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In May, Norfolk Southern Corp. moved 16.5 million tons of coal, an 8.7 percent increase compared with May 2005 and a new monthly record. To keep up with rising coal demand, the Class I needs more rail cars.

NS recently ordered 1,600 coal cars from FreightCar America Inc. To be filled by 2007’s end, the order comprises 400 AutoFlood III™ aluminum bottom discharge cars and 1,200 hybrid stainless steel/aluminum coal gondolas. FreightCar America will begin delivering cars from its Roanoke, Va., facility in first-quarter 2007.

The car builder designed the hybrid gondola in conjunction with NS to address eastern coal shippers’ requirements and meet the railroad’s long-term coal car replacement needs. Featuring a cold-rolled center sill, the car incorporates stainless steel to withstand heat applied to thaw frozen coal and aluminum to maximize load-carrying capacity.

In addition to coal cars, FreightCar America builds flat, coil steel and intermodal cars, mill gondolas and motor vehicle carriers at plants in Roanoke; Danville, Ill.; and Johnstown, Pa.