it said highlights the railroad’s commitment to:
- Reliability: “Spanning 19,500 miles across 22 states, our rail network powers resilient service and sustainable growth for more than half the U.S. population and manufacturing base,” NS reported. “Whether it’s essential materials like steel and lumber or finished goods like automobiles, we keep supply chains running.”
- Technology: “From autonomous track inspections to algorithms predicting rail maintenance, we’re investing in smart innovations and advanced technology that empower our railroaders and make it easier for customers to do business with us,” the railroad noted.
- Sustainability: “Rail is the most sustainable form of freight transportation, helping customers avoid 15 million tons of carbon emissions annually,” NS pointed out. “As a corporate leader in sustainability for over 15 years, we’re committed to bold action and innovative solutions that drive responsible growth and build a better planet.”
According to NS, the new campaign brings the “spirit of the Thoroughbred”—the railroad’s “symbol of speed, strength, and reliability for more than 40 years”—to life by featuring NS employees, “the people who keep our rail network running safely and efficiently every day.”
“This campaign is more than a tribute to our legacy,” NS said. “It’s a reflection of who we are and where we’re headed. With safety as our foundation and our railroaders at the forefront, Norfolk Southern is redefining the future of freight—driving momentum, embracing innovation, and ensuring our customers have the reliability and tools they need to succeed.”
UP
A UP Community Ties Giving Program grant is helping U.S. military veterans in Illinois develop the skills and confidence to secure employment, the Class I railroad recently reported on the Inside Track section of its website. The Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois’ Sauk Valley Veterans Program offers free job readiness training, supportive services, referrals, and help in finding and retaining competitive employment in Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties.
One of the program’s success stories is Tara Wilson, according to UP. “Recognizing that improving her tech skills would be key to achieving her career goals, she took the initiative to join the program,” the railroad reported. “Thanks to Union Pacific’s grant, Wilson received a laptop and hotspot—tools she used to empower herself. She immersed herself in improving her typing speed, mastering email communication and confidently navigating online job platforms. With the personalized guidance of her employment readiness specialist, Wilson applied her enhanced skills to submit job applications and prepare for interviews.” Her persistence paid off. She now has a job in environmental services, UP said.
“I realized that with the right resources and determination, I could accomplish anything I set my mind to,” Wilson said, according to UP.
“Our nation’s veterans deserve our unwavering support long after they’ve retired from military service, which is why we are proud to partner with organizations like Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois to help veterans overcome barriers to civilian employment,” said Tom Evenson, Senior Director-Public Affairs at UP. “Union Pacific’s long-held dedication to the military and our veterans adds deeper meaning to our ‘Building America’ mission.”
Funding invested by UP’s Community Ties Giving Program ranges from local grants and sponsorships to “key partnerships designed to provide long-term impact in our communities,” according to the Class I.
