Lower rail volumes and precision scheduled railroading are two reasons why Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) is idling its Bellevue hump yard in Ohio and transitioning to flat switching there.
Norfolk Southern (NS) said the idling of the yard and the new focus on flat switching “will allow for greater efficiencies and customer service” as Norfolk Southern (NS) rolls out its strategic operations plans. The business disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic also accelerated the need to compensate for lower car volumes, NS said.
The eastern U.S railroad notified workers last week of the changes, and furloughed employees may have the opportunity to apply for other available positions, NS said.
A hump yard, or classification yard, is where trains are divided and sorted according to their destinations using a hill or “hump” to connect cars together. Flat switching also involves dividing and sorting railcars, but instead of using gravity and hills to connect cars, locomotives are used to create trains.
The yard in Bellevue was once NS’ largest train classification yard of 11 primary classification yards, according to a June 2015 release. The yard was named the Moorman Yard after retired NS CEO Charles W. “Wick” Moorman.
In its heyday, the yard, which underwent a $160 million expansion that started in 2012 to double its size, sorted about 3,200 carloads daily due to its location midway between Chicago and New York.
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now