Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation operates a leading freight railroad system across the Eastern United States, managing approximately 19,100 route miles. The company provides essential transportation for raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods, connecting major manufacturing hubs, mines, and distribution centers. Its core value proposition centers on offering the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern half of the U.S. while facilitating global trade through Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports.
Financials
Based on Q1 2026 filing
Revenue
View metricNet Income
View metricOperating Cash Flow
View metricFree Cash Flow
View metricEPS (Diluted)
View metricBusiness Segments
Merchandise
primaryTransports a diverse range of industrial and consumer goods including agricultural products, chemicals, metals, construction materials, and automotive components. This segment serves as the company's largest revenue driver, utilizing a vast network of carload services.
Agricultural products, Forest products, Chemicals, Petroleum products, Metals, Construction materials, Automotive parts, Finished motor vehicles
Manufacturers, Agricultural producers, Chemical companies, Automotive manufacturers, U.S. military
Intermodal
majorFacilitates the movement of domestic and international containers and trailers, combining the efficiency of rail with the flexibility of truck and ship transport. This segment leverages an extensive network of terminals to serve global supply chains.
Domestic containers, International containers, Trailers
Intermodal marketing companies, International steamship lines, Asset-owning companies, Premium freight customers
Coal
moderateTransports coal from major eastern and western basins to utility plants and export terminals. This segment supports the electric generation market and industrial metallurgical needs through direct rail and water-based facilities.
Utility coal, Metallurgical coal, Industrial coal
Electric power plants, Steel producers, Coal exporters
Segment Financials
Agriculture, Forest And Consumer Products — Market groups percent of total railway operating revenues
View metricMetals and construction — Market groups percent of total railway operating revenues
View metricAutomotive — Market groups percent of total railway operating revenues
View metricIntermodal — Market groups percent of total railway operating revenues
View metricCoal — Market groups percent of total railway operating revenues
View metricBusiness Overview
Competitive Position
A dominant Class I railroad in the Eastern U.S. with a primary duopoly position alongside CSX Corporation.
Geographies
United States, Southeast US, Midwest US, East US
Customer Segments
Industrial manufacturers, Energy utilities, Global shipping lines, Government and Military
Upstream Dependencies
Locomotive and railcar manufacturers, Steel and crosstie suppliers, Fuel and energy providers, Maintenance of way equipment suppliers
Downstream Customers
Power utility companies, Automotive OEMs, Global shipping and logistics firms, Heavy industrial manufacturers
Competitors & Partners
Competitors
CSX
CSX
Primary Eastern U.S. rail competitor
Union Pacific
UNP
Major Western U.S. railroad and pending merger partner
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
CP
Class I railroad competitor in the Eastern U.S.
Canadian National Railway
CNI
Major North American Class I railroad
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
CPK
Major North American Class I railroad
Similar Companies
Partners
Amtrak
Passenger rail operator utilizing NS trackage
New Jersey Transit
Commuter rail operator utilizing NS trackage
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
Commuter rail operator utilizing NS trackage
Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company
Commuter rail operator utilizing NS trackage
North Carolina Railroad Company
Owner of property under exclusive operating agreement
Subsidiaries
Norfolk Southern Railway Company
Primary operating railroad subsidiary
Norfolk Southern FAQ
Common questions about Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation operates a leading freight railroad system across the Eastern United States, managing approximately 19,100 route miles. The company provides essential transportation for raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods, connecting major manufacturing hubs, mines, and distribution centers. Its core value proposition centers on offering the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern half of the U.S. while facilitating global trade through Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports.
Norfolk Southern (NSC) has a market capitalization of $70.6B and trades on NYSE.
Norfolk Southern generated $12.2B in trailing twelve-month revenue with net income of $2.7B, representing a net margin of 21.9%, with free cash flow of $1.6B. These figures are based on the Q1 2026 filing.
Norfolk Southern's key competitors include CSX Corporation, Union Pacific Corporation, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, and others. These companies compete in similar markets and product categories.
Norfolk Southern has approximately 20,700 employees.