Norfolk Southern to close Roanoke Distribution Center

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday announced it will close its Roanoke Distribution Center in Virginia and transfer the work associated with its Roanoke Locomotive Shop to Altoona, Pennsylvania.

The shop's mechanical employees will have the opportunity to transfer to the Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona and will be eligible for relocation benefits, NS officials said in an emailed statement.

NS rail operations and more than 650 employees will remain in the Roanoke Valley.

The decision to close the facility follows a 48 percent decline in coal tons shipped since 2008. In addition, NS has experienced a 22 percent reduction in its locomotive fleet since late 2018, reducing the volume of locomotive maintenance and repair work required to operate safely, NS officials said.

"This difficult but necessary decision reflects the importance of ensuring the company maintains the right mix of people and facilities, in the right locations, to deliver exceptional customer service," they said.