Norfolk Southern slimming to nine divisions

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-In-Chief, Railway Age
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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern will be consolidating its Central Division headquarters operations in Knoxville, Tenn., into three surrounding divisions "as part of ongoing efforts to enhance customer service and improve operating efficiencies."

The consolidation, effective on or about Nov. 1, will reduce NS’s number of operating divisions to nine from 10. Dispatching responsibilities now handled from the Central Division, which includes lines primarily in Tennessee and Kentucky, will be divided among operating divisions headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., Decatur, Ill., and Fort Wayne, Ind.

The consolidation will affect roughly 50 employees who work at the Central Division headquarters in management, dispatching, and clerical positions. Dispatchers will have the opportunity to transfer to one of the other three divisions or apply for vacancies across the system. Administrative and clerical employees will be offered opportunities to apply for vacant positions elsewhere.

Current yard and field operations on the Central Division will not be affected by the headquarters closure but will be reassigned among the other three divisions. “More than 250 employees will remain in Knoxville to provide safe and reliable service to local customers and support the yard’s role as a hub for through-train operations,” NS said.

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