Norfolk Southern on Oct. 20, 2015 said, effective Dec. 1, 2015, it will no longer accept shipments of Poisonous-Inhalation-Hazard (PIH) commodities, and that passenger trains operated by Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express and Metra will be prohibited from operating on NS after Dec. 31.
“Cessation of service—effective across the entire NS rail network—is required to comply with federal safety laws that become effective after Dec. 31, the government’s deadline for installation of PTC,” NS said. “Despite investment of nearly $1 billion to date, NS will not meet the deadline.”
NS said PIH shipments in transit on Dec. 1 will be delivered to destination by Dec. 31. Additionally, the status of non-PIH traffic interchanged with other railroads and freight operations on the Northeast Corridor after Dec. 31 is “currently under review.”
“We remain hopeful that Congress will grant the railroad industry an extension of the PTC deadline and appreciate the consideration elected officials and regulators are giving this issue,” said J, Norfolk Southern chairman, president and CEO Jim Squires “However, in order to conduct lawful operations on Jan. 1, 2016, and beyond, we must plan ahead to clear affected loaded and empty freight cars from our system. Norfolk Southern sincerely regrets the inconvenience that customers, passengers, and commuters will experience,” Squires said. “Our strong hope is that Congress will act quickly and decisively to allow us to restore full access to our rail network.”
Squires noted that NS is installing PTC on the required lines and equipment “as fast as is safe and practical. PTC is one of the most complex technology implementations in our history. It is in everyone’s interest—railroads, customers, suppliers, and communities— that adequate time is devoted to installation, testing, and implementation. Norfolk Southern is committed to getting this right.”