Norfolk Southern NSC announced today that it will cease regional railcar classification
operations at its Roanoke Terminal hump yard in Roanoke, Va., beginning today.
This will mean the elimination of about 140 positions. The Terminal will
continue to provide service to local customers, and to be a hub for
through-train operations.
The Roanoke hump operation has seen a steady decline in the volume of general
merchandise cars handled by about 30 percent since 2006. At the same time,
system-wide improvements in the railroad's operations have freed up network
capacity such that classification operations now performed at Roanoke are no
longer necessary.
"The employees who work at Roanoke are dedicated and efficient," said Terry
Evans, vice president transportation. "But the geographical location and
layout of the hump yard make it not only expensive but redundant within our
network."
Most of the affected positions are carmen, who inspect and repair railcars,
and train crews, who conduct switching operations in the yard. Some track
maintenance positions are affected.
System-wide, Norfolk Southern anticipates hiring between 850 and 1,150
employees in 2013 to keep up with attrition. These positions will first be
offered to employees affected by the Roanoke change and employees furloughed
at other locations.
While the change means that Roanoke will no longer serve as a regional
classification yard, Norfolk Southern, which currently employs about 1,870 in
Roanoke, will continue its presence in the area. In addition to the remaining
terminal operations, Norfolk Southern will continue to employ workers at its
Shaffers Crossing locomotive and car shops, its East End Locomotive Shops, the
Roanoke Material Yard, and maintain headquarters for the Virginia Division and
a corporate presence at its office building on Franklin Road.
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