Norfolk Southern touts growth, operating results in 2018 annual report

Norfolk Southern Corp. posted strong growth and best-ever operating results for operating ratio and income from railway operations last week, the Class I reported late last week in releasing its 2018 annual report online.

For the year, the company achieved an all-time-best operating ratio of 65.4 percent, the third consecutive year of improvement; grew total railway operating revenue 9 percent year-over-year to $11.5 billion; and increased income from railway operations 12 percent to $4 billion, a record.

From reimagining operations through culture change, to reimagining service and growth through the use of advanced technologies, NS is "building a stronger company for our customers, our employees an dour shareholders," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer James Squires in his letter to shareholders.

"As we begin 2019, we are hard at work on initiatives to drive shareholder value, from new ways of operating the railroad to new ways of marketing our services," said Squires. "The momentum we have today is exciting, and I feel strongly that our focus on serving customers, managing assets, controlling costs, working safely, and developing people will deliver superior shareholder value in 2019 and in the years to come.”