10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

☐    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the transition period from ___________ to___________

Commission File Number: 1-8339

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Virginia	52-1188014
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

650 West Peachtree Street NW		30308-1925
Atlanta,	Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)
(855)		667-3655
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

No change

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Norfolk Southern Corporation Common Stock (Par Value $1.00)	NSC	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).     Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐  No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Outstanding at September 30, 2023
Common Stock ($1.00 par value per share)	226,136,334	(excluding 20,320,777 shares held by the registrant’s
	consolidated subsidiaries)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

		Page
Part I.	Financial Information:
	Item 1.	Financial Statements:
		Consolidated Statements of Income Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2023 and 2022	3
		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2023 and 2022	4
		Consolidated Balance Sheets At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022	5
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows First Nine Months of 2023 and 2022	6
		Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2023 and 2022	7
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	9
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	34
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	34
Part II.	Other Information:
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	35
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	35
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	36
	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	36
	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	36
	Item 5.	Other Information	36
	Item 6.	Exhibits	37
		Signatures	38

2

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Railway operating revenues	$	2,971	$	3,343	$	9,083	$	9,508
Railway operating expenses
Compensation and benefits	715		735		2,098		1,968
Purchased services and rents	517		484		1,519		1,402
Fuel	289		383		867		1,092
Depreciation	326		306		968		912
Materials and other	205		163		622		506
Eastern Ohio incident	163		—		966		—
Total railway operating expenses	2,215		2,071		7,040		5,880
Income from railway operations	756		1,272		2,043		3,628
Other income (expense) – net	40		(2)		153		(21)
Interest expense on debt	182		177		527		515
Income before income taxes	614		1,093		1,669		3,092
Income taxes	136		135		369		612
Net income	$	478	$	958	$	1,300	$	2,480
Earnings per share
Basic	$	2.11	$	4.11	$	5.71	$	10.49
Diluted	2.10		4.10		5.70		10.45

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Net income	$	478	$	958	$	1,300	$	2,480
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Pension and other postretirement benefit (expense)	(6)		6		(17)		17
Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees	(1)		5		(1)		13
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(7)		11		(18)		30
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other
comprehensive income (loss)	2		—		5		(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5)		11		(13)		25
Total comprehensive income	$	473	$	969	$	1,287	$	2,505

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

	September 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
	($ in millions)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,506	$	456
Accounts receivable – net	1,210		1,148
Materials and supplies	303		253
Other current assets	123		150
Total current assets	3,142		2,007
Investments	3,824		3,694
Properties less accumulated depreciation of $13,162
and $12,592, respectively	32,668		32,156
Other assets	1,105		1,028
Total assets	$	40,739	$	38,885
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,499	$	1,293
Short-term debt	—		100
Income and other taxes	213		312
Other current liabilities	797		341
Current maturities of long-term debt	405		603
Total current liabilities	2,914		2,649
Long-term debt	16,179		14,479
Other liabilities	1,824		1,759
Deferred income taxes	7,207		7,265
Total liabilities	28,124		26,152
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock $1.00 per share par value, 1,350,000,000 shares
authorized; outstanding 226,136,334 and 228,076,415 shares,
respectively, net of treasury shares	227		230
Additional paid-in capital	2,163		2,157
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(364)		(351)
Retained income	10,589		10,697
Total stockholders’ equity	12,615		12,733
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	40,739	$	38,885

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

		First Nine Months
		2023		2022
		($ in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
	Net income	$	1,300	$	2,480
	Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation	968		912
	Deferred income taxes	(53)		23
	Gains and losses on properties	(34)		(54)
	Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations:
	Accounts receivable	(65)		(174)
	Materials and supplies	(50)		(58)
	Other current assets	37		57
	Current liabilities other than debt	538		273
	Other – net	(135)		(35)
	Net cash provided by operating activities	2,506		3,424
Cash flows from investing activities
	Property additions	(1,496)		(1,282)
	Property sales and other transactions	62		193
	Investment purchases	(120)		(8)
	Investment sales and other transactions	160		37
	Net cash used in investing activities	(1,394)		(1,060)
Cash flows from financing activities
	Dividends	(920)		(881)
	Common stock transactions	(9)		(5)
	Purchase and retirement of common stock	(503)		(2,284)
	Proceeds from borrowings	2,303		1,732
	Debt repayments	(933)		(551)
	Net cash used in financing activities	(62)		(1,989)
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,050		375
Cash and cash equivalents
	At beginning of year	456		839
	At end of period	$	1,506	$	1,214
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
	Cash paid during the period for:
	Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$	451	$	425
	Income taxes (net of refunds)	521		578

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

	Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital		Accum. Other Comprehensive Loss		Retained Income		Total
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	230	$	2,157	$	(351)	$	10,697	$	12,733
Comprehensive income:
Net income							466		466
Other comprehensive loss					(4)				(4)
Total comprehensive income									462
Dividends on common stock,
$1.35 per share							(307)		(307)
Share repurchases	(1)		(6)				(156)		(163)
Stock-based compensation			4				(2)		2
Balance at March 31, 2023	229		2,155		(355)		10,698		12,727
Comprehensive income:
Net income							356		356
Other comprehensive loss					(4)				(4)
Total comprehensive income									352
Dividends on common stock,
$1.35 per share							(308)		(308)
Share repurchases	(1)		(4)				(135)		(140)
Stock-based compensation			9						9
Balance at June 30, 2023	228		2,160		(359)		10,611		12,640
Comprehensive income:
Net income							478		478
Other comprehensive loss					(5)				(5)
Total comprehensive income									473
Dividends on common stock,
$1.35 per share							(305)		(305)
Share repurchases	(1)		(9)				(195)		(205)
Stock-based compensation			12						12
Balance at September 30, 2023	$	227	$	2,163	$	(364)	$	10,589	$	12,615

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

7

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

	Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital		Accum. Other Comprehensive Loss		Retained Income		Total
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Balance at December 31, 2021	$	242	$	2,215	$	(402)	$	11,586	$	13,641
Comprehensive income:
Net income							703		703
Other comprehensive income					8				8
Total comprehensive income									711
Dividends on common stock,
$1.24 per share							(297)		(297)
Share repurchases	(2)		(19)				(579)		(600)
Stock-based compensation			7				(1)		6
Balance at March 31, 2022	240		2,203		(394)		11,412		13,461
Comprehensive income:
Net income							819		819
Other comprehensive income					6				6
Total comprehensive income									825
Dividends on common stock,
$1.24 per share							(294)		(294)
Share repurchases	(4)		(29)				(821)		(854)
Stock-based compensation			16						16
Balance at June 30, 2022	236		2,190		(388)		11,116		13,154
Comprehensive income:
Net income							958		958
Other comprehensive income					11				11
Total comprehensive income									969
Dividends on common stock,
$1.24 per share							(290)		(290)
Share repurchases	(3)		(31)				(796)		(830)
Stock-based compensation			22				(1)		21
Balance at September 30, 2022	$	233	$	2,181	$	(377)	$	10,987	$	13,024

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

8

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly Norfolk Southern Corporation (Norfolk Southern) and subsidiaries’ (collectively, NS, we, us, and our) financial position at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our results of operations, comprehensive income and changes in stockholders’ equity for the third quarters and first nine months of 2023 and 2022, and our cash flows for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022 in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

1.  Railway Operating Revenues

The following table disaggregates our revenues by major commodity group:

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Merchandise:
Agriculture, forest and consumer products	$	611	$	642	$	1,891	$	1,839
Chemicals	498		570		1,542		1,620
Metals and construction	417		442		1,232		1,237
Automotive	274		276		839		759
Merchandise	1,800		1,930		5,504		5,455
Intermodal	737		942		2,296		2,768
Coal	434		471		1,283		1,285
Total	$	2,971	$	3,343	$	9,083	$	9,508

We recognize the amount of revenues to which we expect to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. A performance obligation is created when a customer under a transportation contract or public tariff submits a bill of lading to us for the transport of goods. These performance obligations are satisfied as the shipments move from origin to destination. As such, transportation revenues are recognized proportionally as a shipment moves, and related expenses are recognized as incurred. These performance obligations are generally short-term in nature with transit days averaging approximately one week or less for each commodity group. The customer has an unconditional obligation to pay for the service once the service has been completed. Estimated revenues associated with in-process shipments at period-end are recorded based on the estimated percentage of service completed. We had no material remaining performance obligations at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

We may provide customers ancillary services, such as switching, demurrage and other incidental activities, under their transportation contracts. The revenues associated with these distinct performance obligations are recognized when the services are performed or as contractual obligations are met. These revenues are included within each of the commodity groups and represent approximately 5% of total “Railway operating revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, and 7% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022.

9

Revenues related to interline transportation services that involve another railroad are reported on a net basis. Therefore, the portion of the amount that relates to another party is not reflected in revenues.

Under the typical terms of our freight contracts, payment for services is due within fifteen days of billing the customer, thus there are no significant financing components. “Accounts receivable – net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes both customer and non-customer receivables as follows:

	September 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
	($ in millions)
Customer	$	883	$	895
Non-customer	327		253
Accounts receivable – net	$	1,210	$	1,148

Non-customer receivables include non-revenue-related amounts due from other railroads, governmental entities, and others. We do not have any material contract assets or liabilities at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

2.  Stock-Based Compensation

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Stock-based compensation expense	$	10	$	13	$	32	$	49
Total tax benefit	2		7		11		24

During 2023, we granted stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs) pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), as follows:

	Third Quarter			First Nine Months
	Granted	Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Granted	Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Stock options	—	$	—	69,580	$	77.60
RSUs	6,448	230.82		199,819	233.61
PSUs	110	234.37		59,070	236.25

10

Stock Options

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Options exercised	9,934		116,881		87,206		275,770
Cash received upon exercise	$	1	$	9	$	7	$	23
Related tax benefits realized	—		5		3		11

Restricted Stock Units

RSUs granted primarily have a four-year ratable restriction period and will be settled through the issuance of shares of Norfolk Southern common stock (Common Stock). Certain RSU grants include cash dividend equivalent payments during the restriction period in an amount equal to the regular quarterly dividends paid on Common Stock. 

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
RSUs vested	2,587		557		155,617		247,510
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding	1,734		397		109,153		175,373
Related tax benefits realized	$	—	$	—	$	1	$	5

Performance Share Units

PSUs provide for awards based on the achievement of certain predetermined corporate performance goals at the end of a three-year cycle and are settled through the issuance of shares of Common Stock. All PSUs will earn out based on the achievement of performance conditions and some will also earn out based on a market condition. The market condition fair value was measured on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. No PSUs were earned or paid out during the third quarters of 2023 and 2022.

	First Nine Months
	2023		2022
	($ in millions)
PSUs earned	58,599		86,420
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding	40,255		54,651
Related tax benefits realized	$	—	$	1

3.  Income Taxes

On July 8, 2022, House Bill 1342 was signed into law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which reduced its corporate income tax rate from 9.99% to 4.99%, through a series of phased reductions beginning each tax year from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2031. GAAP requires companies to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment. As a result, in the third quarter of 2022 we recognized a $136 million benefit in “Income taxes” with a corresponding reduction in “Deferred income taxes.”

11

4.  Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

	Basic				Diluted
	Third Quarter
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions, except per share amounts, shares in millions)
Net income	$	478	$	958	$	478	$	958
Dividend equivalent payments	(1)		—		(1)		—
Income available to common stockholders	$	477	$	958	$	477	$	958
Weighted-average shares outstanding	226.4		233.2		226.4		233.2
Dilutive effect of outstanding options and share-settled awards					0.6		0.8
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding					227.0		234.0
Earnings per share	$	2.11	$	4.11	$	2.10	$	4.10
	Basic				Diluted
	First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions, except per share amounts, shares in millions)
Net income	$	1,300	$	2,480	$	1,300	$	2,480
Dividend equivalent payments	(2)		(1)		(2)		(1)
Income available to common stockholders	$	1,298	$	2,479	$	1,298	$	2,479
Weighted-average shares outstanding	227.2		236.4		227.2		236.4
Dilutive effect of outstanding options and share-settled awards					0.6		0.8
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding					227.8		237.2
Earnings per share	$	5.71	$	10.49	$	5.70	$	10.45

During the third quarters and first nine months of 2023 and 2022, dividend equivalent payments were made to certain holders of stock options and RSUs.  For purposes of computing basic earnings per share, dividend equivalent payments made to holders of stock options and RSUs were deducted from net income to determine income available to common stockholders. For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, we evaluate on a grant-by-grant basis those stock options and RSUs receiving dividend equivalent payments under the two-class and treasury stock methods to determine which method is more dilutive for each grant. For those grants for which the two-class method was more dilutive, net income was reduced by dividend equivalent payments to determine income available to common stockholders. The dilution calculations exclude options having exercise prices exceeding the average market price of Common Stock as follows: 0.1 million in the third quarters and first nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

12

5.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The changes in the cumulative balances of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:

	Balance at Beginning of Year		Net Income		Reclassification Adjustments		Balance at End of Period
	($ in millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
Pensions and other postretirement liabilities	$	(319)	$	—	$	(13)	$	(332)
Other comprehensive loss of equity investees	(32)		—		—		(32)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(351)	$	—	$	(13)	$	(364)
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
Pensions and other postretirement liabilities	$	(356)	$	—	$	14	$	(342)
Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees	(46)		11		—		(35)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(402)	$	11	$	14	$	(377)

6.  Stock Repurchase Program

We repurchased and retired 2.2 million and 9.2 million shares of Common Stock under our stock repurchase programs in the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively, at a cost of $508 million and $2.3 billion, inclusive of excise taxes.

7.  Investments

Investment in Conrail

Through a limited liability company, we and CSX Corporation (CSX) jointly own Conrail Inc. (Conrail), whose primary subsidiary is Consolidated Rail Corporation (CRC). We have a 58% economic and 50% voting interest in the jointly-owned entity, and CSX has the remainder of the economic and voting interests. Our investment in Conrail was $1.6 billion at both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

CRC owns and operates certain properties (the Shared Assets Areas) for the joint and exclusive benefit of Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) and CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT). The costs of operating the Shared Assets Areas are borne by NSR and CSXT based on usage. In addition, NSR and CSXT pay CRC a fee for access to the Shared Assets Areas. “Purchased services and rents” and “Fuel” include expenses payable to CRC for operation of the Shared Assets Areas totaling $39 million and $42 million for the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $123 million and $116 million for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our equity in Conrail’s earnings, net of amortization, was $15 million for both the third quarters of 2023 and 2022 and $50 million and $40 million for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. These amounts partially offset the costs of operating the Shared Assets Areas and are included in “Purchased services and rents.”

“Other liabilities” includes $534 million at both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 for long-term advances from Conrail, maturing in 2050 that bear interest at an average rate of 1.31%.

13

Investment in TTX

We and six other North American railroads collectively own TTX Company (TTX), a railcar pooling company that provides its owner-railroads with standardized fleets of intermodal, automotive, and general use railcars at stated rates. We have a 19.78% ownership interest in TTX.

Expenses incurred for use of TTX equipment are included in “Purchased services and rents.” These expenses amounted to $66 million and $63 million for the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $201 million and $193 million for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our equity in TTX’s earnings partially offsets these costs and totaled $13 million and $18 million for the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $34 million and $39 million in the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

8.  Debt

In August 2023, we issued $600 million of 5.05% senior notes due 2030 and $1.0 billion of 5.35% senior notes due 2054.

In May 2023, we renewed our accounts receivable securitization program with a maximum borrowing capacity of $400 million. Amounts under our accounts receivable securitization program are borrowed and repaid from time to time in the ordinary course for general corporate and cash management purposes. The term of our accounts receivable securitization program expires in May 2024. Amounts received under this facility are accounted for as borrowings. We had no amounts outstanding under this program at September 30, 2023 and our available borrowing capacity was $400 million. At December 31, 2022, we had $100 million (at an average variable interest rate of 5.05%) outstanding and our available borrowing capacity was $300 million. Our accounts receivable securitization program was supported by $911 million and $883 million in receivables at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which are included in “Accounts receivable – net”.

In February 2023, we issued $500 million of 4.45% senior notes due 2033.

9.  Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We have both funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans covering eligible employees. We also provide specified health care benefits to eligible retired employees; these plans can be amended or terminated at our option.  Under our self-insured retiree health care plan, for those participants who are not Medicare-eligible, certain health care expenses are covered for retired employees and their dependents, reduced by any deductibles, coinsurance, and, in some cases, coverage provided under other group insurance policies. Eligible retired participants and their spouses who are Medicare-eligible are not covered under the self-insured retiree health care plan, but instead are provided with an employer-funded health reimbursement account which can be used for reimbursement of health insurance premiums or eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses.

14

Pension and postretirement benefit cost components were as follows:

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Third Quarter
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Service cost	$	7	$	10	$	1	$	1
Interest cost	27		17		4		3
Expected return on plan assets	(53)		(53)		(2)		(3)
Amortization of net losses	1		12		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service benefit	—		—		(6)		(6)
Net benefit	$	(18)	$	(14)	$	(4)	$	(5)

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Service cost	$	19	$	30	$	3	$	4
Interest cost	81		51		13		7
Expected return on plan assets	(157)		(160)		(8)		(9)
Amortization of net losses	3		36		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service benefit	—		—		(19)		(19)
Net benefit	$	(54)	$	(43)	$	(12)	$	(17)

The service cost component of defined benefit pension cost and postretirement benefit cost are reported within “Compensation and benefits” and all other components of net benefit cost are presented in “Other income (expense) – net” on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

10.  Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The fair values of “Cash and cash equivalents,” “Accounts receivable – net,” “Accounts payable,” and “Short-term debt,” approximate carrying values because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying value of corporate-owned life insurance is recorded at cash surrender value and, accordingly, approximates fair value. There are no other assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values, based on Level 1 inputs, of long-term debt consist of the following:

	September 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	($ in millions)
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$	(16,584)	$	(14,405)	$	(15,082)	$	(13,846)

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11.  Commitments and Contingencies

Eastern Ohio Incident

Summary

On February 3, 2023, a train we operated derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The derailed equipment included 38 railcars, 11 of which were non-Company-owned tank cars containing hazardous materials. Fires associated with the derailment threatened certain of the tank cars. There was concern about the risk that the contents of five of the tank cars carrying vinyl chloride might polymerize, which would have posed the risk of a catastrophic explosion. As a consequence, on February 6, 2023, the local incident commander—in consultation with the incident command that included, among others, federal, state and local officials and Norfolk Southern—opted to conduct a controlled vent and burn of five derailed tank cars, all of which contained vinyl chloride. This procedure involved creating holes in the five tank cars to drain the vinyl chloride into adjacent trenches that had been dug into the ground where such vinyl chloride was then burned, with any material remaining after burning of the vinyl chloride being remediated. The February 3rd derailment, the associated fire, and the resulting vent and burn of the tank cars containing vinyl chloride on February 6th is hereinafter referred to as the “Incident.”

In response to the Incident, we have been working to clean the site safely and thoroughly, including those activities described in the Environmental Matters section below with respect to potentially impacted air, soil and water and to monitor for any impact on public health and the environment. We are working with federal, state, and local officials to mitigate impacts from the Incident, including, among other efforts, conducting environmental monitoring and clean-up activities (as more fully described below), and operating a family assistance center to provide financial support to affected members of the East Palestine and surrounding communities.

Financial Impact

Although we cannot predict the final outcome or estimate the reasonably possible range of loss with certainty, during the first nine months of 2023 we have recognized $966 million of expense for costs directly attributable to the Incident ($163 million of which was recognized in the third quarter), which is presented in “Eastern Ohio incident” on the Consolidated Statements of Income. These amounts are net of $25 million in insurance recoveries recorded during the third quarter related to the Incident. During the first nine months of 2023, our cash expenditures attributable to the Incident were $511 million, which are presented in “Net cash provided by operating activities” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The difference between the recognized expense and cash expenditures during the first nine months of 2023, $455 million comprises primarily of our current estimates of probable and reasonably estimable liabilities principally associated with environmental matters and legal proceedings, which are discussed in further detail below.

While certain costs recorded during the first nine months of 2023 may be recoverable under our insurance policies in effect at the date of the Incident or, from third parties, to date we have recognized $25 million in insurance recoveries. Any additional amounts recoverable under our insurance policies or from third parties will be reflected in future periods in which recovery is considered probable. For additional information about our insurance coverage, see “Insurance” below.

Environmental Matters – In response to the Incident, we have been working with federal, state, and local officials such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ohio EPA, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Columbiana County Health District to conduct environmental response and remediation activities, including but not limited to, air monitoring, indoor air quality screenings, municipal water and private water well testing, residential, commercial, and agricultural soil sampling, surface water and groundwater sampling, re-routing a local waterway around the affected site, capturing and shipping stormwater that enters the impacted derailment site to proper disposal facilities, and excavating and disposing of potentially affected soil at hazardous waste landfills or incinerators. The U.S. EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) on February 21, 2023, containing various

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requirements, including the submission of numerous work plans to assess and remediate various environmental media and performance of certain removal actions at the affected site. On February 24, 2023, we submitted to the U.S. EPA our Notice of Intent to Comply with the UAO and are currently cooperating with U.S. EPA as well as the Ohio EPA and Pennsylvania DEP, pursuant to the UAO and the directives issued thereunder.

We are also subject to the following legal proceedings that principally relate to the environmental impact of the Incident:

•The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. EPA filed a civil complaint (the DOJ Complaint) in the Northern District of Ohio (Eastern Division) seeking injunctive relief, cost recovery and civil penalties for violations of the Clean Water Act and seeking cost recovery under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Ohio Attorney General (AG) also filed a CERCLA lawsuit (the Ohio Complaint) in the Northern District of Ohio (Eastern Division) seeking statutory damages for a variety of tort and environmental claims under CERCLA and various state laws. The DOJ and Ohio AG cases have been consolidated for discovery purposes. We have filed an answer, and on June 30, 2023, we filed a third-party complaint bringing in numerous parties involved in the Incident.

In connection with the foregoing items, we recognized $699 million of expense during the first nine months of 2023 ($118 million of which was recognized in the third quarter), of which $372 million was paid during the first nine months of 2023, related to probable obligations that are reasonably estimable, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 410-30, “Environmental Obligations.” Our current estimate includes ongoing and future environmental cleanup activities and remediation efforts, governmental oversight costs (including those incurred by the U.S. EPA and the Ohio EPA), and other related costs, including those in connection with the DOJ Complaint (including potential civil penalties related to violations of the Clean Water Act). Our current estimates of future environmental cleanup and remediation liabilities related to the Incident may change over time due to various factors, including but not limited to, when activities at the site transition from extensive soil and water disposal and air monitoring activities to additional assessment and investigative efforts, the nature and extent of required future cleanup activities (including those resulting from additional assessment and investigative activities that will be conducted at the site), and the extent and duration of governmental oversight, amongst other factors. As clean-up efforts progress and more information is available, we will review these estimates and revise as appropriate.

Legal Proceedings and Claims (Non-Environmental) – To date, numerous non-environmental legal actions have commenced with respect to the Incident, including those more specifically set forth below.

•There is a consolidated putative class action pending in the Northern District of Ohio (Eastern Division) in which plaintiffs allege various claims, including negligence, gross negligence, strict liability, and nuisance, and seeking as relief compensatory and punitive damages, medical monitoring and business losses. The putative class is defined by reference to a class area covering a 30-mile radius. On July 12, 2023, we filed a third-party complaint bringing in numerous parties involved in the Incident. The court in the putative class action has established a fact discovery deadline in January 2024. Additional lawsuits are also pending in the same court and others, such as lawsuits pending in the Western District of Pennsylvania brought by three local school districts and including claims such as negligence, nuisance, trespass, and future health monitoring. On August 22, 2023, the three school districts voluntarily dismissed their actions. On the same day, those three Pennsylvania school districts along with four others filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of school students alleging negligence, nuisance, and trespass, and seeking damages and health monitoring. The putative class action and individual lawsuits are collectively referred to herein as the Incident Lawsuits. In accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies,” we have recognized a $105 million loss during the first nine months of 2023 with respect to the Incident

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Lawsuits. We have made $30 million in payments during the first nine months of 2023 with respect to these matters.

•We have received securities litigation and demands and multiple shareholder document and litigation demand letters, including a securities class action lawsuit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 initially filed in the Southern District of Ohio alleging multiple securities law violations but since transferred to the Northern District of Georgia, and a securities class action lawsuit under the Securities Act of 1933 filed in the Southern District of New York alleging misstatements in association with our debt offerings, (collectively, the Shareholder Matters). No responsive pleadings have been filed yet with respect to the Shareholder Matters.

If and when we conclude that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, it will be accrued through a charge to earnings and, if material, disclosed. Any adjustments to the recorded liability will be reflected in earnings in the periods in which such adjustments become known. Because the final outcome of any of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, developments related to the progress of such legal proceedings or other unfavorable or unexpected developments or outcomes could result in additional costs or new or additionally accrued amounts that could be material to our results of operations in a particular year or quarter. For legal proceedings where a loss may be reasonably possible, but not probable, or is probable but not reasonably estimable, no accrual is established but the matter, if potentially material, is disclosed.

In addition to the costs associated with environmental matters and legal proceedings and claims, we incurred other expenses directly related to the Incident of $187 million during the first nine months of 2023 ($70 million of which was recognized in the third quarter) pertaining to legal fees, community support, and other response-related activities. The reserves established by us during the first nine months of 2023 do not include any estimate of loss for the following additional items, for which we believe a loss is either not probable or not reasonably estimable for the reasons noted: (i) the overall cost to us for the healthcare fund being developed in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, including the Ohio AG, for affected residents (given the preliminary nature of such discussions), which amount will impact our loss contingency analysis with respect to the Incident Lawsuits described above, or (ii) any fines or penalties (in excess of the reserves established for Clean Water Act-related civil penalties) that may be imposed as a result of the Incident Inquiries and Investigations, as more specifically set forth and defined below (the outcome of which are uncertain at this time). Additionally, with the exception of amounts recognized during the first nine months of 2023, potential recoveries under our insurance coverage, which may apply to various Incident-related expenses or liabilities as more specifically set forth further below, have not yet been recorded (given the preliminary nature of discussions with our insurers). No amounts have been recorded related to potential recoveries from other third parties, which may reduce amounts payable by our insurers under our applicable insurance coverage.

Inquiries and Investigations

As set forth above, we are subject to inquiries and investigations by numerous federal, state, and local government authorities and regulatory agencies regarding the Incident, including but not limited to, the DOJ and the U.S. EPA, the Ohio EPA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Ohio AG, and the Pennsylvania AG. Further details regarding the NTSB and FRA investigations are set forth below. We are cooperating with all inquiries and investigations, including responding to civil and criminal subpoenas and other requests for information (the aforementioned inquiries and investigations, as well as the civil and criminal subpoenas are collectively referred to herein as the Incident Inquiries and Investigations). Aside from the FRA Safety Assessment (defined and described below), the outcome of any current or future Incident Inquiries and Investigations is uncertain at this time, including any related fines, penalties or settlements. Therefore, our expenses for the first nine months of 2023 do not include estimates of the total amount that we may incur for any such fines, penalties or settlements.

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Subsequent to the Incident, investigators from the NTSB examined railroad equipment and track conditions; reviewed data from the signal system, wayside defect detectors, local surveillance cameras, and the lead locomotive’s event recorder and forward-facing and inward-facing image recorders; and completed certain interviews (the NTSB Investigation). The NTSB issued a preliminary report indicating that one of the cars involved in the derailment appeared to have a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment. Their preliminary report also indicates that the rail crew was operating the train within our rules; the rail crew operated the train below the track speed limit, the wayside heat detectors were operating as designed; and once the rail crew was alerted by the wayside detector, they immediately began to stop the train. The NTSB conducted a subsequent investigative field hearing in East Palestine, Ohio on June 22 and 23, 2023. The NTSB’s investigation remains ongoing. We expect the NTSB to issue a final report, with a probable cause determination and safety recommendations, in 2024.

Concurrent with the NTSB Investigation, the FRA is also investigating the Incident. Similar in scope to the NTSB Investigation, the FRA is examining railroad equipment, track conditions, hazardous materials train placement and routing, and emergency response (the FRA Incident Investigation). The FRA Incident Investigation may result in the assessment of civil penalties. In addition to the FRA Incident Investigation, the FRA recently completed a 60-day supplemental safety assessment (the FRA Safety Assessment). The FRA Safety Assessment included a review of findings from a previously completed 2022 system audit and an assessment of operational elements including, but not limited to: track, signal, and rolling stock maintenance, inspection and repair practices; protection of employees; communications between transportation departments and mechanical and engineering staff; operation control center procedures and dispatcher training. The overall scope of the FRA Safety Assessment was to examine our safety culture. The FRA issued a public report in early August and included its findings and recommended corrective actions. The FRA Incident Investigation remains ongoing.

Other Commitments and Contingencies

Lawsuits

We and/or certain subsidiaries are defendants in numerous lawsuits and other claims relating principally to railroad operations.  When we conclude that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, it is accrued through a charge to earnings and, if material, disclosed below. While the ultimate amount of liability incurred in any of these lawsuits and claims is dependent on future developments, in our opinion, the recorded liability is adequate to cover the future payment of such liability and claims. However, the final outcome of any of these lawsuits and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable or unexpected outcomes could result in additional accruals that could be significant to results of operations in a particular year or quarter. Any adjustments to the recorded liability will be reflected in earnings in the periods in which such adjustments become known. For lawsuits and other claims where a loss may be reasonably possible, but not probable, or is probable but not reasonably estimable, no accrual is established but the matter, if potentially material, is disclosed below. We routinely review relevant information with respect to our lawsuits and other claims and update our accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible loss based on such reviews.

In 2007, various antitrust class actions filed against us and other Class I railroads in various Federal district courts regarding fuel surcharges were consolidated in the District of Columbia by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In 2012, the court certified the case as a class action. The defendant railroads appealed this certification, and the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the District Court’s decision and remanded the case for further consideration. On October 10, 2017, the District Court denied class certification. The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeals on August 16, 2019. Since that decision, various individual cases have been filed in multiple jurisdictions and also consolidated in the District of Columbia. We intend to vigorously defend the cases. We do not believe the outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against one of our subsidiaries by the minority owner in a jointly-owned terminal railroad company in which our subsidiary has the majority ownership. The lawsuit alleged violations of various

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state laws and federal antitrust laws. On January 3, 2023, the court granted summary judgment to us on all of the compensatory claims but denied summary judgment for all equitable relief claims. On January 18, 2023, the court dismissed the federal equitable relief claims, leaving the state equitable relief claims as the sole remaining issue under consideration. On April 19, 2023, the court disposed of all remaining state equitable relief claims. The court’s dismissals were appealed and the case is currently before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. We will continue to vigorously defend the lawsuit and, although it is reasonably possible we could incur a loss in the case, we believe that we will prevail. However, given that litigation is inherently unpredictable and subject to uncertainties, there can be no assurances that the final outcome of the litigation (including the related appeal) will not be material. Until such appeal is final, we cannot reasonably estimate the potential loss or range of loss associated with this matter.

Casualty Claims

Casualty claims include employee personal injury and occupational claims as well as third-party claims, all exclusive of legal costs.  To aid in valuing our personal injury liability and determining the amount to accrue with respect to such claims during the year, we utilize studies prepared by an independent consulting actuarial firm.  Job-related personal injury and occupational claims are subject to the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA), which is applicable only to railroads. The variability inherent in FELA’s fault-based tort system could result in actual costs being different from the liability recorded.  While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in our opinion, the recorded liability is adequate to cover the future payments of claims and is supported by the most recent actuarial study.  In all cases, we record a liability when the expected loss for the claim is both probable and reasonably estimable.

Employee personal injury claims – Other than Incident-related matters noted above, the largest component of claims expense is employee personal injury costs.  The independent actuarial firm we engage provides quarterly studies to aid in valuing our employee personal injury liability and estimating personal injury expense.  The actuarial firm studies our historical patterns of reserving for claims and subsequent settlements, taking into account relevant outside influences.  The actuarial firm uses the results of these analyses to estimate the ultimate amount of liability. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study. The accuracy of our estimate of the liability is subject to inherent limitation given the difficulty of predicting future events such as jury decisions, court interpretations, or legislative changes. As a result, actual claim settlements may vary from the estimated liability recorded.

Occupational claims – Occupational claims include injuries and illnesses alleged to be caused by exposures which occur over time as opposed to injuries or illnesses caused by a specific accident or event. Types of occupational claims commonly seen allege exposure to asbestos and other claimed toxic substances resulting in respiratory diseases or cancer. Many such claims are being asserted by former or retired employees, some of whom have not been employed in the rail industry for decades.  The independent actuarial firm provides an estimate of the occupational claims’ liability based upon our history of claim filings, severity, payments, and other pertinent facts.  The liability is dependent upon judgments we make as to the specific case reserves as well as judgments of the actuarial firm in the quarterly studies.  Our estimate of ultimate loss includes a provision for those claims that have been incurred but not reported.  This provision is derived by analyzing industry data and projecting our experience. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study.  However, it is possible that the recorded liability may not be adequate to cover the future payment of claims.  Adjustments to the recorded liability are reflected in operating expenses in the periods in which such adjustments become known.

Third-party claims – We record a liability for third-party claims including those for highway crossing accidents, trespasser and other injuries, property damage, and lading damage.  The actuarial firm assists us with the calculation of potential liability for third-party claims, except lading damage, based upon our experience including the number and timing of incidents, amount of payments, settlement rates, number of open claims, and legal defenses. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study.  Given the inherent uncertainty in regard to the ultimate outcome of third-party claims, it is possible that the actual loss may differ from the estimated liability recorded.

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Environmental Matters

We are subject to various jurisdictions’ environmental laws and regulations.  We record a liability where such liability or loss is probable and reasonably estimable. Environmental specialists regularly participate in ongoing evaluations of all known sites and in determining any necessary adjustments to liability estimates.  

In addition to environmental claims associated with the Incident, our Consolidated Balance Sheets include liabilities for other environmental exposures of $59 million at September 30, 2023 and $66 million at December 31, 2022, of which $15 million is classified as a current liability at the end of both periods. At September 30, 2023, the liability represents our estimates of the probable cleanup, investigation, and remediation costs based on available information at 81 known locations and projects compared with 85 locations and projects at December 31, 2022. At September 30, 2023, twenty sites accounted for $47 million of the liability, and no individual site was considered to be material. We anticipate that most of this liability will be paid out over five years; however, some costs will be paid out over a longer period.

At eight locations, one or more of our subsidiaries in conjunction with a number of other parties have been identified as potentially responsible parties under CERCLA or comparable state statutes that impose joint and several liability for cleanup costs.  We calculate our estimated liability for these sites based on facts and legal defenses applicable to each site and not solely on the basis of the potential for joint liability.

As set forth above, with respect to known environmental sites (whether identified by us or by the U.S. EPA or comparable state authorities), estimates of our ultimate potential financial exposure for a given site or in the aggregate for all such sites can change over time because of the widely varying costs of currently available cleanup techniques, unpredictable contaminant recovery and reduction rates associated with available cleanup technologies, the likely development of new cleanup technologies, the difficulty of determining in advance the nature and full extent of contamination and each potential participant’s share of any estimated loss (and that participant’s ability to bear it), and evolving statutory and regulatory standards governing liability.

The risk of incurring environmental liability for acts and omissions, past, present, and future, is inherent in the railroad business.  Some of the commodities we transport, particularly those classified as hazardous materials, pose special risks that we work diligently to reduce.  In addition, several of our subsidiaries own, or have owned, land used as operating property, or which is leased and operated by others, or held for sale.  Because environmental problems that are latent or undisclosed may exist on these properties, there can be no assurance that we will not incur environmental liabilities or costs with respect to one or more of them, the amount and materiality of which cannot be estimated reliably at this time.  Moreover, lawsuits and claims involving these and potentially other unidentified environmental sites and matters are likely to arise from time to time.  The resulting liabilities could have a significant effect on financial position, results of operations, or liquidity in a particular year or quarter.

Based on our assessment of the facts and circumstances now known, we believe we have recorded the probable and reasonably estimable costs for dealing with those environmental matters of which we are aware.  Further, we believe that it is unlikely that any known matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Labor Agreements

Approximately 80% of our railroad employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions. Pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, these agreements remain in effect until new agreements are reached, or until the bargaining procedures mandated by the Railway Labor Act are completed. Moratorium provisions in the labor agreements govern when the railroads and unions may propose changes to the agreements. We largely bargain nationally in concert with other major railroads, represented by the National Carriers’ Conference Committee.

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The latest round of national bargaining concluded in December 2022, when agreements were either ratified or enacted through legislative action for all twelve of our unions. With the conclusion of national bargaining, neither party can compel mandatory bargaining around any new proposals until November 1, 2024.

In addition, we understand the imperative to continue improving quality of life for our craft employees and remain actively engaged with our unions in voluntary local discussions (none of which carry the risk of a work stoppage) on this important issue.

Insurance

We purchase insurance covering legal liabilities for bodily injury and property damage to third parties. This insurance provides coverage above $75 million and below $800 million (or up to $1.1 billion for specified types of pollution releases) per occurrence and/or policy year. In addition, we purchase insurance covering damage to property owned by us or in our care, custody, or control. This insurance covers approximately 82% of potential losses above $75 million and below $275 million per occurrence and/or policy year.

Our ability to recoup any of the foregoing amounts under our insurance coverage, including any amounts that may be recoverable with respect to the Incident, is subject to certain conditions, including but not limited to our insurers’ reservation of rights to further investigate and contest coverage, the express restrictions and sub-limits of coverage, and various policy exclusions, including those for some governmental fines or penalties, as well as potential coverage disputes over payments we make as part of our effort to mitigate the impact to the community and affected residents. We are working with our insurers to confirm applicable coverage with respect to the Incident, and we have recognized $25 million in insurance recoveries in the first nine months of 2023.

Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement

In November 2022, we entered into an asset purchase and sale agreement with the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati Southern Railway to purchase approximately 337 miles of railway line that extends from Cincinnati, Ohio to Chattanooga, Tennessee which we currently operate under a lease agreement. The agreement is conditioned upon the following, among other items: (i) approval by the voters of the City of Cincinnati (Cincinnati Voter Approval), and (ii) the receipt of regulatory approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB). On June 28, 2023, we entered into an amended and restated asset purchase and sale agreement which increased the purchase price by $500,000 and clarified the impact of Cincinnati Voter Approval on the closing timeline. Following the June 2023 amendment, the total purchase price for the line and other associated real and personal property included in the transaction is expected to be between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion. On September 20, 2023, the STB authorized the acquisition of the Cincinnati Southern Railway by Norfolk Southern Railway Company. If Cincinnati Voter Approval is obtained in November 2023, the transaction will close on the later of the date that is five days after all conditions have been satisfied or March 15, 2024.

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes.

OVERVIEW

We are one of the nation’s premier transportation companies, moving goods and materials that help drive the U.S. economy. We connect customers to markets and communities to economic opportunity with safe, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions. Our Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates in 22 states and the District of Columbia. We are a major transporter of industrial products, including agriculture, forest and consumer products, chemicals, and metals and construction materials. In addition, in the East we serve every major container port and operate the most extensive intermodal network. We are also a principal carrier of coal, automobiles, and automotive parts.

Income from railway operations, net income and diluted earnings per share declined in the third quarter compared to 2022 driven by a combination of lower revenues and additional expenses associated with our continued response efforts to the Incident. Additionally, the decline in net income and diluted earnings per share reflects the absence of a $136 million deferred tax benefit resulting from the enactment of a change in a state corporate income tax rate in 2022.

During the third quarter, we recognized $163 million in additional expenses related to the Incident including ongoing environmental cleanup and remediation efforts, legal proceedings, and other Incident-related costs. We continue to work with federal, state, and local officials to mitigate impacts from the Incident and to provide support to affected members of the community. Please see Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of the Incident.

Railway operating revenues declined in the third quarter, a result of lower average revenue per unit and volume declines. Decreases in fuel surcharge revenue and intermodal storage revenues drove the overall decline in average revenue per unit, while volume declines were driven by continued service challenges and a weaker demand environment. Outside of the costs recognized from the Incident, our operating expenses declined as lower fuel expense and the impact of the absence of retroactive wage increases recorded in the third quarter of 2022 were mostly offset by broader expense increases driven by inflationary pressures, investments in operational resiliency, higher service-related costs, and increased headcount. As we continue to make progress in response to the Incident and support the impacted community, we remain committed to our strategy — a balanced approach of delivering safe, reliable and resilient service, smart and sustainable growth, and continuous productivity improvement.

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SUMMARIZED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2023		2022		% change	2023		2022		% change
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Income from railway operations	$	756	$	1,272	(41%)	$	2,043	$	3,628	(44%)
Net income	$	478	$	958	(50%)	$	1,300	$	2,480	(48%)
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.10	$	4.10	(49%)	$	5.70	$	10.45	(45%)
Railway operating ratio (percent)	74.6		62.0		20%	77.5		61.8		25%

Results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 included $163 million and $966 million, respectively, of expenses included in income from railway operations arising from the Incident, which reduced net income by $123 million and $733 million, respectively, and diluted earnings per share by $0.55 and $3.22, respectively. For more information see Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Third quarter and the first nine months income from railway operations, net income, and diluted earnings per share were further impacted by the factors set forth further below.

The following tables adjust our 2023 GAAP financial results for the third quarter and the first nine months to exclude the effects of the Incident. The income tax effects of this non-GAAP adjustment were calculated based on the applicable tax rates to which the non-GAAP adjustment related. We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally and believe this information provides useful supplemental information to investors to facilitate making period-to-period comparisons by excluding the 2023 costs arising from the Incident. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similar measures presented by other companies.

	Non-GAAP Reconciliation for the Third Quarter
	Reported 2023 (GAAP)		Eastern Ohio Incident		Adjusted 2023 (non-GAAP)
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Income from railway operations	$	756	$	163	$	919
Net income	$	478	$	123	$	601
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.10	$	0.55	$	2.65
Railway operating ratio (percent)	74.6		(5.5)		69.1

In the table below, references to the results for the third quarter of 2023 and related comparisons use the adjusted, non-GAAP results from the reconciliation in the table above.

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	Third Quarter
	Adjusted 2023 (non-GAAP)		2022		Adjusted 2023 (non-GAAP) vs. 2022
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)				% change
Income from railway operations	$	919	$	1,272	(28%)
Net income	$	601	$	958	(37%)
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.65	$	4.10	(35%)
Railway operating ratio (percent)	69.1		62.0		11%

	Non-GAAP Reconciliation for First Nine Months
	Reported 2023 (GAAP)		Eastern Ohio Incident		Adjusted 2023 (non-GAAP)
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Income from railway operations	$	2,043	$	966	$	3,009
Net income	$	1,300	$	733	$	2,033
Diluted earnings per share	$	5.70	$	3.22	$	8.92
Railway operating ratio (percent)	77.5		(10.6)		66.9

In the table below, references to the results for the first nine months of 2023 and related comparisons use the adjusted, non-GAAP results from the reconciliation in the table above.

	First Nine Months
	Adjusted 2023 (non-GAAP)		2022		Adjusted 2023 (non-GAAP) vs. 2022
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)				% change
Income from railway operations	$	3,009	$	3,628	(17%)
Net income	$	2,033	$	2,480	(18%)
Diluted earnings per share	$	8.92	$	10.45	(15%)
Railway operating ratio (percent)	66.9		61.8		8%

On a non-GAAP basis excluding the impact of the Incident, income from railway operations decreased in both periods due to lower railway operating revenues. Railway operating revenues declined in both periods due to decreased fuel surcharge revenue, lower volume, and decreased intermodal storage revenues, partially offset by increased pricing compared to the same period last year. Railway operating expenses in both periods reflected lower fuel prices and the absence of retroactive wage increases recorded in the third quarter of 2022, the impacts of which were countered by inflationary pressures, investments in operational resiliency, higher service-related costs, and increased headcounts.

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DETAILED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Railway Operating Revenues

The following tables present a comparison of revenues ($ in millions), units (in thousands), and average revenue per unit ($ per unit) by commodity group.

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
Revenues	2023		2022		% change	2023		2022		% change
Merchandise:
Agriculture, forest and consumer products	$	611	$	642	(5%)	$	1,891	$	1,839	3%
Chemicals	498		570		(13%)	1,542		1,620		(5%)
Metals and construction	417		442		(6%)	1,232		1,237		—%
Automotive	274		276		(1%)	839		759		11%
Merchandise	1,800		1,930		(7%)	5,504		5,455		1%
Intermodal	737		942		(22%)	2,296		2,768		(17%)
Coal	434		471		(8%)	1,283		1,285		—%
Total	$	2,971	$	3,343	(11%)	$	9,083	$	9,508	(4%)

Units
Merchandise:
Agriculture, forest and consumer products	175.6	178.0	(1%)	551.0	539.2	2%
Chemicals	124.0	137.9	(10%)	386.8	407.3	(5%)
Metals and construction	164.3	168.3	(2%)	479.4	480.2	—%
Automotive	91.2	85.4	7%	269.9	252.3	7%
Merchandise	555.1	569.6	(3%)	1,687.1	1,679.0	—%
Intermodal	965.4	972.7	(1%)	2,807.6	2,945.7	(5%)
Coal	166.7	183.0	(9%)	506.0	514.7	(2%)
Total	1,687.2	1,725.3	(2%)	5,000.7	5,139.4	(3%)

Revenue per Unit
Merchandise:
Agriculture, forest and consumer products	$	3,479	$	3,606	(4%)	$	3,432	$	3,411	1%
Chemicals	4,013		4,135		(3%)	3,986		3,978		—%
Metals and construction	2,535		2,625		(3%)	2,569		2,575		—%
Automotive	3,003		3,231		(7%)	3,109		3,008		3%
Merchandise	3,241		3,388		(4%)	3,262		3,249		—%
Intermodal	764		968		(21%)	818		940		(13%)
Coal	2,602		2,575		1%	2,535		2,498		1%
Total	1,760		1,938		(9%)	1,816		1,850		(2%)

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Railway operating revenues decreased $372 million in the third quarter and $425 million for the first nine months compared with the same periods last year. The table below reflects the components of the revenue change by major commodity group ($ in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	Merchandise		Intermodal		Coal		Merchandise		Intermodal		Coal
	Increase (Decrease)
Volume	$	(49)	$	(7)	$	(42)	$	26	$	(130)	$	(22)
Fuel surcharge revenue	(131)		(94)		(29)		(82)		(161)		(14)
Rate, mix and other	50		(104)		34		105		(181)		34
Total	$	(130)	$	(205)	$	(37)	$	49	$	(472)	$	(2)

Approximately 95% of our revenue base is covered by contracts that include negotiated fuel surcharges. Revenues associated with these surcharges totaled $247 million and $501 million in the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $909 million and $1.2 billion for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in fuel surcharge revenues is driven by lower fuel commodity prices.

For the remainder of 2023, we expect that revenue will decline compared to 2022 driven by declining intermodal storage revenues and lower fuel surcharge revenues.

Merchandise

Merchandise revenues decreased during the third quarter but increased during the first nine months. The decrease during the third quarter was due to lower average revenue per unit, driven by decreased fuel surcharge revenue partially offset by increased pricing, and lower volume. The increase during the first nine months was primarily due to higher average revenue per unit, driven by increased pricing though partially offset by lower fuel surcharge revenue, and higher volume.

Agriculture, forest and consumer products volume decreased during the third quarter but increased during the first nine months. During the third quarter declines in corn, wood chips, soybeans, lumber and wood, graphic paper and sweeteners more than offset increases in ethanol and fertilizers. Volume declines in corn were due to reduced production in the Midwest, while the decline in wood chips was due to a customer mill closing. Reduced export opportunities led to lower soybean shipments and lumber and wood volume was low due to decreased demand. Graphic paper and sweeteners volume declined as a result of lower market demand. The increase during the first nine months was due to higher volume of ethanol, corn and fertilizers, partially offset by decreased volume of wood chips, graphic paper, sweeteners and soybeans. Increased market demand for both the third quarter and the first nine months led to volume gains in ethanol and fertilizers, as well as increased corn demand for the first nine months.

Chemicals volume declined in both periods as reduced shipments of crude oil, organic chemicals, natural gas liquids, and plastics, more than the offset increases in solid waste. In addition, sand volume decreased in the third quarter but increased for the first nine months due to higher demand in the first six months offset by producers shutting down operations during the third quarter. Volume declines for crude oil were driven by soft demand in the energy markets. Organic chemicals and natural gas liquids volume declined as a result of lower demand, while the decline in plastics was driven by high inventory levels which lowered the demand for shipments. Volume gains in solid waste was due to growth with existing customers.

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Metals and construction volume declined in both periods as reduced shipments of kaolin, construction materials and military equipment more than offset the volume gains in scrap metal and coil steel. The volume declines in kaolin and military equipment were largely driven by lower demand, while the declines in construction materials were due to lower demand, extended cycle times and service challenges. Scrap metal volume increased due to higher demand, while volume gains in coil steel was due to increased equipment available to handle demand.

Automotive volume was higher in both periods due to higher finished vehicle inventory levels available for rail transportation.

Intermodal

Intermodal revenues decreased in both periods, the result of lower average revenue per unit, driven by lower fuel surcharge revenue and storage service charges, and decreased volume.

Intermodal units (in thousands) by market were as follows:

	Third Quarter			First Nine Months
	2023	2022	% change	2023	2022	% change
Domestic	583.1	630.6	(8%)	1,747.8	1,954.4	(11	%)
International	382.3	342.1	12%	1,059.8	991.3	7	%
Total	965.4	972.7	(1%)	2,807.6	2,945.7	(5	%)

Domestic volume declined in both periods due to a decrease in freight demand as a result of reduced consumer consumption combined with high inventories. International volume increased in both periods, driven by ocean carriers favoring inland point intermodal traffic, partially offset by a decrease in imports.

Coal

Coal revenues decreased in both periods due to a decline in volume. Average revenue per unit increased in both periods, driven by a favorable traffic mix, partially offset by lower fuel surcharge revenue.

Coal tonnage (in thousands) by market was as follows:

	Third Quarter			First Nine Months
	2023	2022	% change	2023	2022	% change
Utility	7,342	9,908	(26%)	22,404	27,136	(17%)
Export	7,563	6,391	18%	23,466	19,319	21%
Domestic metallurgical	2,906	3,232	(10%)	8,296	8,444	(2%)
Industrial	913	963	(5%)	2,484	2,849	(13%)
Total	18,724	20,494	(9%)	56,650	57,748	(2%)

Coal tonnage declined in both periods due to decreases in utility, domestic metallurgical and industrial tonnage partially offset by increased export tonnage. Utility tonnage decreased in both periods as a result of low natural gas prices and high stockpiles, while the first nine months were impacted by mild winter weather in the first quarter. Domestic metallurgical tonnage decreased due to events at key origins impacting supply to specific receivers, in

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addition to customer outages at high volume destinations impacting the ability to dump coal. Industrial coal tonnage decreased due to reduced coal shipments related to sourcing changes. Export tonnage was higher due to increased demand and coal supply.

Railway Operating Expenses

Railway operating expenses summarized by major classifications follow ($ in millions):

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2023		2022		% change	2023		2022		% change
Compensation and benefits	$	715	$	735	(3%)	$	2,098	$	1,968	7%
Purchased services and rents	517		484		7%	1,519		1,402		8%
Fuel	289		383		(25%)	867		1,092		(21%)
Depreciation	326		306		7%	968		912		6%
Materials and other	205		163		26%	622		506		23%
Eastern Ohio incident	163		—			966		—
Total	$	2,215	$	2,071	7%	$	7,040	$	5,880	20%

Compensation and benefits expense decreased in the third quarter but increased in the first nine months as follows:

•pay rates (down $54 million for the quarter and up $49 million for the first nine months),

•incentive compensation (down $4 million for the quarter and $26 million for the first nine months),

•overtime (up $4 million for the quarter and $6 million of the first nine months),

•employee activity levels (up $35 million for the quarter and $101 million for the first nine months), and

•other (down $1 million for the quarter).

Pay rates in 2022 were impacted by additional accruals for retroactive wage increases and other benefits resulting from labor negotiations, which increased compensation and benefits by $85 million in third quarter 2022.

Average rail headcount for the quarter was up by 1,500 compared with the third quarter of 2022 primarily due to the hiring of additional train and engine employees.

Purchased services and rents increased in both periods as follows ($ in millions):

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2023		2022		% change	2023		2022		% change
Purchased services	$	426	$	397	7%	$	1,232	$	1,133	9%
Equipment rents	91		87		5%	287		269		7%
Total	$	517	$	484	7%	$	1,519	$	1,402	8%

Purchased services rose in both periods due to increased operational and transportation expenses and higher technology-related expenses. In addition, the first nine months were impacted by higher intermodal-related expenses. Equipment rents increased in both periods due to higher freight car lease costs and increased intermodal equipment expenses.

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Fuel expense, which includes the cost of locomotive fuel as well as other fuel used in railway operations, decreased in both periods primarily due to lower locomotive fuel prices (down 23% in the third quarter and 20% in the first nine months). Locomotive fuel consumption was down 1% in the third quarter and flat for the first nine months.

Depreciation expense increased in both periods due to our higher asset base and the impact of the results of our periodic roadway study.

Materials and other expenses increased in both periods as follows ($ in millions):  

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2023		2022		% change	2023		2022		% change
Materials	$	94	$	83	13%	$	273	$	215	27%
Claims	57		58		(2%)	171		171		—%
Other	54		22		145%	178		120		48%
Total	$	205	$	163	26%	$	622	$	506	23%

Materials expense increased in both periods due to increased locomotive materials costs. The first nine months were also impacted by higher freight car and engineering materials costs. Claims expense decreased in the third quarter, but was flat for the first nine months of 2023. Higher personal injury claims and other expenses were offset by a claims-related recovery. Other expense increased in both periods due to the absence of a prior year favorable legal settlement, lower gains from operating property sales, and higher travel-related expenses. In addition, increases in other expense categories were offset by higher rental income. Gains from operating property sales, included in Other, totaled $8 million and $17 million for the third quarter in 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $30 million and $51 million in the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Eastern Ohio incident

During the third quarter and the first nine months of 2023, we recorded $163 million and $966 million, respectively, for costs primarily associated with environmental matters and legal proceedings. Amounts recorded in the third quarter and first nine months include the benefit of $25 million of expected recoveries under our insurance policies. For further details regarding the Incident, see Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other income (expense) – net

Other income increased $42 million in the third quarter and $174 million for the first nine months, as both periods reflect higher returns on corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) and higher interest income.

Income taxes

The effective tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 were both 22.1%, compared with 12.4% and 19.8%, respectively, for the same periods last year. Both periods in 2023 reflect higher returns on COLI, while the year-to-date rate also includes the benefit of certain business tax credits recognized in the first quarter. The effective rates for both periods in 2022 include a $136 million benefit resulting from a state law change (see Note 3 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

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FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

Cash provided by operating activities, our principal source of liquidity, was $2.5 billion for the first nine months of 2023, compared with $3.4 billion for the same period of 2022. The decrease reflects lower operating results, offset in part by changes in working capital. We had working capital of $228 million at September 30, 2023 and negative working capital of $642 million at December 31, 2022. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.5 billion at September 30, 2023.

Cash used in investing activities was $1.4 billion for the first nine months of 2023, compared with $1.1 billion for the same period last year. The increase was primarily driven by higher property additions and lower proceeds from property sales. For 2023, we expect property additions will be approximately $2.2 billion.

Cash used in financing activities was $62 million for the first nine months of 2023, compared with $2.0 billion for the same period last year. The decrease reflects lower repurchases of Common Stock and increased proceeds from borrowings, partially offset by higher debt repayments. We paid $503 million for the repurchase of Common Stock in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $2.3 billion in the same period last year. The timing and volume of future share repurchases will be guided by our assessment of market conditions and other pertinent factors. Repurchases may be executed in the open market, through derivatives, accelerated repurchase and other negotiated transactions and through plans designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1(c) and Rule 10b-18 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Any near-term purchases under the program are expected to be made with internally-generated cash, cash on hand, or proceeds from borrowings.

In August 2023, we issued $600 million of 5.05% senior notes due 2030 and $1.0 billion of 5.35% senior notes due 2054.

In May 2023, we renewed our accounts receivable securitization program with a maximum borrowing capacity of $400 million. Amounts under our accounts receivable securitization program are borrowed and repaid from time to time in the ordinary course for general corporate and cash management purposes. The term of our accounts receivable securitization program expires in May 2024. We had no amounts outstanding under this program at September 30, 2023 and $100 million outstanding at December 31, 2022. Our available borrowing capacity was $400 million and $300 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

In February 2023, we issued $500 million of 4.45% senior notes due 2033.

Our debt-to-total capitalization ratio was 56.8% at September 30, 2023 and 54.4% at December 31, 2022. We have in place and available an $800 million credit agreement expiring in March 2025, which provides for borrowings at prevailing rates and includes covenants. We had no amounts outstanding under this facility at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

In addition, we have investments in general purpose COLI policies and had the ability to borrow against these policies up to $635 million and $610 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

We expect cash on hand combined with cash provided by operating activities will be sufficient to meet our ongoing obligations. In addition, we believe our currently-available borrowing capacity, access to additional financing, and ability to decrease shareholder distributions, including share repurchases, provide additional flexibility to meet our ongoing obligations. There have been no material changes to the information on future contractual obligations, including those that may have material cash requirements, contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, with the exception of additional senior notes (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

In June 2023, we amended and restated our asset purchase and sale agreement with the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati Southern Railway to purchase approximately 337 miles of railway line that extends from Cincinnati, Ohio to Chattanooga, Tennessee which we currently operate under a lease agreement. Following this amendment,

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the total purchase price for the line and other associated real and personal property included in the transaction is expected to be between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion. The agreement is conditioned upon the following, among other items: (i) Cincinnati Voter Approval, and (ii) the receipt of regulatory approval from the STB. In September 2023, the STB authorized the acquisition of the Cincinnati Southern Railway by Norfolk Southern Railway Company. If Cincinnati Voter Approval is obtained in November 2023, the transaction will close on the later of the date that is five days after all remaining conditions have been satisfied or March 15, 2024.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions may require judgment about matters that are inherently uncertain, and future events are likely to occur that may require us to make changes to these estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, we regularly review these estimates and assumptions based on historical experience, changes in the business environment, and other factors we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.  In addition to the critical accounting estimates below, the remainder of our critical accounting estimates are contained in our December 31, 2022 Form 10-K.

Contingencies

We are currently involved in certain environmental response and remediation activities and subject to numerous legal proceedings and regulatory inquiries and investigations resulting from the Incident. As required, we have accrued estimates of the probable and reasonably estimable costs for the resolution of these matters. Our environmental estimates are based upon types of remediation efforts currently anticipated, the volume of contaminants in the impacted areas, and governmental oversight and other costs, amongst other factors. Estimates associated with the legal proceedings to which we are subject are based on information that is currently available, including but not limited to an assessment of the proceedings and the potential and likely results of such proceedings.

Our current estimates of future environmental cleanup and remediation liabilities related to the Incident are expected to change over time due to various factors, including but not limited to, when activities at the site transition from extensive soil and water disposal and air monitoring activities to additional assessment and investigative efforts, the nature and extent of required future cleanup activities (including those resulting from additional assessment and investigative activities that will be conducted at the site), and the extent and duration of governmental oversight, amongst other factors. Additionally, the final outcome of any of the legal proceedings and regulatory inquiries and investigations cannot be predicted with certainty, and developments related to the progress of such legal proceedings, inquiries, or investigations or other unfavorable or unexpected outcomes could result in additional costs or new or additionally accrued amounts that could be material to our results of operations in any particular year. Furthermore, certain of these costs may be recoverable under our insurance policies in effect at the date of the Incident or from third parties. Any amounts that are recoverable under our insurance policies or from third parties will be reflected in future periods in which recovery is considered probable.

See Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more detailed information as it pertains to these contingencies.

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OTHER MATTERS

Labor Agreements

Approximately 80% of our railroad employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions. Pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, these agreements remain in effect until new agreements are reached, or until the bargaining procedures mandated by the Railway Labor Act are completed. Moratorium provisions in the labor agreements govern when the railroads and unions may propose changes to the agreements. We largely bargain nationally in concert with other major railroads, represented by the National Carriers’ Conference Committee.

The latest round of national bargaining concluded in December 2022, when agreements were either ratified or enacted through legislative action for all twelve of our unions. With the conclusion of national bargaining, neither party can compel mandatory bargaining around any new proposals until November 1, 2024.

In addition, we understand the imperative to continue improving quality of life for our craft employees and remain actively engaged with our unions in voluntary local discussions (none of which carry the risk of a work stoppage) on this important issue.

Inflation

In preparing financial statements, GAAP requires the use of historical cost that disregards the effects of inflation on the replacement cost of property.  As a capital-intensive company, we have most of our capital invested in long-lived assets.  The replacement cost of these assets, as well as the related depreciation expense, would be substantially greater than the amounts reported on the basis of historical cost.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.  These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or our achievements or those of our industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.  In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “consider,” “predict,” “potential,” “feel,” or other comparable terminology.  We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control.  These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in our latest Form 10-K, as supplemented in Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q, as well as our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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Additional Information

Investors and others should note that we routinely use the Investor Relations, Performance Metrics, and Sustainability sections of our website (https://norfolksouthern.investorroom.com/key-investor-information, https://norfolksouthern.investorroom.com/weekly-performance-reports & https://www.norfolksouthern.com/en/commitments/sustainability) to post presentations to investors and other important information, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Information about us, including information that may be deemed material, may also be announced by posts on our social media channels, including X (formerly known as Twitter) (www.twitter.com/nscorp) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/norfolk-southern). We may also use our website and social media channels for the purpose of complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. As a result, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in Norfolk Southern to review the information posted on our website and social media channels. The information posted on our website and social media channels is not incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The information required by this item is included in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Financial Condition and Liquidity.”

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of management, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) at September 30, 2023.  Based on such evaluation, our officers have concluded that, at September 30, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information required to be included in our periodic filings under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the third quarter of 2023, we have not identified any changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

For information on our legal proceedings, see Note 11 “Commitments and Contingencies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The risks set forth in “Risk Factors” included in our 2022 Form 10-K could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity in a particular year or quarter, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Those risks are updated to include the following risks.

INCIDENT RISKS

As defined and as further described in Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, there was an Incident that occurred in the first quarter that consisted of a February 3, 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio that included 11 non-Company-owned tank cars containing hazardous materials, fires associated with the derailment that threatened certain of the tank cars, and a controlled vent and burn procedure conducted on February 6, 2023 on five of the derailed tank cars, all of which contained vinyl chloride. As a result of the Incident, we have become subject to numerous legal, regulatory, legislative and other proceedings related thereto, including but not limited to, the NTSB Investigation, the FRA Incident Investigation, the FRA Safety Assessment, the DOJ Complaint, the Ohio Complaint, the Incident Lawsuits, the Shareholder Matters, and the Incident Inquiries and Investigations, in addition to other proceedings, actions, or potential changes in response to the Incident, including but not limited to those related to, among other items, train size, train length, train composition, or crew size (collectively, the “Incident Proceedings”). Set forth below are additional risks pertaining to an investment in the Company that are related to the Incident and the Incident Proceedings.

New or additional governmental regulation and/or operational changes resulting from or related to the Incident or the Incident Proceedings may negatively impact us, our customers, the rail industry, or the markets we serve. The legislative, regulatory, operational or other actions taken, protocols adopted (including by us), or changes resulting from the Incident or any of the Incident Proceedings may, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on us, our customers, the rail industry, or the markets we serve. Our inability to comply with the requirements of any new or additional laws, regulations or operating protocols resulting from or related to the Incident or the Incident Proceedings may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity, or operations.

The costs, liabilities, fines, penalties, and/or financial impact resulting from or related to the Incident or the Incident Proceedings have been significant to date, and may exceed expected or accrued amounts, and have and may continue to negatively affect our financial results. We have incurred and will continue to remain subject to incurring significant costs, liabilities, fines, and penalties related to the Incident and the Incident Proceedings, including amounts that may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

In addition, while we have accrued estimates of probable and reasonably estimable liabilities with respect to the Incident and the Incident Proceedings (several of which are in early stages), we cannot predict the final outcome or estimate the reasonably possible range of loss with certainty and such estimates may change over time due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to those set forth in Note 11 hereto or other unfavorable or unexpected developments or outcomes which could result in our current estimates being insufficient. These estimated amounts also do not include any estimate of loss for specific items for which we believe a loss is either not probable or not reasonably estimable for the reasons set forth in Note 11 hereto. As a result, our currently accrued amounts of

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estimated liabilities may be insufficient, and any additional, new or updated accruals may potentially have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period	(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased(1)	(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)		(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2)	(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that may yet be purchased under the Plans or Programs (2)
July 1-31, 2023	551,674	$	232.18	551,417	$	7,058,649,038
August 1-31, 2023	208,859	219.90		208,859	7,012,721,854
September 1-30, 2023	130,078	200.70		129,754	6,986,680,595
Total	890,611			890,030

1.Of this amount, 581 represent shares were tendered by employees in connection with the exercise of options under the stockholder-approved LTIP.

2.On March 29, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a new program for the repurchase of up to $10.0 billion of Common Stock beginning April 1, 2022. As of September 30, 2023, $7.0 billion remains authorized for repurchase.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None. 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Information

Director and Officer Trading Arrangements

None of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K) during the quarterly period covered by this report.

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Item 6.  Exhibits

3(ii)	Bylaws of Norfolk Southern Corporation, as amended July 25, 2023, are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 27, 2023.
4.1	Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 2, 2023, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as trustee is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2023.
31-A*	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CEO Certifications.
31-B*	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CFO Certifications.
32*	Section 1350 Certifications.
101*	The following financial information from Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2023, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) includes (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022; (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022; and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
104*	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
*  Filed herewith.

37

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

		NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION Registrant
Date:	October 25, 2023	/s/ Claiborne L. Moore
		Claiborne L. Moore Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) (Signature)
Date:	October 25, 2023	/s/ Denise W. Hutson
		Denise W. Hutson Corporate Secretary (Signature)

38

EX-31.A

Exhibit 31-A

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Alan H. Shaw, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Norfolk Southern Corporation;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: October 25, 2023

/s/ Alan H. Shaw

Alan H. Shaw

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.B

Exhibit 31-B

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Mark R. George, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Norfolk Southern Corporation;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: October 25, 2023

/s/ Mark R. George

Mark R. George

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATIONS OF CEO AND CFO REQUIRED BY RULE 13a-14(b) OR RULE

15d-14(b) AND SECTION 1350 OF CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 18 OF THE U.S. CODE

I certify, to the best of my knowledge, that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023, of Norfolk Southern Corporation fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Signed:	/s/ Alan H. Shaw
	Alan H. Shaw
	President and Chief Executive Officer
	Norfolk Southern Corporation

Dated: October 25, 2023

I certify, to the best of my knowledge, that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023, of Norfolk Southern Corporation fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Signed:	/s/ Mark R. George
	Mark R. George
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	Norfolk Southern Corporation

Dated: October 25, 2023

XML

Cover Page	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023 shares
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-8339
Entity Registrant Name	NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	VA
Entity Tax Identification Number	52-1188014
Entity Address, Address Line One	650 West Peachtree Street NW
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30308-1925
Entity Address, City or Town	Atlanta,
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
City Area Code	(855)
Local Phone Number	667-3655
Title of 12(b) Security	Norfolk Southern Corporation Common Stock (Par Value $1.00)
Trading Symbol	NSC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	226,136,334
Entity Central Index Key	0000702165
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false

XML

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Railway operating revenues	$ 2,971	$ 3,343	$ 9,083	$ 9,508
Railway operating expenses
Compensation and benefits	715	735	2,098	1,968
Purchased services and rents	517	484	1,519	1,402
Fuel	289	383	867	1,092
Depreciation	326	306	968	912
Materials and other	205	163	622	506
Eastern Ohio incident	163	0	966	0
Total railway operating expenses	2,215	2,071	7,040	5,880
Income from railway operations	756	1,272	2,043	3,628
Other income (expense) – net	40	(2)	153	(21)
Interest expense on debt	182	177	527	515
Income before income taxes	614	1,093	1,669	3,092
Income taxes	136	135	369	612
Net income	$ 478	$ 958	$ 1,300	$ 2,480
Earnings per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.11	$ 4.11	$ 5.71	$ 10.49
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.10	$ 4.10	$ 5.70	$ 10.45

XML

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 478	$ 958	$ 1,300	$ 2,480
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Pension and other postretirement benefit (expense)	(6)	6	(17)	17
Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees	(1)	5	(1)	13
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(7)	11	(18)	30
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	2	0	5	(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5)	11	(13)	25
Total comprehensive income	$ 473	$ 969	$ 1,287	$ 2,505

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,506	$ 456
Accounts receivable – net	1,210	1,148
Materials and supplies	303	253
Other current assets	123	150
Total current assets	3,142	2,007
Investments	3,824	3,694
Properties less accumulated depreciation	32,668	32,156
Other assets	1,105	1,028
Total assets	40,739	38,885
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,499	1,293
Short-term debt	0	100
Income and other taxes	213	312
Other current liabilities	797	341
Current maturities of long-term debt	405	603
Total current liabilities	2,914	2,649
Long-term debt	16,179	14,479
Other liabilities	1,824	1,759
Deferred income taxes	7,207	7,265
Total liabilities	28,124	26,152
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, net of treasury shares	227	230
Additional paid-in capital	2,163	2,157
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(364)	(351)
Retained income	10,589	10,697
Total stockholders’ equity	12,615	12,733
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 40,739	$ 38,885

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accumulated depreciation	$ 13,162	$ 12,592
Common stock, par or stated value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,350,000,000	1,350,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding, net of treasury shares (in shares)	226,136,334	228,076,415

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 1,300	$ 2,480
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	968	912
Deferred income taxes	(53)	23
Gains and losses on properties	(34)	(54)
Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations:
Accounts receivable	(65)	(174)
Materials and supplies	(50)	(58)
Other current assets	37	57
Current liabilities other than debt	538	273
Other – net	(135)	(35)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,506	3,424
Cash flows from investing activities
Property additions	(1,496)	(1,282)
Property sales and other transactions	62	193
Investment purchases	(120)	(8)
Investment sales and other transactions	160	37
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,394)	(1,060)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends	(920)	(881)
Common stock transactions	(9)	(5)
Purchase and retirement of common stock	(503)	(2,284)
Proceeds from borrowings	2,303	1,732
Debt repayments	(933)	(551)
Net cash used in financing activities	(62)	(1,989)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,050	375
Cash and cash equivalents
At beginning of year	456	839
At end of period	1,506	1,214
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	451	425
Income taxes (net of refunds)	$ 521	$ 578

XML

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accum. Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Income
Balance at Beginning of Year at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 13,641	$ 242	$ 2,215	$ (402)	$ 11,586
Comprehensive income:
Net income	703				703
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8			8
Total comprehensive income	711
Dividends on common stock,	(297)				(297)
Share repurchases	(600)	(2)	(19)		(579)
Stock-based compensation	6		7		(1)
Balance at End of Period at Mar. 31, 2022	13,461	240	2,203	(394)	11,412
Balance at Beginning of Year at Dec. 31, 2021	13,641	242	2,215	(402)	11,586
Comprehensive income:
Net income	2,480
Other comprehensive income (loss)	25
Total comprehensive income	2,505
Share repurchases	(2,300)
Balance at End of Period at Sep. 30, 2022	13,024	233	2,181	(377)	10,987
Balance at Beginning of Year at Mar. 31, 2022	13,461	240	2,203	(394)	11,412
Comprehensive income:
Net income	819				819
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6			6
Total comprehensive income	825
Dividends on common stock,	(294)				(294)
Share repurchases	(854)	(4)	(29)		(821)
Stock-based compensation	16		16
Balance at End of Period at Jun. 30, 2022	13,154	236	2,190	(388)	11,116
Comprehensive income:
Net income	958				958
Other comprehensive income (loss)	11			11
Total comprehensive income	969
Dividends on common stock,	(290)				(290)
Share repurchases	(830)	(3)	(31)		(796)
Stock-based compensation	21		22		(1)
Balance at End of Period at Sep. 30, 2022	13,024	233	2,181	(377)	10,987
Balance at Beginning of Year at Dec. 31, 2022	12,733	230	2,157	(351)	10,697
Comprehensive income:
Net income	466				466
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)			(4)
Total comprehensive income	462
Dividends on common stock,	(307)				(307)
Share repurchases	(163)	(1)	(6)		(156)
Stock-based compensation	2		4		(2)
Balance at End of Period at Mar. 31, 2023	12,727	229	2,155	(355)	10,698
Balance at Beginning of Year at Dec. 31, 2022	12,733	230	2,157	(351)	10,697
Comprehensive income:
Net income	1,300
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(13)
Total comprehensive income	1,287
Share repurchases	(508)
Balance at End of Period at Sep. 30, 2023	12,615	227	2,163	(364)	10,589
Balance at Beginning of Year at Mar. 31, 2023	12,727	229	2,155	(355)	10,698
Comprehensive income:
Net income	356				356
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)			(4)
Total comprehensive income	352
Dividends on common stock,	(308)				(308)
Share repurchases	(140)	(1)	(4)		(135)
Stock-based compensation	9		9
Balance at End of Period at Jun. 30, 2023	12,640	228	2,160	(359)	10,611
Comprehensive income:
Net income	478				478
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(5)			(5)
Total comprehensive income	473
Dividends on common stock,	(305)				(305)
Share repurchases	(205)	(1)	(9)		(195)
Stock-based compensation	12		12
Balance at End of Period at Sep. 30, 2023	$ 12,615	$ 227	$ 2,163	$ (364)	$ 10,589

XML

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, dividends, per share, declared (in dollars per share)	$ 1.35	$ 1.35	$ 1.35	$ 1.24	$ 1.24	$ 1.24

XML

Railway Operating Revenues

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Railway Operating Revenues

Railway Operating Revenues

The following table disaggregates our revenues by major commodity group:

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Merchandise:
Agriculture, forest and consumer products	$	611	$	642	$	1,891	$	1,839
Chemicals	498		570		1,542		1,620
Metals and construction	417		442		1,232		1,237
Automotive	274		276		839		759
Merchandise	1,800		1,930		5,504		5,455
Intermodal	737		942		2,296		2,768
Coal	434		471		1,283		1,285
Total	$	2,971	$	3,343	$	9,083	$	9,508

We recognize the amount of revenues to which we expect to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. A performance obligation is created when a customer under a transportation contract or public tariff submits a bill of lading to us for the transport of goods. These performance obligations are satisfied as the shipments move from origin to destination. As such, transportation revenues are recognized proportionally as a shipment moves, and related expenses are recognized as incurred. These performance obligations are generally short-term in nature with transit days averaging approximately one week or less for each commodity group. The customer has an unconditional obligation to pay for the service once the service has been completed. Estimated revenues associated with in-process shipments at period-end are recorded based on the estimated percentage of service completed. We had no material remaining performance obligations at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

We may provide customers ancillary services, such as switching, demurrage and other incidental activities, under their transportation contracts. The revenues associated with these distinct performance obligations are recognized when the services are performed or as contractual obligations are met. These revenues are included within each of the commodity groups and represent approximately 5% of total “Railway operating revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, and 7% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022.

Revenues related to interline transportation services that involve another railroad are reported on a net basis. Therefore, the portion of the amount that relates to another party is not reflected in revenues.

Under the typical terms of our freight contracts, payment for services is due within fifteen days of billing the customer, thus there are no significant financing components. “Accounts receivable – net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes both customer and non-customer receivables as follows:

	September 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
	($ in millions)
Customer	$	883	$	895
Non-customer	327		253
Accounts receivable – net	$	1,210	$	1,148

Non-customer receivables include non-revenue-related amounts due from other railroads, governmental entities, and others. We do not have any material contract assets or liabilities at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

XML

Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Stock-based compensation expense	$	10	$	13	$	32	$	49
Total tax benefit	2		7		11		24

During 2023, we granted stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs) pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), as follows:

	Third Quarter			First Nine Months
	Granted	Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Granted	Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Stock options	—	$	—	69,580	$	77.60
RSUs	6,448	230.82		199,819	233.61
PSUs	110	234.37		59,070	236.25

Stock Options

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Options exercised	9,934		116,881		87,206		275,770
Cash received upon exercise	$	1	$	9	$	7	$	23
Related tax benefits realized	—		5		3		11

Restricted Stock Units

RSUs granted primarily have a four-year ratable restriction period and will be settled through the issuance of shares of Norfolk Southern common stock (Common Stock). Certain RSU grants include cash dividend equivalent payments during the restriction period in an amount equal to the regular quarterly dividends paid on Common Stock. 

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
RSUs vested	2,587		557		155,617		247,510
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding	1,734		397		109,153		175,373
Related tax benefits realized	$	—	$	—	$	1	$	5

Performance Share Units

PSUs provide for awards based on the achievement of certain predetermined corporate performance goals at the end of a three-year cycle and are settled through the issuance of shares of Common Stock. All PSUs will earn out based on the achievement of performance conditions and some will also earn out based on a market condition. The market condition fair value was measured on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. No PSUs were earned or paid out during the third quarters of 2023 and 2022.

	First Nine Months
	2023		2022
	($ in millions)
PSUs earned	58,599		86,420
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding	40,255		54,651
Related tax benefits realized	$	—	$	1

XML

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes On July 8, 2022, House Bill 1342 was signed into law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which reduced its corporate income tax rate from 9.99% to 4.99%, through a series of phased reductions beginning each tax year from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2031. GAAP requires companies to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment. As a result, in the third quarter of 2022 we recognized a $136 million benefit in “Income taxes” with a corresponding reduction in “Deferred income taxes.”

XML

Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

	Basic				Diluted
	Third Quarter
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions, except per share amounts, shares in millions)
Net income	$	478	$	958	$	478	$	958
Dividend equivalent payments	(1)		—		(1)		—
Income available to common stockholders	$	477	$	958	$	477	$	958
Weighted-average shares outstanding	226.4		233.2		226.4		233.2
Dilutive effect of outstanding options and share-settled awards					0.6		0.8
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding					227.0		234.0
Earnings per share	$	2.11	$	4.11	$	2.10	$	4.10
	Basic				Diluted
	First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions, except per share amounts, shares in millions)
Net income	$	1,300	$	2,480	$	1,300	$	2,480
Dividend equivalent payments	(2)		(1)		(2)		(1)
Income available to common stockholders	$	1,298	$	2,479	$	1,298	$	2,479
Weighted-average shares outstanding	227.2		236.4		227.2		236.4
Dilutive effect of outstanding options and share-settled awards					0.6		0.8
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding					227.8		237.2
Earnings per share	$	5.71	$	10.49	$	5.70	$	10.45

During the third quarters and first nine months of 2023 and 2022, dividend equivalent payments were made to certain holders of stock options and RSUs.  For purposes of computing basic earnings per share, dividend equivalent payments made to holders of stock options and RSUs were deducted from net income to determine income available to common stockholders. For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, we evaluate on a grant-by-grant basis those stock options and RSUs receiving dividend equivalent payments under the two-class and treasury stock methods to determine which method is more dilutive for each grant. For those grants for which the two-class method was more dilutive, net income was reduced by dividend equivalent payments to determine income available to common stockholders. The dilution calculations exclude options having exercise prices exceeding the average market price of Common Stock as follows: 0.1 million in the third quarters and first nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

XML

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossThe changes in the cumulative balances of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:

	Balance at Beginning of Year		Net Income		Reclassification Adjustments		Balance at End of Period
	($ in millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
Pensions and other postretirement liabilities	$	(319)	$	—	$	(13)	$	(332)
Other comprehensive loss of equity investees	(32)		—		—		(32)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(351)	$	—	$	(13)	$	(364)
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
Pensions and other postretirement liabilities	$	(356)	$	—	$	14	$	(342)
Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees	(46)		11		—		(35)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(402)	$	11	$	14	$	(377)

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Stock Repurchase Program	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Equity [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase Program	Stock Repurchase Program We repurchased and retired 2.2 million and 9.2 million shares of Common Stock under our stock repurchase programs in the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively, at a cost of $508 million and $2.3 billion, inclusive of excise taxes.

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Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

Investments

Investment in Conrail

Through a limited liability company, we and CSX Corporation (CSX) jointly own Conrail Inc. (Conrail), whose primary subsidiary is Consolidated Rail Corporation (CRC). We have a 58% economic and 50% voting interest in the jointly-owned entity, and CSX has the remainder of the economic and voting interests. Our investment in Conrail was $1.6 billion at both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

CRC owns and operates certain properties (the Shared Assets Areas) for the joint and exclusive benefit of Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) and CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT). The costs of operating the Shared Assets Areas are borne by NSR and CSXT based on usage. In addition, NSR and CSXT pay CRC a fee for access to the Shared Assets Areas. “Purchased services and rents” and “Fuel” include expenses payable to CRC for operation of the Shared Assets Areas totaling $39 million and $42 million for the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $123 million and $116 million for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our equity in Conrail’s earnings, net of amortization, was $15 million for both the third quarters of 2023 and 2022 and $50 million and $40 million for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. These amounts partially offset the costs of operating the Shared Assets Areas and are included in “Purchased services and rents.”

“Other liabilities” includes $534 million at both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 for long-term advances from Conrail, maturing in 2050 that bear interest at an average rate of 1.31%.

Investment in TTX

We and six other North American railroads collectively own TTX Company (TTX), a railcar pooling company that provides its owner-railroads with standardized fleets of intermodal, automotive, and general use railcars at stated rates. We have a 19.78% ownership interest in TTX.

Expenses incurred for use of TTX equipment are included in “Purchased services and rents.” These expenses amounted to $66 million and $63 million for the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $201 million and $193 million for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our equity in TTX’s earnings partially offsets these costs and totaled $13 million and $18 million for the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $34 million and $39 million in the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

Debt

In August 2023, we issued $600 million of 5.05% senior notes due 2030 and $1.0 billion of 5.35% senior notes due 2054.

In May 2023, we renewed our accounts receivable securitization program with a maximum borrowing capacity of $400 million. Amounts under our accounts receivable securitization program are borrowed and repaid from time to time in the ordinary course for general corporate and cash management purposes. The term of our accounts receivable securitization program expires in May 2024. Amounts received under this facility are accounted for as borrowings. We had no amounts outstanding under this program at September 30, 2023 and our available borrowing capacity was $400 million. At December 31, 2022, we had $100 million (at an average variable interest rate of 5.05%) outstanding and our available borrowing capacity was $300 million. Our accounts receivable securitization program was supported by $911 million and $883 million in receivables at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which are included in “Accounts receivable – net”.

In February 2023, we issued $500 million of 4.45% senior notes due 2033.

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Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract]

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We have both funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans covering eligible employees. We also provide specified health care benefits to eligible retired employees; these plans can be amended or terminated at our option.  Under our self-insured retiree health care plan, for those participants who are not Medicare-eligible, certain health care expenses are covered for retired employees and their dependents, reduced by any deductibles, coinsurance, and, in some cases, coverage provided under other group insurance policies. Eligible retired participants and their spouses who are Medicare-eligible are not covered under the self-insured retiree health care plan, but instead are provided with an employer-funded health reimbursement account which can be used for reimbursement of health insurance premiums or eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Pension and postretirement benefit cost components were as follows:

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Third Quarter
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Service cost	$	7	$	10	$	1	$	1
Interest cost	27		17		4		3
Expected return on plan assets	(53)		(53)		(2)		(3)
Amortization of net losses	1		12		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service benefit	—		—		(6)		(6)
Net benefit	$	(18)	$	(14)	$	(4)	$	(5)

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Service cost	$	19	$	30	$	3	$	4
Interest cost	81		51		13		7
Expected return on plan assets	(157)		(160)		(8)		(9)
Amortization of net losses	3		36		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service benefit	—		—		(19)		(19)
Net benefit	$	(54)	$	(43)	$	(12)	$	(17)

The service cost component of defined benefit pension cost and postretirement benefit cost are reported within “Compensation and benefits” and all other components of net benefit cost are presented in “Other income (expense) – net” on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

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Fair Values of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The fair values of “Cash and cash equivalents,” “Accounts receivable – net,” “Accounts payable,” and “Short-term debt,” approximate carrying values because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying value of corporate-owned life insurance is recorded at cash surrender value and, accordingly, approximates fair value. There are no other assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values, based on Level 1 inputs, of long-term debt consist of the following:

	September 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	($ in millions)
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$	(16,584)	$	(14,405)	$	(15,082)	$	(13,846)

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Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Eastern Ohio Incident

Summary

On February 3, 2023, a train we operated derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The derailed equipment included 38 railcars, 11 of which were non-Company-owned tank cars containing hazardous materials. Fires associated with the derailment threatened certain of the tank cars. There was concern about the risk that the contents of five of the tank cars carrying vinyl chloride might polymerize, which would have posed the risk of a catastrophic explosion. As a consequence, on February 6, 2023, the local incident commander—in consultation with the incident command that included, among others, federal, state and local officials and Norfolk Southern—opted to conduct a controlled vent and burn of five derailed tank cars, all of which contained vinyl chloride. This procedure involved creating holes in the five tank cars to drain the vinyl chloride into adjacent trenches that had been dug into the ground where such vinyl chloride was then burned, with any material remaining after burning of the vinyl chloride being remediated. The February 3rd derailment, the associated fire, and the resulting vent and burn of the tank cars containing vinyl chloride on February 6th is hereinafter referred to as the “Incident.”

In response to the Incident, we have been working to clean the site safely and thoroughly, including those activities described in the Environmental Matters section below with respect to potentially impacted air, soil and water and to monitor for any impact on public health and the environment. We are working with federal, state, and local officials to mitigate impacts from the Incident, including, among other efforts, conducting environmental monitoring and clean-up activities (as more fully described below), and operating a family assistance center to provide financial support to affected members of the East Palestine and surrounding communities.

Financial Impact

Although we cannot predict the final outcome or estimate the reasonably possible range of loss with certainty, during the first nine months of 2023 we have recognized $966 million of expense for costs directly attributable to the Incident ($163 million of which was recognized in the third quarter), which is presented in “Eastern Ohio incident” on the Consolidated Statements of Income. These amounts are net of $25 million in insurance recoveries recorded during the third quarter related to the Incident. During the first nine months of 2023, our cash expenditures attributable to the Incident were $511 million, which are presented in “Net cash provided by operating activities” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The difference between the recognized expense and cash expenditures during the first nine months of 2023, $455 million comprises primarily of our current estimates of probable and reasonably estimable liabilities principally associated with environmental matters and legal proceedings, which are discussed in further detail below.

While certain costs recorded during the first nine months of 2023 may be recoverable under our insurance policies in effect at the date of the Incident or, from third parties, to date we have recognized $25 million in insurance recoveries. Any additional amounts recoverable under our insurance policies or from third parties will be reflected in future periods in which recovery is considered probable. For additional information about our insurance coverage, see “Insurance” below.

Environmental Matters – In response to the Incident, we have been working with federal, state, and local officials such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ohio EPA, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Columbiana County Health District to conduct environmental response and remediation activities, including but not limited to, air monitoring, indoor air quality screenings, municipal water and private water well testing, residential, commercial, and agricultural soil sampling, surface water and groundwater sampling, re-routing a local waterway around the affected site, capturing and shipping stormwater that enters the impacted derailment site to proper disposal facilities, and excavating and disposing of potentially affected soil at hazardous waste landfills or incinerators. The U.S. EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) on February 21, 2023, containing various

requirements, including the submission of numerous work plans to assess and remediate various environmental media and performance of certain removal actions at the affected site. On February 24, 2023, we submitted to the U.S. EPA our Notice of Intent to Comply with the UAO and are currently cooperating with U.S. EPA as well as the Ohio EPA and Pennsylvania DEP, pursuant to the UAO and the directives issued thereunder.

We are also subject to the following legal proceedings that principally relate to the environmental impact of the Incident:

•The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. EPA filed a civil complaint (the DOJ Complaint) in the Northern District of Ohio (Eastern Division) seeking injunctive relief, cost recovery and civil penalties for violations of the Clean Water Act and seeking cost recovery under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Ohio Attorney General (AG) also filed a CERCLA lawsuit (the Ohio Complaint) in the Northern District of Ohio (Eastern Division) seeking statutory damages for a variety of tort and environmental claims under CERCLA and various state laws. The DOJ and Ohio AG cases have been consolidated for discovery purposes. We have filed an answer, and on June 30, 2023, we filed a third-party complaint bringing in numerous parties involved in the Incident.

In connection with the foregoing items, we recognized $699 million of expense during the first nine months of 2023 ($118 million of which was recognized in the third quarter), of which $372 million was paid during the first nine months of 2023, related to probable obligations that are reasonably estimable, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 410-30, “Environmental Obligations.” Our current estimate includes ongoing and future environmental cleanup activities and remediation efforts, governmental oversight costs (including those incurred by the U.S. EPA and the Ohio EPA), and other related costs, including those in connection with the DOJ Complaint (including potential civil penalties related to violations of the Clean Water Act). Our current estimates of future environmental cleanup and remediation liabilities related to the Incident may change over time due to various factors, including but not limited to, when activities at the site transition from extensive soil and water disposal and air monitoring activities to additional assessment and investigative efforts, the nature and extent of required future cleanup activities (including those resulting from additional assessment and investigative activities that will be conducted at the site), and the extent and duration of governmental oversight, amongst other factors. As clean-up efforts progress and more information is available, we will review these estimates and revise as appropriate.

Legal Proceedings and Claims (Non-Environmental) – To date, numerous non-environmental legal actions have commenced with respect to the Incident, including those more specifically set forth below.

•There is a consolidated putative class action pending in the Northern District of Ohio (Eastern Division) in which plaintiffs allege various claims, including negligence, gross negligence, strict liability, and nuisance, and seeking as relief compensatory and punitive damages, medical monitoring and business losses. The putative class is defined by reference to a class area covering a 30-mile radius. On July 12, 2023, we filed a third-party complaint bringing in numerous parties involved in the Incident. The court in the putative class action has established a fact discovery deadline in January 2024. Additional lawsuits are also pending in the same court and others, such as lawsuits pending in the Western District of Pennsylvania brought by three local school districts and including claims such as negligence, nuisance, trespass, and future health monitoring. On August 22, 2023, the three school districts voluntarily dismissed their actions. On the same day, those three Pennsylvania school districts along with four others filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of school students alleging negligence, nuisance, and trespass, and seeking damages and health monitoring. The putative class action and individual lawsuits are collectively referred to herein as the Incident Lawsuits. In accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies,” we have recognized a $105 million loss during the first nine months of 2023 with respect to the Incident

Lawsuits. We have made $30 million in payments during the first nine months of 2023 with respect to these matters.

•We have received securities litigation and demands and multiple shareholder document and litigation demand letters, including a securities class action lawsuit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 initially filed in the Southern District of Ohio alleging multiple securities law violations but since transferred to the Northern District of Georgia, and a securities class action lawsuit under the Securities Act of 1933 filed in the Southern District of New York alleging misstatements in association with our debt offerings, (collectively, the Shareholder Matters). No responsive pleadings have been filed yet with respect to the Shareholder Matters.

If and when we conclude that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, it will be accrued through a charge to earnings and, if material, disclosed. Any adjustments to the recorded liability will be reflected in earnings in the periods in which such adjustments become known. Because the final outcome of any of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, developments related to the progress of such legal proceedings or other unfavorable or unexpected developments or outcomes could result in additional costs or new or additionally accrued amounts that could be material to our results of operations in a particular year or quarter. For legal proceedings where a loss may be reasonably possible, but not probable, or is probable but not reasonably estimable, no accrual is established but the matter, if potentially material, is disclosed.

In addition to the costs associated with environmental matters and legal proceedings and claims, we incurred other expenses directly related to the Incident of $187 million during the first nine months of 2023 ($70 million of which was recognized in the third quarter) pertaining to legal fees, community support, and other response-related activities. The reserves established by us during the first nine months of 2023 do not include any estimate of loss for the following additional items, for which we believe a loss is either not probable or not reasonably estimable for the reasons noted: (i) the overall cost to us for the healthcare fund being developed in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, including the Ohio AG, for affected residents (given the preliminary nature of such discussions), which amount will impact our loss contingency analysis with respect to the Incident Lawsuits described above, or (ii) any fines or penalties (in excess of the reserves established for Clean Water Act-related civil penalties) that may be imposed as a result of the Incident Inquiries and Investigations, as more specifically set forth and defined below (the outcome of which are uncertain at this time). Additionally, with the exception of amounts recognized during the first nine months of 2023, potential recoveries under our insurance coverage, which may apply to various Incident-related expenses or liabilities as more specifically set forth further below, have not yet been recorded (given the preliminary nature of discussions with our insurers). No amounts have been recorded related to potential recoveries from other third parties, which may reduce amounts payable by our insurers under our applicable insurance coverage.

Inquiries and Investigations

As set forth above, we are subject to inquiries and investigations by numerous federal, state, and local government authorities and regulatory agencies regarding the Incident, including but not limited to, the DOJ and the U.S. EPA, the Ohio EPA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Ohio AG, and the Pennsylvania AG. Further details regarding the NTSB and FRA investigations are set forth below. We are cooperating with all inquiries and investigations, including responding to civil and criminal subpoenas and other requests for information (the aforementioned inquiries and investigations, as well as the civil and criminal subpoenas are collectively referred to herein as the Incident Inquiries and Investigations). Aside from the FRA Safety Assessment (defined and described below), the outcome of any current or future Incident Inquiries and Investigations is uncertain at this time, including any related fines, penalties or settlements. Therefore, our expenses for the first nine months of 2023 do not include estimates of the total amount that we may incur for any such fines, penalties or settlements.

Subsequent to the Incident, investigators from the NTSB examined railroad equipment and track conditions; reviewed data from the signal system, wayside defect detectors, local surveillance cameras, and the lead locomotive’s event recorder and forward-facing and inward-facing image recorders; and completed certain interviews (the NTSB Investigation). The NTSB issued a preliminary report indicating that one of the cars involved in the derailment appeared to have a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment. Their preliminary report also indicates that the rail crew was operating the train within our rules; the rail crew operated the train below the track speed limit, the wayside heat detectors were operating as designed; and once the rail crew was alerted by the wayside detector, they immediately began to stop the train. The NTSB conducted a subsequent investigative field hearing in East Palestine, Ohio on June 22 and 23, 2023. The NTSB’s investigation remains ongoing. We expect the NTSB to issue a final report, with a probable cause determination and safety recommendations, in 2024.

Concurrent with the NTSB Investigation, the FRA is also investigating the Incident. Similar in scope to the NTSB Investigation, the FRA is examining railroad equipment, track conditions, hazardous materials train placement and routing, and emergency response (the FRA Incident Investigation). The FRA Incident Investigation may result in the assessment of civil penalties. In addition to the FRA Incident Investigation, the FRA recently completed a 60-day supplemental safety assessment (the FRA Safety Assessment). The FRA Safety Assessment included a review of findings from a previously completed 2022 system audit and an assessment of operational elements including, but not limited to: track, signal, and rolling stock maintenance, inspection and repair practices; protection of employees; communications between transportation departments and mechanical and engineering staff; operation control center procedures and dispatcher training. The overall scope of the FRA Safety Assessment was to examine our safety culture. The FRA issued a public report in early August and included its findings and recommended corrective actions. The FRA Incident Investigation remains ongoing.

Other Commitments and Contingencies

Lawsuits

We and/or certain subsidiaries are defendants in numerous lawsuits and other claims relating principally to railroad operations.  When we conclude that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, it is accrued through a charge to earnings and, if material, disclosed below. While the ultimate amount of liability incurred in any of these lawsuits and claims is dependent on future developments, in our opinion, the recorded liability is adequate to cover the future payment of such liability and claims. However, the final outcome of any of these lawsuits and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable or unexpected outcomes could result in additional accruals that could be significant to results of operations in a particular year or quarter. Any adjustments to the recorded liability will be reflected in earnings in the periods in which such adjustments become known. For lawsuits and other claims where a loss may be reasonably possible, but not probable, or is probable but not reasonably estimable, no accrual is established but the matter, if potentially material, is disclosed below. We routinely review relevant information with respect to our lawsuits and other claims and update our accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible loss based on such reviews.

In 2007, various antitrust class actions filed against us and other Class I railroads in various Federal district courts regarding fuel surcharges were consolidated in the District of Columbia by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In 2012, the court certified the case as a class action. The defendant railroads appealed this certification, and the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the District Court’s decision and remanded the case for further consideration. On October 10, 2017, the District Court denied class certification. The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeals on August 16, 2019. Since that decision, various individual cases have been filed in multiple jurisdictions and also consolidated in the District of Columbia. We intend to vigorously defend the cases. We do not believe the outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against one of our subsidiaries by the minority owner in a jointly-owned terminal railroad company in which our subsidiary has the majority ownership. The lawsuit alleged violations of various

state laws and federal antitrust laws. On January 3, 2023, the court granted summary judgment to us on all of the compensatory claims but denied summary judgment for all equitable relief claims. On January 18, 2023, the court dismissed the federal equitable relief claims, leaving the state equitable relief claims as the sole remaining issue under consideration. On April 19, 2023, the court disposed of all remaining state equitable relief claims. The court’s dismissals were appealed and the case is currently before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. We will continue to vigorously defend the lawsuit and, although it is reasonably possible we could incur a loss in the case, we believe that we will prevail. However, given that litigation is inherently unpredictable and subject to uncertainties, there can be no assurances that the final outcome of the litigation (including the related appeal) will not be material. Until such appeal is final, we cannot reasonably estimate the potential loss or range of loss associated with this matter.

Casualty Claims

Casualty claims include employee personal injury and occupational claims as well as third-party claims, all exclusive of legal costs.  To aid in valuing our personal injury liability and determining the amount to accrue with respect to such claims during the year, we utilize studies prepared by an independent consulting actuarial firm.  Job-related personal injury and occupational claims are subject to the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA), which is applicable only to railroads. The variability inherent in FELA’s fault-based tort system could result in actual costs being different from the liability recorded.  While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in our opinion, the recorded liability is adequate to cover the future payments of claims and is supported by the most recent actuarial study.  In all cases, we record a liability when the expected loss for the claim is both probable and reasonably estimable.

Employee personal injury claims – Other than Incident-related matters noted above, the largest component of claims expense is employee personal injury costs.  The independent actuarial firm we engage provides quarterly studies to aid in valuing our employee personal injury liability and estimating personal injury expense.  The actuarial firm studies our historical patterns of reserving for claims and subsequent settlements, taking into account relevant outside influences.  The actuarial firm uses the results of these analyses to estimate the ultimate amount of liability. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study. The accuracy of our estimate of the liability is subject to inherent limitation given the difficulty of predicting future events such as jury decisions, court interpretations, or legislative changes. As a result, actual claim settlements may vary from the estimated liability recorded.

Occupational claims – Occupational claims include injuries and illnesses alleged to be caused by exposures which occur over time as opposed to injuries or illnesses caused by a specific accident or event. Types of occupational claims commonly seen allege exposure to asbestos and other claimed toxic substances resulting in respiratory diseases or cancer. Many such claims are being asserted by former or retired employees, some of whom have not been employed in the rail industry for decades.  The independent actuarial firm provides an estimate of the occupational claims’ liability based upon our history of claim filings, severity, payments, and other pertinent facts.  The liability is dependent upon judgments we make as to the specific case reserves as well as judgments of the actuarial firm in the quarterly studies.  Our estimate of ultimate loss includes a provision for those claims that have been incurred but not reported.  This provision is derived by analyzing industry data and projecting our experience. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study.  However, it is possible that the recorded liability may not be adequate to cover the future payment of claims.  Adjustments to the recorded liability are reflected in operating expenses in the periods in which such adjustments become known.

Third-party claims – We record a liability for third-party claims including those for highway crossing accidents, trespasser and other injuries, property damage, and lading damage.  The actuarial firm assists us with the calculation of potential liability for third-party claims, except lading damage, based upon our experience including the number and timing of incidents, amount of payments, settlement rates, number of open claims, and legal defenses. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study.  Given the inherent uncertainty in regard to the ultimate outcome of third-party claims, it is possible that the actual loss may differ from the estimated liability recorded.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to various jurisdictions’ environmental laws and regulations.  We record a liability where such liability or loss is probable and reasonably estimable. Environmental specialists regularly participate in ongoing evaluations of all known sites and in determining any necessary adjustments to liability estimates.  

In addition to environmental claims associated with the Incident, our Consolidated Balance Sheets include liabilities for other environmental exposures of $59 million at September 30, 2023 and $66 million at December 31, 2022, of which $15 million is classified as a current liability at the end of both periods. At September 30, 2023, the liability represents our estimates of the probable cleanup, investigation, and remediation costs based on available information at 81 known locations and projects compared with 85 locations and projects at December 31, 2022. At September 30, 2023, twenty sites accounted for $47 million of the liability, and no individual site was considered to be material. We anticipate that most of this liability will be paid out over five years; however, some costs will be paid out over a longer period.

At eight locations, one or more of our subsidiaries in conjunction with a number of other parties have been identified as potentially responsible parties under CERCLA or comparable state statutes that impose joint and several liability for cleanup costs.  We calculate our estimated liability for these sites based on facts and legal defenses applicable to each site and not solely on the basis of the potential for joint liability.

As set forth above, with respect to known environmental sites (whether identified by us or by the U.S. EPA or comparable state authorities), estimates of our ultimate potential financial exposure for a given site or in the aggregate for all such sites can change over time because of the widely varying costs of currently available cleanup techniques, unpredictable contaminant recovery and reduction rates associated with available cleanup technologies, the likely development of new cleanup technologies, the difficulty of determining in advance the nature and full extent of contamination and each potential participant’s share of any estimated loss (and that participant’s ability to bear it), and evolving statutory and regulatory standards governing liability.

The risk of incurring environmental liability for acts and omissions, past, present, and future, is inherent in the railroad business.  Some of the commodities we transport, particularly those classified as hazardous materials, pose special risks that we work diligently to reduce.  In addition, several of our subsidiaries own, or have owned, land used as operating property, or which is leased and operated by others, or held for sale.  Because environmental problems that are latent or undisclosed may exist on these properties, there can be no assurance that we will not incur environmental liabilities or costs with respect to one or more of them, the amount and materiality of which cannot be estimated reliably at this time.  Moreover, lawsuits and claims involving these and potentially other unidentified environmental sites and matters are likely to arise from time to time.  The resulting liabilities could have a significant effect on financial position, results of operations, or liquidity in a particular year or quarter.

Based on our assessment of the facts and circumstances now known, we believe we have recorded the probable and reasonably estimable costs for dealing with those environmental matters of which we are aware.  Further, we believe that it is unlikely that any known matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Labor Agreements

Approximately 80% of our railroad employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions. Pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, these agreements remain in effect until new agreements are reached, or until the bargaining procedures mandated by the Railway Labor Act are completed. Moratorium provisions in the labor agreements govern when the railroads and unions may propose changes to the agreements. We largely bargain nationally in concert with other major railroads, represented by the National Carriers’ Conference Committee.

The latest round of national bargaining concluded in December 2022, when agreements were either ratified or enacted through legislative action for all twelve of our unions. With the conclusion of national bargaining, neither party can compel mandatory bargaining around any new proposals until November 1, 2024.

In addition, we understand the imperative to continue improving quality of life for our craft employees and remain actively engaged with our unions in voluntary local discussions (none of which carry the risk of a work stoppage) on this important issue.

Insurance

We purchase insurance covering legal liabilities for bodily injury and property damage to third parties. This insurance provides coverage above $75 million and below $800 million (or up to $1.1 billion for specified types of pollution releases) per occurrence and/or policy year. In addition, we purchase insurance covering damage to property owned by us or in our care, custody, or control. This insurance covers approximately 82% of potential losses above $75 million and below $275 million per occurrence and/or policy year.

Our ability to recoup any of the foregoing amounts under our insurance coverage, including any amounts that may be recoverable with respect to the Incident, is subject to certain conditions, including but not limited to our insurers’ reservation of rights to further investigate and contest coverage, the express restrictions and sub-limits of coverage, and various policy exclusions, including those for some governmental fines or penalties, as well as potential coverage disputes over payments we make as part of our effort to mitigate the impact to the community and affected residents. We are working with our insurers to confirm applicable coverage with respect to the Incident, and we have recognized $25 million in insurance recoveries in the first nine months of 2023.

Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement

In November 2022, we entered into an asset purchase and sale agreement with the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati Southern Railway to purchase approximately 337 miles of railway line that extends from Cincinnati, Ohio to Chattanooga, Tennessee which we currently operate under a lease agreement. The agreement is conditioned upon the following, among other items: (i) approval by the voters of the City of Cincinnati (Cincinnati Voter Approval), and (ii) the receipt of regulatory approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB). On June 28, 2023, we entered into an amended and restated asset purchase and sale agreement which increased the purchase price by $500,000 and clarified the impact of Cincinnati Voter Approval on the closing timeline. Following the June 2023 amendment, the total purchase price for the line and other associated real and personal property included in the transaction is expected to be between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion. On September 20, 2023, the STB authorized the acquisition of the Cincinnati Southern Railway by Norfolk Southern Railway Company. If Cincinnati Voter Approval is obtained in November 2023, the transaction will close on the later of the date that is five days after all conditions have been satisfied or March 15, 2024.

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Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net income	$ 478	$ 356	$ 466	$ 958	$ 819	$ 703	$ 1,300	$ 2,480

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Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

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Railway Operating Revenues (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table disaggregates our revenues by major commodity group:

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Merchandise:
Agriculture, forest and consumer products	$	611	$	642	$	1,891	$	1,839
Chemicals	498		570		1,542		1,620
Metals and construction	417		442		1,232		1,237
Automotive	274		276		839		759
Merchandise	1,800		1,930		5,504		5,455
Intermodal	737		942		2,296		2,768
Coal	434		471		1,283		1,285
Total	$	2,971	$	3,343	$	9,083	$	9,508

Schedule of Accounts Receivable

“Accounts receivable – net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes both customer and non-customer receivables as follows:

	September 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
	($ in millions)
Customer	$	883	$	895
Non-customer	327		253
Accounts receivable – net	$	1,210	$	1,148

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of stock-based compensation cost

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Stock-based compensation expense	$	10	$	13	$	32	$	49
Total tax benefit	2		7		11		24

Schedule of LTIP awards

During 2023, we granted stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs) pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), as follows:

	Third Quarter			First Nine Months
	Granted	Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Granted	Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Stock options	—	$	—	69,580	$	77.60
RSUs	6,448	230.82		199,819	233.61
PSUs	110	234.37		59,070	236.25

Schedule of cash proceeds received from share-based payment awards

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Options exercised	9,934		116,881		87,206		275,770
Cash received upon exercise	$	1	$	9	$	7	$	23
Related tax benefits realized	—		5		3		11

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of share-based compensation, activity

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
RSUs vested	2,587		557		155,617		247,510
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding	1,734		397		109,153		175,373
Related tax benefits realized	$	—	$	—	$	1	$	5

Performance Share Units

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of share-based compensation, activity

	First Nine Months
	2023		2022
	($ in millions)
PSUs earned	58,599		86,420
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding	40,255		54,651
Related tax benefits realized	$	—	$	1

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share Calculation

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

	Basic				Diluted
	Third Quarter
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions, except per share amounts, shares in millions)
Net income	$	478	$	958	$	478	$	958
Dividend equivalent payments	(1)		—		(1)		—
Income available to common stockholders	$	477	$	958	$	477	$	958
Weighted-average shares outstanding	226.4		233.2		226.4		233.2
Dilutive effect of outstanding options and share-settled awards					0.6		0.8
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding					227.0		234.0
Earnings per share	$	2.11	$	4.11	$	2.10	$	4.10
	Basic				Diluted
	First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions, except per share amounts, shares in millions)
Net income	$	1,300	$	2,480	$	1,300	$	2,480
Dividend equivalent payments	(2)		(1)		(2)		(1)
Income available to common stockholders	$	1,298	$	2,479	$	1,298	$	2,479
Weighted-average shares outstanding	227.2		236.4		227.2		236.4
Dilutive effect of outstanding options and share-settled awards					0.6		0.8
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding					227.8		237.2
Earnings per share	$	5.71	$	10.49	$	5.70	$	10.45

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The changes in the cumulative balances of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:

	Balance at Beginning of Year		Net Income		Reclassification Adjustments		Balance at End of Period
	($ in millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
Pensions and other postretirement liabilities	$	(319)	$	—	$	(13)	$	(332)
Other comprehensive loss of equity investees	(32)		—		—		(32)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(351)	$	—	$	(13)	$	(364)
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
Pensions and other postretirement liabilities	$	(356)	$	—	$	14	$	(342)
Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees	(46)		11		—		(35)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(402)	$	11	$	14	$	(377)

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Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Cost Components

Pension and postretirement benefit cost components were as follows:

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Third Quarter
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Service cost	$	7	$	10	$	1	$	1
Interest cost	27		17		4		3
Expected return on plan assets	(53)		(53)		(2)		(3)
Amortization of net losses	1		12		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service benefit	—		—		(6)		(6)
Net benefit	$	(18)	$	(14)	$	(4)	$	(5)

	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	First Nine Months
	2023		2022		2023		2022
	($ in millions)
Service cost	$	19	$	30	$	3	$	4
Interest cost	81		51		13		7
Expected return on plan assets	(157)		(160)		(8)		(9)
Amortization of net losses	3		36		(1)		—
Amortization of prior service benefit	—		—		(19)		(19)
Net benefit	$	(54)	$	(43)	$	(12)	$	(17)

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Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values, based on Level 1 inputs, of long-term debt consist of the following:

	September 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	($ in millions)
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$	(16,584)	$	(14,405)	$	(15,082)	$	(13,846)

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Railway Operating Revenues - Disaggregation of Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 2,971	$ 3,343	$ 9,083	$ 9,508
Merchandise
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	1,800	1,930	5,504	5,455
Merchandise | Agriculture, forest and consumer products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	611	642	1,891	1,839
Merchandise | Chemicals
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	498	570	1,542	1,620
Merchandise | Metals and construction
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	417	442	1,232	1,237
Merchandise | Automotive
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	274	276	839	759
Intermodal
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	737	942	2,296	2,768
Coal
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 434	$ 471	$ 1,283	$ 1,285

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Railway Operating Revenues - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, payment terms			15 days
Contract assets	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Contract liabilities	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Accessorial Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Accessorial services percent of total railway operating revenues	5.00%	7.00%	5.00%	7.00%

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Railway Operating Revenues - Schedule of Account Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable – net	$ 1,210	$ 1,148
Customer
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable – net	883	895
Non-customer
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable – net	$ 327	$ 253

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Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense and Related Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 10	$ 13	$ 32	$ 49
Total tax benefit	$ 2	$ 7	$ 11	$ 24

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Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Grants and Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Values (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023
Stock options
Granted
Stock options (in shares)	0	69,580
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Stock options (in dollars per shares)	$ 0	$ 77.60
RSUs
Granted
Other than stock options (in shares)	6,448	199,819
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Other than stock options (in dollars per share)	$ 230.82	$ 233.61
PSUs
Granted
Other than stock options (in shares)	110	59,070
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Other than stock options (in dollars per share)	$ 234.37	$ 236.25

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Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Options Exercised, Cash Received, and Related Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Options exercised (in shares)	9,934	116,881	87,206	275,770
Cash received upon exercise	$ 1	$ 9	$ 7	$ 23
Related tax benefits realized	$ 0	$ 5	$ 3	$ 11

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Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)			4 years
PSUs earned (in shares)	2,587	557	155,617	247,510
PSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards measurement cycle (in years)			3 years
PSUs earned (in shares)	0	0	58,599	86,420

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Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of RSU Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
RSUs vested (in shares)	2,587	557	155,617	247,510
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding (in shares)	1,734	397	109,153	175,373
Related tax benefits realized	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1	$ 5

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Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of PSU Activity (Details) - PSUs - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
PSUs earned (in shares)	0	0	58,599	86,420
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding (in shares)			40,255	54,651
Related tax benefits realized			$ 0	$ 1

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Income Taxes (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Decrease in deferred income taxes, change in tax rate	$ 136
Decrease in income taxes benefit, change in tax rate	$ 136

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Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 478	$ 356	$ 466	$ 958	$ 819	$ 703	$ 1,300	$ 2,480
Dividend equivalent payments, basic	(1)			0			(2)	(1)
Dividend equivalent payments, diluted	(1)			0			(2)	(1)
Income available to common stockholders, basic	477			958			1,298	2,479
Income available to common stockholders, diluted	$ 477			$ 958			$ 1,298	$ 2,479
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)	226.4			233.2			227.2	236.4
Dilutive effect of outstanding options and share-settled awards (in shares)	0.6			0.8			0.6	0.8
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)	227.0			234.0			227.8	237.2
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.11			$ 4.11			$ 5.71	$ 10.49
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.10			$ 4.10			$ 5.70	$ 10.45

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Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 12,733	$ 13,641
Net Income	0	11
Reclassification Adjustments	(13)	14
Balance at End of Period	12,615	13,024
Accum. Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	(351)	(402)
Balance at End of Period	(364)	(377)
Pensions and other postretirement liabilities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	(319)	(356)
Net Income	0	0
Reclassification Adjustments	(13)	14
Balance at End of Period	(332)	(342)
Other comprehensive loss of equity investees
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	(32)	(46)
Net Income	0	11
Reclassification Adjustments	0	0
Balance at End of Period	$ (32)	$ (35)

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Stock Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Equity [Abstract]
Stock repurchased and retired during period (in shares)							2.2	9.2
Stock repurchased and retired during period, cost	$ 205	$ 140	$ 163	$ 830	$ 854	$ 600	$ 508	$ 2,300

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Investments (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($) railroad	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Other liabilities	$ 1,824		$ 1,824		$ 1,759
Number of railroads | railroad			6
Purchased services and rents	$ 517	$ 484	$ 1,519	$ 1,402
Conrail, Economic
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	58.00%		58.00%
Conrail, Voting
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Conrail Inc
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 1,600		$ 1,600		1,600
Expenses for operation of the Shared Assets Areas	39	42	123	116
Equity in the earnings of investee	15	15	50	40
Other liabilities	$ 534		$ 534		$ 534
Long-term advances, average interest rate			1.31%		1.31%
TTX Company
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	19.78%		19.78%
Equity in the earnings of investee	$ 13	18	$ 34	39
Purchased services and rents	$ 66	$ 63	$ 201	$ 193

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Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023	Aug. 31, 2023	May 31, 2023	Feb. 28, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accounts receivable securitization balance	$ 0				$ 100,000,000
Securitization Borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accounts receivable securitization program, maximum borrowing capacity			$ 400,000,000
Average interest rate of borrowings outstanding					5.05%
Available borrowing capacity	400,000,000				$ 300,000,000
Accounts receivable securitization program	$ 911,000,000				$ 883,000,000
5.05% Senior Notes Due 2030 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes issued		$ 600,000,000
Stated rates		5.05%
5.35% Senior Notes Due 2054 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes issued		$ 1,000,000,000
Stated rates		5.35%
4.45% Senior Notes Due 2033 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes issued				$ 500,000,000
Stated rates				4.45%

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Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 7	$ 10	$ 19	$ 30
Interest cost	27	17	81	51
Expected return on plan assets	(53)	(53)	(157)	(160)
Amortization of net losses	1	12	3	36
Amortization of prior service benefit	0	0	0	0
Net benefit	(18)	(14)	(54)	(43)
Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1	1	3	4
Interest cost	4	3	13	7
Expected return on plan assets	(2)	(3)	(8)	(9)
Amortization of net losses	(1)	0	(1)	0
Amortization of prior service benefit	(6)	(6)	(19)	(19)
Net benefit	$ (4)	$ (5)	$ (12)	$ (17)

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Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$ (16,584)	$ (15,082)
Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	$ (14,405)	$ (13,846)

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details)		1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($) location schoolDistrict mi	Aug. 21, 2023 schoolDistrict	Nov. 30, 2022 mi	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($) location mi	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($) location mi	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) location	Feb. 03, 2023 railcar
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Eastern Ohio incident expense					$ 163,000,000	$ 0	$ 966,000,000	$ 0
Environmental loss contingency, statement of financial position, extensible enumeration, not disclosed flag							Consolidated Balance Sheets		Consolidated Balance Sheets
Number of locations with one or more subsidiaries in conjunction with other parties identified as potentially responsible parties | location		8			8		8
Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements, percentage							80.00%
Self-insured injury/damage to third parties - and above, per occurrence		$ 75,000,000			$ 75,000,000		$ 75,000,000
Self-insured injury/damage to third party - up to		800,000,000			800,000,000		800,000,000
Self-insured injury/damage to third parties - and above, per occurrence for specific pollution releases		$ 1,100,000,000			$ 1,100,000,000		$ 1,100,000,000
Percentage of potential losses covered		82.00%			82.00%		82.00%
Self-insured NS owned property - and above, per occurrence		$ 75,000,000			$ 75,000,000		$ 75,000,000
Self-insured NS owned property - up to		275,000,000			275,000,000		275,000,000
November 2022 Railway Purchase
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of miles railway line purchased | mi				337
Asset acquisition, consideration transferred, adjustment	$ 500,000
Asset acquisition, period after all conditions satisfied for closing	5 days
November 2022 Railway Purchase | Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Personal property transaction amount	$ 1,600,000,000
November 2022 Railway Purchase | Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Personal property transaction amount	$ 1,700,000,000
Eastern Ohio Incident
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation expense					118,000,000		699,000,000
Payments for environmental liabilities							372,000,000
Other Environmental Claims
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental matters liabilities		59,000,000			59,000,000		59,000,000		$ 66,000,000
Current environmental liability		$ 15,000,000			$ 15,000,000		$ 15,000,000		$ 15,000,000
Known cleanup and remediation locations and projects | location		81			81		81		85
Number of sites - representative sample | location		20			20		20
Liability associated with those sites		$ 47,000,000			$ 47,000,000		$ 47,000,000
Environmental locations representative sample liability payout period, in years							5 years
Eastern Ohio Incident
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of railcars derailed | railcar										38
Number of non-Company-owned tank cars contained hazardous materials | railcar										11
Number of tank cars with risk of catastrophic explosion | railcar										5
Eastern Ohio incident expense					163,000,000		$ 966,000,000
Insurance receivable		25,000,000			25,000,000		25,000,000
Cash expenditures attributable to the Incident							511,000,000
Environmental matters liabilities		$ 455,000,000			$ 455,000,000		$ 455,000,000
Non-environmental legal actions, mile radius of class area | mi		30			30		30
Non-environmental legal actions, number of school districts as plaintiffs | schoolDistrict		4	3
Loss contingency recognized							$ 105,000,000
Loss contingency payments							30,000,000
Incident-related expenses					$ 70,000,000		$ 187,000,000