In recent months, our Northern Region has significantly improved safety and operational performance across teams, from Massachusetts to Illinois. Since streamlining operations in August, the region has seen significant progress driven by strong collaboration, communication, and a renewed focus on efficiency.

Transportation: Driving results together

Since August, the Transportation team, led by Joseph Murphy and Rob Sarver, has fostered better communication between leadership and craft colleagues by breaking down silos. This has led to notable improvements across safety and operational performance, including:

• 43% reduction in injuries and 39% reduction in rule violation derailments (RVDs).
• 4% decrease in active train count, optimizing asset movement.
• 25% reduction in recrews, minimizing delays and improving crew utilization.
• 23% improvement in cars dwelling 32+ hours, streamlining operations and reducing bottlenecks.
• AAR Dwell Time reduced by 2%, now down to 22 hours, improving train fluidity.

Mechanical: Precision and efficiency in action

The Mechanical team, led by Dominic Fandale, Sean Kennedy, and Kevin Krull, has adopted a collaborative, safety-focused culture, engaging in pre-shift discussions that encourage everyone to speak up. These changes have led to significant results since August:

• 75% reduction in reportable and non-reportable injuries, with just one injury in the entire region.
• 82% reduction in at-fault vehicle incidents.
• 13% decrease in shop dwell time, getting equipment back into service faster.
• 6% improvement in AAR Recovery Rate, ensuring quicker asset redeployment.
• 50% reduction in run-through switches.

Engineering: Advancing performance through engagement

The Engineering team, led by Brent Emerson, Rick Meredith, and Joe Spadone, has improved through cross-functional collaboration and proactive safety measures. Interactive training and daily meetings to review potential job hazards and associated rules have resulted in:

• 15% improvement in overall safety performance.
• 32% reduction in track-caused derailments.
• Average train speed improvement.

“The North Region team under one committed leadership structure has turned their tremendous efforts into tangible results. There is a lot to be proud of, the team talked about their tremendous safety and operational results,” said Jaspreet Pannu, Northern Region General Manager. “These results are not just limited to numbers on a balance sheet but also translate into people who are returning home safely to their families. People continue to be our greatest asset at NS and I'm looking forward to the results that this committed team will continue to produce.”

Thank you to the Northern Region leadership team for their commitment to excellence: Dominic Fandale, Sean Kennedy, Kevin Krull, Rick Meredith, Joe Spadone, Brent Emerson, Joseph Murphy, and Rob Sarver.