NS HOME PAGENorfolk Southern Corporation and 13 New York-based short line railroads have created a program to convert short-haul truck movements to rail. The “Empire Link” allows the short line railroads to market the excess rail freight capacity on NS’ Southern Tier main line between Binghamton and Silver Springs, NY, as well as on branch lines between Corning and Geneva, and between Waverly and Ludlowville. This is a 2400-mile rail network.
“With the high price of diesel fuel, the Empire Link is an attractive option for shippers currently trucking freight in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey,” said David Lawson, Norfolk Southern’s vice president industrial products. “The Empire Link provides our New York short line partners with the tools and resources to design and offer rail transportation services that are truck-competitive in lanes that are less than 500 miles.”
“The recent collaboration of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s Eastern Region Short line members and Norfolk Southern is one of the most creative business initiatives to come about in the last 15 years,” said Rich Timmons, ASLRRA president. “We expect positive results for shippers, communities, and big and small railroads alike. If the Empire Link performs as we anticipate, it could serve as a model for future Class I and short line business arrangements.”
The following map (also linked at the bottom of the page as PDF attachment) will show the common thread between the 13 local short lines that interchange (I/C) with NS on the Southern Tier Mainline between Binghamton and Silver Springs. The Corning Secondary is included at the NS branch line from Corning, NY to Geneva, NY. Also included is the NS branch line from Waverly, NY to Ludlowville, NY. Business to and from these rail road operations via the Southern Tier NS line will fill capacity and create new business opportunites for all shippers.
All together, these lines represent a little over 2400 miles of track. Shippers can take advantage of Transload opprotunities are that are also available. To find out shipping rates between these shortline railroads via the NS Southern Tier Mainline, simply contact the shortline railroad of origin or destination.
Click on the Map to enlarge. Each Empire Link Railroad that has a website is also linked below the map.
The Empire Link 2010
- BH - Bath and Hammondsport Railroad I/C Painted Post
- CNYK - Central New York Railroad Corp. (NYSW partner RR) I/C Binghamton
- FGLK - Finger Lakes Railway (ONCT partner RR) I/C Geneva
- LAL - Livonia, Avon and Lakeville Railroad I/C Silver Springs
- NYSW - New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Corp. (CNYK partner RR) I/C Binghamton
- ONCT - Ontario Central Railroad (FGLK Partner RR) I/C Geneva
- OHRY - Owego & Harford Railway I/C Owego
- RSR - Rochester and Southern Railroad I/C Silver Springs
- WCOR - Wellsboro and Corning Railroad I/C Corning
- WNYP - Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad I/C Hornell
- DLWR - Depew, Lancaster, & Western I/C Buffalo
- BPRR - Buffalo & Pittsburg I/C Buffalo
- SBRR - Stourbridge I/C Lackawaxen (CNYK)
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| 2009_NS EL Map_v sept 2009.pdf | 1.26 MB |
