NS provides Grant for railroad engineering degree program

Written by jrood

The Norfolk Southern Foundation has given $100,000 to Penn State Altoona to assist in the development of a four-year Rail and Transit Engineering (RTE) degree program. This innovative Bachelor of Science program will include existing Penn State civil engineering courses, coupled with new customized courses in rail business, mechanical systems, track, operations, communications, and regulation. The program is designed to produce graduates who will quickly acclimate to the rail industry and its suppliers.  

"On behalf of the entire
Penn State Altoona community, I express heartfelt appreciation to Norfolk
Southern for the vital role it is playing in the creation of this exciting
academic initiative," said Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, chancellor of Penn State
Altoona. "We are proud to be a national leader in this discipline. The railway
industry has an established history of philanthropic support at Penn State
Altoona. As an institution committed to public service, our college draws
inspiration from Norfolk Southern’s community spirit, and we are grateful for
the railroad’s support of our vision and their partnering with us to enhance
academic and career opportunities for our students."

 

Cindy Earhart, Norfolk
Southern’s vice president human resources, said: "While the rail industry is
operating in challenging economic times, the fact remains that our workforce is
maturing. In order for Norfolk Southern to remain successful, we need to
develop a talent pool that understands the railroad work environment. Penn
State Altoona’s Rail and Transit Engineering program will provide the industry
with skilled and motivated graduates who want to become the next generation of
railroaders."

 

Penn State Altoona is very
suitable site for the new program, given its geographic location to Norfolk
Southern’s primary locomotive maintenance facility and the railroad’s main
artery between the Chicago and New York markets. Founded as a rail center in
1849 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, Altoona is famous for its long history as a
leading site for steam and diesel locomotive repair and maintenance, and its
landmark of rail engineering, the Horseshoe Curve.

 

Another component of the
Penn State RTE program is the Altoona Railroader’s Memorial Museum, which is
dedicated to revealing, interpreting, commemorating and celebrating the
significant contributions of railroaders and their families to American life
and industry. The museum has close relationship with Norfolk Southern and has
offered the Penn State program space in a new roundhouse planned for the museum
property.

 

Pending approval by Penn
State University’s faculty senate and administration, it is anticipated that
classes in the RTE program will begin at Penn State Altoona in the fall of
2010. Norfolk Southern will provide the program with technical support and
assistance.

 

Bechtel-Wherry described
the program as "a groundbreaking academic initiative that will provide students
with a unique multidisciplinary experience."

 

"It is entirely fitting
that Penn State Altoona – located only minutes from the hub of Norfolk Southern’s
local operations – will offer this particular program," she said. "The
potential impact of this program on the railroad industry is substantial.
Through our Rail and Transit Engineering baccalaureate degree program, we have
the opportunity to play a vital role in training engineers for placement within
the expanding railroad industry. The potential benefits of this program for our
students, our college, and the railroad industry are limitless."

 
Norfolk Southern and Penn State have
also engaged in joint research to improve the energy efficiency of locomotives
and reduce railroad emissions. Funded by NS and the U.S. Department of Energy,
this effort will encourage students to get involved in developing new and
innovative technologies for the railroad.

Tags: