Freight railroads prep for Dorian's potential wrath

Freight railroads and ports announced closures and other preparations over the next few days as a precaution against potential storm damage from Hurricane Dorian.

Norfolk Southern Railway last week began planning for the hurricane's potential impact on the Class I's rail operations along the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic coast. NS is providing updates as the storm progresses, and recommended shippers with specific questions to contact their NS customer service representatives.

Meanwhile, Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) announced yesterday it has taken necessary precautions to protect employees, rail traffic and infrastructure against potential storm damage, the railroad's officials said in a notice posted on Twitter.

FEC suspended regularly scheduled train service as of Aug. 30 until further notice, the railroad tweeted. Its 24-hour customer service center is available to answer customers' questions via telephone 800-824-2330 or email. For carload issues or inquiries, send emails to release@fecrw.com; for intermodal issues, fectsc@fecrwy.com; and for trucking or drayage issues, fechscustserv@fecrwy.com.

Also yesterday, Florida Department of Transportation officials announced all train activity on the Central Florida rail corridor is closed until further notice. Freight-rail service affected includes CSX, as well as all short lines that use the corridor.