NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP (Form: 10-K, Received: 02/06/2020 10:48:05)

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

for the fiscal year ended DECEMBER 31, 2019

☐ 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)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Three Commercial Place

23510-2191

Norfolk,

Virginia

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(757)

629-2680

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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


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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

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 Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates at June 30, 2019 was $52,456,511,032 (based on the closing price as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange on June 28, 2019).

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, at January 31, 2020: 257,844,180 (excluding 20,320,777 shares held by the registrant’s consolidated subsidiaries).

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed electronically pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year, are incorporated herein by reference in Part III.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


			Page
Part I.	Items 1 and 2.	Business and Properties	K 3
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	K 10
	Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	K 13
	Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	K 14
	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	K 14
		Information About Our Executive Officers	K 15

Part II.	Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and
		Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	K 16
	Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	K 17
	Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
		Results of Operations	K 18
	Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	K 29
	Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	K 30
	Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
		Financial Disclosure	K 74
	Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	K 74
	Item 9B.	Other Information	K 74

Part III.	Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	K 75
	Item 11.	Executive Compensation	K 75
	Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
		and Related Stockholder Matters	K 76
	Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	K 78
	Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	K 78

Part IV.	Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	K 79
	Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary	K88

		Power of Attorney	K 89

		Signatures	K 89

PART I

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 1. Business and Item 2. Properties

GENERAL – Our company, Norfolk Southern Corporation (Norfolk Southern), is a Norfolk, Virginia-based company that owns a major freight railroad, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR). We were incorporated on July 23, 1980, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our common stock (Common Stock) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “NSC.”

Unless indicated otherwise, Norfolk Southern Corporation and its subsidiaries, including NSR, are referred to collectively as NS, we, us, and our.

We are primarily engaged in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods primarily in the Southeast, East, and Midwest and, via interchange with rail carriers, to and from the rest of the United States. We also transport overseas freight through several Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. We offer the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern half of the United States.

We make available free of charge through our website, www.norfolksouthern.com, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, the following documents are available on our website and in print to any shareholder who requests them:

•Corporate Governance Guidelines

•Charters of the Committees of the Board of Directors

•The Thoroughbred Code of Ethics

•Code of Ethical Conduct for Senior Financial Officers

•Categorical Independence Standards for Directors

•Norfolk Southern Corporation Bylaws

RAILROAD OPERATIONS – At December 31, 2019, our railroad operated approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia.

Our system reaches many manufacturing plants, electric generating facilities, mines, distribution centers, transload facilities, and other businesses located in our service area.

Corridors with heaviest freight volume:

•New York City area to Chicago (via Allentown and Pittsburgh)

•Chicago to Macon (via Cincinnati, Chattanooga, and Atlanta)

•Central Ohio to Norfolk (via Columbus and Roanoke)

•Birmingham to Meridian

•Cleveland to Kansas City

•Memphis to Chattanooga

The miles operated, which include major leased lines between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, and an exclusive operating agreement for trackage rights over property owned by North Carolina Railroad Company, were as follows:


	Mileage Operated at December 31, 2019
	Route Miles	Second and Other Main Track	Passing Track, Crossovers and Turnouts	Way and Yard Switching	Total

Owned	14,655	2,677	2,008	8,320	27,660
Operated under lease, contract or trackage
rights	4,796	1,889	407	840	7,932

Total	19,451	4,566	2,415	9,160	35,592

We operate freight service over lines with significant ongoing Amtrak and commuter passenger operations, and conduct freight operations over trackage owned or leased by Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company, Maryland Department of Transportation, and Michigan Department of Transportation.

The following table sets forth certain statistics relating to our railroads’ operations for the past five years:


	Years ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017			2016			2015

Revenue ton miles (billions)	194			207			201			191			200
Revenue per thousand revenue ton miles	$	58.21		$	55.25		$	52.38		$	51.91		$	52.63
Revenue ton miles (thousands) per railroad employee	7,939			7,822			7,474			6,838			6,645
Ratio of railway operating expenses to railway
operating revenues (Railway operating ratio)	64.7		%	65.4		%	66.6		%	69.6		%	72.8		%

RAILWAY OPERATING REVENUES – Total railway operating revenues were $11.3 billion in 2019. Following is an overview of our three commodity groups. See the discussion of merchandise revenues by major commodity group, intermodal revenues, and coal revenues and tonnage in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

MERCHANDISE – Our merchandise commodity group is composed of five groupings:

•Chemicals includes sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products (including crude oil), chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, and chemical wastes.

•Agriculture products includes soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizer, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, and ethanol.

•Metals and construction includes steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, sand, minerals, transportation equipment, and items for the U.S. military.

•Automotive includes finished motor vehicles and automotive parts.

•Forest and consumer includes lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, scrap paper, clay, beverages, canned goods, and consumer products

Merchandise carloads handled in 2019 were 2.4 million, the revenues from which accounted for 60% of our total railway operating revenues.

INTERMODAL – Our intermodal commodity group consists of shipments moving in domestic and international containers and trailers. These shipments are handled on behalf of intermodal marketing companies, international steamship lines, premium customers and asset owning companies. Intermodal units handled in 2019 were 4.2 million, the revenues from which accounted for 25% of our total railway operating revenues.

COAL – Revenues from coal accounted for 15% of our total railway operating revenues in 2019. We handled 102 million tons, or 0.9 million carloads, in 2019, most of which originated on our lines from major eastern coal basins, with the balance from major western coal basins received via the Memphis and Chicago gateways. Our coal franchise supports the electric generation market, serving approximately 60 coal generation plants, as well as the export, domestic metallurgical and industrial markets, primarily through direct rail and river, lake, and coastal facilities, including various terminals on the Ohio River, Lamberts Point in Norfolk, Virginia, the Port of Baltimore, and Lake Erie.

FREIGHT RATES – Our predominant pricing mechanisms, private contracts and exempt price quotes, are not subject to regulation. In general, market forces are the primary determinant of rail service prices.

RAILWAY PROPERTY

Our railroad infrastructure makes us capital intensive with net property of approximately $32 billion on a historical cost basis.

Property Additions – Property additions for the past five years were as follows:


	2019		2018		2017		2016		2015
	($ in millions)

Road and other property	$	1,371	$	1,276	$	1,210	$	1,292	$	1,514
Equipment	648		675		513		595		658
Delaware & Hudson acquisition	—		—		—		—		213

Total	$	2,019	$	1,951	$	1,723	$	1,887	$	2,385

Our capital spending and replacement programs are and have been designed to assure the ability to provide safe, efficient, and reliable rail transportation services.

Equipment – At December 31, 2019, we owned or leased the following units of equipment:


	Owned	Leased	Total	Capacity of Equipment
Locomotives:				(Horsepower)
Multiple purpose	3,711	—	3,711	14,234,300
Auxiliary units	178	—	178	—
Switching	17	—	17	23,800

Total locomotives	3,906	—	3,906	14,258,100

Freight cars:				(Tons)
Gondola	22,081	3,541	25,622	2,476,401
Hopper	9,877	—	9,877	1,109,777
Covered hopper	6,320	—	6,320	699,985
Box	4,432	747	5,179	388,615
Flat	1,572	387	1,959	190,213
Other	1,592	4	1,596	73,203

Total freight cars	45,874	4,679	50,553	4,938,194

Other:
Chassis	33,861	—	33,861
Containers	18,920	—	18,920
Work equipment	5,754	258	6,012
Vehicles	3,349	59	3,408
Miscellaneous	2,391	—	2,391

Total other	64,275	317	64,592

The following table indicates the number and year built for locomotives and freight cars owned at December 31, 2019:


	2019		2018		2017		2016		2015		2010- 2014		2005- 2009		2004 & Before		Total
Locomotives:
No. of units	35		15		55		66		8		325		359		3,043		3,906
% of fleet	1	%	—	%	2	%	2	%	—	%	8	%	9	%	78	%	100	%

Freight cars:
No. of units	200		—		470		775		2,090		6,841		4,760		30,738		45,874
% of fleet	—	%	—	%	1	%	2	%	5	%	15	%	10	%	67	%	100	%

The following table shows the average age of our owned locomotive and freight car fleets at December 31, 2019, and information regarding 2019 retirements:


	Locomotives	Freight Cars
Average age – in service	25.7 years	27.0 years
Retirements	250 units	8,825 units
Average age – retired	29.8 years	42.6 years

Track Maintenance – Of the approximately 35,600 total miles of track on which we operate, we are responsible for maintaining approximately 28,400 miles, with the remainder being operated under trackage rights from other parties responsible for maintenance.

Over 84% of the main line trackage (including first, second, third, and branch main tracks, all excluding rail operated pursuant to trackage rights) has rail ranging from 131 to 155 pounds per yard with the standard installation currently at 136 pounds per yard. Approximately 44% of our lines, excluding rail operated pursuant to trackage rights, carried 20 million or more gross tons per track mile during 2019.

The following table summarizes several measurements regarding our track roadway additions and replacements during the past five years:


	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
Track miles of rail installed	449	416	466	518	523
Miles of track surfaced	5,012	4,594	5,368	4,984	5,074
Crossties installed (millions)	2.4	2.2	2.5	2.3	2.4

Traffic Control – Of the approximately 16,400 route miles we dispatch, about 11,300 miles are signalized, including 8,500 miles of centralized traffic control (CTC) and 2,800 miles of automatic block signals. Of the 8,500 miles of CTC, approximately 7,600 miles are controlled by data radio originating at 355 base station radio sites.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS – Compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment is one of our principal goals. To date, such compliance has not had a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity, or competitive position. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

EMPLOYEES – The following table shows the average number of employees and the average cost per employee for wages and benefits:


	2019		2018		2017		2016		2015

Average number of employees	24,587		26,662		27,110		28,044		30,456
Average wage cost per employee	$	85,000	$	83,000	$	79,000	$	76,000	$	77,000
Average benefit cost per employee	$	40,000	$	39,000	$	42,000	$	35,000	$	32,000

Approximately 80% of our railroad employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions. See the discussion of “Labor Agreements” in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

GOVERNMENT REGULATION – In addition to environmental, safety, securities, and other regulations generally applicable to all business, our railroads are subject to regulation by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB). The STB has jurisdiction to varying extents over rates, routes, customer access provisions, fuel surcharges, conditions of service, and the extension or abandonment of rail lines. The STB has jurisdiction to determine whether we are “revenue adequate” on an annual basis based on the results of the prior year. A railroad is “revenue adequate” on an annual basis under the applicable law when its return on net investment exceeds the rail industry’s composite cost of capital. This determination is made pursuant to a statutory requirement. The STB also has jurisdiction over the consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control of and by rail common carriers.

The relaxation of economic regulation of railroads, following the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, included exemption from STB regulation of the rates and most service terms for intermodal business (trailer-on-flat-car, container-on-flat-car), rail boxcar shipments, lumber, manufactured steel, automobiles, and certain bulk commodities such as sand, gravel, pulpwood, and wood chips for paper manufacturing. Further, all shipments that we have under contract are effectively removed from commercial regulation for the duration of the contract. Approximately 90% of our revenues comes from either exempt shipments or shipments moving under transportation contracts; the remainder comes from shipments moving under public tariff rates.

Efforts have been made over the past several years to increase federal economic regulation of the rail industry, and such efforts are expected to continue in 2020. The Staggers Rail Act of 1980 substantially balanced the interests of shippers and rail carriers, and encouraged and enabled rail carriers to innovate, invest in their infrastructure, and compete for business, thereby contributing to the economic health of the nation and to the revitalization of the industry. Accordingly, we will continue to oppose efforts to reimpose increased economic regulation.

Government regulations are further discussed within Item 1A “Risk Factors” and the safety and security of our railroads are discussed within the “Security of Operations” section contained herein.

COMPETITION – There is continuing strong competition among rail, water, and highway carriers. Price is usually only one factor of importance as shippers and receivers choose a transport mode and specific hauling company. Inventory carrying costs, service reliability, ease of handling, and the desire to avoid loss and damage during transit are also important considerations, especially for higher-valued finished goods, machinery, and consumer products. Even for raw materials, semi-finished goods, and work-in-progress, users are increasingly sensitive to transport arrangements that minimize problems at successive production stages.

Our primary rail competitor is CSX Corporation (CSX); both NS and CSX operate throughout much of the same territory. Other railroads also operate in parts of the territory. We also compete with motor carriers, water carriers, and with shippers who have the additional options of handling their own goods in private carriage, sourcing products from different geographic areas, and using substitute products.

Certain marketing strategies to expand reach and shipping options among railroads and between railroads and motor carriers enable railroads to compete more effectively in specific markets.

SECURITY OF OPERATIONS – We continue to enhance the security of our rail system. Our comprehensive security plan is modeled on and was developed in conjunction with the security plan prepared by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) post September 11, 2001. The AAR Security Plan defines four Alert Levels and details the actions and countermeasures that are being applied across the railroad industry to mitigate the risk of terrorist, violent extremist or seriously disruptive cyber-attack increases or decreases. The Alert Level actions include countermeasures that will be applied in three general areas: (1) operations (including transportation, engineering, and mechanical); (2) information technology and communications; and, (3) railroad police. All of our Operations Division employees are advised by their supervisors or train dispatchers, as appropriate, of any change in Alert Level and any additional responsibilities they may incur due to such change.

Our security plan also complies with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) security regulations pertaining to training and security plans with respect to the transportation of hazardous materials. As part of the plan, security awareness training is given to all railroad employees who directly affect hazardous material transportation safety,

and is integrated into hazardous material training programs. Additionally, location-specific security plans are in place for rail corridors in certain metropolitan areas referred to as High Threat Urban Areas (HTUA). Particular attention is aimed at reducing risk in a HTUA by: (1) the establishment of secure storage areas for rail cars carrying toxic-by-inhalation (TIH) materials; (2) the expedited movement of trains transporting rail cars carrying TIH materials; (3) reducing the number of unattended loaded tank cars carrying TIH materials; and (4) cooperation with federal, state, local, and tribal governments to identify those locations where security risks are the highest.

We also operate six facilities that are under U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Maritime Security Regulations. With respect to these facilities, each facility’s security plan has been approved by the applicable Captain of the Port and remains subject to inspection by the USCG.

Additionally, we continue to engage in close and regular coordination with numerous federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the USCG, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Defense, and various state Homeland Security offices.

In 2019, through the Norfolk Southern Operation Awareness and Response Program as well as participation in the Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response Program, we provided rail accident response training to approximately 5,700 emergency responders, such as local police and fire personnel. Our other training efforts throughout 2019 included participation in tabletop and full scale exercises for local, state, and federal agencies. We also have ongoing programs to sponsor local emergency responders at the Security and Emergency Response Training Course conducted at the AAR Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

We also continually evaluate ourselves for appropriate business continuity and disaster recovery planning, with test scenarios that include cybersecurity attacks. Our risk-based information security program helps ensure our defenses and resources are aligned to address the most likely and most damaging potential attacks, to provide support for our organizational mission and operational objectives, and to keep us in the best position to detect, mitigate, and recover from a wide variety of potential attacks in a timely fashion.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The risks set forth in the following risk factors could have a materially 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. The information set forth in this Item 1A “Risk Factors” should be read in conjunction with the rest of the information included in this annual report, including Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Significant governmental legislation and regulation over commercial, operating and environmental matters could affect us, our customers, and the markets we serve. Congress can enact laws that could increase economic regulation of the industry. Railroads presently are subject to commercial regulation by the STB, which has jurisdiction to varying extents over rates, routes, customer access provisions, fuel surcharges, conditions of service, and the extension or abandonment of rail lines. The STB also has jurisdiction over the consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control of and by rail common carriers. Additional economic regulation of the rail industry by Congress or the STB, whether under new or existing laws, could have a significant negative impact on our ability to negotiate prices for rail services, on railway operating revenues, and on the efficiency of our operations. This potential material adverse effect could also result in reduced capital spending on our rail network or abandonment of lines.

Railroads are also subject to the enactment of laws by Congress and regulation by the DOT and the DHS, which regulate most aspects of our operations related to safety and security. The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015, and the implementing regulations promulgated by the FRA (collectively “the PTC laws and regulations”) require us (and each other Class I railroad) to implement, on certain mainline track where intercity and commuter passenger railroads operate and where TIH hazardous materials are

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transported, an interoperable positive train control system (PTC). PTC is a set of highly advanced technologies designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, speed-related derailments, and certain other accidents caused by human error, but PTC will not prevent all types of train accidents or incidents. We met the deadline under the PTC laws and regulations to install all hardware and to implement PTC on some of those rail lines, and we are required to fully implement PTC on the remainder of those rail lines by December 31, 2020. In addition, other railroads’ implementation schedules could impose additional interoperability requirements and accelerated timelines on us, which could impact our operations over other railroads if not met.

Full implementation of PTC will result in additional operating costs and capital expenditures, and PTC implementation may result in reduced operational efficiency and service levels, as well as increased compensation and benefits expenses, and increased claims and litigation costs.

Our operations are subject to extensive federal and state environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other things, emissions to the air; discharges to waterways or groundwater supplies; handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of waste and other materials; and the cleanup of hazardous material or petroleum releases. The risk of incurring environmental liability, for acts and omissions, past, present, and future, is inherent in the railroad business. This risk includes property owned by us, whether currently or in the past, that is or has been subject to a variety of uses, including our railroad operations and other industrial activity by past owners or our past and present tenants.

Environmental problems that are latent or undisclosed may exist on these properties, and we could incur environmental liabilities or costs, the amount and materiality of which cannot be estimated reliably at this time, with respect to one or more of these properties. Moreover, lawsuits and claims involving other unidentified environmental sites and matters are likely to arise from time to time.

Concern over climate change has led to significant federal, state, and international legislative and regulatory efforts to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Restrictions, caps, taxes, or other controls on GHG emissions, including diesel exhaust, could significantly increase our operating costs, decrease the amount of traffic handled, and decrease the value of coal reserves we own.

In addition, legislation and regulation related to GHGs could negatively affect the markets we serve and our customers. Even without legislation or regulation, government incentives and adverse publicity relating to GHGs could negatively affect the markets for certain of the commodities we carry and our customers that (1) use commodities that we carry to produce energy, including coal, (2) use significant amounts of energy in producing or delivering the commodities we carry, or (3) manufacture or produce goods that consume significant amounts of energy.

As a common carrier by rail, we must offer to transport hazardous materials, regardless of risk. Transportation of certain hazardous materials could create catastrophic losses in terms of personal injury and property (including environmental) damage, and compromise critical parts of our rail network. The cost of a catastrophic rail accident involving hazardous materials could exceed our insurance coverage. We have obtained insurance for potential losses for third-party liability and first-party property damages (see Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements); however, insurance is available from a limited number of insurers and may not continue to be available or, if available, may not be obtainable on terms acceptable to us.

We may be affected by general economic conditions. Prolonged negative changes in domestic and global economic conditions could affect the producers and consumers of the commodities we carry. Economic conditions could also result in bankruptcies of one or more large customers.

Significant increases in demand for rail services could result in the unavailability of qualified personnel and locomotives. In addition, workforce demographics and training requirements, particularly for engineers and conductors, could have a negative impact on our ability to meet short-term demand for rail service. Unpredicted increases in demand for rail services may exacerbate such risks.

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We may be affected by energy prices. Volatility in energy prices could have a significant effect on a variety of items including, but not limited to: the economy; demand for transportation services; business related to the energy sector, including crude oil, natural gas, and coal; fuel prices; and fuel surcharges.

We face competition from other transportation providers. We are subject to competition from motor carriers, railroads and, to a lesser extent, ships, barges, and pipelines, on the basis of transit time, pricing, and quality and reliability of service. While we have used primarily internal resources to build or acquire and maintain our rail system, trucks and barges have been able to use public rights-of-way maintained by public entities. Any future improvements, expenditures, legislation, or regulation materially increasing the quality or reducing the cost of alternative modes of transportation in the regions in which we operate (such as granting materially greater latitude for motor carriers with respect to size or weight limitations or adoption of autonomous commercial vehicles) could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

The operations of carriers with which we interchange may adversely affect our operations. Our ability to provide rail service to customers in the U.S. and Canada depends in large part upon our ability to maintain collaborative relationships with connecting carriers (including shortlines and regional railroads) with respect to, among other matters, freight rates, revenue division, car supply and locomotive availability, data exchange and communications, reciprocal switching, interchange, and trackage rights. Deterioration in the operations of or service provided by connecting carriers, or in our relationship with those connecting carriers, could result in our inability to meet our customers’ demands or require us to use alternate train routes, which could result in significant additional costs and network inefficiencies. Additionally, any significant consolidations, mergers or operational changes among other railroads may significantly redefine our market access and reach.

We rely on technology and technology improvements in our business operations. If we experience significant disruption or failure of one or more of our information technology systems, including computer hardware, software, and communications equipment, we could experience a service interruption, a security breach, or other operational difficulties. We also face cybersecurity threats which may result in breaches of systems, or compromises of sensitive data, which may result in an inability to access or operate systems necessary for conducting operations and providing customer service, thereby impacting our efficiency and/or damaging our corporate reputation. Additionally, if we do not have sufficient capital to acquire new technology or we are unable to implement new technology, we may suffer a competitive disadvantage within the rail industry and with companies providing other modes of transportation service.

The vast majority of our employees belong to labor unions, and labor agreements, strikes, or work stoppages could adversely affect our operations. Approximately 80% of our railroad employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions. If unionized workers were to engage in a strike, work stoppage, or other slowdown, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations. Additionally, future national labor agreements, or renegotiation of labor agreements or provisions of labor agreements, could significantly increase our costs for health care, wages, and other benefits.

We may be subject to various claims and lawsuits that could result in significant expenditures. The nature of our business exposes us to the potential for various claims and litigation related to labor and employment, personal injury, commercial disputes, freight loss and other property damage, and other matters. Job-related personal injury and occupational claims are subject to the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA), which is applicable only to railroads. FELA’s fault-based tort system produces results that are unpredictable and inconsistent as compared with a no-fault worker’s compensation system. The variability inherent in this system could result in actual costs being different from the liability recorded.

Any material changes to current litigation trends or a catastrophic rail accident involving any or all of freight loss, property damage, personal injury, and environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on us to the extent not covered by insurance. We have obtained insurance for potential losses for third-party liability and first-party property damages; however, insurance is available from a limited number of insurers and may not continue to be available or, if available, may not be obtainable on terms acceptable to us.

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Severe weather could result in significant business interruptions and expenditures. Severe weather conditions and other natural phenomena, including hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes, may cause significant business interruptions and result in increased costs, increased liabilities, and decreased revenues.

We may be affected by terrorism or war. Any terrorist attack, or other similar event, any government response thereto, and war or risk of war could cause significant business interruption. Because we play a critical role in the nation’s transportation system, we could become the target of such an attack or have a significant role in the government’s preemptive approach or response to an attack or war.

Although we currently maintain insurance coverage for third-party liability arising out of war and acts of terrorism, we maintain only limited insurance coverage for first-party property damage and damage to property in our care, custody, or control caused by certain acts of terrorism. In addition, premiums for some or all of our current insurance programs covering these losses could increase dramatically, or insurance coverage for certain losses could be unavailable to us in the future.

We may be affected by supply constraints resulting from disruptions in the fuel markets or the nature of some of our supplier markets. We consumed approximately 451 million gallons of diesel fuel in 2019. Fuel availability could be affected by any limitation in the fuel supply or by any imposition of mandatory allocation or rationing regulations. A severe fuel supply shortage arising from production curtailments, increased demand in existing or emerging foreign markets, disruption of oil imports, disruption of domestic refinery production, damage

to refinery or pipeline infrastructure, political unrest, war or other factors could impact us as well as our customers and other transportation companies.

Due to the capital intensive nature, as well as the industry-specific requirements of the rail industry, high barriers of entry exist for potential new suppliers of core railroad items, such as locomotives and rolling stock equipment. Additionally, we compete with other industries for available capacity and raw materials used in the production of locomotives and certain track and rolling stock materials. Changes in the competitive landscapes of these limited supplier markets could result in increased prices or significant shortages of materials.

The state of capital markets could adversely affect our liquidity. We rely on the capital markets to provide some of our capital requirements, including the issuance of debt instruments, as well as the sale of certain receivables. Significant instability or disruptions of the capital markets, including the credit markets, or deterioration of our financial position due to internal or external factors could restrict or eliminate our access to, and/or significantly increase the cost of, various financing sources, including bank credit facilities and issuance of corporate bonds. Instability or disruptions of the capital markets and deterioration of our financial position, alone or in combination, could also result in a reduction in our credit rating to below investment grade, which could prohibit or restrict us from accessing external sources of short- and long-term debt financing and/or significantly increase the associated costs.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

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. We believe the allegations in the complaints are without merit and 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.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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Information About Our Executive Officers

Our executive officers generally are elected and designated annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting held after the annual meeting of stockholders, and they hold office until their successors are elected. Executive officers also may be elected and designated throughout the year as the Board of Directors considers appropriate. There are no family relationships among our officers, nor any arrangement or understanding between any officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected. The following table sets forth certain information, at February 1, 2020, relating to our officers.


Name, Age, Present Position			Business Experience During Past Five Years

James A. Squires, 58, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer			Present position since October 1, 2015. Served as CEO since June 1, 2015. Served as President since June 1, 2013.

Ann A. Adams, 49, Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer			Present position since April 1, 2019. Served as Vice President Human Resources from April 1, 2016 to April 1, 2019. Served as Assistant Vice President Human Resources from July 1, 2012 to April 1, 2016.

Mark R. George, 52, Executive Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer			Present position since November 1, 2019. Prior to joining Norfolk Southern, served as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer at segments of United Technologies Corporation. The positions were Vice President Finance, Strategy, IT and Chief Financial Officer at Otis Elevator Company from October 2015 to May 2019, and Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Carrier Corporation from September 2008 until September 2015, and again June 2019 until joining Norfolk Southern.

John M. Scheib, 48, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer			Present position since April 1, 2019. Served as Executive Vice President – Law and Administration and Chief Legal Officer from March 1, 2018 to April 1, 2019. Served as Senior Vice President Law and Corporate Relations from October 1, 2017, to March 1, 2018. Served as Vice President Law from December 1, 2016, to October 1, 2017. Served as General Counsel from August 16, 2010, to December 1, 2016.

Alan H. Shaw, 52, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer			Present position since May 16, 2015. Served as Vice President Intermodal Operations from November 1, 2013 to May 16, 2015.

Michael J. Wheeler, 57, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer			Present position since February 1, 2016. Served as Senior Vice President Operations from October 1, 2015 to February 1, 2016. Served as Vice President Engineering from November 1, 2012 to October 1, 2015.

Jason A. Zampi, 45, Vice President and Controller			Present position since December 16, 2018. Served as Assistant Vice President Corporate Accounting from April 1, 2016 to December 16, 2018. Served as Director Accounting Research and Analysis from May 1, 2014 to April 1, 2016.

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PART II

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

STOCK INFORMATION

Common Stock is owned by 23,273 stockholders of record as of December 31, 2019, and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NSC.”

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


Period	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased⁽¹⁾	Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)		Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs⁽²⁾	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that may yet be Purchased under the Plans or Programs⁽²⁾

October 1-31, 2019	1,024,028	$	178.89	1,020,083	29,956,368
November 1-30, 2019	923,726	192.84		922,109	29,034,259
December 1-31, 2019	987,478	191.40		987,478	28,046,781

Total	2,935,232			2,929,670

⁽¹⁾Of this amount, 5,562 represents shares tendered by employees in connection with the exercise of stock options under the stockholder-approved Long-Term Incentive Plan.

⁽²⁾On September 26, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 50 million shares of Common Stock through December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2019, 28.0 million shares remain authorized for repurchase.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL REVIEW


	2019		2018		2017		2016		2015
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Railway operating revenues	$	11,296	$	11,458	$	10,551	$	9,888	$	10,511
Railway operating expenses	7,307		7,499		7,029		6,879		7,656
Income from railway operations	3,989		3,959		3,522		3,009		2,855

Other income – net	106		67		156		136		132
Interest expense on debt	604		557		550		563		545
Income before income taxes	3,491		3,469		3,128		2,582		2,442

Income taxes	769		803		(2,276)		914		886
Net income	$	2,722	$	2,666	$	5,404	$	1,668	$	1,556

PER SHARE DATA
Basic earnings per share	$	10.32	$	9.58	$	18.76	$	5.66	$	5.13
Diluted earnings per share	10.25		9.51		18.61		5.62		5.10
Dividends	3.60		3.04		2.44		2.36		2.36
Stockholders’ equity at year-end	58.87		57.30		57.57		42.73		40.93

FINANCIAL POSITION
Total assets	$	37,923	$	36,239	$	35,711	$	34,892	$	34,139
Total debt	12,196		11,145		9,836		10,212		10,093
Stockholders’ equity	15,184		15,362		16,359		12,409		12,188

OTHER
Property additions	$	2,019	$	1,951	$	1,723	$	1,887	$	2,385


Average number of shares outstanding (thousands)	263,270		277,708		287,861		293,943		301,873
Number of stockholders at year-end	23,273		24,475		25,737		27,288		28,443
Average number of employees:
Rail	24,442		26,512		26,955		27,856		30,057
Nonrail	145		150		155		188		399

Total	24,587		26,662		27,110		28,044		30,456

Note 1: In 2017, as a result of the enactment of tax reform, “Railway operating expenses” included a $151 million benefit and “Income taxes” included a $3,331 million benefit, which added $3,482 million to “Net income” and $12.00 to “Diluted earnings per share.”

Note 2: On January 1, 2019, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for leases greater than twelve months. As a result of the adoption, the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 includes the recognition of ROU assets of $539 million and corresponding lease liabilities of $538 million.

See accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

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Item 7. 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. Our Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern is a major transporter of industrial products, including chemicals, agriculture, and metals and construction materials. In addition, we operate the most extensive intermodal network in the East and are a principal carrier of coal, automobiles, and automotive parts.

The execution of the initiatives in our strategic plan allowed us to achieve records for income from railway operations and railway operating ratio (a measure of the amount of operating revenues consumed by operating expenses) for the year. We continued our focus on improving the efficiency of our operations and utilization of our assets, allowing us to reduce our operating expenses by 3% in the face of a 1% revenue decline.

SUMMARIZED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


							2019		2018
	2019		2018		2017		vs. 2018		vs. 2017
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)										(% change)

Income from railway operations	$	3,989	$	3,959	$	3,522	1	%	12	%
Net income	$	2,722	$	2,666	$	5,404	2	%	(51	%)
Diluted earnings per share	$	10.25	$	9.51	$	18.61	8	%	(49	%)
Railway operating ratio (percent)	64.7		65.4		66.6		(1	%)	(2	%)

Income from railway operations rose in 2019 as a 3% reduction in railway operating expenses more than offset the impact of a 1% decline in railway operating revenues. In addition to higher income from railway operations, net income and diluted earnings per share growth in 2019 also benefited from a lower effective tax rate. Our continuing share repurchase program contributed to diluted earnings per share growth that exceeded that of net income.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“tax reform”) was signed into law. The following table adjusts our 2017 U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial results to exclude the effects of tax reform, specifically, the effects of remeasurement of net deferred tax liabilities related to the reduction of the federal tax rate from 35% to 21% (the “2017 tax adjustments”). 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 2017 tax adjustments. 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 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.

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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures


	Reported 2017 (GAAP)		2017 tax adjustments		Adjusted 2017 (non-GAAP)
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)

Income from railway operations	$	3,522	$	(151)	$	3,371
Net income	$	5,404	$	(3,482)	$	1,922
Diluted earnings per share	$	18.61	$	(12.00)	$	6.61
Railway operating ratio (percent)	66.6		1.5		68.1

In the table below and the paragraph following, references to 2017 results and related comparisons use the adjusted, non-GAAP results from the reconciliation in the table above.


									2018 vs.
					Adjusted				Adjusted
					2017		2019		2017
	2019		2018		(non-GAAP)		vs. 2018		(non-GAAP)
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)										(% change)

Income from railway operations	$	3,989	$	3,959	$	3,371	1	%	17	%
Net income	$	2,722	$	2,666	$	1,922	2	%	39	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	10.25	$	9.51	$	6.61	8	%	44	%
Railway operating ratio (percent)	64.7		65.4		68.1		(1	%)	(4	%)

Income from railway operations increased in 2018 as compared to 2017, as a 9% increase in railway operating revenues more than offset a 4% increase in adjusted operating expenses. In addition to higher income from railway operations, net income and diluted earnings per share growth in 2018 also benefited from a lower effective tax rate, primarily due to the enactment of tax reform. Finally, our share repurchase program resulted in diluted earnings per share growth that exceeded that of net income.

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DETAILED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Railway Operating Revenues

The following tables present a three-year comparison of revenues, volumes (units), and average revenue per unit by major commodity group. At the beginning of 2019, we made changes in the categorization of certain commodity groups within Merchandise. Prior period railway operating revenues, units, and revenue per unit have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation (see Note 2).


	Revenues										2019	2018
	2019		2018		2017		vs. 2018		vs. 2017
	($ in millions)										(% change)
Merchandise:
Chemicals	$	1,874	$	1,858	$	1,710	1	%	9	%
Agriculture products	1,567		1,514		1,416		4	%	7	%
Metals and construction	1,522		1,539		1,481		(1	%)	4	%
Automotive	994		991		955		—	%	4	%
Forest and consumer	846		842		795		—	%	6	%
Merchandise	6,803		6,744		6,357		1	%	6	%
Intermodal	2,824		2,893		2,452		(2	%)	18	%
Coal	1,669		1,821		1,742		(8	%)	5	%
Total	$	11,296	$	11,458	$	10,551	(1	%)	9	%


	Units							2019	2018
	2019	2018	2017	vs. 2018		vs. 2017
	(in thousands)							(% change)
Merchandise:
Chemicals	514.9	523.3	488.6	(2	%)	7	%
Agriculture products	528.5	538.9	524.8	(2	%)	3	%
Metals and construction	721.3	759.7	761.2	(5	%)	—	%
Automotive	394.7	403.9	423.1	(2	%)	(5	%)
Forest and consumer	273.0	293.3	293.7	(7	%)	—	%
Merchandise	2,432.4	2,519.1	2,491.4	(3	%)	1	%
Intermodal	4,207.2	4,375.7	4,074.1	(4	%)	7	%
Coal	914.0	1,033.5	1,046.0	(12	%)	(1	%)
Total	7,553.6	7,928.3	7,611.5	(5	%)	4	%


	Revenue per Unit										2019	2018
	2019		2018		2017		vs. 2018		vs. 2017
	($ per unit)										(% change)
Merchandise:
Chemicals	$	3,640	$	3,551	$	3,501	3	%	1	%
Agriculture products	2,964		2,809		2,697		6	%	4	%
Metals and construction	2,110		2,026		1,946		4	%	4	%
Automotive	2,517		2,453		2,257		3	%	9	%
Forest and consumer	3,101		2,870		2,706		8	%	6	%
Merchandise	2,797		2,677		2,552		4	%	5	%
Intermodal	671		661		602		2	%	10	%
Coal	1,826		1,762		1,665		4	%	6	%
Total	1,495		1,445		1,386		3	%	4	%

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Revenues decreased $162 million in 2019 but increased $907 million in 2018 compared to the prior years. As reflected in the table below, lower 2019 revenues were the result of decreased volumes, partially offset by higher average revenue per unit, driven by pricing gains. The rise in 2018 revenues was the result of higher average revenue per unit, driven by pricing gains and higher fuel surcharge revenue, partially offset by the mix-related impacts of increased intermodal volume and decreased coal volume. In addition, overall volume also increased.

The table below reflects the components of the revenue change by major commodity group.


	2019 vs. 2018										2018 vs. 2017
	Increase (Decrease)										Increase (Decrease)
	($ in millions)
	Merchandise		Intermodal		Coal		Merchandise		Intermodal		Coal

Volume	$	(232)	$	(111)	$	(210)	$	71	$	182	$	(21)
Fuel surcharge
revenue	(14)		(30)		(35)		119		159		20
Rate, mix and
other	305		72		93		197		100		80

Total	$	59	$	(69)	$	(152)	$	387	$	441	$	79

Approximately 90% of our revenue base is covered by contracts that include negotiated fuel surcharges. These revenues totaled $578 million, $657 million, and $359 million in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

For 2020, merchandise and intermodal revenues are expected to increase, while coal revenues are anticipated to decline, resulting in overall revenues that are expected to be flat.

MERCHANDISE revenues increased in both 2019 and 2018 compared with the prior years. In 2019, revenues grew due to higher average revenue per unit, driven by pricing gains, which were partially offset by volume declines in all commodity groups. In 2018, revenues grew due to higher average revenue per unit, driven by pricing gains and higher fuel surcharge revenue, as well as higher volumes. Volume gains in chemicals and agriculture products were partially offset by declines in automotive traffic.

Chemicals revenues rose in both 2019 and 2018 compared with the prior years. In 2019, the rise was the result of higher average revenue per unit, due to pricing gains, which were partially offset by volume declines. Volume declines in natural gas, petroleum products, organic and inorganic chemicals, and plastics were partially offset by gains in crude oil and municipal waste. In 2018, the rise was the result of higher volume and higher average revenue per unit, due to pricing gains and higher fuel surcharge revenue. Volumes grew due to increased shipments of crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas, plastics, and municipal waste shipments, partially offset by a decrease in coal ash shipments.

Agriculture products revenues rose in both 2019 and 2018 compared to the prior years. Growth in 2019 was due to higher average revenue per unit, a result of pricing gains, which more than offset volume declines. Volumes were down due to decreased shipments of ethanol, soybeans, and fertilizer, partially offset by increases in corn shipments. Growth in 2018 was due to higher average revenue per unit, a result of pricing gains and higher fuel surcharge revenues, and higher volume. Higher ethanol and fertilizer shipments more than offset declines in soybean and corn shipments.

Metals and construction revenues declined in 2019 but increased in 2018 compared to the prior years. In 2019, volume declines were largely offset by higher average revenue per unit, the result of pricing gains. Volume declines in iron and steel, coil, sand, and scrap metal were partially offset by increases in aggregates shipments due to improved service and market strength. In 2018, higher average revenue per unit, the result of pricing gains and

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higher fuel surcharge revenue, drove the increase while volumes remained flat. Volume increases in frac sand shipments for use in natural gas drilling in the Marcellus and Utica regions were offset by declines in aggregates, cement, aluminum, and iron and steel.

Automotive revenues were flat in 2019 and increased in 2018 compared to the prior years. In 2019, higher average revenue per unit, driven by price increases, offset volume declines that were primarily the result of decreases in U.S. light vehicle production and the United Automobile Workers strike in the fourth quarter. In 2018, higher average revenue per unit, driven by price increases and higher fuel surcharge revenues, more than offset volume declines. Traffic declines were the result of shortages of availability of multilevel equipment and scheduled automotive plant downtime.

Forest and consumer revenues were flat in 2019 and increased in 2018 compared to the prior years. In 2019, higher average revenue per unit, the result of pricing gains, offset volume declines. Volume declines were primarily driven by reduced shipments of pulpboard, lumber and wood, and kaolin. In 2018, higher average revenue per unit, the result of pricing gains and higher fuel surcharge revenue drove the increase while volumes remained flat. Gains in pulpboard, a result of tightened truck capacity, were offset by decreases in pulp, woodchip, and graphic paper.

INTERMODAL revenues decreased in 2019, but increased considerably in 2018 compared to the prior years. The decline in 2019 was driven by lower volumes, which were partially offset by higher average revenue per unit, a result of pricing gains. The rise in 2018 was driven by higher average revenue per unit, a result of increased fuel surcharge revenue and pricing gains, and higher volume.

Intermodal units by market were as follows:


				2019		2018
	2019	2018	2017	vs. 2018		vs. 2017
	(units in thousands)							(% change)

Domestic	2,593.5	2,801.1	2,585.0	(7	%)	8	%
International	1,613.7	1,574.6	1,489.1	2	%	6	%

Total	4,207.2	4,375.7	4,074.1	(4	%)	7	%

Domestic volume fell in 2019 but increased in 2018. Volume was challenged in 2019 by stronger over-the-road competition. The rise in 2018 benefited from continued highway conversions due to tighter capacity in the truck market, higher truckload pricing, and growth from existing accounts.

International volume increased in both periods reflecting increased demand from new and existing customers, despite 2019 volume being somewhat tempered by tariff concerns.

COAL revenues decreased in 2019, but increased in 2018 compared with the prior years. The decrease in 2019 was a result of lower volume, which was partially offset by higher average revenue per unit, driven by pricing gains. Revenue growth in 2018 was the result of higher average revenue per unit, largely the result of pricing gains, which more than offset volume declines.

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As shown in the following table, total tonnage decreased in both periods.


				2019		2018
	2019	2018	2017	vs. 2018		vs. 2017
	(tons in thousands)							(% change)

Utility	60,278	65,688	67,899	(8	%)	(3	%)
Export	23,324	28,046	26,460	(17	%)	6	%
Domestic metallurgical	13,562	15,500	15,675	(13	%)	(1	%)
Industrial	4,655	5,410	5,545	(14	%)	(2	%)

Total	101,819	114,644	115,579	(11	%)	(1	%)

Utility coal tonnage declined in both periods from continued headwinds from low natural gas prices as well as additional natural gas and renewable energy generating capacity, that were slightly offset by our service improvements and customer inventory rebuilding.

Export coal tonnage decreased in 2019 but increased in 2018. The decline in 2019 was a result of weak thermal seaborne pricing and coal supply disruptions at certain mines. The increase in 2018 was due to strong seaborne pricing that resulted in higher demand for U.S. coal.

Domestic metallurgical coal tonnage was down in both years. The decline in 2019 was a reflection of challenging overall market conditions including softening domestic steel demand, customer sourcing changes, and plant outages. The decline in 2018 was a reflection of customer sourcing changes.

Industrial coal tonnage decreased in both years driven by customer sourcing changes and pressure from natural gas conversions.

Railway Operating Expenses

Railway operating expenses summarized by major classifications were as follows:


							2019		2018
	2019		2018		2017		vs. 2018		vs. 2017
	($ in millions)										(% change)

Compensation and benefits	$	2,751	$	2,925	$	2,979	(6	%)	(2	%)
Purchased services and rents	1,725		1,730		1,414		—	%	22	%
Fuel	953		1,087		840		(12	%)	29	%
Depreciation	1,138		1,102		1,055		3	%	4	%
Materials and other	740		655		741		13	%	(12	%)

Total	$	7,307	$	7,499	$	7,029	(3	%)	7	%

In 2019, expenses fell as our strategic initiatives to improve productivity resulted in lower compensation, equipment rents, and materials expense. These decreases along with lower fuel prices and consumption were partially offset by lower gains on property sales, increased depreciation, and a write-off of a $32 million receivable as a result of a legal dispute. In 2018, expenses rose due to higher fuel prices as well as volume-related increases and costs associated with overall lower network velocity, partially offset by higher gains on property sales.

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Compensation and benefits decreased in 2019, reflecting changes in:

•employment levels (down $117 million),

•incentive and stock-based compensation (down $83 million),

•overtime and recrews (down $45 million),

•higher capitalized labor ($9 million),

•2018 employment tax refund ($31 million unfavorable in 2019),

•pay rates (up $76 million), and

•other (down $27 million).

In 2018, compensation and benefits decreased, a result of changes in:

•employment levels (down $61 million),

•health and welfare benefit rates for agreement employees (down $34 million),

•employment tax refund ($31 million benefit),

•incentive and stock-based compensation (down $7 million),

•pay rates (up $34 million),

•overtime and recrews (up $58 million), and

•other (down $13 million).

Our employment averaged 24,587 in 2019, compared with 26,662 in 2018, and 27,110 in 2017.

Purchased services and rents includes the costs of services purchased from outside contractors, including the net costs of operating joint (or leased) facilities with other railroads and the net cost of equipment rentals. In 2017, this line item includes a $151 million benefit from the 2017 tax adjustments ($36 million in purchased services and $115 million in equipment rents) in the form of higher income of certain equity investees.


							2019		2018
	2019		2018		2017		vs. 2018		vs. 2017
	($ in millions)										(% change)

Purchased services	$	1,434	$	1,367	$	1,233	5	%	11	%
Equipment rents	291		363		181		(20	%)	101	%

Total	$	1,725	$	1,730	$	1,414	—	%	22	%

The increase in purchased services in 2019 was the result of increased technology-related expenses, expenses associated with our headquarters relocation, and increased intermodal-related costs partially offset by decreased transportation activities. The increase in purchased services in 2018 was largely the result of the absence of the benefit from the 2017 tax adjustments, higher intermodal volume-related costs, additional transportation and engineering activities as well as higher technology costs.

Equipment rents, which includes our cost of using equipment (mostly freight cars) owned by other railroads or private owners less the rent paid to us for the use of our equipment, decreased in 2019, but increased in 2018. In 2019, the decrease was largely due to improved network velocity and the absence of short-term locomotive resource costs incurred in the prior year. In 2018, the rise was due to the absence of the benefits from the 2017 tax adjustments, the impact of slower network velocity, the cost of additional short-term locomotive resources as well as growth in volume.

Fuel expense, which includes the cost of locomotive fuel as well as other fuel used in railway operations, decreased in 2019, but increased in 2018. The change in both years was principally due to locomotive fuel prices (down 8% in 2019 and up 25% in 2018) which decreased expenses $82 million in 2019 but increased expenses $208 million in 2018. Locomotive fuel consumption decreased 4% in 2019, but increased 3% in 2018. We consumed

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approximately 451 million gallons of diesel fuel in 2019, compared with 472 million gallons in 2018 and 458 million gallons in 2017.

Depreciation expense increased in both periods, a reflection of growth in our roadway and equipment capital base as we continue to invest in our infrastructure and rolling stock, and technology.

Materials and other expenses increased in 2019 but decreased in 2018 as shown in the following table.


							2019		2018
	2019		2018		2017		vs. 2018		vs. 2017
	($ in millions)										(% change)

Materials	$	327	$	362	$	348	(10	%)	4	%
Casualties and other claims	193		176		145		10	%	21	%
Other	220		117		248		88	%	(53	%)

Total	$	740	$	655	$	741	13	%	(12	%)

Materials expense decreased in 2019, due primarily to lower locomotive repair costs as a result of fewer locomotives in service. In 2018, the increase was primarily a result of higher locomotive repair costs.

Casualties and other claims expenses include the estimates of costs related to personal injury, property damage, and environmental matters. The 2019 expense increased, primarily the result of higher costs related to environmental remediation matters and higher personal injury costs. The 2018 expense increased, primarily the result of higher derailment-related costs.

Other expense increased in 2019 but decreased in 2018, largely a result of gains from sales of operating properties. Gains from operating property sales amounted to $64 million, $158 million, and $79 million in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. In 2019, the increase was additionally impacted by the write-off of a $32 million receivable as a result of a legal dispute. In 2018, the decline was also impacted by the inclusion of net rental income from operating property previously included in “Other income – net” of $78 million, partially offset by increased costs as a result of the relocation of our train dispatchers to Atlanta, Georgia.

Other income – net

Other income – net increased in 2019 but decreased in 2018. The increase in 2019 was driven by higher returns on corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) investments and increased gains on sales of non-operating property, which more than offset a $49 million impairment loss related to our natural resource assets that we are actively marketing to sell. The decline in 2018 was driven by the absence of net rental income as discussed above and unfavorable returns from COLI investments.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 22.0% in 2019, compared with 23.1% in 2018 and negative 72.8% in 2017. Both 2019 and 2018 benefited from favorable reductions in deferred taxes for state tax law changes and certain business tax credits, while 2019 and 2017 benefited from higher returns from COLI. Income taxes in 2018 benefited from the effects of the enactment of tax reform in late 2017 that lowered the federal corporate income tax rate. Income taxes in 2017 included a benefit of $3,331 million related to the effects of the enactment of tax reform from the reduction in our net deferred tax liabilities driven by the change in the federal rate. All three years benefited from favorable tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation.

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For 2020, we expect the effective income tax rate to range from 23% to 24%.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash provided by operating activities, our principal source of liquidity, was $3.9 billion in 2019, $3.7 billion in 2018, and $3.3 billion in 2017. The increases in both 2019 and 2018 were primarily the result of improved operating results. We had working capital deficits of $219 million and $729 million at December 31, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $580 million and $446 million at December 31, 2019, and 2018, respectively. We expect cash on hand combined with cash provided by operating activities will be sufficient to meet our ongoing obligations.

Contractual obligations at December 31, 2019, include interest on fixed-rate long-term debt, long-term debt (Note 9), unconditional purchase obligations (Note 17), operating leases (Note 10), long-term advances from Conrail and agreements with Consolidated Rail Corporation (CRC) (Note 6), and unrecognized tax benefits (Note 4):


	Total		2020		2021 - 2022		2023 - 2024		2025 and Subsequent		Other
	($ in millions)

Interest on fixed-rate long-term debt	$	15,285	$	568	$	1,070	$	988	$	12,659	$	—
Long-term debt principal	13,005		316		1,189		1,000		10,500		—
Unconditional purchase obligations	1,225		499		521		82		123		—
Operating leases	630		110		183		131		206		—
Long-term advances from Conrail	280		—		—		—		280		—
Agreements with CRC	176		40		80		56		—		—
Unrecognized tax benefits*	24		—		—		—		—		24

Total	$	30,625	$	1,533	$	3,043	$	2,257	$	23,768	$	24

* This amount is shown in the Other column because the year of settlement cannot be reasonably estimated.

Off balance sheet arrangements consist primarily of unrecognized obligations, including unconditional purchase obligations and future interest payments on fixed-rate long-term debt, which are included in the table above. In addition, we entered into a synthetic lease during 2019 which is discussed further in Note 10.

Cash used in investing activities was $1.8 billion in 2019, compared with $1.7 billion in 2018, and $1.5 billion in 2017. In 2019, increased corporate owned life insurance activity and higher property additions were partially offset by increased proceeds from property sales. In 2018, higher property additions drove the increase.

Capital spending and track and equipment statistics can be found within the “Railway Property” section of Part I of this report on Form 10-K. For 2020, we expect capital spending to approximate 16% to 18% of revenues.

Cash used in financing activities was $2.0 billion in 2019, compared with $2.3 billion in 2018, and $2.0 billion in 2017. Both year-over-year comparisons reflect higher debt repayments and increased dividends. In 2019, the decrease was also impacted by fewer repurchases of common stock. In 2018, the increase was also impacted by increased repurchases of common stock, but tempered by increased proceeds from borrowings.

Share repurchases totaled $2.1 billion in 2019, $2.8 billion in 2018, and $1.0 billion in 2017 for the purchase and retirement of 11.3 million, 17.1 million (including 7.0 million shares repurchased for $1.2 billion under the Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) program), and 8.2 million shares, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, 28.0 million shares remain authorized by our Board of Directors for repurchase. The timing and volume of future

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share repurchases will be guided by our assessment of market conditions and other pertinent factors. Any near-term purchases under the program are expected to be made with internally generated cash, cash on hand, or proceeds from borrowings.

In May 2019, we issued $200 million of 3.80% senior notes due 2028, $400 million of 4.10% senior notes due 2049, and $200 million of 5.10% senior notes due 2118. In November 2019, we issued $400 million of 2.55% senior notes due 2029, and $400 million of 3.40% senior notes due 2049.

In May 2019, we also renewed and amended our accounts receivable securitization program, increasing our maximum borrowing capacity from $400 million to $450 million with a term expiring in May 2020. We had no amounts outstanding at both December 31, 2019 and 2018.

We discuss our credit agreement and our accounts receivable securitization program in Note 9, and we have authority from our Board of Directors to issue an additional $1.6 billion of debt or equity securities through public or private sale, all of which provide for access to additional liquidity should the need arise. Our debt-to-total capitalization ratio was 44.5% at December 31, 2019, compared with 42.0% at December 31, 2018.

Upcoming annual debt maturities are disclosed in Note 9. Overall, our goal is to maintain a capital structure with appropriate leverage to support our business strategy and provide flexibility through business cycles.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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. The following critical accounting policies are a subset of our significant accounting policies described in Note 1.

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting for pensions and other postretirement benefit plans requires us to make several estimates and assumptions (Note 12). These include the expected rate of return from investment of the plans’ assets and the expected retirement age of employees as well as their projected earnings and mortality. In addition, the amounts recorded are affected by changes in the interest rate environment because the associated liabilities are discounted to their present value. We make these estimates based on our historical experience and other information that we deem pertinent under the circumstances (for example, expectations of future stock market performance). We utilize an independent actuarial consulting firm’s studies to assist us in selecting appropriate actuarial assumptions and valuing related liabilities.

In recording our net pension benefit, we assumed a long-term investment rate of return of 8.25%, which was supported by the long-term total rate of return on plan assets since inception, as well as our expectation of future returns. A one-percentage point change to this rate of return assumption would result in a $23 million change in pension expense. We review assumptions related to our defined benefit plans annually, and while changes are likely to occur in assumptions concerning retirement age, projected earnings, and mortality, they are not expected to have a material effect on our net pension expense or net pension liability in the future. The net pension liability is recorded at net present value using discount rates that are based on the current interest rate environment in light of the timing of expected benefit payments. We utilize analyses in which the projected annual cash flows from the pension and postretirement benefit plans are matched with yield curves based on an appropriate universe of high-quality corporate bonds. We use the results of the yield curve analyses to select the discount rates that match the payment streams of the benefits in these plans. A one-percentage point change to this discount rate assumption would result in about an $18 million change in pension expense.

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Properties and Depreciation

Most of our assets are long-lived railway properties (Note 7). “Properties” are stated principally at cost and are depreciated using the group method whereby assets with similar characteristics, use, and expected lives are grouped together in asset classes and depreciated using a composite depreciation rate. See Note 1 for a more detailed discussion of the assumptions and estimates in this area.

Expenditures, including those on leased assets, that extend an asset’s useful life or increase its utility are capitalized. Expenditures capitalized include those that are directly related to a capital project and may include materials, labor, and other direct costs, in addition to an allocable portion of indirect costs that relate to a capital project. A significant portion of our annual capital spending relates to the replacement of self-contructed assets. Costs related to repairs and maintenance activities that, in our judgment, do not extend an asset’s useful life or increase its utility are expensed when such repairs are performed.

Depreciation expense for 2019 totaled $1.1 billion. Our composite depreciation rates for 2019 are disclosed in

Note 7; a one year increase (or decrease) in the estimated average useful lives of depreciable assets would have resulted in an approximate $40 million decrease (or increase) to depreciation expense.

Personal Injury

Casualties and other claims expense, included in “Materials and other” in the Consolidated Statements of Income, includes our accrual for personal injury liabilities.

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. The actuarial firm studies our historical patterns of reserving for claims and subsequent settlements, taking into account relevant outside influences. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study. Our estimate is subject to inherent limitation given the difficulty of predicting future events and as such the ultimate loss sustained may vary from the estimated liability recorded.

For a more detailed discussion of the assumptions and estimates in accounting for personal injury see Note 17.

Income Taxes

Our net deferred tax liability totaled $6.8 billion at December 31, 2019 (Note 4). This liability is estimated based on the expected future tax consequences of items recognized in the financial statements. After application of the federal statutory tax rate to book income, judgment is required with respect to the timing and deductibility of expenses in our income tax returns. For state income and other taxes, judgment is also required with respect to the apportionment among the various jurisdictions. A valuation allowance is recorded if we expect that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized. We have a $54 million valuation allowance on $513 million of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2019, reflecting the expectation that almost all of these assets will be realized.

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. We largely bargain nationally in concert with other major railroads, represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee. Moratorium provisions in the labor agreements govern when the railroads and unions may propose changes to the agreements.

K28

The next round of bargaining commenced on November 1, 2019 with both management and the unions serving their formal proposals for changes to the collective bargaining agreements.

Market Risks

At December 31, 2019, we had no outstanding debt subject to interest rate fluctuations. Market risk for fixed-rate debt is estimated as the potential increase in fair value resulting from a one percentage point decrease in interest rates as of December 31, 2019, and amounts to an increase of approximately $2.1 billion to the fair value of our debt at December 31, 2019. We consider it unlikely that interest rate fluctuations applicable to these instruments will result in a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

New Accounting Pronouncements

For a detailed discussion of new accounting pronouncements, see Note 1.

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 in Item 1A “Risk Factors,” 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.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The information required by this item is included in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Market Risks.”

K29

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


			Page

Report of Management			K 31

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			K 32

Consolidated Statements of Income Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017			K 36

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017			K 37

Consolidated Balance Sheets At December 31, 2019 and 2018			K 38

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017			K 39

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017			K 40

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			K 41

Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule in Item 15			K 79

K30

Report of Management

February 6, 2020

To the Stockholders

Norfolk Southern Corporation:

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. In order to ensure that Norfolk Southern Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is effective, management regularly assesses such controls and did so most recently as of December 31, 2019. This assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management has concluded that the Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019.

KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Corporation’s financial statements and issued an attestation report on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019.

/s/ James A. Squires

/s/ Mark R. George

/s/ Jason A. Zampi

James A. Squires

Mark R. George

Jason A. Zampi

Chairman, President and

Executive Vice President – Finance

Vice President and

Chief Executive Officer

and Chief Financial Officer

Controller

K31

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

Norfolk Southern Corporation:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Norfolk Southern Corporation and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts as listed in Item 15(A)2 (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 6, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

K32

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

February 6, 2020

K33

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

Norfolk Southern Corporation:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Norfolk Southern Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts as listed in Item 15(A)2 (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 6, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019, due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related amendments.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

K34

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgment. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Assessment of capitalization of property expenditures

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, expenditures that extend an asset’s useful life or increase its utility are capitalized. The Company has recorded $31,614 million in net book value of properties at December 31, 2019 and has recorded $2,019 million in property additions for the year ended December 31, 2019. Expenditures capitalized include those that are directly related to a capital project and may include materials, labor and other direct costs, in addition to an allocable portion of indirect costs that relate to a capital project. A significant portion of the Company's annual capital spending relates to the replacement of self-constructed assets. Costs related to repair and maintenance activities, that in the Company's judgment, do not extend an asset’s useful life or increase its utility are expensed when such repairs are performed.

We identified the assessment of capitalization of property expenditures as a critical audit matter. A higher degree of auditor judgment was required in determining procedures and evaluating audit results related to the capitalization or expense treatment of purchased services and compensation due to their usage for both self-constructed assets and repairs and maintenance.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the Company’s capitalization process, including controls that establish whether a project is a capital or repair expenditure and the appropriateness of accumulated charges to capitalized projects. We selected a sample of capital projects and assessed the capital nature of the project. We obtained support for a sample of property addition expenditures and tested the classification of the related expenditure as capital, which included inquiry with Company personnel regarding the relevance of the sampled expenditure to the capital project.

/s/ KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1982.

Atlanta, Georgia

February 6, 2020

K35

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income


	Years ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)

Railway operating revenues	$	11,296	$	11,458	$	10,551

Railway operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits	2,751		2,925		2,979
Purchased services and rents	1,725		1,730		1,414
Fuel	953		1,087		840
Depreciation	1,138		1,102		1,055
Materials and other	740		655		741

Total railway operating expenses	7,307		7,499		7,029

Income from railway operations	3,989		3,959		3,522

Other income – net	106		67		156
Interest expense on debt	604		557		550

Income before income taxes	3,491		3,469		3,128

Income taxes	769		803		(2,276)

Net income	$	2,722	$	2,666	$	5,404

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	10.32	$	9.58	$	18.76
Diluted	10.25		9.51		18.61

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

K36

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income


	Years ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions)

Net income	$	2,722	$	2,666	$	5,404
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Pension and other postretirement benefits	101		(148)		155
Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees	(4)		(9)		19

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	97		(157)		174
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of
other comprehensive income (loss)	(25)		38		(43)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	72		(119)		131

Total comprehensive income	$	2,794	$	2,547	$	5,535

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

K37

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets


	At December 31,
	2019		2018
	($ in millions)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	580	$	358

Accounts receivable – net	920		1,009
Materials and supplies	244		207
Other current assets	337		288
Total current assets	2,081		1,862

Investments	3,428		3,109
Properties less accumulated depreciation of $11,982 and
$12,374, respectively	31,614		31,091
Other assets	800		177

Total assets	$	37,923	$	36,239

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,428	$	1,505

Income and other taxes	229		255
Other current liabilities	327		246
Current maturities of long-term debt	316		585
Total current liabilities	2,300		2,591

Long-term debt	11,880		10,560
Other liabilities	1,744		1,266
Deferred income taxes	6,815		6,460
Total liabilities	22,739		20,877

Stockholders’ equity:
Common Stock $1.00 per share par value, 1,350,000,000 shares
authorized; outstanding 257,904,956 and 268,098,472 shares,
respectively, net of treasury shares	259		269
Additional paid-in capital	2,209		2,216
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(491)		(563)
Retained income	13,207		13,440

Total stockholders’ equity	15,184		15,362

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	37,923	$	36,239

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

K38

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


	Years ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	2,722	$	2,666	$	5,404
Reconciliation of net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	1,139		1,104		1,059
Deferred income taxes	330		173		(2,859)
Gains and losses on properties	(42)		(171)		(92)
Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations:
Accounts receivable	87		(70)		(41)
Materials and supplies	(37)		15		35
Other current assets	(4)		(46)		(71)
Current liabilities other than debt	(185)		223		135
Other – net	(118)		(168)		(317)

Net cash provided by operating activities	3,892		3,726		3,253

Cash flows from investing activities:
Property additions	(2,019)		(1,951)		(1,723)
Property sales and other transactions	377		204		202
Investment purchases	(18)		(10)		(7)
Investment sales and other transactions	(104)		99		47

Net cash used in investing activities	(1,764)		(1,658)		(1,481)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends	(949)		(844)		(703)
Common Stock transactions	27		40		89
Purchase and retirement of Common Stock	(2,099)		(2,781)		(1,012)
Proceeds from borrowings – net of issuance costs	2,192		2,023		290
Debt repayments	(1,188)		(750)		(702)
Other	23		—		—

Net cash used in financing activities	(1,994)		(2,312)		(2,038)

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	134		(244)		(266)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:
At beginning of year	446		690		956

At end of year	$	580	$	446	$	690

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$	555	$	496	$	528
Income taxes (net of refunds)	543		519		705

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

K39

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity


	Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital		Accum. Other Comprehensive Loss		Retained Income		Total
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)

Balance at December 31, 2016	$	292	$	2,179	$	(487)	$	10,425	$	12,409

Comprehensive income:
Net income							5,404		5,404
Other comprehensive income					131				131
Total comprehensive income									5,535
Dividends on Common Stock,
$2.44 per share							(703)		(703)
Share repurchases	(8)		(59)				(945)		(1,012)
Stock-based compensation	1		134				(5)		130

Balance at December 31, 2017	285		2,254		(356)		14,176		16,359

Comprehensive income:
Net income							2,666		2,666
Other comprehensive loss					(119)				(119)
Total comprehensive income									2,547
Dividends on Common Stock,
$3.04 per share							(844)		(844)
Share repurchases	(17)		(125)				(2,639)		(2,781)
Stock-based compensation	1		87				(7)		81
Reclassification of stranded
tax effects					(88)		88		—

Balance at December 31, 2018	269		2,216		(563)		13,440		15,362

Comprehensive income:
Net income							2,722		2,722
Other comprehensive income					72				72
Total comprehensive income									2,794
Dividends on Common Stock,
$3.60 per share							(949)		(949)
Share repurchases	(11)		(88)				(2,000)		(2,099)
Stock-based compensation	1		81				(6)		76

Balance at December 31, 2019	$	259	$	2,209	$	(491)	$	13,207	$	15,184

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

K40

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Norfolk Southern Corporation is a Virginia-based holding company engaged principally in the rail transportation business, operating approximately 19,500 route miles primarily in the East and Midwest. These consolidated financial statements include Norfolk Southern and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries (collectively, NS, we, us, and our). Norfolk Southern’s major subsidiary is NSR. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

NSR and its railroad subsidiaries transport raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods classified in the following commodity groups (percent of total railway operating revenues in 2019): intermodal (25%); chemicals (17%); coal (15%); agriculture products (14%); metals and construction (13%); automotive (9%); and, forest and consumer (7%). Although most of our customers are domestic, ultimate points of origination or destination for some of the products transported (particularly coal bound for export and some intermodal shipments) may be outside the U.S. Approximately 80% of our railroad employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions.

Use of 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We periodically review our estimates, including those related to the recoverability and useful lives of assets, as well as liabilities for litigation, environmental remediation, casualty claims, income taxes and pension and other postretirement benefits. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Transportation revenue is recognized proportionally as a shipment moves from origin to destination, and related expenses are recognized as incurred. Certain of our contract refunds (which are primarily volume-based incentives) are recorded as a reduction to revenues on the basis of management’s best estimate of projected liability, which is based on historical activity, current shipment counts and expectation of future activity. Certain accessorial services may be provided to customers under their transportation contracts such as switching, demurrage and other incidental service revenues. These are distinct performance obligations that are recognized at a point in time when the services are performed or as contractual obligations are met.

Cash Equivalents

“Cash equivalents” are highly liquid investments purchased three months or less from maturity.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $9 million and $7 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. To determine our allowance for doubtful accounts, we evaluate historical loss experience (which has not been significant), the characteristics of current accounts, and general economic conditions and trends.

K41

Materials and Supplies

“Materials and supplies,” consisting mainly of items for maintenance of property and equipment, are stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. The cost of materials and supplies expected to be used in property additions or improvements is included in “Properties.”

Investments

Investments in entities over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence but do not control the entity are accounted for using the equity method, whereby the investment is carried at the cost of the acquisition plus our equity in undistributed earnings or losses since acquisition.

Properties

“Properties” are stated principally at cost and are depreciated using the group method whereby assets with similar characteristics, use, and expected lives are grouped together in asset classes and depreciated using a composite depreciation rate. This methodology treats each asset class as a pool of resources, not as singular items. We use approximately 75 depreciable asset classes. “Depreciation” in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows includes both depreciation and depletion on operating and nonoperating properties.

Depreciation expense is based on our assumptions concerning expected service lives of our properties as well as the expected net salvage that will be received upon their retirement. In developing these assumptions, we utilize periodic depreciation studies that are performed by an independent outside firm of consulting engineers and approved by the STB. Our depreciation studies are conducted about every three years for equipment and every six years for track assets and other roadway property. The frequency of these studies is consistent with guidelines established by the STB. We adjust our rates based on the results of these studies and implement the changes prospectively. The studies may also indicate that the recorded amount of accumulated depreciation is deficient (or in excess) of the amount indicated by the study. Any such deficiency (or excess) is amortized as a component of depreciation expense over the remaining service lives of the affected class of property, as determined by the study.

Key factors that are considered in developing average service life and salvage estimates include:

•statistical analysis of historical retirement data and surviving asset records;

•review of historical salvage received and current market rates;

•review of our operations including expected changes in technology, customer demand, maintenance practices and asset management strategies;

•review of accounting policies and assumptions; and

•industry review and analysis.

The composite depreciation rate for rail in high density corridors is derived based on consideration of annual gross tons as compared to the total or ultimate capacity of rail in these corridors. Our experience has shown that traffic density is a leading factor in the determination of the expected service life of rail in high density corridors. In developing the respective depreciation rate, consideration is also given to several rail characteristics including age, weight, condition (new or second-hand) and type (curved or straight).

We capitalize interest on major projects during the period of their construction. Expenditures, including those on leased assets, that extend an asset’s useful life or increase its utility are capitalized. Expenditures capitalized include those that are directly related to a capital project and may include materials, labor, and other direct costs, in addition to an allocable portion of indirect costs that relate to a capital project. A significant portion of our annual capital spending relates to the replacement of self-constructed assets. Removal activities occur in conjunction with replacement and are estimated based on the average percentage of time employees replacing assets spend on removal functions. Costs related to repairs and maintenance activities that, in our judgment, do not extend an asset’s useful life or increase its utility are expensed when such repairs are performed.

K42

When depreciable operating road and equipment assets are sold or retired in the ordinary course of business, the cost of the assets, net of sale proceeds or salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation, and no gain or loss is recognized in earnings. Actual historical cost values are retired when available, such as with most equipment assets. The use of estimates in recording the retirement of certain roadway assets is necessary based on the impracticality of tracking individual asset costs. When retiring rail, ties and ballast, we use statistical curves that indicate the relative distribution of the age of the assets retired. The historical cost of other roadway assets is estimated using a combination of inflation indices specific to the rail industry and those published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The indices are applied to the replacement value based on the age of the retired assets. These indices are used because they closely correlate with the costs of roadway assets. Gains and losses on disposal of operating land are included in “Materials and other” expenses. Gains and losses on disposal of nonoperating land and nonrail assets are included in “Other income – net” since such income is not a product of our railroad operations.

A retirement is considered abnormal if it does not occur in the ordinary course of business, if it relates to disposition of a large segment of an asset class and if the retirement varies significantly from the retirement profile identified through our depreciation studies, which inherently consider the impact of normal retirements on expected service lives and depreciation rates. Gains or losses from abnormal retirements would be recognized in income from railway operations.

We review the carrying amount of properties whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying amount may not be recoverable based on future undiscounted cash flows. Assets that are deemed impaired as a result of such review are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value.

New Accounting Pronouncements

The FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” and related amendments, which are jointly referred to as Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606. This standard replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP and requires entities to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. A performance obligation is defined as a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. We adopted the provisions of this standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. There was no cumulative effect of initially applying the standard, nor was there any material difference in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared with GAAP that was in effect prior to January 1, 2018. See Note 2 for additional information.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” This update requires segregation of net benefit costs between operating and nonoperating expenses and requires retrospective application. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2018. Under the new standard, only 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 – net” on the Consolidated Statements of Income, whereas under the previous standard all components were included in “Compensation and benefits.” The retrospective application resulted in an increase to “Compensation and benefits” expense and an offsetting increase to “Other income – net” on the Consolidated Statements of Income of $64 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, with no impact on “Net income.”

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This update is intended to reclassify the stranded tax effects resulting from tax reform from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings. The amount of the reclassification is the difference between the amount initially charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income at the previously enacted U.S. federal corporate income tax rate that remains in AOCI and the amount that would have been charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income using the newly enacted U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted the provisions of ASU 2018-02 resulting in an increase to

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“Accumulated other comprehensive loss” of $88 million and a corresponding increase to “Retained income,” with no impact on “Total stockholders’ equity.”

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” and subsequent amendments, which replaced existing lease guidance in GAAP. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method and used the effective date as our date of initial application. See Note 10 for additional information.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which replaces the current incurred loss impairment method with a method that reflects expected credit losses. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2020. Because credit losses associated from our trade receivables have historically been insignificant, we do not expect this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” which adds new guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes, changes the accounting for certain income tax transactions, and makes other minor changes. The new standard is effective as of January 1, 2021, and early adoption is permitted for any interim period for which financial statements have not been issued. We do not expect this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements. We will not adopt the standard early.

2. Railway Operating Revenues

The following table disaggregates our revenues by major commodity group:


	2019		2018
	($ in millions)
Merchandise:
Chemicals	$	1,874	$	1,858
Agriculture products	1,567		1,514
Metals and construction	1,522		1,539
Automotive	994		991
Forest and consumer	846		842
Merchandise	6,803		6,744
Intermodal	2,824		2,893
Coal	1,669		1,821

Total	$	11,296	$	11,458

At the beginning of 2019, we recategorized certain commodities within Merchandise major commodity groups to

better align with how we internally manage these commodities. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to

conform to the current presentation with no net impact to overall Merchandise revenue or total railway operating

revenues. Specifically, certain commodities were shifted between chemicals, agriculture products, metals and construction, and forest and consumer.

We recognize the amount of revenue we expect to be entitled to 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 NS for the transport of goods. These performance obligations are satisfied as the shipments move from origin to destination. As such, transportation revenue is 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 revenue associated with in-process shipments at period-end is recorded based on the estimated percentage of service

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completed to total transit days. We had no material remaining performance obligations at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

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

Under the typical payment 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:


	December 31,
	2019		2018
	($ in millions)

Customer	$	682	$	740
Non-customer	238		269

Accounts receivable – net	$	920	$	1,009

Non-customer receivables include non-revenue-related amounts due from other railroads, governmental entities, and others. “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes non-current customer receivables of $23 million and $55 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In 2019, we wrote off a $32 million non-current customer receivable resulting from a legal dispute and this expense is included in “Materials and other” on the Consolidated Statements of Income. We do not have any material contract assets or liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Certain accessorial services may be provided to customers under their transportation contracts such as switching, demurrage and other incidental service revenues. These are distinct performance obligations that are recognized at a point in time when the services are performed or as contractual obligations are met. This revenue is included within each of the commodity groups and represents approximately 5% and 4% of total “Railway operating revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

3. Other Income – Net


	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions)

Corporate-owned life insurance – net	$	69	$	(10)	$	33
Net pension and other postretirement benefit cost (Note 12)	63		61		64
Rental income	4		5		87
Other	(30)		11		(28)

Total	$	106	$	67	$	156

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4. Income Taxes


	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions)
Current:
Federal	$	356	$	499	$	500
State	83		131		83
Total current taxes	439		630		583

Deferred:
Federal	280		156		(2,924)
State	50		17		65
Total deferred taxes	330		173		(2,859)

Income taxes	$	769	$	803	$	(2,276)

Reconciliation of Statutory Rate to Effective Rate

“Income taxes” on the Consolidated Statements of Income differs from the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal corporate tax rate as follows:


	2019					2018				2017
	Amount		%	Amount		%	Amount		%
	($ in millions)

Federal income tax at statutory rate	$	733	21.0	$	728	21.0	$	1,095	35.0
State income taxes, net of federal tax effect	110		3.1	120		3.5	88		2.8
Equity in earnings related to tax reform	—		—	—		—	(38)		(1.2)
Tax reform	—		—	—		—	(3,331)		(106.5)
Excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation	(29)		(0.8)	(22)		(0.7)	(39)		(1.2)
Other, net	(45)		(1.3)	(23)		(0.7)	(51)		(1.7)

Income Taxes	$	769	22.0	$	803	23.1	$	(2,276)	(72.8)

Tax reform, enacted in 2017, lowered the Federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and made numerous other tax law changes. GAAP requires companies to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment. As a result, in 2017, “Purchased services and rents” included a $151 million benefit for earnings generated from reductions to net deferred tax liabilities at certain equity investees and “Income taxes” included a $3,331 million benefit primarily due to the remeasurement of our net deferred tax liabilities to reflect the lower rate.

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Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Certain items are reported in different periods for financial reporting and income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in recognition of these differences. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:


	December 31,
	2019		2018
	($ in millions)
Deferred tax assets:
Compensation and benefits, including postretirement benefits	$	222	$	284
Accruals, including casualty and other claims	89		69
Other	202		72
Total gross deferred tax assets	513		425
Less valuation allowance	(54)		(50)
Net deferred tax assets	459		375

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property	(6,714)		(6,422)
Other	(560)		(413)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(7,274)		(6,835)

Deferred income taxes	$	(6,815)	$	(6,460)

Except for amounts for which a valuation allowance has been provided, we believe that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance at the end of each year primarily relates to subsidiary state income tax net operating losses and state investment tax credits that may not be utilized prior to their expiration. The total valuation allowance increased by $4 million in 2019, $6 million in 2018, and $5 million in 2017.

Uncertain Tax Positions

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:


	December 31,
	2019		2018
	($ in millions)

Balance at beginning of year	$	21	$	17

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	4		5
Lapse of statutes of limitations	(1)		(1)

Balance at end of year	$	24	$	21

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2019 are potential benefits of $19 million that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. Unrecognized tax benefits are adjusted in the period in which new information about a tax position becomes available or the final outcome differs from the amount recorded.

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The statute of limitations on Internal Revenue Service examinations has expired for all years prior to 2015. We have amended our 2012 income tax return to request a refund of $46 million, which is not included in the above balance of unrecognized tax benefits. We would recognize a tax benefit of around $18 million if the refund is allowed. State income tax returns generally are subject to examination for a period of three to four years after filing of the return. In addition, we are generally obligated to report changes in taxable income arising from federal income tax examinations to the states within a period of up to two years from the date the federal examination is final. We have various state income tax returns either under examination, administrative appeal, or litigation.

5. Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements,” established a framework for measuring fair value and a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels, as follows:


Level 1			Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that we have the ability to access.

Level 2			Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
			• quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; • quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; • inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; • inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

			If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3			Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The asset or liability’s fair value measurement level within the hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The fair values of “Cash and cash equivalents,” “Accounts receivable – net,” and “Accounts payable,” approximate carrying values because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying value of COLI 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 December 31, 2019 or 2018. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values, based on Level 1 inputs, of long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:


	2019						2018
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	($ in millions)

Long-term debt, including current maturities	$	(12,196)	$	(14,806)	$	(11,145)	$	(12,203)

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6. Investments


	December 31,
	2019		2018
	($ in millions)
Long-term investments:
Equity method investments:
Conrail Inc.	$	1,387	$	1,337
TTX Company	749		692
Meridian Speedway LLC	271		271
Pan Am Southern LLC	154		155
Other	85		77
Total equity method investments	2,646		2,532

Corporate-owned life insurance at net cash surrender value	767		556
Other investments	15		21

Total long-term investments	$	3,428	$	3,109

Investment in Conrail

Through a limited liability company, we and CSX jointly own Conrail, whose primary subsidiary is 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. We are amortizing the excess of the purchase price over Conrail’s net equity using the principles of purchase accounting, based primarily on the estimated useful lives of Conrail’s depreciable property and equipment, including the related deferred tax effect of the differences in book and tax accounting bases for such assets, as all of the purchase price at acquisition was allocable to Conrail’s tangible assets and liabilities.

At December 31, 2019, based on the funded status of Conrail’s pension plans, we decreased our proportional investment in Conrail by $3 million. This resulted in a loss of $3 million recorded to “Other comprehensive loss”.

At December 31, 2018, based on the funded status of Conrail’s pension plans, we decreased our proportional investment in Conrail by $11 million. This resulted in a loss of $10 million recorded to “Other comprehensive loss” and a combined federal and state deferred tax liability of $1 million.

At December 31, 2019, the difference between our investment in Conrail and our share of Conrail’s underlying net equity was $497 million. Our equity in the earnings of Conrail, net of amortization, included in “Purchased services and rents,” which offsets the costs of operating the Shared Assets Areas, was $53 million for 2019, $55 million for 2018, and $75 million for 2017 (including $33 million related to the enactment of tax reform – see Note 4). Equity in earnings are included in the “Other – net” line item within operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

CRC owns and operates certain properties (the Shared Assets Areas) for the joint and exclusive benefit of 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 $149 million in 2019, $150 million in 2018, and $141 million in 2017. Future payments for access fees due to CRC under the Shared Assets Areas agreements are as follows: $40 million in each of 2020 through 2023 and $16 million thereafter. We provide certain general and administrative support functions to Conrail, the fees for which are billed in accordance with several service-provider arrangements and approximate $6 million annually.

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“Accounts payable” includes $264 million at December 31, 2019, and $202 million at December 31, 2018, due to Conrail for the operation of the Shared Assets Areas. “Other liabilities” includes $280 million at both December 31, 2019 and 2018 for long-term advances from Conrail, maturing in 2044, that bear interest at an average rate of 2.9%.

Investment in TTX

NS and eight other North American railroads jointly own TTX Company (TTX). NS has a 19.65% ownership interest in TTX, a railcar pooling company that provides its owner-railroads with standardized fleets of intermodal,

automotive, and general use railcars at stated rates.

Amounts paid to TTX for use of equipment are included in “Purchased services and rents.” This amounted to $244 million, $262 million, and $237 million of expense, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. Our equity in the earnings of TTX, which offset the costs and are also included in “Purchased services and rents,” totaled $58 million for 2019, $61 million for 2018, and $158 million for 2017 (including $115 million related to the enactment of tax reform – see Note 4).

7. Properties


			Accumulated		Net Book		Depreciation
December 31, 2019	Cost		Depreciation		Value		Rate ⁽¹⁾
	($ in millions)

Land	$	2,385	$	—	$	2,385	—

Roadway:
Rail and other track material	7,024		(1,905)		5,119		2.30	%
Ties	5,536		(1,496)		4,040		3.37	%
Ballast	2,868		(723)		2,145		2.72	%
Construction in process	360		—		360		—
Other roadway	14,261		(3,786)		10,475		2.71	%
Total roadway	30,049		(7,910)		22,139

Equipment:
Locomotives	5,973		(2,112)		3,861		3.66	%
Freight cars	2,988		(1,148)		1,840		2.45	%
Computers and software	732		(355)		377		9.68	%
Construction in process	291		—		291		—
Other equipment	1,082		(388)		694		4.89	%
Total equipment	11,066		(4,003)		7,063

Other property	96		(69)		27		1.05	%

Total properties	$	43,596	$	(11,982)	$	31,614

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			Accumulated		Net Book		Depreciation
December 31, 2018	Cost		Depreciation		Value		Rate ⁽¹⁾
	($ in millions)

Land	$	2,337	$	—	$	2,337	—

Roadway:
Rail and other track material	6,888		(1,951)		4,937		2.29	%
Ties	5,346		(1,448)		3,898		3.36	%
Ballast	2,759		(676)		2,083		2.70	%
Construction in process	442		—		442		—
Other roadway	14,072		(3,737)		10,335		2.64	%
Total roadway	29,507		(7,812)		21,695

Equipment:
Locomotives	5,870		(2,262)		3,608		3.77	%
Freight cars	3,183		(1,288)		1,895		2.47	%
Computers and software	623		(365)		258		10.65	%
Construction in process	437		—		437		—
Other equipment	1,071		(380)		691		4.94	%
Total equipment	11,184		(4,295)		6,889

Other property	437		(267)		170		0.78	%

Total properties	$	43,465	$	(12,374)	$	31,091

⁽¹⁾Composite annual depreciation rate for the underlying assets, excluding the effects of the amortization of any deficiency (or excess) that resulted from our depreciation studies.

“Other current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 includes natural resource assets of $88 million, reflecting their status as held for sale. In 2019, we recorded a $49 million impairment loss related to our natural resource assets that we are actively marketing to sell. The impairment loss is reflected in “Gains and losses on properties” in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2018, these assets were reflected in other property within “Properties” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, reflecting costs of obtaining rights to natural resources of $336 million, with associated accumulated depletion of $200 million.

Capitalized Interest

Total interest cost incurred on debt was $620 million, $574 million, and $570 million during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of which $16 million, $17 million, and $20 million were capitalized during 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

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8. Current Liabilities


	December 31,
	2019		2018
	($ in millions)
Accounts payable:
Accounts and wages payable	$	710	$	828
Due to Conrail (Note 6)	264		202
Casualty and other claims (Note 17)	212		213
Vacation liability	136		140
Other	106		122

Total	$	1,428	$	1,505

Other current liabilities:
Interest payable	$	149	$	139
Current operating lease liability (Note 10)	97		—
Pension benefit obligations (Note 12)	18		18
Other	63		89

Total	$	327	$	246

9. Debt

Debt with weighted average interest rates and maturities is presented below:


	December 31,
	2019		2018
	($ in millions)
Notes and debentures:
4.22% maturing to 2024	$	2,497	$	3,082
4.35% maturing 2025 to 2031	3,265		2,665
4.38% maturing 2037 to 2052	5,904		5,104
5.79% maturing 2097 to 2118	1,331		1,131
Financing leases	8		2
Discounts, premiums, and debt issuance costs	(809)		(839)
Total debt	12,196		11,145

Less current maturities	(316)		(585)

Long-term debt excluding current maturities	$	11,880	$	10,560

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Long-term debt maturities subsequent to 2020 are as follows:
2021	$	586
2022	603
2023	600
2024	400
2025 and subsequent years	9,691

Total	$	11,880

In May 2019, we also renewed and amended our accounts receivable securitization program, increasing the program’s maximum borrowing capacity from $400 million to $450 million with a term expiring in May 2020. Under this facility, NSR sells substantially all of its eligible third-party receivables to a subsidiary, which in turn may transfer beneficial interests in the receivables to various commercial paper vehicles. Under this facility, we received $600 million in 2019 and $50 million in 2018, and paid $600 million and $150 million during 2019 and 2018, respectively. We had no amounts outstanding at both December 31, 2019 and 2018, and our available borrowing capacity was $429 million and $400 million, respectively.

The January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2018 “Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash” line item in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows includes restricted cash of $88 million which reflects deposits held by a third-party bond agent as collateral for certain debt obligations, which matured on October 1, 2019. The restricted cash balance is included as part of “Other current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018.

Credit Agreement and Debt Covenants

We have in place and available a $750 million, five-year credit agreement which expires in May 2021 and provides for borrowings at prevailing rates and includes covenants. We had no amounts outstanding under this facility at both December 31, 2019 and 2018, and we are in compliance with all of its covenants.

10. Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” and subsequent amendments, which replaced existing lease guidance in GAAP and requires lessees to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for leases greater than twelve months and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method and used the effective date as our date of initial application. Financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019. Upon adoption of the standard, we recognized ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $586 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 1, 2019. There were no adjustments to “Retained income” on adoption.

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients for transition. We elected the package of practical expedients under the transition guidance which permitted us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions for lease identification and lease classification on expired or existing contracts and whether initial direct costs previously capitalized would qualify for capitalization under FASB ASC 842. We also elected the practical expedient related to land easements, which allowed us to not reassess our current accounting treatment for existing agreements on land easements, which are not accounted for as leases. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient to determine the reasonably certain lease term for existing leases.

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The new standard also provides practical expedients and recognition exemptions for an entity’s ongoing accounting policy elections. We elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases that qualify, we do not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities. We also elected the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components for all of our leases.

We are committed under long-term lease agreements for equipment, lines of road, and other property. Some of these agreements contain variable payment provisions that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the lease commencement date, and are therefore not included in our future minimum lease payments. These variable lease agreements include usage-based payments for equipment under service contracts, lines of road, and other property. Our long-term lease agreements do not contain any material restrictive covenants.

Our equipment leases have remaining terms of less than 1 year to 9 years and our lines of road and land leases have remaining terms of less than 1 year to 138 years. Some of these leases include options to extend the leases for up to 99 years and some include options to terminate the leases within 30 days. Because we are not reasonably certain to exercise these renewal options, the options are not considered in determining the lease term, and associated payments are excluded from future minimum lease payments.

Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. We recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Operating lease amounts included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:


		December 31, 2019
		($ in millions)
Assets	Classification
ROU assets	Other assets	$	539

Liabilities
Current lease liabilities	Other current liabilities	$	97
Non-current lease liabilities	Other liabilities	441

Total lease liabilities		$	538

The components of total lease expense, primarily included in “Purchased services and rents,” were as follows:


	December 31, 2019
	($ in millions)

Operating lease expense	$	114
Variable lease expense	57
Short-term lease expense	5

Total lease expense	$	176

At December 31, 2019, we do not have any material finance lease assets or liabilities, nor do we have any material subleases.

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In March 2019, we entered into a non-cancellable lease for an office building with an estimated construction cost of $550 million. The lease will commence upon completion of the construction (for which we are a construction agent) of the office building which is expected to be in 2021. The initial term of the lease is five years with options to renew, purchase, or sell the office building at the end of the lease term. Upon lease commencement, the ROU asset and lease liability will be determined and recorded. The lease also contains a residual value guarantee of up to ninety percent of the total construction cost.

Other information related to operating leases was as follows:


	December 31, 2019

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) on operating leases	8.25

Weighted-average discount rates on operating leases	3.52	%

As the rates implicit in most of our leases are not readily determinable, we use a collateralized incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. We use the portfolio approach and group leases into short, medium, and long-term categories, applying the corresponding incremental borrowing rates to these categories of leases.

During 2019, ROU assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities were $49 million. During 2019, cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities was $114 million and is included in operating cash flows. During 2019, cash proceeds from a sale and leaseback transaction were $82 million and the gain on the transaction was $15 million.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases were as follows:


	December 31, 2019
	($ in millions)

2020	$	110
2021	104
2022	79
2023	70
2024	61
2025 and subsequent years	206
Total lease payments	630
Less: Interest	92

Present value of lease liabilities	$	538

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Undiscounted future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases accounted for under ASC 840 “Leases” were as follows:


	December 31, 2018
	($ in millions)

2019	$	101
2020	95
2021	88
2022	75
2023	69
2024 and subsequent years	267

Total	$	695

Operating lease expense accounted for under ASC 840 “Leases” was as follows:


	2018		2017
	($ in millions)

Minimum rents	$	102	$	96
Contingent rents	102		54

Total	$	204	$	150

Contingent rents are primarily comprised of usage-based payments for equipment under service contracts.

11. Other Liabilities


	December 31,
	2019		2018
	($ in millions)

Non-current operating lease liability (Note 10)	$	441	$	—
Net pension benefit obligations (Note 12)	302		278
Net other postretirement benefit obligations (Note 12)	287		308
Long-term advances from Conrail (Note 6)	280		280
Casualty and other claims (Note 17)	171		158
Deferred compensation	104		106
Other	159		136

Total	$	1,744	$	1,266

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12. Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We have both funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans covering principally salaried employees. We also provide specified health care and life insurance 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. Those participants 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 Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets


	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	2019		2018		2019		2018
	($ in millions)
Change in benefit obligations:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	2,371	$	2,541	$	466	$	510
Service cost	35		39		6		7
Interest cost	93		83		17		15
Actuarial losses (gains)	235		(149)		28		(24)
Plan amendment	—		—		(18)		—
Benefits paid	(146)		(143)		(42)		(42)
Benefit obligation at end of year	2,588		2,371		457		466

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	2,105		2,373		158		201
Actual return on plan assets	485		(143)		34		(19)
Employer contribution	18		18		20		18
Benefits paid	(146)		(143)		(42)		(42)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,462		2,105		170		158

Funded status at end of year	$	(126)	$	(266)	$	(287)	$	(308)

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated
Balance Sheets:
Other assets	$	194	$	30	$	—	$	—
Other current liabilities	(18)		(18)		—		—
Other liabilities	(302)		(278)		(287)		(308)

Net amount recognized	$	(126)	$	(266)	$	(287)	$	(308)

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive
loss (before tax):
Net loss	$	781	$	895	$	29	$	21
Prior service cost (benefit)	1		2		(253)		(259)

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Our accumulated benefit obligation for our defined benefit pension plans is $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our unfunded pension plans, included above, which in all cases have no assets, had projected benefit obligations of $320 million and $296 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and had accumulated benefit obligations of $292 million and $263 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Cost Components


	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions)

Pension benefits:
Service cost	$	35	$	39	$	38
Interest cost	93		83		80
Expected return on plan assets	(179)		(177)		(172)
Amortization of net losses	43		57		51
Amortization of prior service cost	1		—		1

Net cost (benefit)	$	(7)	$	2	$	(2)

Other postretirement benefits:
Service cost	$	6	$	7	$	7
Interest cost	17		15		15
Expected return on plan assets	(14)		(15)		(15)

Amortization of prior service benefit	(24)		(24)		(24)

Net benefit	$	(15)	$	(17)	$	(17)

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income


	2019
	Pension Benefits		Other Postretirement Benefits
	($ in millions)

Net loss (gain) arising during the year	$	(71)	$	8
Prior service effect of plan amendment	—		(18)
Amortization of net losses	(43)		—
Amortization of prior service (cost) benefit	(1)		24

Total recognized in other comprehensive income	$	(115)	$	14
Total recognized in net periodic cost
and other comprehensive income	$	(122)	$	(1)

Net gains arising during the year for pension benefits were due primarily to higher actual returns on plan assets, partially offset by a decrease in discount rates. Net losses arising during the year for other postretirement benefits were due primarily to a decrease in discount rates, partially offset by higher actual returns on plan assets.

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The estimated net losses for the pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic cost over the next year are $52 million. The estimated prior service benefit for the other postretirement benefit plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit over the next year is $25 million.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Assumptions

Costs for pension and other postretirement benefits are determined based on actuarial valuations that reflect appropriate assumptions as of the measurement date, ordinarily the beginning of each year. The funded status of the plans is determined using appropriate assumptions as of each year end. A summary of the major assumptions follows:


	2019		2018		2017
Pension funded status:
Discount rate	3.38	%	4.33	%	3.74	%
Future salary increases	4.21	%	4.21	%	4.21	%
Other postretirement benefits funded status:
Discount rate	3.13	%	4.18	%	3.57	%
Pension cost:
Discount rate - service cost	4.55	%	4.01	%	4.31	%
Discount rate - interest cost	3.99	%	3.33	%	3.43	%
Return on assets in plans	8.25	%	8.25	%	8.25	%
Future salary increases	4.21	%	4.21	%	4.21	%
Other postretirement benefits cost:
Discount rate- service cost	4.39	%	3.83	%	4.17	%
Discount rate - interest cost	3.83	%	3.13	%	3.14	%
Return on assets in plans	8.00	%	8.00	%	8.00	%
Health care trend rate	6.50	%	6.30	%	6.56	%

To determine the discount rates used to measure our benefit obligations, we utilize analyses in which the projected annual cash flows from the pension and other postretirement benefit plans were matched with yield curves based on an appropriate universe of high-quality corporate bonds. We use the results of the yield curve analyses to select the discount rates that match the payment streams of the benefits in these plans.

We use a spot rate approach to estimate the service cost and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

Health Care Cost Trend Assumptions

For measurement purposes at December 31, 2019, increases in the per capita cost of pre-Medicare covered health care benefits were assumed to be 6.25% for 2020. It is assumed the rate will decrease gradually to an ultimate rate of 5.0% for 2025 and remain at that level thereafter.

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Assumed health care cost trend rates affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. To illustrate, a one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend would have the following effects:


	One-percentage point
	Increase		Decrease
	($ in millions)
Increase (decrease) in:
Total service and interest cost components	$	1	$	(1)
Postretirement benefit obligation	8		(7)

Asset Management

Eleven investment firms manage our defined benefit pension plans’ assets under investment guidelines approved by our Benefits Investment Committee that is composed of members of our management. Investments are restricted to domestic and international equity securities, domestic and international fixed income securities, and unleveraged exchange-traded options and financial futures. Limitations restrict investment concentration and use of certain derivative investments. The target asset allocation for equity is 75% of the pension plans’ assets. Fixed income investments must consist predominantly of securities rated investment grade or higher. Equity investments must be in liquid securities listed on national exchanges. No investment is permitted in our securities (except through commingled pension trust funds).

Our pension plans’ weighted average asset allocations, by asset category, were as follows:


	Percentage of plan assets at December 31,
	2019		2018

Domestic equity securities	50	%	49	%
International equity securities	24	%	23	%
Debt securities	24	%	25	%
Cash and cash equivalents	2	%	3	%

Total	100	%	100	%

The other postretirement benefit plan assets consist primarily of trust-owned variable life insurance policies with an asset allocation at December 31, 2019 of 67% in equity securities and 33% in debt securities compared with 64% in equity securities and 36% in debt securities at December 31, 2018. The target asset allocation for equity is between 50% and 75% of the plan’s assets.

The plans’ assumed future returns are based principally on the asset allocations and historical returns for the plans’ asset classes determined from both actual plan returns and, over longer time periods, expected market returns for those asset classes. For 2020, we assume an 8.25% return on pension plan assets.

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Fair Value of Plan Assets

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for pension plan assets measured at fair value.

Common stock: Shares held by the plan at year end are valued at the official closing price as defined by the exchange or at the most recent trade price of the security at the close of the active market.

Common collective trusts: The readily determinable fair value is based on the published fair value per unit of the trusts. The common collective trusts hold equity securities, fixed income securities and cash and cash equivalents.

Fixed income securities: Valued based on quotes received from independent pricing services or at an estimated price at which a dealer would pay for the security at year end using observable market-based inputs.

Commingled funds: The readily determinable fair value is based on the published fair value per unit of the funds. The commingled funds hold equity securities.

Cash and cash equivalents: Short-term Treasury bills or notes are valued at an estimated price at which a dealer would pay for the security at year end using observable market-based inputs; money market funds are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the funds are traded.

The following table sets forth the pension plans’ assets by valuation technique level, within the fair value hierarchy. There were no level 3 valued assets at December 31, 2019 or 2018.


	December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Total
	($ in millions)

Common stock	$	1,329	$	—	$	1,329
Common collective trusts:
International equity securities	—		377		377
Debt securities	—		303		303
Fixed income securities:
Government and agencies securities	—		172		172
Corporate bonds	—		84		84
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities	—		26		26
Commingled funds	—		121		121
Cash and cash equivalents	50		—		50


Total investments	$	1,379	$	1,083	$	2,462

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	December 31, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2		Total
	($ in millions)

Common stock	$	1,106	$	—	$	1,106
Common collective trusts:
International equity securities	—		314		314
Debt securities	—		287		287
Fixed income securities:
Government and agencies securities	—		89		89
Corporate bonds	—		83		83
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities	—		62		62

Commingled funds	—		92		92
Cash and cash equivalents	72		—		72


Total investments	$	1,178	$	927	$	2,105

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for other postretirement benefit plan assets measured at fair value.

Trust-owned life insurance: Valued at our share of the net assets of trust-owned life insurance issued by a major insurance company. The underlying investments of that trust consist of a U.S. stock account and a U.S. bond account but may retain cash at times as well. The U.S. stock account and U.S. bond account are valued based on readily determinable fair values.

The other postretirement benefit plan assets consisted of trust-owned life insurance with fair values of $170 million and $158 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and are valued under level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. There were no level 1 or level 3 valued assets.

Contributions and Estimated Future Benefit Payments

In 2020, we expect to contribute approximately $18 million to our unfunded pension plans for payments to pensioners and approximately $37 million to our other postretirement benefit plans for retiree health and death benefits. We do not expect to contribute to our funded pension plan in 2020.

Benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows:


	Pension Benefits		Other Postretirement Benefits
	($ in millions)

2020	$	144	$	37
2021	144		36
2022	144		34
2023	144		33
2024	144		32
Years 2025 – 2029	719		148

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Other Postretirement Coverage

Under collective bargaining agreements, Norfolk Southern and certain subsidiaries participate in a multi-employer benefit plan, which provides certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to eligible union employees. Premiums under this plan are expensed as incurred and totaled $31 million in 2019, $35 million in 2018, and $44 million in 2017.

Section 401(k) Plans

Norfolk Southern and certain subsidiaries provide Section 401(k) savings plans for employees. Under the plans, we match a portion of employee contributions, subject to applicable limitations. Our matching contributions, recorded as an expense, under these plans were $22 million in 2019 and $23 million in both 2018 and 2017.

13. Stock-Based Compensation

Under the stockholder-approved Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), the Compensation Committee (Committee), which is made up of nonemployee members of the Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer (when delegated authority by such Committee), may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock units (RSUs), restricted shares, performance share units (PSUs), and performance shares, up to a maximum of 104,125,000 shares of our Common Stock, of which 9,294,726 remain available for future grants as of December 31, 2019.

The number of shares remaining for issuance under the LTIP is reduced (i) by 1 for each award granted as a stock option or stock-settled SAR, or (ii) by 1.61 for an award made in the form other than a stock option or stock-settled SAR. Under the Board-approved Thoroughbred Stock Option Plan (TSOP), the Committee may grant stock options up to a maximum of 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock. We use newly issued shares to satisfy any exercises and awards under the LTIP and the TSOP.

The LTIP also permits the payment, on a current or a deferred basis and in cash or in stock, of dividend equivalents on shares of Common Stock covered by stock options, RSUs, or PSUs in an amount commensurate with regular quarterly dividends paid on Common Stock. With respect to stock options, if employment of the participant is terminated for any reason, including retirement, disability, or death, we have no further obligation to make any dividend equivalent payments. Regarding RSUs, we have no further obligation to make any dividend equivalent payments unless employment of the participant is terminated as a result of qualifying retirement or disability. Should an employee terminate employment, they are not required to forfeit dividend equivalent payments already received. Outstanding PSUs do not receive dividend equivalent payments.

The Committee granted stock options, RSUs and PSUs pursuant to the LTIP and granted stock options pursuant to the TSOP for the last three years as follows:


	2019				2018					2017
	Granted	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Granted	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Granted	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Stock options:
LTIP	47,360	$	45.74	40,960	$	41.70	341,120	$	37.73
TSOP	—	—		—	—		144,440	31.33

Total	47,360			40,960			485,560

RSUs	219,710	164.47		217,290	148.37		83,330	120.16
PSUs	102,250	160.97		92,314	147.47		300,334	88.56

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Beginning in 2018, recipients of certain RSUs and PSUs pursuant to the LTIP who retire prior to October 1st will forfeit awards received in the current year. Receipt of certain LTIP awards is contingent on the recipient having executed a non-compete agreement with the company.

We account for our grants of stock options, RSUs, PSUs, and dividend equivalent payments in accordance with FASB ASC 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation.” Accordingly, all awards result in charges to net income while dividend equivalent payments, which are all related to equity classified awards, are charged to retained income. Compensation cost for the awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Related compensation costs and tax benefits during the year were:


	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions)

Stock-based compensation expense	$	53	$	47	$	45
Total tax benefit	37		33		54

Stock Options

Option exercise prices will be at least the higher of (i) the average of the high and low prices at which Common Stock is traded on the grant date, or (ii) the closing price of Common Stock on the grant date. All options are subject to a vesting period of at least one year, and the term of the option will not exceed ten years. Holders of the options granted under the LTIP who remain actively employed receive cash dividend equivalent payments for four years in an amount equal to the regular quarterly dividends paid on Common Stock. Dividend equivalent payments are not made on the TSOP options.

For all years, options granted under the LTIP and the TSOP may not be exercised prior to the fourth and third anniversaries of the date of grant, respectively, or if the optionee retires or dies before that anniversary date, may not be exercised before the later of one year after the grant date or the date of the optionee’s retirement or death.

The fair value of each option awarded in 2019 and 2018 was measured on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of each option awarded in 2017 was measured on the date of grant using a binomial lattice-based option valuation model. Expected volatility is based on implied volatility from traded options on, and historical volatility of, Common Stock. Historical data is used to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model. For the 2019 and 2018 grant years, historical exercise data is used to estimate the average expected option term. For the 2017 grant year, the average expected option term is derived from the output of the valuation model and represents the period of time that all options granted are expected to be outstanding, including the branches of the model that result in options expiring unexercised. The average risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. A dividend yield of zero was used for the LTIP options during the vesting period. For 2019, 2018, and 2017, a dividend yield of 2.06%, 1.94%, and 2.04%, respectively, was used for all vested LTIP options and all TSOP options.

The assumptions for the LTIP and TSOP grants for the last three years are shown in the following table:


	2019		2018		2017


Average expected volatility	23	%	24	%	26	%
Average risk-free interest rate	2.56	%	2.55	%	2.51	%
Average expected option term LTIP	7.2 years		7.2 years		8.6 years
Average expected option term TSOP	—		—		8.3 years

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A summary of changes in stock options is presented below:


	Stock Options	Weighted Avg. Exercise Price

Outstanding at December 31, 2018	3,419,644	$	86.66
Granted	47,360	168.36
Exercised	(770,597)	74.39
Forfeited	(18,958)	105.28

Outstanding at December 31, 2019	2,677,449	91.51

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at December 31, 2019 was $275 million with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 5 years. Of these options outstanding, 1,856,019 were exercisable and had an aggregate intrinsic value of $196 million with a weighted average exercise price of $88.48 and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 2.9 years.

The following table provides information related to options exercised for the last three years:


	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions)

Options exercised	770,597		840,175		1,789,939
Total intrinsic value	$	86	$	72	$	114
Cash received upon exercise	53		58		104
Related tax benefits realized	18		16		35

At December 31, 2019, total unrecognized compensation related to options granted under the LTIP and the TSOP was $2 million, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.6 years.

Restricted Stock Units

Beginning in 2018, RSUs granted primarily have a four-year ratable restriction period and will be settled through the issuance of shares of Common Stock. RSUs granted prior to 2018 have a five-year restriction period and will also be settled through the issuance of shares of Common Stock. Certain RSU grants include cash dividend equivalent payments during the restriction period in an amount equal to regular quarterly dividends paid on Common Stock.


	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions)

RSUs vested	166,197		160,200		137,200
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding	119,346		99,968		81,318
Related tax benefit realized	$	2	$	3	$	3

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A summary of changes in RSUs is presented below:


	RSUs	Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value

Nonvested at December 31, 2018	637,035	$	111.87
Granted	219,710	164.47
Vested	(166,197)	111.79
Forfeited	(24,376)	152.17

Nonvested at December 31, 2019	666,172	127.77

At December 31, 2019, total unrecognized compensation related to RSUs was $25 million, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years.

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.


	2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions)

PSUs earned	331,099		154,189		171,080
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding	221,241		94,399		99,805
Related tax benefit realized	$	9	$	3	$	1

A summary of changes in PSUs is presented below:


	PSUs	Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value

Balance at December 31, 2018	1,426,826	$	66.35
Granted	102,250	160.97
Earned	(331,099)	42.70
Unearned	(735,048)	60.02
Forfeited	(6,419)	126.92

Balance at December 31, 2019	456,510	114.04

At December 31, 2019, total unrecognized compensation related to PSUs granted under the LTIP was $6 million, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years.

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Shares Available and Issued

Shares of Common Stock available for future grants and issued in connection with all features of the LTIP and the TSOP at December 31, were as follows:


	2019	2018	2017
Available for future grants:
LTIP	9,294,726	8,644,108	8,774,768
TSOP	434,401	422,973	410,895
Issued:
LTIP	852,869	820,746	1,679,547
TSOP	258,315	213,796	291,515

14. Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

Common Stock is reported net of shares held by our consolidated subsidiaries (Treasury Shares). Treasury Shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018 amounted to 20,320,777, with a cost of $19 million at both dates.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of “Other comprehensive income (loss)” reported in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and 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 (Loss)		Reclassification of Stranded Tax Effects		Reclassification Adjustments		Balance at End of Year
	($ in millions)
Year ended December 31, 2019
Pensions and other postretirement
liabilities	$	(497)	$	61	$	—	$	15	$	(421)
Other comprehensive loss
of equity investees	(66)		(4)		—		—		(70)

Accumulated other comprehensive
loss	$	(563)	$	57	$	—	$	15	$	(491)

Year ended December 31, 2018
Pensions and other postretirement
liabilities	$	(300)	$	(136)	$	(86)	$	25	$	(497)
Other comprehensive loss
of equity investees	(56)		(8)		(2)		—		(66)

Accumulated other comprehensive
loss	$	(356)	$	(144)	$	(88)	$	25	$	(563)

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The adoption of FASB ASU 2018-02 (see Note 1) resulted in an increase to “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” of $88 million and a corresponding increase to “Retained income,” with no impact on “Total stockholders’ equity.”

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

“Other comprehensive income (loss)” reported in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income consisted of the following:


	Pretax Amount		Tax (Expense) Benefit		Net-of-Tax Amount
	($ in millions)
Year ended December 31, 2019
Net gain arising during the year:
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	$	81	$	(20)	$	61
Reclassification adjustments for costs
included in net income	20		(5)		15

Subtotal	101		(25)		76

Other comprehensive loss of equity investees	(4)		—		(4)

Other comprehensive income	$	97	$	(25)	$	72

Year ended December 31, 2018
Net gain (loss) arising during the year:
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	$	(181)	$	45	$	(136)
Reclassification adjustments for costs
included in net income	33		(8)		25

Subtotal	(148)		37		(111)

Other comprehensive loss of equity investees	(9)		1		(8)

Other comprehensive loss	$	(157)	$	38	$	(119)

Year ended December 31, 2017
Net gain arising during the year:
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	$	127	$	(32)	$	95
Reclassification adjustments for costs
included in net income	28		(9)		19

Subtotal	155		(41)		114

Other comprehensive income of equity investees	19		(2)		17

Other comprehensive income	$	174	$	(43)	$	131

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15. Stock Repurchase Programs

We repurchased and retired 11.3 million, 17.1 million (7.0 million shares under the ASR and 10.1 million shares under our ongoing open-market program), and 8.2 million shares of Common Stock under our stock repurchase programs in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, at a cost of $2.1 billion, $2.8 billion, and $1.0 billion, respectively.

On September 26, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 50 million shares of Common Stock through December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2019, 28.0 million shares remain authorized for repurchase. Since the beginning of 2006, we have repurchased and retired 196.9 million shares at a total cost of $16.2 billion.

16. Earnings Per Share

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


	Basic										Diluted
	2019		2018		2017		2019		2018		2017
	($ in millions except per share amounts, shares in millions)

Net income	$	2,722	$	2,666	$	5,404	$	2,722	$	2,666	$	5,404
Dividend equivalent payments	(5)		(6)		(4)		—		(1)		(2)

Income available to common stockholders	$	2,717	$	2,660	$	5,400	$	2,722	$	2,665	$	5,402

Weighted-average shares outstanding	263.3		277.7		287.9		263.3		277.7		287.9
Dilutive effect of outstanding options
and share-settled awards							2.3		2.5		2.4
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding							265.6		280.2		290.3

Earnings per share	$	10.32	$	9.58	$	18.76	$	10.25	$	9.51	$	18.61

In each year, dividend equivalent payments were made to 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 of zero for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and 0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

17. 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. 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

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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.

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 FELA, which is applicable only to railroads. FELA’s fault-based tort system produces results that are unpredictable and inconsistent as compared with a no-fault workers’ compensation system. The variability inherent in this 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 – The largest component of casualties and other claims expense is employee personal injury costs. The independent actuarial firm engaged by us 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. 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. The actuarial firm’s 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

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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.

Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include liabilities for environmental exposures of $56 million at December 31, 2019, and $55 million at December 31, 2018, of which $15 million is classified as a current liability at the end of both 2019 and 2018. At December 31, 2019, the liability represents our estimates of the probable cleanup, investigation, and remediation costs based on available information at 110 known locations and projects compared with 114 locations and projects at December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2019, sixteen sites accounted for $40 million of the liability, and no individual site was considered to be material. We anticipate that much of this liability will be paid out over five years; however, some costs will be paid out over a longer period.

At eleven locations, one or more of our subsidiaries in conjunction with a number of other parties have been identified as potentially responsible parties under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 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.

With respect to known environmental sites (whether identified by us or by the Environmental Protection Agency 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.

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Insurance

We obtain on behalf of ourself and our subsidiaries insurance for potential losses for third-party liability and first-party property damages. With limited exceptions, we are currently insured above $75 million and below $1.1 billion ($1.5 billion for specific perils) per occurrence and/or policy year for bodily injury and property damage to third parties and above $25 million and below $200 million per occurrence and/or policy year for property owned by us or in our care, custody, or control.

Purchase Commitments

At December 31, 2019, we had outstanding purchase commitments totaling approximately $1.2 billion for locomotives, track material, long-term service contracts, track and yard expansion projects in connection with our capital programs as well as freight cars and containers through 2024.

Change-In-Control Arrangements

We have compensation agreements with certain officers and key employees that become operative only upon a change in control of Norfolk Southern, as defined in those agreements. The agreements provide generally for payments based on compensation at the time of a covered individual’s involuntary or other specified termination and for certain other benefits.

Indemnifications

In a number of instances, we have agreed to indemnify lenders for additional costs they may bear as a result of certain changes in laws or regulations applicable to their loans. Such changes may include impositions or modifications with respect to taxes, duties, reserves, liquidity, capital adequacy, special deposits, and similar requirements relating to extensions of credit by, deposits with, or the assets or liabilities of such lenders. The nature and timing of changes in laws or regulations applicable to our financings are inherently unpredictable, and therefore our exposure in connection with the foregoing indemnifications cannot be quantified. No liability has been recorded related to these indemnifications.

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NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31		June 30		September 30		December 31
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)
2019
Railway operating revenues	$	2,840	$	2,925	$	2,841	$	2,690
Income from railway operations	966		1,065		996		962
Net income	677		722		657		666
Earnings per share:
Basic	2.53		2.72		2.50		2.56
Diluted	2.51		2.70		2.49		2.55

2018
Railway operating revenues	$	2,717	$	2,898	$	2,947	$	2,896
Income from railway operations	835		1,026		1,020		1,078
Net income	552		710		702		702
Earnings per share:
Basic	1.94		2.52		2.54		2.59
Diluted	1.93		2.50		2.52		2.57

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

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 December 31, 2019. Based on such evaluation, our officers have concluded that, at December 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that pertain to our ability to record, process, summarize, and report reliable financial data. We recognize that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of internal control. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.

Our Board of Directors, acting through its Audit Committee, is responsible for the oversight of our accounting policies, financial reporting, and internal control. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is comprised of outside directors who are independent of management. The independent registered public accounting firm and our internal auditors have full and unlimited access to the Audit Committee, with or without management, to discuss the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, and any other matters which they believe should be brought to the attention of the Audit Committee.

We have issued a report of our assessment of internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2019. These reports appear in Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the fourth quarter of 2019, we have not identified any changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially effect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

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PART III

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information called for by Part III, Item 10, is incorporated herein by reference from the information appearing under the caption “Election of Directors,” under the caption “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” under the caption “Committees of the Board,” under the caption “Shareholder Recommendations and Nominations,” and under the caption “The Thoroughbred Code of Ethics” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A. The information regarding executive officers called for by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is included in Part I hereof beginning under “Information about our Executive Officers.”

Item 11. Executive Compensation

In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information called for by Part III, Item 11, is incorporated herein by reference from the information:

•under the caption “Compensation of Directors;”

•appearing under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the information appearing in the “Summary Compensation Table” and the “2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table, including the narrative to such tables, the “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2019” and “Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2019” tables, and the tabular and narrative information appearing under the subcaptions “Retirement Benefits,” “Deferred Compensation,” and “Potential Payments Upon a Change in Control or Other Termination of Employment;” and

•appearing under the captions “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Policy Risk Assessment,” and “Compensation Committee Report,”

in each case included in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information on security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management called for by Part III, Item 12, is incorporated herein by reference from the information appearing under the caption “Beneficial Ownership of Stock” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.

Equity Compensation Plan Information (at December 31, 2019)

Plan
Category

Number of
securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

Weighted-
average
exercise price
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

Number of securities

remaining available

for future issuance

under equity

compensation plans ⁽¹⁾

(a)

(b)

(c)

Equity compensation plans

approved by securities holders⁽²⁾

3,577,895

⁽³⁾

91.86

⁽⁵⁾

9,294,726

Equity compensation plans

not approved by securities holders

463,759

⁽⁴⁾

89.81

434,401

⁽⁶⁾

Total

4,041,654

9,729,127

⁽¹⁾Excludes securities reflected in column (a).

⁽²⁾LTIP.

⁽³⁾Includes options, RSUs and PSUs granted under LTIP that will be settled in shares of stock.

⁽⁴⁾TSOP.

⁽⁵⁾Calculated without regard to 1,364,205 outstanding RSUs and PSUs at December 31, 2019.

⁽⁶⁾Reflects shares remaining available for grant under TSOP.

Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan

Established on June 28, 1983, and approved by our stockholders at their Annual Meeting held on May 10, 1984, LTIP was adopted to promote the success of our company by providing an opportunity for non-employee Directors, officers, and other key employees to acquire a proprietary interest in the Corporation. The Board of Directors amended LTIP on January 23, 2015, which amendment was approved by shareholders on May 14, 2015, to include the reservation for issuance of an additional 8,000,000 shares of authorized but unissued Common Stock.

The amended LTIP adopted a fungible share reserve ratio so that, for awards granted after May 13, 2010, the number of shares remaining for issuance under the amended LTIP will be reduced (i) by 1 for each award granted as an option or stock-settled SAR, or (ii) by 1.61 for an award made in the form other than an option or stock-settled SAR. Any shares of Common Stock subject to options, PSUs, restricted shares, or RSUs which are not issued as Common Stock will again be available for award under LTIP after the expiration or forfeiture of an award.

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Non-employee Directors, officers, and other key employees residing in the United States of America or Canada are eligible for selection to receive LTIP awards. Under LTIP, the Committee, or the Corporation’s chief executive officer to the extent the Committee delegates award-making authority pursuant to LTIP, may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, SARs, RSUs, restricted shares, PSUs, and performance shares. In addition, dividend equivalent payments may be awarded for options, RSUs, and PSUs. Awards under LTIP may be made subject to forfeiture under certain circumstances and the Committee may establish such other terms and conditions for the awards as provided in LTIP.

For options granted after May 13, 2010, the option price will be at least the higher of (i) the average of the high and low prices at which Common Stock is traded on the date of grant, or (ii) the closing price of Common Stock on the date of the grant. All options are subject to a vesting period of at least one year, and the term of the option will not exceed ten years. LTIP specifically prohibits option repricing without stockholder approval, except that adjustments may be made in the event of changes in our capital structure or Common Stock.

PSUs entitle a recipient to receive performance-based compensation at the end of a three-year cycle based on our performance during that period. For the 2019 PSU awards, corporate performance will be based directly on return on average capital invested, with total return to stockholders serving as a modifier, and will be settled in shares of Common Stock. In 2016, the Committee also granted an “accelerated turnaround incentive” award in the form of a PSU with a three-year performance that was based on equally weighted standards established by the Committee for operating ratio and earnings per share. We did not meet the performance criteria for operating ratio and therefore no payout for the accelerated turnaround incentive award was achieved.

RSUs are payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock at the end of a restriction period. During the restriction period, the holder of the RSUs has no beneficial ownership interest in the Common Stock represented by the RSUs and has no right to vote the shares represented by the units or to receive dividends (except for dividend equivalent payment rights that may be awarded with respect to the RSUs). The Committee at its discretion may waive the restriction period, but settlement of any RSUs will occur on the same settlement date as would have applied absent a waiver of restrictions, if no performance goals were imposed. RSUs will be settled in shares of Common Stock.

Norfolk Southern Corporation Thoroughbred Stock Option Plan

Our Board of Directors adopted TSOP on January 26, 1999, to promote the success of our company by providing an opportunity for nonagreement employees to acquire a proprietary interest in our company and thereby to provide an additional incentive to nonagreement employees to devote their maximum efforts and skills to the advancement, betterment, and prosperity of our company and our stockholders. Under TSOP there were 6,000,000 shares of authorized but unissued Common Stock reserved for issuance. TSOP has not been and is not required to have been approved by our stockholders.

Active full-time nonagreement employees residing in the United States of America or Canada are eligible for selection to receive TSOP awards. Under TSOP, the Committee, or the Corporation’s chief executive officer to the extent the Committee delegates award-making authority pursuant to TSOP, may grant nonqualified stock options subject to such terms and conditions as provided in TSOP.

The option price may not be less than the average of the high and low prices at which Common Stock is traded on the date of the grant. All options are subject to a vesting period of at least one year, and the term of the option will not exceed ten years. TSOP specifically prohibits repricing without stockholder approval, except for capital adjustments.

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Norfolk Southern Corporation Directors’ Restricted Stock Plan (Plan)

The Plan was adopted on January 1, 1994, and was designed to increase ownership of Common Stock by our non-employee Directors so as to further align their ownership interest in our company with that of our stockholders. The Plan has not been and is not required to have been approved by our stockholders.

Effective January 23, 2015, the Board amended the Plan to provide that no additional awards will be made under the Plan. Prior to that amendment, only non-employee Directors who are not and never have been employees of our company were eligible to participate in the Plan. Upon becoming a Director, each eligible Director received a one-time grant of 3,000 restricted shares of Common Stock. No additional shares may be granted under the Plan. No individual member of the Board exercised discretion concerning the eligibility of any Director or the number of shares granted.

The restriction period applicable to restricted shares granted under the Plan begins on the date of the grant and ends on the earlier of the recipient’s death or the day after the recipient ceases to be a Director by reason of disability or retirement. During the restriction period, shares may not be sold, pledged, or otherwise encumbered. Directors forfeit the restricted shares if they cease to serve as a Director of our company for reasons other than their disability, retirement, or death.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information called for by Part III, Item 13, is incorporated herein by reference from the information appearing under the caption “Related Persons Transactions” and under the caption “Director Independence” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

In accordance with General Instruction G(3), information called for by Part III, Item 14, is incorporated herein by reference from the information appearing under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which definitive Proxy Statement will be filed electronically with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A.

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PART IV

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Page

(A)

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

Index to Financial Statements

Report of Management

K 31

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

K 32

Consolidated Statements of Income, Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017

K 36

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017

K 37

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018

K 38

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017

K 39

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017

K 40

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

K 41

Financial Statement Schedule:

The following consolidated financial statement schedule should be read in connection with the consolidated financial statements:

Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

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Schedules other than the one listed above are omitted either because they are not required or are inapplicable, or because the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

Exhibits

Exhibit Number

Description

2.1

Distribution Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2004, by and among CSX Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., CSX Rail Holding Corporation, CSX Northeast Holdings Corporation, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, CRR Holdings LLC, Green Acquisition Corp., Conrail Inc., Consolidated Rail Corporation, New York Central Lines LLC, Pennsylvania Lines LLC, NYC Newco, Inc., and PRR Newco, Inc., is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on September 2, 2004. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws –

(i)(a)

The Restated Articles of Incorporation of Norfolk Southern Corporation are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s 10-K filed on March 5, 2001. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(i)(b)

An amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Norfolk Southern Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2010. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ii)

The Bylaws of Norfolk Southern Corporation, as amended September 24, 2019, are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

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4						Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures:

(a)						Indenture, dated as of January 15, 1991, from Norfolk Southern Corporation to First Trust of New York, National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-38595).

(b)						First Supplemental Indenture, dated May 19, 1997, between Norfolk Southern Corporation and First Trust of New York, National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $4.3 billion, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1(d) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 21, 1997. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(c)						Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 6, 2001, between Norfolk Southern Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $1 billion, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2001. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(d)						Indenture, dated August 27, 2004, among PRR Newco, Inc., as Issuer, and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, as Guarantor, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(1) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2004. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(e)						First Supplemental Indenture, dated August 27, 2004, among PRR Newco, Inc., as Issuer, and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, as Guarantor, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of approximately $451.8 million, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(m) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2004. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(f)						Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 11, 2005, between Norfolk Southern Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $300 million, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2005. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(g)						Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 17, 2005, between Norfolk Southern Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $366.6 million, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2005. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(h)						Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 17, 2005, between Norfolk Southern Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $350 million, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2005. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(i)						Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 26, 2010, between Norfolk Southern Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $250 million, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2010. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(j)						Indenture, dated as of June 1, 2009, between Norfolk Southern Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2009. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(k)						First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 1, 2009, between Norfolk Southern Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $500 million, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2009. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(l)						Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2011, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $400 million, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2011. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

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(m)						Indenture, dated as of September 14, 2011, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $595,504,000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on September 15, 2011. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(n)						Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 14, 2011, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $4,492,000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on September 15, 2011. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(o)						Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 17, 2011, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of two series of notes, one in the principal amount of $500 million and one in the principal amount of $100 million, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on November 17, 2011. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(p)						Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2012, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2012. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(q)						First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2012, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2012. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(r)						Indenture, dated as of August 20, 2012, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2012. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(s)						Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 7, 2012, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on September 7, 2012. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(t)						Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2013, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $500,000,000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2013. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(u)						Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 21, 2013, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, related to the issuance of notes in the principal amount of $400,000,000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2013. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(v)						Indenture, dated as of June 2, 2015, between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2015. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(w)						First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 2, 2015, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2015. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(x)						Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 3, 2015, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on November 3, 2015. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(y)						Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 3, 2016, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(z)						Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 31, 2017, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Corporation’s Form 8-K filed May 31, 2017. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(aa)						Indenture, dated as of August 15, 2017, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed August 15, 2017. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

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(bb)						Indenture, dated as of November 16, 2017, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed November 16, 2017. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(cc)						Indenture, dated as of February 28, 2018 between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. The Indenture is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed February 28, 2018. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(dd)						First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 28, 2018, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. The Indenture is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed February 28, 2018. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ee)						Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 2, 2018, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. The Indenture is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed August 2, 2018. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ff)						Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 8, 2019, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 8, 2019.

(gg)						Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 24, 2019, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2019.

(hh)**						Description of the Registrant’s Common Stock Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

						In accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, copies of other instruments of Norfolk Southern Corporation and its subsidiaries with respect to the rights of holders of long-term debt are not filed herewith, or incorporated by reference, but will be furnished to the Commission upon request.

10						Material Contracts -

(a)						The Transaction Agreement, dated as of June 10, 1997, by and among CSX and CSX Transportation, Inc., Registrant, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Conrail Inc., Consolidated Rail Corporation, and CRR Holdings LLC, with certain schedules thereto, previously filed, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2003. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(b)						Amendment No. 1 dated as of August 22, 1998, to the Transaction Agreement, dated as of June 10, 1997, by and among CSX Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Conrail, Inc., Consolidated Rail Corporation, and CRR Holdings LLC, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 1999. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(c)						Amendment No. 2 dated as of June 1, 1999, to the Transaction Agreement, dated June 10, 1997, by and among CSX Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Conrail, Inc., Consolidated Rail Corporation, and CRR Holdings LLC, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 1999. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(d)						Amendment No. 3 dated as of June 1, 1999, and executed in April 2004, to the Transaction Agreement, dated June 10, 1997, by and among CSX Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Conrail, Inc., Consolidated Rail Corporation, and CRR Holdings LLC, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(dd) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on July 30, 2004. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(e)						Amendment No. 5 to the Transaction Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2004, by and among CSX Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Conrail, Inc., Consolidated Rail Corporation, and CRR Holdings LLC, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on September 2, 2004. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

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(f)						Amendment No. 6 dated as of April 1, 2007, to the Transaction Agreement, dated June 10, 1997, by and among CSX Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Conrail, Inc., Consolidated Rail Corporation, and CRR Holdings LLC, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on July 27, 2007. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(g)						Shared Assets Area Operating Agreement for North Jersey, dated as of June 1, 1999, by and among Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, with exhibit thereto, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 1999. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(h)						Shared Assets Area Operating Agreement for Detroit, dated as of June 1, 1999, by and among Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, with exhibit thereto, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 1999. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(i)						Shared Assets Area Operating Agreement for South Jersey/Philadelphia, dated as of June 1, 1999, by and among Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, with exhibit thereto, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 1999. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(j)						Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 1, 2000, to the Shared Assets Area Operating Agreements for North Jersey, South Jersey/Philadelphia, and Detroit, dated as of June 1, 1999, by and among Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, with exhibits thereto, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on March 5, 2001. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(k)						Amendment No. 2, dated as of January 1, 2001, to the Shared Assets Area Operating Agreements for North Jersey, South Jersey/Philadelphia, and Detroit, dated as of June 1, 1999, by and among Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, with exhibits thereto, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 21, 2002. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(l)						Amendment No. 3, dated as of June 1, 2001, and executed in May of 2002, to the Shared Assets Area Operating Agreements for North Jersey, South Jersey/Philadelphia, and Detroit, dated as of June 1, 1999, by and among Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, with exhibits thereto, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2003. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(m)						Amendment No. 4, dated as of June 1, 2005, and executed in late June 2005, to the Shared Assets Area Operating Agreements for North Jersey, South Jersey/Philadelphia, and Detroit, dated as of June 1, 1999, by and among Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX Transportation, Inc., and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, with exhibits thereto, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2005. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(n)						Monongahela Usage Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1999, by and among CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Pennsylvania Lines LLC, and New York Central Lines LLC, with exhibit thereto, is incorporated by reference from -Exhibit 10.7 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 1999. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(o)						The Agreement, entered into as of July 27, 1999, between North Carolina Railroad Company and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(i) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on March 6, 2000. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(p)						Second Amendment, dated December 28, 2009, to the Master Agreement dated July 27, 1999, by and between North Carolina Railroad Company and Norfolk Southern Railway Company, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(q) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 17, 2010 (Exhibits, annexes and schedules omitted. The Registrant will furnish supplementary copies of such materials to the SEC upon request). (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(q)						The Supplementary Agreement, entered into as of January 1, 1987, between the Trustees of the Cincinnati Southern Railway and The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Company (the latter a wholly owned subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway Company) – extending and amending a Lease, dated as of October 11, 1881 – is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on March 5, 2001. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

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(r)*						Norfolk Southern Corporation Executive Management Incentive Plan, as approved by shareholders May 14, 2015, and as amended effective March 27, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on April 25, 2018. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(s)*						The Norfolk Southern Corporation Officers’ Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended effective July 26, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on October 23, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(t)*						The Norfolk Southern Corporation Directors’ Restricted Stock Plan, adopted January 1, 1994, and amended and restated effective as of January 23, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on October 25, 2017. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(u)*						Supplemental Benefit Plan of Norfolk Southern Corporation and Participating Subsidiary Companies, adopted June 1, 1982, as amended and restated effective as of June 26, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on October 25, 2017. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(v)*						Retirement Plan of Norfolk Southern Corporation and Participating Subsidiary Companies effective June 1, 1982, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(hh) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10 ‑K filed on February 6, 2017. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(w)*						The Norfolk Southern Corporation Directors’ Charitable Award Program, as amended effective July 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on July 27, 2007. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(x)						The Norfolk Southern Corporation Thoroughbred Stock Option Plan, as amended effective July 22, 2013, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on July 24, 2013. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(y)*						The Norfolk Southern Corporation Executive Life Insurance Plan, as amended and restated effective December 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(y) to Norfolk Southern Corporation's Form 10-K filed on February 8, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(z)*						The description of Norfolk Southern Corporation’s optional executive physical reimbursement program, as amended effective July 26, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on October 23, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(aa),*						The Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, as approved by shareholders May 14, 2015, and as amended July 29, 2016, November 29, 2016, November 28, 2017, November 27, 2018, and November 19, 2019.

(bb)						The Transaction Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2005, by and among Norfolk Southern Corporation, The Alabama Great Southern Railroad Company, Kansas City Southern, and The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(II) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2006 (Exhibits, annexes, and schedules omitted. The Registrant will furnish supplementary copies of such materials to the SEC upon request). (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(cc)						Amendment No. 1, dated as of January 17, 2006, by and among Norfolk Southern Corporation, The Alabama Great Southern Railroad Company, Kansas City Southern, and The Kansas City Southern Railroad , is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(mm) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2006. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(dd)						Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 1, 2006, to the Transaction Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2005, by and among Norfolk Southern Corporation, The Alabama Great Southern Railroad Company, Kansas City Southern, and The Kansas City Southern Railway Company is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2006. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ee)						Limited Liability Agreement of Meridian Speedway, LLC, dated as of May 1, 2006, by and among the Alabama Great Southern Railroad Company and Kansas City Southern, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2006. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

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(ff)						Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2007. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(gg)						Amendment No. 1 to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, and effective as of October 22, 2008, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on October 23, 2008. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(hh)						Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 19, 2009, to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on July 31, 2009. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ii)						Amendment No. 3, dated as of August 21, 2009, to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(jj)						Amendment No. 4, dated as of October 22, 2009, to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2009. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(kk)						Amendment No. 5, dated as of January 5, 2010, to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xx) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 17, 2010. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ll)						Amendment No. 6, dated as of August 30, 2010, to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on October 29, 2010. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(mm)						Amendment No. 7, dated as of October 21, 2010, to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2010. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(nn)						Amendment No. 8, dated as of October 20, 2011, to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on October 20, 2011. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(oo)						Amendment No. 9, dated as of October 18, 2012, to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2012. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(pp)						Amendment No. 10, dated as of October 17, 2013, to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on October 18, 2013. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(qq)						Amendment No. 11 to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of October 16, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2014. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(rr)						Amendment No. 12 to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of June 3, 2016 (Schedules III and IV omitted. The Registrant will furnish supplementary copies of such materials to the SEC upon request), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ss)						Amendment No. 13 to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of June 1, 2018 is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2018 (SEC File No. 001-8339)

(tt)						Amendment No. 14 to Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of May 31, 2019 is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2019 (SEC File No. 001-8339)

(uu)						Omnibus Amendment, dated as of March 18, 2008, to the Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on April 23, 2008. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

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(vv)						Transaction Agreement (Pan Am Transaction Agreement), dated May 15, 2008, by and among Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Pan Am Railways, Inc., Boston and Maine Corporation, and Springfield Terminal Railway Company, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on July 24, 2008 (Exhibits, annexes and schedules omitted. The Registrant will furnish supplementary copies of such materials to the SEC upon request). (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ww)						Letter Agreement, dated October 21, 2008, by and among Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Pan Am Railways, Inc., Boston and Maine Corporation, and Springfield Terminal Railway Company amending certain terms of the Pan Am Transaction Agreement, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(rrr) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 18, 2009. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(xx),*						Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan of Norfolk Southern Corporation, adopted June 1, 1982 and as amended and restated effective December 1, 2019.

(yy)*						Norfolk Southern Corporation Executives’ Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ww) to Norfolk Southern Corporation's Form 10-K filed on February 8, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(zz)*						Stock Unit Plan of Norfolk Southern Corporation dated as of July 24, 2001, as amended on August 21, 2008, with an effective date of January 1, 2009, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on October 24, 2008. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(aaa)*						Form of Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement between Norfolk Southern Corporation and certain executive officers (including “named executive officers” identified in the Corporation’s Proxy Statement for the 2019 annual Meeting of Stockholders who entered into change in control agreements before 2016), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(aaaa) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 18, 2009. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(bbb)						Limited Liability Company Agreement of Pan Am Southern LLC, dated as of April 9, 2009, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on April 9, 2009 (exhibits, annexes, and schedules omitted – the Registrant will furnish supplementary copies of such materials to the SEC upon request). (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ccc)*						Form of Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, Award Agreement for Outside Directors as approved by the Compensation Committee on November 28, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ggg) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 6, 2017. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ddd),*						Form of Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, Award Agreement for Outside Directors for restricted stock units and deferral election form as approved by the Compensation Committee on December 4, 2019.

(eee)*						Form of Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, Award Agreement for performance share units approved by the Compensation Committee on November 27, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ddd) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 5, 2018. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(fff)*						Form of Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, Award Agreement for non-qualified stock options approved by the Compensation Committee on November 27, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(eee) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 5, 2018. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ggg)*						Form of Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, Award Agreement for restricted stock units approved by the Compensation Committee on November 27, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(fff) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 5, 2018. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(hhh)*						Form of Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, Non-Compete Agreement Associated with Award Agreement, approved by the Compensation Committee on November 28, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(kkk) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s 10-K filed on February 6, 2017. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

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(iii)*						Performance Criteria for bonuses payable in 2021 for the 2020 incentive year. On January 27, 2020, the Compensation Committee of the Norfolk Southern Corporation Board of Directors adopted the following performance criteria for determining bonuses payable in 2021 for the 2020 incentive year under the Norfolk Southern Corporation Executive Management Incentive Plan: 40% based on operating income, and 60% based on operating ratio.

(jjj)						Omnibus Amendment, dated as of January 17, 2011, to Pan Am Transaction Agreement dated as of May 15, 2008, and Limited Liability Company Agreement of Pan Am Southern LLC dated as of April 9, 2009, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on April 27, 2012. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(kkk)*						Form of Amendment to Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement between Norfolk Southern Corporation and the Corporation’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, to eliminate the excise tax gross-up provision in the Agreement, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2013. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(lll)*						Form of Change in Control Agreement between Norfolk Southern Corporation and executive officers who did not enter into a change in control agreement before 2016, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ooo) to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-K filed on February 8, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(mmm)						Credit Agreement dated as of May 26, 2016, establishing a 5-year, $750 million, unsecured revolving credit facility of the Registrant, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2016. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(nnn)*						Form of Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, Off-Cycle Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options as approved by the Compensation Committee on April 23, 2019, in incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on April 24, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ooo)*						Form of Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, Off-Cycle Award Agreement for Performance Share Units as approved by the Compensation Committee on April 23, 2019, in incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on April 24, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ppp)*						Form of Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, Off-Cycle Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units as approved by the Compensation Committee on April 23, 2019, in incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed on April 24, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(qqq)*						Offer Letter for Mark R. George, dated August 26, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(rrr)*						Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan Inducement Award Agreement for Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(sss)*						Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan Inducement Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(ttt)*						Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan Inducement Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2019. (SEC File No. 001-08339)

(uuu)						A Construction Agency Agreement, dated March 1, 2019, between Norfolk Southern Railway Company (“NSRC”) and BA Leasing BSC, LLC. This Agreement is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed March 5, 2019. (See SEC File No. 001-08339).

(vvv)						A Lease Agreement, dated March 1, 2019, between NSRC and BA Leasing BSC, LLC. This Agreement is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.2 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed March 5, 2019. (See SEC File No. 001-08339).

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(www)						A Participation Agreement, dated March 1, 2019, between NSRC, BA Leasing BSC, LLC, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and each of the Rent Assignees listed on Schedule II thereto. This Agreement is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.3 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed March 5, 2019. (See SEC File No. 001-08339).

(xxx)						Guaranty of NSRC’s obligations under the Participation Agreement, Construction Agency Agreement, Lease Agreement and related documents by Norfolk Southern Corporation. This Agreement is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.4 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed March 5, 2019. (See SEC File No. 001-08339).

21**						Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23**						Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

31-A**						Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-014(a) CEO Certification.

31-B**						Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-014(a) CFO Certification.

32**						Section 1350 Certifications.

101**						The following financial information from Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) includes: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017; (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017; and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

						* Management contract or compensatory arrangement.
						** Filed herewith.



(B)						Exhibits.

						The Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K as listed in Item 15(A)3 are filed herewith or incorporated by reference.

(C)						Financial Statement Schedules.

						Financial statement schedules and separate financial statements specified by this Item are included in Item 15(A)2 or are otherwise not required or are not applicable.

						Exhibits 23, 31, and 32 are included in copies assembled for public dissemination. All exhibits are included in the 2019 Form 10-K posted on our website at www.norfolksouthern.com under “Invest in NS” and “SEC Filings” or you may request copies by writing to:

						Office of Corporate Secretary Norfolk Southern Corporation Three Commercial Place Norfolk, Virginia 23510-9219

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

Not applicable.

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears on the next page under SIGNATURES hereby authorizes Vanessa Allen Sutherland and Mark R. George, or any one of them, to execute in the name of each such person, and to file, any amendments to this report, and hereby appoints Vanessa Allen Sutherland and Mark R. George, or any one of them, as attorneys-in-fact to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file, any and all amendments to this report.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Norfolk Southern Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on this 6th day of February, 2020.


			/s/ James A. Squires
By:			James A. Squires
			(Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer)

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on this 6th day of February, 2020, by the following persons on behalf of Norfolk Southern Corporation and in the capacities indicated.


Signature			Title

/s/ James A. Squires (James A. Squires)			Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Mark R. George (Mark R. George)			Executive Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Jason A. Zampi (Jason A. Zampi)			Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Thomas D. Bell, Jr. (Thomas D. Bell, Jr.)			Director

/s/ Daniel A. Carp (Daniel A. Carp)			Director

/s/ Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. (Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr.)			Director

/s/ Marcela E. Donadio (Marcela E. Donadio)			Director

/s/ Thomas C. Kelleher (Thomas C. Kelleher)			Director

/s/ Steven F. Leer (Steven F. Leer)			Director

/s/ Michael D. Lockhart (Michael D. Lockhart)			Director

/s/ Amy E. Miles (Amy E. Miles)			Director

/s/ Claude Mongeau (Claude Mongeau)			Director

/s/ Jennifer F. Scanlon (Jennifer F. Scanlon)			Director

/s/ John R. Thompson (John R. Thompson)			Director

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Schedule II

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017

($ in millions)


			Additions charged to:
	Beginning Balance		Expenses			Other Accounts			Deductions			Ending Balance

Year ended December 31, 2019
Current portion of casualty and
other claims included in
accounts payable	$	213	$	22		$	131	⁽²⁾	$	154	⁽³⁾	$	212
Casualty and other claims
included in other liabilities	158		89		⁽¹⁾	—			76		⁽⁴⁾	171

Year ended December 31, 2018
Current portion of casualty and
other claims included in
accounts payable	$	187	$	32		$	145	⁽²⁾	$	151	⁽³⁾	$	213
Casualty and other claims
included in other liabilities	179		85		⁽¹⁾	—			106		⁽⁴⁾	158

Year ended December 31, 2017
Current portion of casualty and
other claims included in
accounts payable	$	192	$	17		$	124	⁽²⁾	$	146	⁽³⁾	$	187
Casualty and other claims
included in other liabilities	178		83		⁽¹⁾	—			82		⁽⁴⁾	179

⁽¹⁾Includes adjustments for changes in estimates for prior years’ claims.

⁽²⁾Includes revenue refunds and overcharges provided through deductions from operating revenues and transfers

from other accounts.

⁽³⁾Payments and reclassifications to/from other liabilities.

⁽⁴⁾Payments and reclassifications to/from accounts payable.

K91

EXHIBIT 4(hh)

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK REGISTERED

UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

In this description of securities, except as otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, “Norfolk Southern,” “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Norfolk Southern Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

General

The following summary of our common stock is not meant to be a complete description. For more information, you also should refer to our Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”), our Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the “Virginia Act”). Under the Articles of Incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 1,350,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value.

As of January 31, 2020, Norfolk Southern had 257,844,180 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, excluding 20,320,777 shares held by our wholly owned subsidiaries. For all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share registered in his or her name on our books. Our common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. As a result, subject to the voting rights of any outstanding preferred stock (of which there currently is none), the persons who hold a majority of the outstanding common stock entitled to elect members of the board of directors (the “Board”) can elect all of the directors of the company.

If the Board declares a dividend, common stockholders will receive payments from the funds of Norfolk Southern that are legally available to pay dividends. However, this dividend right is subject to any preferential dividend rights we may grant to the persons who hold preferred stock, if any is issued. If Norfolk Southern is dissolved, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all the assets that remain after we pay (i) our liabilities and (ii) any amounts we may owe to the persons who hold our preferred stock, if any is issued. Common stockholders do not have preemptive rights, and they have no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. All outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.

Certain Provisions of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act

The Virginia Act contains certain anti-takeover provisions regarding, among other things, affiliated transactions and control share acquisitions. In general, the Virginia Act’s affiliated transactions provisions prevent a Virginia corporation from engaging in an “affiliated transaction” (as defined in the Virginia Act) with an “interested shareholder” (generally defined as a person owning more than 10% of any class of voting securities of the corporation) unless approved by a majority of the “disinterested directors” (as defined in the Virginia Act) and the holders of at least two thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested shareholder, subject to certain exceptions.

Under the control share acquisitions provisions of the Virginia Act, shares acquired in a “control share acquisition,” generally defined as transactions that increase the voting strength of the person acquiring such shares above certain thresholds in elections of directors generally, have no voting rights unless they are granted by a majority of the outstanding voting stock not owned by such acquiring person, by an officer of Norfolk Southern or by an employee-director of Norfolk Southern. If such voting rights are granted and the acquiring person controls 50% or more of the voting power, all shareholders, other than the acquiring person, are entitled to receive “fair value” (as defined in the Virginia Act) for their shares. If such voting rights are not granted, the corporation may, if authorized by its articles of incorporation or bylaws, purchase the acquiring person’s shares at their cost to the acquiring person. A Virginia corporation has the right to “opt out” of the control share acquisition statute, and effective January 27, 2009, the Board amended our bylaws to “opt out” of the statute.

Exhibit 10(aa)

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

AS APPROVED BY SHAREHOLDERS MAY 14, 2015,

AS AMENDED JULY 29, 2016, NOVEMBER 29, 2016, NOVEMBER 28, 2017,

NOVEMBER 27, 2018 AND NOVEMBER 19, 2019

The terms of this amended plan, as set forth below, were approved by the separate vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation at which a quorum was present for the proposal on May 14, 2015. The Board of Directors of the Corporation subsequently amended the Plan: on July 29, 2016 to clarify that an Award may include conditions such as continued employment, passage of time, the provisions of a Retention Agreement, attainment of age and/or service requirements, and/or the achievement of Performance Goals; on November 29, 2016 to revise the definition of “Retirement” with respect to a Participant who is not eligible to participate in a retirement plan of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company and to specifically include work as a director for purposes of the noncompete under Section 14; on November 28, 2017, to revise the definition of “Restriction Period” from three years to ratable restriction periods over three years and grant the Committee authority to award up to 25,000 shares per year with a one-year restriction period for officers and employees; on November 27, 2018, to revise the definition of “Award Date” regarding the effective date of an Award made during a blackout period; and on November 19, 2019, to clarify the Committee’s authority to specify in the Award Agreement the non-forfeiture of Performance Share Units or an Option for a Participant who terminates service for a reason other than Retirement, Disability or death.

Section 1. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Long-Term Incentive Plan (“Plan”), as amended, is to promote the success of Norfolk Southern Corporation (the “Corporation”) and to provide an opportunity for non-employee directors, officers and other employees of the Corporation and its Subsidiary Companies (as hereinafter defined) to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in the Corporation and thereby to provide an additional incentive to devote their maximum efforts and skills to the advancement, betterment, and prosperity of the Corporation and its stockholders. The Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance share units, performance shares, restricted shares, and restricted stock units, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below. The Corporation intends that the Plan comply with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) and applicable treasury regulations thereunder and intends that compensation paid under the Plan qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Corporation reserves the right to pay compensation under the Plan that does not qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m), as circumstances may warrant. The Plan, as amended, is intended, and shall be construed, to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

Section 2. DEFINITIONS

The terms used herein shall have the following meanings unless otherwise specified or unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:


Award			Any one or more of the following: Incentive Stock Option; Non-qualified Stock Option; Stock Appreciation Right; Restricted Shares; Restricted Stock Units; Performance Share Units; and Performance Shares.
Award Agreement			A written agreement, made in a form approved by the Committee and consistent with the terms of the Plan, that specifies the terms, conditions and limitations of each Award.
Award Date			The date on which the Committee or the chief executive officer (to the extent as may be delegated by the Committee) grants an Award or, if granted during a blackout period that precedes the release of the Corporation’s financial information for the preceding calendar quarter, the first day on which the Corporation’s common stock is traded after a full trading day has elapsed following the release of the Corporation’s financial information for the preceding calendar quarter.
Beneficiary			The person or persons designated in writing by the Participant as his Beneficiary in respect of Awards or, in the absence of such a designation or if the designated person or persons predecease the Participant, the person or persons who shall acquire the Participant’s rights in respect of Awards by bequest or inheritance in accordance with the applicable laws of descent and distribution. In order to be effective, a Participant’s designation of a Beneficiary must be on file with the Corporation before the Participant’s death. Any such designation may be revoked and a new designation substituted for the revoked designation by the Participant at any time before his death without the consent of the previously designated Beneficiary.
Board of Directors			The Board of Directors of the Corporation.
Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights			Stock Appreciation Rights settled in cash.
Code			The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.


Committee			The Compensation Committee or any other committee of the Board of Directors which is authorized to grant Awards under this Plan. It is intended that each member of the Committee shall qualify as (a) a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (b) an “outside director” under Code Section 162(m), and (c) an “independent director” under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. If it is later determined that one or more members of the Committee do not qualify as a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, actions taken by the Committee prior to such determination shall be valid despite such failure to qualify.
Common Stock			The Common Stock of the Corporation.
Disability			A disability that has enabled the Participant to receive a disability benefit under the Long-Term Disability Plan of the Corporation or a long-term disability plan of a Subsidiary Company (whichever is applicable), as amended from time to time, for a period of at least three months. For a Participant who is a non-employee director, “Disability” means any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death or to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months and which prevents a Participant from continuing to serve as a non-employee director.
Dividend Equivalent			An amount equal to the regular quarterly dividend paid in accordance with the Corporation’s normal dividend payment practice as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and granted pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan.
Executive Officers			Officers designated by the Board of Directors as “Executive Officers” for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Exercise Gain Shares			With respect to a Stock Appreciation Right, all of the shares of Common Stock received upon exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right. With respect to an Option, the portion of the shares of Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value, as of the exercise date, over the Option price, multiplied by the number of shares purchased under the Option on the exercise date, divided by such Fair Market Value, and rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares.


Fair Market Value			The value of Common Stock on a particular date as measured by the mean of the high and low prices at which it is traded on such date as reported in the Composite Transactions for such date by Bloomberg L.P., or its successor, on its internet-based service, or, if Common Stock was not traded on such date, on the next preceding day on which Common Stock was traded.
Incentive Stock Option			An Option that complies with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 422(b) of the Code and is designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.
Non-Qualified Stock Option			An Option granted under the Plan other than an Incentive Stock Option.
Option			Any option to purchase Common Stock granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 or Section 7 of the Plan.
Optionee			A Participant who is the holder of an Option.
Participant			A person eligible to participate in the Plan who is granted and accepts an Award under the Plan.
Performance Cycle			The period of time, designated by the Committee but not less than one year, over which Performance Shares may be earned.
Performance Criteria			One or more, or any combination, of the following business criteria, selected by the Committee, which may be applied on a corporate, department or division level, and which may be measured on an absolute or relative basis, or established as a measure of growth: earnings measures (including net income, earnings per share, income from continuing operations, income before income taxes, income from railway operations); return measures (including net income divided by total assets, return on shareholder equity, return on average invested capital); cash flow measures (including operating cash flow and free cash flow); productivity measures (including total operating expense per thousand gross ton miles or revenue ton miles, total operating revenue per employee, total operating expense per employee, gross ton miles or revenue ton miles per employee, carloads per employee, revenue ton miles per mile of road operated, total operating expense per carload, revenue ton miles per carload, gross ton miles or revenue ton miles per train hour, percent of loaded-to-total car miles, network performance); fair market value of shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock; revenue measures; expense measures; operating ratio measures; customer satisfaction measures; working capital measures; cost control measures; total shareholder return measures; economic value added measures; and safety measures.


Performance Criteria Weighting Percentage			The percentage weighting accorded to each Performance Criterion (or each combination thereof) selected by the Committee. The total of the Performance Criteria Weighting Percentages for any type of Award shall equal one hundred percent (100%).
Performance Goal			The specific target set by the Committee for each selected Performance Criterion (or each combination thereof) the outcome of which must be substantially uncertain at the time it is established. A Performance Goal may be set solely with respect to the Corporation’s performance, or as compared to the performance of a published or special index deemed applicable by the Committee, including but not limited to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index or an index based on a group of comparative companies. If a Performance Goal is based on the Corporation’s common stock, then in the event of a recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, exchange, combination, or reclassification of shares, merger, consolidation, reorganization, or other change in or affecting the capital structure or capital stock of the Corporation (other than a normal cash dividend), the Committee shall make or provide for such adjustments in performance goals as the Committee in its sole discretion may in good faith determine to be equitably required in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants.
Performance Shares			Shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, which may be made subject to the restrictions and other terms and conditions prescribed in Section 11 of the Plan.
Performance Share Units			Contingent rights to receive Performance Shares pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan.
Restricted Shares			Shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan and subject to the restrictions and other terms and conditions set forth therein.
Restricted Stock Unit			Contingent rights, granted pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan, to receive Restricted Stock Unit Shares or cash payment for the Fair Market Value of shares of Common Stock, subject to the restrictions and other conditions set forth herein. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall equal the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock.
Restricted Stock Unit Shares			Shares of Common Stock issued as payment for Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan, which may be made subject to the restrictions and other terms and conditions prescribed in Section 10 of the Plan.


Restriction Period			A period of time during which the restrictions imposed by paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 9 or paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 10 of the Plan shall apply. At the time that the Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units are granted, the Committee shall impose a Restriction Period and determine the length of the Restriction Period. For non-employee directors, the Restriction Period shall not be less than twelve (12) months. For officers and employees, the Restriction Period for at least one-third of the total number of Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units for each Award shall be not less than thirty-six months, at least one-third not less than twenty-four months, and not more than one-third shall have a minimum Restriction Period of twelve months. Notwithstanding this provision, the Committee may grant up to 25,000 Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units, in aggregate, in any calendar year with a minimum Restriction Period of twelve (12) months. Such Restriction Period, if any, shall be incorporated in the Award Agreement setting forth the grant. Under Sections 9 and 10 of this Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion, specify when the Award is granted that the Restriction Period shall expire upon the earlier achievement of Performance Goals.
Retention Agreement			An agreement entered into pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan.
Retirement			Retirement from the Corporation and all Subsidiary Companies pursuant to the provisions of the Retirement Plan of the Corporation or a defined benefit retirement plan of a Subsidiary Company (whichever is applicable), as amended from time to time. For a Participant who is employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company but who is not eligible to participate in the Corporation’s Retirement Plan or a defined benefit retirement plan of a Subsidiary Company, “Retirement” means the Participant’s voluntary termination of employment from the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company, or involuntary termination of employment if the Participant is offered severance under the Norfolk Southern Corporation Severance Pay Plan, in either case after the participant: (a) attains age 55 and has been employed with the Corporation and/or a Subsidiary Company for 10 years, or (b) attains age 60 and has been employed with the Corporation and/or a Subsidiary Company for 5 years, or (c) attains age 62. For a Participant who is a non-employee director, “Retirement” means termination of service as a director of the Corporation.


Stock Appreciation Right			The right, granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan, to receive Exercise Gain Shares or a cash payment equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the exercise date over the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Award Date, as specified in Section 8 of the Plan.
Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights			Stock Appreciation Rights paid out in Exercise Gain Shares.
Subsidiary Company			A corporation of which at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.

Section 3. ADMINISTRATION

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which, subject to the limitations set forth herein, shall have the full and complete authority and sole discretion, except as may be delegated to the Corporation’s chief executive officer as provided herein, to construe and interpret the Plan; to select the Participants who shall be granted Awards under the Plan; to determine the type, size, terms, and conditions of the Award or Awards to be granted to each such Participant; to authorize the grant of such Awards pursuant to the Plan; in connection with the merger or consolidation of the Corporation (and subject to any applicable requirements of Code Section 409A), to give a Participant an election to surrender an Award in exchange for the grant of a new Award; to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; and to make all other determinations and take all other actions it may deem necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of the Plan.

If the Committee makes an Award to non-employee directors in a calendar year, and after such Award is made and in the same year an individual is elected by the Board to be a non-employee director of the Corporation, then the newly appointed director shall automatically be granted an Award under the same terms as was granted to the other non-employee directors earlier that year. The Award granted to the newly appointed director shall be prorated based on the number of days remaining in the calendar year of the individual’s appointment as a director, and effective as of the date the individual became a director or, if the individual became a director during a blackout period, effective on the first day of the subsequent trading window during which officers of the Corporation and Subsidiary Companies are permitted to trade in Norfolk Southern Corporation Common Stock under the Corporation’s insider trading policy.

The Committee in its sole discretion may delegate authority to the Corporation’s chief executive officer to select as Participants the officers and employees who shall be granted Awards under the Plan (provided, however, that only the Committee shall grant Awards to the chief executive officer and Executive Officers); to determine the type, size, terms, and conditions of the Award or Awards to be granted to each such Participant; and to authorize the grant of such Awards pursuant to the Plan.

The Committee, or the chief executive officer to the extent as may be delegated by the Committee (hereinafter, the term “Committee” shall include reference to the chief executive officer to the extent of any such delegation), may authorize the grant of more than one type of Award, and Awards subject to differing terms and conditions, to any eligible Participant. The Committee’s decision to authorize the grant of an Award to a Participant at any time shall not require the Committee to authorize the grant of an Award to that Participant at any other time or to any other Participant at any time; nor shall its determination with respect to the size, type, or terms and conditions of the Award to be granted to a Participant at any time require it to authorize the grant of an Award of the same type or size or with the same terms and conditions to that Participant at any other time or to any other Participant at any time. The Committee shall not be precluded from authorizing the grant of an Award to any eligible Participant solely because the Participant previously may have been granted an Award of any kind under the Plan.

The grant, retention, vesting and/or settlement of any Award shall be subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee and specified in the Award Agreement, which may include conditions based on continued employment, passage of time, the provisions of a Retention Agreement, attainment of age and/or service requirements, and/or the achievement of Performance Goals.

All determinations of the Committee shall be by a majority of its members and shall be final, conclusive and binding. Each member of the Committee, while serving as such, shall be considered to be acting in his capacity as a director of the Corporation, and no member of the Committee shall be liable for any action taken or decision made in good faith with respect to the implementation or administration of the Plan.

Section 4. ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to be a Participant in the Plan, an individual must on the date on which the Award is made be a full-time nonagreement officer or employee who is a participant in the Norfolk Southern Corporation Executive Management Incentive Plan or Management Incentive Plan, or a full-time nonagreement employee of the Corporation or of a Subsidiary Company who can make an appreciable contribution to the attainment of the Corporation’s overall business objectives as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, and must reside in the United States or Canada. A non-employee director shall be eligible to participate in the Plan if he or she is a director of the Corporation and is not a full-time salaried employee of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company.

Section 5. SHARES AVAILABLE

Since the Plan’s establishment in 1983, up to a maximum of 90,978,604 shares of Common Stock (104,125,000 shares as adjusted for October 10, 1997, 3-for-1 stock split) have been authorized for issuance under the Plan. Awards that are made in a form other than Options or Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights and that are granted under the Plan after May 13, 2010, shall be counted against the share limit set forth in the previous sentence as 1.61 shares for every one share issued in connection with such Award. Such shares shall be provided from shares of Common Stock authorized but not issued. Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted in full against the number of shares available for award

under the Plan, regardless of the number of Exercise Gain Shares issued upon settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right.

If any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered or if an Award otherwise terminates or expires without a distribution of shares to the Participant (including by reason of such Award being settled in cash), the shares with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration, again be available for Awards under the Plan; provided, however, in the case of a stock-based Award that is not an Option or Stock Appreciation Right and that was made after May 13, 2010, 1.61 shares for each share underlying such Award shall again be available for Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shares of Common Stock may not again be made available for award under the Plan: (i) shares of Common Stock not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an outstanding Stock Appreciation Right or Option; (ii) shares of Common Stock used to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes related to an outstanding award, or (iii) shares of Common Stock repurchased on the open market with proceeds of an Option exercise.

Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, no Participant may be awarded a grant in any one year, which, when added to any other grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Units in the same year, shall exceed 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock. A Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an option is treated as a single Award for purpose of the preceding sentence. If an Option is canceled, the canceled Option continues to count against the maximum number of shares for which Options may be granted to a Participant in any year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate grant date fair value of shares of Common Stock that may be granted during any year to any non-employee director shall not exceed $500,000.

Section 6. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

(a) General – The Committee may authorize the grant of Incentive Stock Options subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6. The grant of an Incentive Stock Option shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement between the Corporation and the Optionee, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option evidenced thereby and the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable thereto. The issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Incentive Stock Option also shall be subject to the provisions of any Retention Agreement that may be required by the Committee under Section 12 of the Plan.

Except for adjustments pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the Option Price for any outstanding Option granted under the Plan may not be decreased after the date the Option is granted, nor may an outstanding Option be modified or replaced if the effect would be to reduce the Option Price, nor may an outstanding Option be cancelled in exchange for cash or another Award, unless such repricing, modification or replacement is approved by the vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation at which a quorum is present.

(b) Option Price - The Committee shall determine the Option price for each share of Common Stock purchased under an Option, but, subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, in no event shall the Option price be less than the greater of (i) one hundred percent

(100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Award Date, or (ii) the price at which the Corporation’s Common Stock was last sold in the principal United States market for such Common Stock on the Award Date.

(c) Duration of Options - The Committee shall fix the term or duration of Options, provided that such term shall not exceed ten (10) years from the Award Date, and that such term shall be subject to earlier termination pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this Section 6.

(d) Non-Transferability of Options - Options may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by him, and following his death only by his Beneficiary. If a Beneficiary dies after the Optionee, but before the Option is exercised and before such rights expire, such rights shall become assets of such Beneficiary’s estate. Except as provided in this paragraph, Options may not be assigned or alienated, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.

(e) Exercise of Options - The Committee shall determine the time or times at which Options may be exercised; provided that such time or times shall not occur before the latest of:

(i) the first anniversary of the Award Date; and

(ii) the effectiveness of any registration statement required to be filed under the Securities Act of 1933 for the registration of the Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of the Option.

(f) Payment of Option Price - The purchase price of Common Stock upon exercise of an Option shall be paid in full to the Corporation at the time of the exercise of the Option in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee and subject to any limitations or requirements that the Committee may adopt, by the surrender to the Corporation of shares of previously acquired Common Stock, which have been held by the Optionee for at least six (6) months and which shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the date that the Option is exercised, or, at the discretion of the Committee, by a combination of cash and such Common Stock.

(g) Termination of Options - No Option shall be exercisable after it expires. Each Option shall expire upon the earliest of:

(i) the expiration of the term for which the Option was granted;

(ii) Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement,

(A) in the case of an Optionee whose employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company is terminated due to Retirement, Disability or death, the expiration of the term for which the Option was granted, or

(B) in the case of an Optionee whose employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company is terminated for any reason other than Retirement, Disability, or death, at the close of business on the last day of active service by the Optionee with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company, or

(C) in the case of an Optionee who is granted a leave of absence, if the Optionee’s employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company terminates at any time during or at the end of the leave of absence, at the close of business on the last day of employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company, or

(iii) in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Corporation, with the Optionee’s consent, the grant of a new Award to replace the Option.

(h) Limitation on Exercisability - The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Award Date) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (granted on or after January 1, 1987) are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000, as adjusted under Code Section 422(d)(1) and corresponding Treasury Regulations.

Section 7. NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS

The Committee may authorize the grant of Non-Qualified Stock Options subject to the terms and conditions specified in this Section 7. The grant of a Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement between the Corporation and the Optionee, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Non-Qualified Stock Option evidenced thereby and the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable thereto. Non-Qualified Stock Options granted pursuant to the provisions of this Section 7 shall be subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions set forth in paragraphs (a) through (g) of Section 6 of the Plan. The limitations set forth in paragraph (h) of Section 6 of the Plan shall not apply to Non-Qualified Stock Options. The issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Non-Qualified Stock Option also shall be subject to the provisions of any Retention Agreement that may be required by the Committee under Section 12 of the Plan.

Section 8. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

(a) General - The Committee may grant a Stock Appreciation Right to a Participant in connection with an Option, or portion thereof, or on a stand alone basis, as determined by the Committee, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8. If granted in connection with an Option, the Stock Appreciation Right may be granted at the time of grant of the related Option and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the related Option, except as this Section 8 may otherwise provide. If granted in connection with an Option, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be evidenced by provisions in the Award Agreement evidencing or identifying the related Option, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock subject thereto and setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to the Stock Appreciation Right. If granted on a stand alone basis, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be evidenced by provisions of a written Award Agreement between the Corporation and the Participant. The Committee may grant Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights or Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights as shall be set forth in an Award Agreement.

Except for adjustments pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the terms of an outstanding Stock Appreciation Right may not be amended to reduce the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right, nor may an outstanding Stock Appreciation Right be modified or replaced if the effect would be to reduce the exercise price, nor may an outstanding Stock Appreciation Right be cancelled in exchange for cash or another Award, unless such repricing, modification or replacement is approved by the vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation at which a quorum is present.

(b) Exercise Price and Duration - The Committee shall determine the exercise price for any Stock Appreciation Right granted on a stand alone basis but, subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, in no event shall the exercise price be less than the greater of (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Award Date, or (ii) the price at which the Corporation’s Common Stock was last sold in the principal United States market for such Common Stock on the Award Date. The Committee shall fix the term or duration of Stock Appreciation Rights, provided that such term shall not exceed ten (10) years from the Award Date, and that such term shall be subject to earlier termination pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (e) of this Section 8.

(c) Exercise – If granted in connection with an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only at such time or times, to such extent, and by such persons, as the Option to which it relates shall be exercisable. If granted on a stand alone basis, a Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only at such time or times, to such extent, and by such persons, as shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.

Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to the following restrictions:

(i) the Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised before the expiration of one (1) year from the Award Date; provided, however, that this subparagraph (i) shall not apply if the death or Disability of the Optionee occurs within one (1) year after the Award Date; and,

(ii) a Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Incentive Stock Option may not be exercised on any date on which the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock is less than or equal to the Option price per share under the related Incentive Stock Option.

A Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised by providing the Corporation with a written notice in such form and containing such information (including the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised) as the Committee may specify. If the Stock Appreciation Right was granted in connection with an Option, the Participant must surrender the related Option, or the portion thereof pertaining to the shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, and the date on which the Corporation receives such notice shall be the date on which the related Option, or portion thereof, shall be deemed surrendered and the Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed exercised.

(d) Payment - Upon the proper exercise of a Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Right granted on a stand alone basis, a Participant shall be entitled to receive Exercise Gain Shares equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date exceeds the exercise price for the Stock Appreciation Right established on the Award Date, multiplied by the number of Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights surrendered in connection with the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right.

Upon the proper exercise of a Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option, an Optionee shall be entitled to receive Exercise Gain Shares equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date exceeds the Option price per share of the related Option, multiplied by the number of shares covered by the related Option, or portion thereof, surrendered in connection

with the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right. The Exercise Gain Shares shall be subject to the provisions of any Retention Agreement that may be required by the Committee under Section 12 of the Plan.

Upon the proper exercise of a Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Right granted on a stand alone basis, a Participant shall be entitled to receive cash equal to the value of the number of shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date exceeds the exercise price for the Stock Appreciation Right established on the Award Date, multiplied by the number of Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights surrendered for settlement.

Upon the proper exercise of a Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option, an Optionee shall be entitled to receive cash equal to the value of the number of shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date exceeds the Option price per share of the related Option, multiplied by the number of shares covered by the related Option, or portion thereof, surrendered in connection with the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right.

(e) Termination of Right - A Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option shall expire, unless previously exercised or canceled, upon the expiration of an Option to which it relates, or upon such time as may be set forth in an Award Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right granted on a stand alone basis shall be subject to the termination provisions set forth in paragraph (g) of Section 6 for Options and shall expire, unless previously exercised or cancelled, at such time as may be set forth in an Award Agreement.

(f) Effect of Exercise - A Stock Appreciation Right shall be canceled when, and to the extent that, it or a related Option is exercised, and an Option shall be canceled when, and to the extent that, the Option is surrendered to the Corporation upon the exercise of a related Stock Appreciation Right.

Section 9. RESTRICTED SHARES

(a) General - The Committee, in its sole discretion, may from time to time authorize the grant of Restricted Shares to a Participant pursuant to an Award Agreement. A certificate or certificates representing the number of Restricted Shares granted shall be registered in the name of the Participant or held in uncertificated form through a direct registration system or the number of Restricted Shares shall be delivered by electronic delivery to a brokerage account established for the Participant’s benefit at a financial/brokerage firm selected by the Corporation. Until the expiration of the Restriction Period or the lapse of restrictions in the manner provided in paragraph (g) of this Section 9, any certificate or certificates shall be held by the Corporation for the account of the Participant, and any Restricted Shares held through direct registration or in a brokerage account shall be blocked from sale or transfer. Restricted Shares shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may establish in the Award Agreement (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote Restricted Shares or the right to receive any dividend or other right), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate; provided that dividends on Restricted Shares subject to a specified Performance Goal or Goals shall be

payable only to the extent the Performance Goal(s) are achieved with respect to such Restricted Shares.

(b) Performance Goal Requirement – The Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, that a Participant’s entitlement to Restricted Shares shall be subject to achievement of a specified Performance Goal or Goals during the Restriction Period. If so, the Committee shall select the Performance Criterion or each combination thereof, the Performance Goal for each Performance Criterion or each combination thereof, and the Performance Criteria Weighting Percentage for each Performance Criterion or each combination thereof within ninety (90) days of the commencement of the Restriction Period. The Committee may also determine that the Restriction Period shall expire upon achievement of established Performance Goals prior to the established end of the Restriction Period. In determining whether Performance Goals have been achieved, special charges, restructuring charges and unusual or infrequent accounting adjustments which are significant, and restatements or reclassifications, all as determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which would have the effect of reducing the percentage of Performance Goals achieved shall be excluded, and which would have the effect of increasing the percentage of Performance Goals achieved shall be included, unless the Committee, in its discretion, determines otherwise. At such time as the Committee certifies that the Performance Goals have been achieved, the Committee shall authorize delivery of Restricted Shares (or such percentage of the Restricted Shares as equal the Percentage of Performance Goals that have been achieved) for which the Restriction Period has expired. If the Restricted Shares are subject to the achievement of Performance Goals, such Restricted Shares shall be forfeited to the extent Performance Goals are not achieved before the established end of the Restriction Period.

(c) Restrictions – Until the expiration of the Restriction Period or the lapse of restrictions in the manner provided in paragraph (g) of this Section 9, Restricted Shares shall be subject to the following restrictions and any additional restrictions that the Committee, in its sole discretion, may from time to time deem desirable in furtherance of the objectives of the Plan:

(i) the Participant shall not be entitled to receive the certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Shares, or exercise any ownership over any Restricted Shares held through direct registration or in a brokerage account;

(ii) the Restricted Shares may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, conveyed, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of; and

(iii) the Restricted Shares may be forfeited as provided in paragraphs (b) or (e) of this Section 9, subject to the provisions of paragraph (f) and (g) of this Section 9.

(d) Distribution of Restricted Shares – If a Participant to whom Restricted Shares have been granted remains in the continuous employment of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company during the entire Restriction Period, or, in the case of a Participant who is a non-employee director, who remains a non-employee director during the entire Restriction Period, upon the expiration of the Restriction Period all restrictions applicable to the Restricted Shares shall lapse. When the restrictions applicable to the Restricted Shares lapse, either:

(i) the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Common Stock that were earned pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 9 shall be delivered to the Participant or,

(ii) if the shares were delivered by electronic delivery to a brokerage account established for the Participant’s benefit or by direct registration and held in uncertificated form, the restrictions on the sale or transfer of any shares that were earned pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 9 shall lapse.

(e) Termination of Employment - If the employment of a Participant is terminated for any reason other than the Retirement, Disability, or death of the Participant in service before the expiration of the Restriction Period, the Restricted Shares shall be forfeited immediately and all rights of the Participant with respect to such shares shall terminate immediately without further obligation on the part of the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company. If the Participant is granted a leave of absence before the expiration of the Restriction Period, the Participant shall not forfeit any rights with respect to any Restricted Shares subject to the Restriction Period, unless the Participant’s employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company terminates at any time during or at the end of the leave of absence for any reason other than Retirement, Disability, or death, at which time the shares shall be forfeited immediately and all rights of the Participant with respect to such shares shall terminate immediately without further obligation on the part of the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company.

(f) Retirement, Disability or Death - Except with respect to continued employment requirements or as otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, if the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of the Retirement or Disability of the Participant before the expiration of the Restriction Period and no Performance Goals have been imposed, the restrictions on the Restricted Shares shall lapse upon the expiration of the Restriction Period and delivery of the Restricted Shares shall be made to the Participant, as described in paragraph (d) of this Section 9; provided, however, that if the Participant dies after Retirement or Disability and before the expiration of the Restriction Period, the restrictions on the Restricted Shares shall lapse and delivery shall be made to the Participant’s Beneficiary. If the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of the Participant’s death in service before the expiration of the Restriction Period, the restrictions on the Restricted Shares shall lapse and delivery of the Restricted Shares shall be made to the Participant’s Beneficiary. Except with respect to continued employment requirements or as otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, if the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of the Retirement, Disability, or death of the Participant before the expiration of the Restriction Period and Performance Goals have been imposed, the restrictions on the Restricted Shares shall lapse upon the expiration of the Restriction Period and to the extent that the Committee certifies that Performance Goals have been achieved and delivery of the Restricted Shares shall be made to the Participant, or the Participant’s Beneficiary in the event of the Participant’s death, in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (d) of this Section 9.

(g) Waiver of Restrictions - The Committee, in its sole discretion, may waive any or all restrictions with respect to Restricted Shares.

Section 10. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

(a) General - The Committee, in its sole discretion, may from time to time authorize the grant of Restricted Stock Units (“Units”) to a Participant pursuant to an Award Agreement. Such Units shall be recorded in individual memorandum accounts maintained by the Committee or its agent. The grant of Restricted Stock Units shall entitle the Participant to payment in

Restricted Stock Unit Shares or cash, as provided for in the Award Agreement. The Participant shall have no beneficial ownership interest in the Common Stock represented by the Units prior to expiration of the Restriction Period and achievement of any Performance Goals. The Participant shall have no right to vote the Common Stock represented by the Units or to receive dividends (except for any Dividend Equivalents which may be awarded by the Committee in connection with such Units) on the Common Stock represented by the Units. The grant of Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement between the Corporation or Subsidiary Company and the Participant, identifying the number of Units awarded, and setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to the Units.

(b) Performance Goal Requirement – The Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, that a Participant’s entitlement to payment in cash or Restricted Stock Unit Shares for Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to achievement of a specified Performance Goal or Goals over the duration of the Restriction Period. If so, the Award shall specify when it is granted that the Participant’s entitlement to payment is subject to the achievement of the Performance Goal or Goals, and the Committee shall select the Performance Criterion or each combination thereof, the Performance Goals for each Performance Criterion or each combination thereof, and the Performance Criteria Weighting Percentage for each Performance Criterion or each combination thereof within ninety (90) days after the commencement of the Restriction Period.

The Committee may specify, when the Award is granted, that the Restriction Period shall expire upon achievement of the established Performance Goals prior to the established end of the Restriction Period. In determining whether Performance Goals have been achieved, special charges, restructuring charges and unusual or infrequent accounting adjustments which are significant, and restatements or reclassifications, all as determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which would have the effect of reducing the percentage of Performance Goals achieved shall be excluded, and which would have the effect of increasing the percentage of Performance Goals achieved shall be included, unless the Committee, in its discretion, determines otherwise. For Restricted Stock Units subject to the achievement of Performance Goals, the Committee shall certify in writing the extent to which the Performance Goals have been achieved, and shall authorize settlement of Units in cash or Restricted Stock Unit Shares. The Units shall be settled within two and one half months after the end of the year in which the Performance Goals are achieved. Such settlement shall be based on the Fair Market Value on the date all applicable restrictions lapse (or such percentage of the value of the Restricted Stock Units as equal the percentage of Performance Goals that have been achieved) for which the Restriction Period has expired. If the settlement of Restricted Stock Units is subject to the achievement of Performance Goals, such Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited to the extent Performance Goals are not achieved before the established end of the Restriction Period.

(c) Restrictions - Until the expiration of the Restriction Period and the lapse of any Retention Agreement provided in Section 12, Units shall be subject to the following restrictions and any additional restrictions that the Committee, in its sole discretion, may from time to time deem desirable in furtherance of the objectives of the Plan:

(i) the grant of Units to a Participant shall not entitle a Participant to receive cash payment or Restricted Stock Unit Shares;

(ii) the Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, conveyed, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of; and,

(iii) all or a portion of the Units may be forfeited immediately as provided in paragraph (b) or (e) of this Section 10, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (f) and (g) of this Section 10.

(d) Distribution of Restricted Stock Units - If a Participant to whom Units have been granted remains in the continuous employment of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company during the entire Restriction Period or, in the case of a Participant who is a non-employee director, who remains a non-employee director during the entire Restriction Period, upon the expiration of the Restriction Period and the further expiration of any Retention Agreement applicable to such Units, all restrictions applicable to the Units shall lapse, and the Units shall be settled in cash or in Restricted Stock Unit Shares, based on Fair Market Value on the later of the date all applicable restrictions lapse or any Retention Agreement lapses. Settlement in cash in a single sum or issuance of Restricted Stock Unit Shares shall be made within thirty (30) days following the later of the expiration of the Restriction Period or any Retention Agreement applicable to such Units. The Participant may not, directly or indirectly, designate the taxable year of the settlement.

(e) Termination of Employment - If the employment of a Participant is terminated for any reason other than the Retirement, Disability, or death of the Participant in service before the expiration of the Restriction Period, the Units shall be forfeited immediately and all rights of the Participant with respect to such Units shall terminate immediately without further obligation on the part of the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company. If the Participant is granted a leave of absence before the expiration of the Restriction Period, the Participant shall not forfeit all rights with respect to any Units subject to the Restriction Period, unless the Participant’s employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company terminates at any time during or at the end of the leave of absence for any reason other than Retirement, Disability, or death, at which time all rights of the Participant with respect to such Units shall terminate immediately without further obligation on the part of the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company.

(f) Retirement, Disability or Death – Except with respect to continued employment requirements or as otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, if the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of the Retirement or Disability of the Participant before the expiration of the Restriction Period and no Performance Goals have been imposed, the restrictions on the Restricted Stock Units shall lapse upon the expiration of the Restriction Period and settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall be made at the end of the Restriction Period to the Participant as described in paragraph (d) of this Section 10; provided, however, if the Participant dies after Retirement or Disability and before the expiration of the Restriction Period, the restrictions on the Restricted Stock Units shall lapse and delivery shall be made to the Participant’s Beneficiary. If the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of the Participant’s death in service before the expiration of the Restriction Period, the restrictions on the Restricted Stock Units shall lapse and delivery of the Restricted Stock Units shall be made to the Participant’s Beneficiary. Settlement of the Restricted Stock Units shall be made within thirty (30) days following the expiration of the Restriction Period. The Participant or Beneficiary may not, directly or indirectly, designate the taxable year of the settlement.

Except with respect to continued employment requirements or as otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, if the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of the Retirement, Disability, or death of the Participant before the expiration of the Restriction Period and Performance Goals have been imposed, the restrictions on the Restricted Stock Units shall lapse if the Committee certifies that Performance Goals have been achieved, and settlement of the Restricted Stock Units shall be made to the Participant, or the Participant’s Beneficiary in the event of the Participant’s death, in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (d) of this Section 10.

(g) Waiver of Restrictions - The Committee, in its sole discretion, may waive any or all restrictions with respect to Units. If no Performance Goals have been imposed, settlement of the Units shall be made on the same settlement date that would have applied absent the waiver of restrictions. If Performance Goals have been imposed, settlement of the Units shall be made within two and one half months after the end of the year in which all restrictions are either waived or satisfied.

Section 11. PERFORMANCE SHARES

(a) General - The Committee, in its sole discretion, may from time to time authorize the grant of Performance Share Units to a Participant pursuant to an Award Agreement. Performance Share Units shall entitle the Participant to Performance Shares (or cash in lieu thereof) upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Committee shall select the Performance Criteria, set the Performance Goals and assign Performance Criteria Weighting Percentages to each Performance Criterion or each combination thereof within ninety (90) days of the commencement of the Performance Cycle. Performance Share Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, conveyed, or hypothecated.

After the end of the Performance Cycle, the Committee shall certify in writing to what extent the Performance Goals have been achieved. In determining whether Performance Goals have been achieved, special charges, restructuring charges and unusual or infrequent accounting adjustments which are significant, and restatements or reclassifications, all as determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which would have the effect of reducing the percentage of Performance Goals achieved shall be excluded, and which would have the effect of increasing the percentage of Performance Goals achieved shall be included, unless the Committee, in its discretion, determines otherwise. The Committee shall thereafter authorize the payment of such percentage of the value of the Performance Share Units as equal the percentage of Performance Goals that have been achieved to the Participant, or the Participant’s Beneficiary in the event of the Participant’s death after the end of the Performance Cycle, of (i) cash in lieu of Performance Shares, or (ii) either (1) the issuance of Performance Shares registered in the name of the Participant or (2) the electronic delivery of Performance Shares to a brokerage account established for the Participant’s benefit at a financial/brokerage firm selected by the Corporation, subject to the provisions of any Retention Agreement that may be required by the Committee under Section 12 of the Plan, or (iii) both. Settlement in cash or issuance of Performance Shares shall be made within two and one half months after the end of the year in which the Performance Goals are achieved.

(b) Distribution or Forfeiture of Performance Shares - Except as otherwise provided

by the Committee in the Award Agreement, if the Participant’s employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company is terminated before the end of a Performance Cycle for any reason other than Retirement, Disability, or death, the Participant shall forfeit all rights with respect to any Performance Shares that were being earned during the Performance Cycle. If the Participant is granted a leave of absence before the end of a Performance Cycle, the Participant shall not forfeit all rights with respect to any Performance Shares that were being earned during the Performance Cycle, unless the Participant’s employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company terminates at any time during or at the end of the leave of absence, at which time the Participant shall forfeit all rights with respect to any Performance Shares that were being earned during the Performance Cycle. Except with respect to continued employment requirements or as otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, if the Participant’s employment is terminated before the end of a Performance Cycle by reason of Retirement, Disability, or death, the Participant’s rights with respect to any Performance Shares being earned during the Performance Cycle shall, subject to the other provisions of this Section 11, continue as if the Participant’s employment had continued through the end of the Performance Cycle.

Section 12. RETENTION AGREEMENTS

(a) General - The Committee, in its sole discretion, may require as a condition of a grant, exercise, settlement or payment with respect to any Award under the Plan that the Participant and the Corporation enter into a Retention Agreement, which shall provide, (1) with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock Units, that the settlement of the Restricted Stock Units in Restricted Stock Unit Shares or cash shall not occur until the event specified in the Retention Agreement that is part of the Award, or (2) with respect to any portion of any Exercise Gain Shares, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Unit Shares, or Performance Shares, that (i) the certificate or certificates representing any such Awards, when issued, shall be held by the Secretary of the Corporation for the benefit of the Participant until such time as the retention period specified by the Retention Agreement has expired or has been waived by the Committee, whichever occurs first, or (ii) that any such Award, when delivered by electronic delivery to a brokerage account established for the Participant’s benefit at a financial/brokerage firm selected by the Corporation or by direct registration and held in uncertificated form, shall not be permitted to be transferred or sold until such time as the retention period specified by the Retention Agreement has expired or has been waived by the Committee, whichever occurs first.

Any dividends payable on shares subject to a Retention Agreement shall be paid to the Participant in cash on the date declared by the Board of Directors. Each Retention Agreement may include some or all of the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this Section 12.

(b) Retention Period - Shares that are subject to the Retention Agreement may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, conveyed, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of within such period of time of not less than twenty-four (24) months following the exercise date (in the case of Exercise Gain Shares) or the date of issuance (in the case of Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Unit Shares, or Performance Shares), as shall be prescribed by the Committee.

(c) Termination of Employment - If a Participant’s employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company is terminated for any reason other than Retirement, Disability, or death, shares subject to the Retention Agreement shall continue to be held, following the Participant’s termination of employment, until the expiration of the retention period specified by the Retention Agreement. If the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of Retirement or Disability, shares then held subject to the Retention Agreement shall continue to be held until the expiration of the applicable retention period following termination of employment, but any such retention period shall cease upon the earlier of the Participant’s attainment of age 65 or the expiration of two (2) years after the Participant’s Retirement or Disability, if either of those events occurs before the expiration of the applicable retention period. If the Participant dies while shares are subject to a retention period under the Retention Agreement, such retention period shall expire immediately at the time of death.

(d) Leave of Absence - If a Participant is granted a leave of absence, shares subject to the Retention Agreement shall continue to be held during the leave of absence, until the expiration of the retention period specified by the Retention Agreement.

(e) Change in Control - Upon a Change in Control, the retention periods specified by all Retention Agreements shall immediately expire; provided, however, that any such waiver shall not accelerate the settlement of any Restricted Stock Units in a manner that would violate the requirements of Code Section 409A.

A Change in Control shall occur if:

(i) any person, other than the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company, shall become the beneficial owner of, or obtain voting control over, 20% or more of the Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock;

(ii) (A) any consolidation or merger of the Corporation occurs in which the Corporation is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities, or other property, other than a merger of the Corporation in which holders of Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger as immediately before, or (B) any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation occurs; or

(iii) there shall have been a change in the composition of the Board of Directors such that within any period of two (2) consecutive years or less individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted such Board, together with any new directors whose election, or nomination for election by the Corporation’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors at the beginning of such period, shall for any reason no longer constitute a majority of the directors of the Corporation.

(g) Waiver of Requirements - The Committee, in its sole discretion, may waive any or all retention periods or other restrictions in the Share Retention Agreement, provided that the waiver of restrictions does not accelerate the payment of any Restricted Stock Units in a manner that would violate the requirements of Code Section 409A.

(f) Distribution of Shares and Restricted Stock Units - The Corporation shall cause the shares subject to a Retention Agreement to be distributed to the Participant, or the Participant’s Beneficiary in the event of the Participant’s death, upon expiration of the retention period or other termination or waiver of the restrictions under this Section 12. The Corporation shall cause the Restricted Stock Units subject to a Retention Agreement to be distributed to the Participant upon the expiration of the retention period or to the Participant’s Beneficiary in the event of the Participant’s death.

Section 13. DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT PAYMENTS

The Committee may authorize the immediate payment, in cash or in Common Stock, of Dividend Equivalents on some or all of the shares of Common Stock covered by Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, as specified in the Award Agreement required under Section 6(a), Section 7 or Section 8(a) of the Plan. Dividend Equivalents payable on options may be paid in cash or Common Stock, at the discretion of the Committee.

The Committee may authorize the immediate or deferred payment of Dividend Equivalents on some or all of the shares of Common Stock covered by Restricted Stock Units that are not subject to Performance Goals, as specified in the Award Agreement required under Section 10 of the Plan. Dividend Equivalents payable on Restricted Stock Units may be paid in cash or converted to additional Restricted Stock Units, at the discretion of the Committee and as specified in the Award Agreement.

The Committee may authorize the deferred payment of Dividend Equivalents on some or all of the shares of Common Stock covered by Restricted Stock Units that are subject to Performance Goals, or by Performance Share Units, as specified in the Award Agreement described in Sections 10 or 11 of the Plan. Deferred Dividend Equivalents shall be paid only to the extent Performance Goals are achieved with respect to such Performance Share Units or Restricted Stock Units, and shall be distributed at the same time as the underlying Performance Shares, Restricted Stock Unit Shares, or cash equivalents thereto. Deferred Dividend Equivalents payable on Performance Share Units or on Restricted Stock Units that are subject to a Performance Goal may be paid in cash, or converted to additional Performance Shares or Restricted Stock Unit Shares (as applicable), at the discretion of the Committee and as specified in the Award Agreement.

Notwithstanding the above, Dividend Equivalents shall not be made or accumulated during a Participant’s leave of absence. If Dividend Equivalents provided under this section are to be paid immediately, the Dividend Equivalents shall be paid in cash on the date declared by the Board of Directors for the payment of dividends on Common Stock. If Dividend Equivalents provided under this section are to be deferred, the deferred Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or forfeited when the underlying Award is paid or forfeited.

Section 14. NON-COMPETE COVENANT

The Committee, in its sole discretion, may require as a condition of a grant of any Award under the Plan that the Participant execute a non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreement, which agreement shall require that such individual (i) not Engage in Competing Employment (as defined in this Section 14 of the Plan) nor solicit any employee of the

Corporation or a Subsidiary Company to Engage in Competing Employment for a specified term following termination of employment (including Retirement), (ii) not solicit customers of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company for a specified term following termination of employment (including Retirement), and (iii) maintain the Corporation’s and each Subsidiary Company’s confidential information in strict confidence, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may further require as a condition of a grant, exercise, settlement or payment with respect to any Award under the Plan that the Award shall be subject to immediate forfeiture, and all rights of the Participant to such Award shall terminate immediately without further obligation on the part of the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company, if the Participant Engages in Competing Employment for a specified period of time following termination of employment. The terms of such a non-compete covenant shall be as set forth in the agreement or grant providing the terms of an Award and are incorporated herein by reference. A non-compete covenant shall not apply to the settlement or payment of any Option (although it may apply to the grant or exercise of an Option). Settlement or payment of any other Award that is subject to a non-compete covenant shall occur upon the expiration of the Restriction Period, Performance Cycle, Retention Agreement, or other date upon which the Award would be settled and paid if the Participant had not terminated employment.

For purposes of the provision, “Engages in Competing Employment” shall mean to work for or provide services for any Competitor, on the Participant’s own behalf or in the service of or on behalf of others, including, but not limited to, as a consultant, independent contractor, director, owner, officer, partner, joint venturer, or employee, at any time during the specified period commencing on the date of his or her termination of employment (including Retirement). “Competitor” shall mean any entity in the same line of business as the Corporation in North American markets in which the Corporation competes, including, but not limited to, any North American Class I rail carrier, any other rail carrier competing with the Corporation (including without limitation a holding or other company that controls or operates or is otherwise affiliated with any rail carrier competing with the Corporation), and any other provider of transportation services competing with Corporation, including motor and water carriers.

Section 15. CAPITAL ADJUSTMENTS

In the event of a recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, exchange, combination, or reclassification of shares, merger, consolidation, reorganization, or other change in or affecting the capital structure or capital stock of the Corporation, the Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Committee, may make appropriate adjustments in the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for the Plan and in the annual limitation imposed by Section 5 of this Plan; and the Committee may make appropriate adjustments in the number of shares subject to outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units, or Performance Share Unit grants, and in the Option price of any then outstanding Options, as it deems equitable, in its absolute discretion, to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants.

Section 16. REGULATORY APPROVALS

The exercise of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right, and the grant or distribution of Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares, shall be subject to the condition that if at any time the Corporation shall determine in its discretion that the satisfaction

of withholding tax or other tax liabilities, or the listing, registration, or qualification of any shares of Common Stock upon any securities exchange or under any Federal or state law, or the consent or approval of any regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, such exercise, grant, or distribution, then in any such event such exercise, grant, or distribution shall not be effective unless such liabilities have been satisfied or such listing, registration, qualification, consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Corporation.

Section 17. TERM OF THE PLAN

Awards may be granted from time to time under the terms and conditions of the Plan, but no Incentive Stock Option may be granted after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of adoption of the Plan, as amended on May 14, 2015, by the Board of Directors; provided, that any future amendment to the Plan that is approved by the stockholders of the Corporation in the manner provided under Section 18 of this Plan shall be regarded as creating a new Plan, and an Incentive Stock Option may be granted under such new Plan until the expiration of ten (10) years from the earlier of the approval by the Board of Directors, or the approval by the stockholders of the Corporation, of such new Plan. Incentive Stock Options theretofore granted may extend beyond the expiration of that ten-year period, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply thereto and to shares of Common Stock acquired upon the subsequent exercise of an Incentive Stock Option or related Stock Appreciation Right.

Section 18. AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

The Corporation may at any time and from time to time alter or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan, or may at any time suspend or terminate the Plan, through resolution of its Board of Directors, provided that no change in any Awards theretofore granted to any Participant may be made which would impair or diminish the rights of the Participant without the Participant’s consent, and provided further, that no alteration or amendment may be made without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock then outstanding and entitled to vote if (a) such stockholder approval is necessary to comply with the requirements of any rules promulgated under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or such other Federal or state laws or regulations as may be applicable, (b) the amendment materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (c) materially increases the number of securities that may be issued under the Plan, or (d) materially modifies the requirements for participation in the Plan.

Section 19. FORFEITURE AND RECOUPMENT EVENTS

The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award.

Any Award to a Participant under this Plan is subject to reduction, forfeiture, or recoupment to the extent provided under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or as may be provided under any other applicable law.

Section 20. MISCELLANEOUS

(a) Fractional Shares - The Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver any fractional share of Common Stock upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the award of Performance Shares, the payment of a dividend equivalent in Common Stock pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan or the withholding of shares of Common Stock for payment of taxes required to be withheld, but may pay, in lieu thereof, an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such fractional share.

(b) Withholding - The Corporation and its Subsidiary Companies shall have the right, to the extent permitted by law, to deduct from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to Awards under the Plan, and to the extent any such withholding requirements are not satisfied, each Participant shall pay to the Corporation any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to Awards under the Plan. The Corporation shall have the right to withhold shares of Common Stock, including fractional shares, from payment as necessary to satisfy any withholding obligations, but may only withhold the minimum number of shares necessary to do so. If fractional shares are withheld, any remaining fractional shares shall be paid in cash to the Participant as provided under paragraph (a) of this Section 20. The Participant or Beneficiary shall remain responsible at all times for paying any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind with respect to Awards under the Plan. In no event shall the Corporation or the Committee be liable for any interest or penalty that a Participant or Beneficiary incurs by failing to make timely payments of tax.

(c) Acceleration of Payments to Avoid Conflicts of Interest - To the extent permitted by Code Section 409A and not prohibited by Section 6(a) of the Plan, the Committee may, in its sole discretion and with the consent of a Participant or Beneficiary, accelerate the time or schedule of a payment under the Plan, or make a substitute cash payment upon cancellation of a Participant’s Award, in either case to the extent reasonably necessary for a Participant or Beneficiary to avoid the violation of an applicable Federal, state, local or foreign ethics law or conflicts of interest law (including where such payment is reasonably necessary to permit the Participant or Beneficiary to participate in activities in the normal course of his or her position in which the Participant or Beneficiary would otherwise not be able to participate under an applicable rule). The Corporation’s chief executive officer may exercise the authority granted to the Committee in this paragraph with respect to any Participant or Beneficiary who is neither a current or former director of the Corporation nor a current Executive Officer of the Corporation.

(d) Stockholder Rights - No person shall have any rights of a stockholder by virtue of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Performance Share Unit except with respect to shares of Common Stock actually issued to him, and the issuance of shares of Common Stock shall confer no retroactive right to dividends. A Participant’s right to receive Dividend Equivalents shall not, by itself, confer upon the Participant the rights or privileges of a stockholder.

(e) No Contract of Employment - This Plan shall not be deemed to be an employment contract between the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company and any Participant or other employee. Nothing contained herein, or in any agreement, certificate or other document evidencing, providing for, or setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to any Awards shall

be deemed to confer upon any Participant or other employee a right to continue in the employment of the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company, or to interfere with the right of the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company to terminate the employment of such Participant or employee at any time.

(f) Unfunded Plan - Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary Company shall be required to segregate any assets that may be represented by Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Share Units, or Restricted Stock Units, and neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary Company shall be deemed to be a trustee of any amounts to be paid under an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Performance Share Unit, or Restricted Stock Unit. Any liability of the Corporation to pay any Participant or Beneficiary with respect to an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Performance Share Unit, or Restricted Stock Unit shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations created pursuant to the provisions of the Plan; no such obligation shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge or encumbrance on any property of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company.

(g) Applicable Law - The Plan, its validity, interpretation, and administration, and the rights and obligations of all persons having an interest therein, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, except to the extent that such laws may be preempted by Federal law.

(h) Gender and Number - Wherever used in the Plan, words in the masculine form shall be deemed to refer to females as well as to males, and words in the singular or plural shall be deemed to refer also to the plural or singular, respectively, as the context may require.

(i) Code Section 409A - The Plan is intended, and shall be construed, to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A. The Corporation does not warrant that the Plan will comply with Code Section 409A with respect to any Participant or with respect to any payment, however. In no event shall the Corporation or the Committee be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalty incurred by a Participant or Beneficiary as a result of the Plan’s failure to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A, or as a result of the Plan’s failure to satisfy any other applicable requirements for the deferral of tax.

Exhibit 10(ddd)

Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan

Award Agreement for Outside Directors

This AGREEMENT dated as of <Award Date> (Award Date), between NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION (Corporation), a Virginia corporation, and <Full_Name> (Participant), a director of the Corporation who is not an officer or employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

1.Award Contingent Upon Execution of this Agreement. This Award is contingent upon the Participant’s timely execution and return to the Corporate Secretary of this Agreement.

2.Terms of Plan Govern. The Award made hereunder is made pursuant to the Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan (Plan), all the terms and conditions of which are incorporated in this Agreement and which form a part of this Agreement. The Participant agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and in this Agreement, and by all determinations of the Committee thereunder. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined herein will have the same meanings as in the Plan.

3.Deferral Election. Each Participant may make an irrevocable election to defer distribution of Restricted Stock Unit Shares payable in respect of an Award until the Participant’s Separation from Service, in accordance with this Agreement and procedures established by the Corporate Secretary. To make a deferral election, a Participant must file an irrevocable deferral form with the Corporation before the beginning of the year in which such Award would be granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, in accordance with Section 3 of the Plan, an individual is to be elected by the Board to be a non-employee director of the Corporation after the Committee has made an Award to non-employee directors for that calendar year, then that individual must make the deferral election prior to that individual’s election as a director in order to defer distribution of the initial grant of Restrict Stock Unit Shares. The deferral election must specify whether the Participant is to receive the Restricted Stock Unit Shares upon the Participant’s Separation From Service in either a single distribution or in ten annual installments.

4.Award of Restricted Stock Units. The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant on Award Date < # of RSUs> Restricted Stock Units. Each Restricted Stock Unit is a contingent right to receive a Restricted Stock Unit Share, subject to the restrictions and other terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant’s Award of Restricted Stock Units will be recorded in a memorandum account. The Participant will have no beneficial ownership interest in the Common Stock of the Corporation represented by the Restricted Stock Units awarded until the Participant receives a distribution of Restricted Stock Unit Shares.

(a)No Deferral Election – Restriction Period. Restricted Stock Units are subject to a Restriction Period which will terminate on <Date> or, if Corporation’s Common Stock is not traded on such date, on the next date on which the Corporation’s Common Stock is traded.

(a)Restrictions. Until the expiration of the Restriction Period or the lapse of restrictions in the manner provided in Section 5 of this Agreement, Restricted Stock Units will be subject to the following restrictions:

A.the Participant will not be entitled to (1) receive the Restricted Stock Unit Shares, (2) vote the Common Stock represented by the Restricted Stock Units, or (3) receive dividends thereon; and

B.the Restricted Stock Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, conveyed, hypothecated, used to exercise options, or otherwise disposed of.

(i)Dividend Equivalent Payments. The Corporation will make to a Participant who holds Restricted Stock Units on the declared record date a cash payment on the number of shares of Common Stock represented by the Restricted Stock Units held by Participant on such record date. The dividend equivalent payment will be payable on the tenth (10th) day of March, June, September, and December. Each dividend equivalent will be equal to the regular quarterly dividend declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and paid on Common Stock and will be paid in accordance with the Corporation’s normal dividend payment practice as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

(ii)Distribution of Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units will vest upon the expiration of the Restriction Period. Upon the vesting and expiration of the Restriction Period, a whole number of Restricted Stock Unit Shares equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units on the date the Restriction Period ended will be distributed to the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary in the event of the Participant’s death.

(b)Deferral Election – Restriction and Retention Period. If the Participant makes a deferral election as described in Section 3 of this Agreement, then the Restricted Stock Units are subject to a Restriction Period which terminates on <Date> or, if Corporation’s Common Stock is not traded on such anniversary date, on the next date on which the Corporation’s Common Stock is traded. In addition, the Restricted Stock Units are subject to a Retention Period. The Retention Period will expire upon the Participant’s Separation from Service (within the meaning of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder) (a “Separation From Service”) or death. Restricted Stock Units will not be settled in Restricted Stock Unit Shares until the expiration of both the Restriction Period and the Retention Period.

(a)Restrictions. Until the expiration of the Restriction Period and the Retention Period, or the lapse of restrictions in the manner provided in Section 5 of this Agreement, Restricted Stock Units granted under this Award will be subject to the following restrictions:

A.the Participant will not be entitled to (1) receive the Restricted Stock Unit Shares, (2) vote the Common Stock represented by the Restricted Stock Units, or (3) receive dividends thereon; and

B.the Restricted Stock Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, conveyed, hypothecated, used to exercise options, or otherwise disposed of.

(i)Crediting of Dividend Equivalents. On each dividend payment date for the Corporation, the Corporation will credit the memorandum account of each Participant who holds Restricted Stock Units as of the declared record date with additional Restricted Stock Units and fractions thereof equivalent to the dividend paid on the Corporation’s Common Stock based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the dividend payment date. Each credited dividend equivalent will be equal to the amount of the regular quarterly dividend paid in accordance with the Corporation’s normal dividend payment practice as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Participant’s memorandum account will be credited with additional Restricted Stock Units, including fractions thereof, pursuant to this paragraph until all Restricted Stock Units that were credited to the Participant are distributed.

(ii) Distribution of Restricted Stock Units. The Restricted Stock Units credited hereunder will be distributed in accordance with an irrevocable distribution election previously made by the Participant.

If the Participant elected to receive the Restricted Stock Units in a single distribution, upon the Participant’s Separation From Service: (a) whole shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units for which the Restriction Period has expired will be delivered to the Participant within 30 business days following the Participant’s Separation from Service; and (b) thereafter, when the Restriction Period expires for the most recent year’s Restricted Stock Unit Award, whole shares of Common Stock equal to the most recent year’s Award plus the number of additional Restricted Stock Units credited under Section 4(b)(ii) for that Award, will be delivered to the Participant. Any remaining fraction of a single Restricted Stock Unit that remains in the memorandum account upon the final distribution of any whole shares of Common Stock from the account will be distributed in cash concurrent with the final stock distribution.

If the Participant elected to receive the Restricted Stock Units in ten annual installments upon the Participant’s Separation From Service, following the expiration of the Retention Period, the first distribution will be made in January following the year of the Participant’s Separation From Service, and subsequent installments will be distributed on the anniversary of the first installment. Whole shares of Common Stock will be delivered to the Participant upon distribution of each annual installment. The first such installment will be equal to the number of whole Restricted Stock Unit Shares that equal one tenth of the total number of the Restricted Stock Units in the memorandum account for which the Restriction Period has expired at the time of the distribution; the second installment, one ninth of the remaining total number for which the Restriction Period has expired at the time of the distribution; and so forth, until all remaining Restricted Stock Units are distributed as whole Restricted Stock Unit Shares upon distribution of the tenth installment. Any remaining fraction of a single Restricted Stock Unit that was credited to the memorandum account upon the distribution of the tenth installment will be distributed in cash concurrent with the distribution of the tenth installment.

5.Death of the Participant. If the Participant dies before the entire Award has been distributed, upon the Participant’s death, all Restricted Stock Units held pursuant to this Agreement will vest, and the Restriction Period on the Restricted Stock Units will lapse immediately notwithstanding any deferral election made by a Participant. Restricted Stock Units credited to the Participant’s memorandum account will be distributed as whole Restricted Stock Unit Shares to the Participant’s beneficiary within 30 days following the Participant’s death. Any remaining fraction of a single Restricted Stock Unit that remains in the memorandum account upon the distribution of any whole shares of Common Stock from the account will be distributed to the Participant’s beneficiary in cash. The beneficiary may not, directly or indirectly, designate the taxable year of the distribution.

6.Nontransferability. This Agreement and the Restricted Stock Units granted to the Participant shall not be subject to any assignment, pledge, levy, garnishment, attachment, or other attempt to assign or alienate such shares prior to their delivery to Participant (or Participant’s beneficiary), including, without limitation, under any domestic relations order, and any such attempted assignment or alienation will be null, void, and of no effect.

7.Tax Withholding. To the extent required by law with respect to any Participant who is a Canadian tax resident, or as may be otherwise required to satisfy any federal or state tax withholding requirements, the Corporation will reduce the gross number of minimum number of Restricted Stock Unit Shares to be delivered under this Agreement hereof by withholding the minimum necessary number of shares necessary to satisfy the Corporation’s tax withholding obligations with respect to the Participant (or in the event of the Participant’s death, the beneficiary) based on the Fair Market Value of the Corporation’s Common Stock when shares are distributable to the Participant (or beneficiary). The Participant or beneficiary will be deemed to have been issued the gross number of Restricted Stock Unit Shares prior to such tax withholding, notwithstanding that a number of shares are held back solely for the purpose of satisfying such tax withholding obligation. The value of any fractional share amount created as a result of such withholding will be added to the tax withholding amount.

8.Governing Law. The Participant agrees that this Award will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to Virginia’s choice of law rules. The Participant consents to the personal jurisdiction of the federal and/or state courts serving the Commonwealth of Virginia and waives any defenses of forum non conveniens. The Participant agrees that any and all initial judicial actions related to this Award will only be brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, or the appropriate state court in the City of Norfolk, Virginia regardless of the place of residence or work location of the Participant at the time of such action.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Participant has executed this Agreement by his or her electronic acceptance hereof, in acceptance of the abovementioned Award, subject to the terms of the Plan and of this Agreement, all as of the day and year first above written.

By: _____________________________________________

<Full_Name>

By: _____________________________________________

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

Deferral Election for

Restricted Stock Units Awarded in 2020 and Subsequent Years

Under the Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan

Must Be Completed Annually For Each Director Who Wants Deferral

I am, or will be, appointed as a director of Norfolk Southern Corporation (“Corporation”). I am not an officer or employee of the Corporation, or any of its subsidiaries.

I may become eligible for Awards of Restricted Stock Units made pursuant to the Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan (Plan) in calendar year 2020 and future years. The Restricted Stock Units will be distributed as Restricted Stock Unit Shares one year after the Award Date unless I affirmatively elect to defer the distribution of each Award until my Separation from Service or death, as described herein.

I am making an election, as of the date listed below, to defer distribution of Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Norfolk Southern Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan (Plan) pursuant to the Award granted next year (or, if I am a new director, pursuant to the Award granted upon my becoming a director) until my Separation from Service or death.

By completing and signing this form, I hereby acknowledge my understanding and acceptance of the following:

1.Irrevocable Election. This election is irrevocable for Restricted Stock Units to be awarded in the calendar year after the year in which I complete this election, unless I revoke it on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which I make it. If I am to be appointed as a new director of the Corporation, this election is irrevocable for Restricted Stock Units to be awarded upon my appointment. I may revoke this deferral election for Restricted Stock Units by providing written notice to the Corporate Secretary on or before December 31 before the year in which the Restricted Stock Units are to be awarded. If I properly revoke this election, no Restricted Stock Units awarded in the year after the year in which I revoke the election will be deferred unless I make a new, timely deferral election.

2.Terms of Plan Govern. This deferral election is made pursuant to the Plan and the Award Agreement. I agree to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement, and by all determinations of the Committee thereunder. Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Plan.

3.Award of Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may, from time to time, make Awards of Restricted Stock Units. Any such Restricted Stock Units will be recorded in a memorandum account, and I will have no beneficial ownership interest in the Common Stock of the Corporation represented by the Restricted Stock Units awarded.

4.Restriction and Retention Period. The Award of Restricted Stock Units will be subject to a one-year Restriction Period. In addition, pursuant to this election, this Award will be subject to a Retention Period that will expire upon my Separation from Service (within the meaning of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) (a “Separation From Service”) or death. Restricted Stock Units will not be settled in Restricted Stock Unit Shares until the expiration of every applicable Restriction Period and Retention Period.

5.Distribution of Restricted Stock Units. I have elected a form of distribution, below, with respect to any Restricted Stock Units that are credited to the memorandum account maintained on my behalf under the Plan.

My election of the form of distribution is irrevocable for the Restricted Stock Units subject to this deferral election.

If I elect to receive the Restricted Stock Units in a single distribution upon my Separation from Service, upon my Separation from Service, whole shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units for which the Restriction Period has expired will be distributed to me within 30 business days following my Separation from Service or when the one-year Restriction Period expires. Any remaining fraction of a single Restricted Stock Unit that remains in the memorandum account upon the final distribution of any whole shares of Common Stock from the account will be distributed in cash concurrent with the final stock distribution.

If I elect to receive the Restricted Stock Units in ten annual installments upon my Separation From Service, the first distribution will be made in January following the year of my Separation From Service, and subsequent installments will be distributed on the anniversary of the first installment. Whole shares of Common Stock will be delivered upon distribution of each annual installment. The first such installment will be equal to the number of whole Restricted Stock Unit Shares that equal one tenth of the total number of the Restricted Stock Units in the memorandum account for which the Restriction Period has expired at the time of the distribution; the second installment, one ninth of the remaining total number for which the Restriction Period has expired at the time of the distribution; the third installment, one eighth of the remaining total number for which the Restriction Period has expired at the time of the distribution; and so forth, until all remaining Restricted Stock Units are distributed as whole Restricted Stock Unit Shares upon distribution of the whole shares in the tenth installment. Any remaining fraction of a single Restricted Stock Unit that was credited to the memorandum account upon the distribution of the tenth installment will be distributed in cash concurrent with the distribution of the tenth installment.

If I die before the entire Award has been distributed, then any Restricted Stock Units credited to the memorandum account will be distributed as whole Restricted Stock Unit Shares to my beneficiary within 30 days following my death. Any remaining fraction of a single Restricted Stock Unit that remains in the memorandum account upon the distribution of any whole shares of Common Stock from the account will be distributed to my beneficiary in cash. The beneficiary may not, directly or indirectly, designate the taxable year of the distribution.


I elect to defer distribution of Restricted Stock Units awarded next year (or, if I am a new director, pursuant to the Award granted upon my becoming a director) until my Separation from Service or death. I elect the following form of distribution for the Restricted Stock Units subject to this deferral election (check only one): _______ A single distribution _______ Ten annual installments, beginning in January following the year of my Separation From Service with the Corporation. This deferral election applies only to Restricted Stock Units awarded next year or, if I am a new director, only for the Restricted Stock Units awarded upon my becoming a director. I understand that I may revoke this election in a writing received by the Corporate Secretary by December 31 of the year before the year in which the Restricted Stock Units are awarded. However, this election is irrevocable as to the time and form of distribution for all Restricted Stock Units that were subject to this election. Date: ______________________ By: _________________________________________

Exhibit 10(xx)

DIRECTORS' DEFERRED FEE PLAN

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

(Effective June 1, 1982)

Last Amended December 1, 2019

PURPOSE

The Directors' Deferred Fee Plan (the "Plan") as adopted and approved by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Norfolk Southern Corporation ("NS"), effective June 1, 1982, and as last amended effective December 1, 2019, makes available to NS directors a deferral election with respect to the directors' annual compensation and fees to provide for retirement and death benefits and thereby facilitate individual financial planning.

SECTION 1. ADMINISTRATION

The Plan Administrator shall be the Board. The Board shall from time to time adopt rules and regulations determined to be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the Plan. The Board shall have the power to interpret the Plan, to supervise the maintenance of the deferred memorandum accounts of participants in the Plan and the method of distribution of those amounts credited to the deferred memorandum accounts pursuant to Section 4.

SECTION 2. ELIGIBILITY

Each NS director who is not an employee of NS (a “Non-Employee Director”) shall be eligible to be a participant in the Plan.

SECTION 3. DEFERRED COMPENSATION

A Non-Employee Director may elect to have all or a specified part of the annual compensation and fees earned for service on the Board credited to a deferred memorandum account established pursuant to Section 4. The Non-Employee Director making such an election (the "Participant") shall do so by filing with the Corporate Secretary on or before the date specified by the Plan Administrator (the “Election Deadline”) an election on a form prescribed by the Corporate Secretary for the purpose

of specifying the percentage of compensation and fees to be deferred and the distribution option under Section 6(b).

If the Participant was a Non-Employee Director on December 31 preceding the calendar year for which the compensation and fees to be deferred are earned, in no event shall the Election Deadline be later than such December 31. The election shall apply only to compensation and fees earned for services performed in the calendar year commencing after the Election Deadline.

If the Participant either is elected to fill a vacancy on the Board or is elected at the annual meeting of shareholders, and the Participant was not a Non-Employee Director on the last day of the year preceding that Participant’s election, in no event shall the Election Deadline be later than the end of the 30-day period following such Participant’s first day of eligibility to participate in the Plan. The election shall apply only for the calendar year of the election, and only to compensation and fees earned for services performed after the election.

The Participant’s deferral election and distribution election in effect on the Election Deadline shall be irrevocable for the calendar year following the Election Deadline (or for the portion of the calendar year following the election, in the case of an election made during the initial 30-day period of participation in the Plan). Until a Non-Employee Director makes a deferral election, the Non-Employee Director shall be deemed to have elected to receive the entire compensation and fees in cash.

SECTION 4. DEFERRED MEMORANDUM ACCOUNT

The amount of a Participant's annual compensation and fees which, pursuant to Section 3, the Participant has elected to receive on a deferred basis shall by appropriate bookkeeping entries be credited to that Participant's deferred memorandum fixed interest or variable earnings accounts (the "Accounts") in accordance with the Plan terms and the Participant’s investment election applicable to such deferral.

The Board shall have the right to delegate to NS' chief financial officer the responsibility for supervising the maintenance of the Participants' respective Accounts and, subject to Section 6, the method of distribution of the amounts credited to the Accounts. In addition, the Board shall have the right to delegate to NS’ chief financial officer the responsibility to select Hypothetical Investment Options, subject to subsection (b) of this Section, made available to Participants solely for the purpose of valuing deferrals in the Variable Earnings Accounts.

The Accounts shall be utilized solely as a device for the measurement of amounts to be paid to the Participant under the Plan. The Accounts shall not constitute or be treated as an escrow, trust fund, or any other type of funded account for ERISA or Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) purposes and, moreover, contingent amounts credited

thereto shall not be considered plan assets for ERISA purposes. The Accounts merely provide a record of the bookkeeping entries relating to the contingent benefits that NS intends to provide to the Participant and thus reflect a mere unsecured promise to pay such amounts in the future.

(a) Fixed Interest Account. Amounts deferred before January 1, 2001, shall be credited to a Participant’s Fixed Interest Account as provided in this subsection. Unless otherwise stated herein or determined by the Board, each Participant's Account shall also be credited at the end of each quarter by appropriate bookkeeping entries with an amount equivalent to interest ("Interest") on the amount credited to the Participant's Fixed Interest Account at the beginning of the quarter at a rate determined by the Participant's age at the time the deferral is made. For purposes of determining the appropriate rates, a deferral is deemed to occur when the compensation and fees would otherwise have been paid. Amounts deferred on or after January 1, 1994, shall accrue Interest based on the Participant's age at the time of deferral at the rates set forth below:

Age Rate

Under 45 7%

45-54 10%

55-60 11%

Over 60 12%

Amounts deferred on or after January 1, 1992, and prior to January 1, 1994, shall accrue Interest based on the Participant's age at the time of deferral at the rates set forth below:

Age Rate

Under 45 13%

45-54 14%

55-60 15%

Over 60 16%

Amounts deferred on or after January 1, 1987, and prior to January 1, 1992, shall accrue Interest based on the Participant's age at the time of deferral at the rates set forth below:

Age Rate

Under 45 15%

45-54 16%

55-60 17%

Over 60 18%

Amounts deferred under the Plan prior to January 1, 1987, shall accrue Interest at a rate determined by the Participant's age on January 1, 1987, as if such amounts had been deferred on January 1, 1987. Interest on each deferral shall continue to accrue at the rate determined by the Participant's age at the time the deferral is made until all benefits payable hereunder have been distributed to, or with respect to, the Participant.

(b) Variable Earnings Account. Amounts deferred on or after January 1, 2001, shall be credited to a Participant’s Variable Earnings Account as provided in this subsection. Investment funds or benchmarks shall be selected from time to time by the Plan Administrator or its designee (as provided in this Section) and made available to Participants solely for the purpose of valuing deferrals. Such funds or benchmarks shall be referred to as “Hypothetical Investment Options.”

Unless otherwise stated herein or determined by the Board of Directors, an amount equivalent to earnings or losses (“Earnings”) shall accrue on or be deducted from all deferrals, beginning when the compensation and fees would otherwise have been paid, in accordance with the Participant’s selection of Hypothetical Investment Options. Earnings shall be determined based upon the Hypothetical Investment Option(s) elected by the Participant. If a Participant does not elect Hypothetical Investment Options for the deferrals, then Earnings shall be determined based on such Hypothetical Investment Options as may be designated by the Plan Administrator to apply in the absence of an election. Participants will be required to elect a Hypothetical Investment Option(s) at the time a deferral election is made for amounts deferred on or after January 1, 2001, and such investment election will apply to all subsequent deferrals until the Participant changes such election. Participants will be permitted at any time prior to the complete pay out of their Variable Earnings Account balance to elect to change their Hypothetical Investment Option(s) with respect to all or part of their Variable Earnings Account balances effective as soon as practicable following such election. The procedure for electing to change a Hypothetical Investment Option(s) will be established by the Plan Administrator. An election to change a Hypothetical Investment Option for part of a Variable Earnings Account balance must be made in increments of 1% of the Variable Earnings Account balance or a specified dollar amount.

While a Participant’s Accounts do not represent the Participant’s ownership of, or any ownership interest in, any particular assets, the Participant’s Variable Earnings Account shall be adjusted in accordance with the performance of the Hypothetical Investment Options chosen by the Participant. Any cash earnings generated under a Hypothetical Investment Option (such as interest and cash dividends and distributions) shall be deemed to be reinvested in that Hypothetical Investment Option. All notional acquisitions and dispositions of Hypothetical Investment Options which occur within a Participant’s Variable Earnings Account, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, shall be deemed to occur at such times as the Plan Administrator shall determine to be

administratively feasible in its sole discretion and the Participant’s Variable Earnings Account shall be adjusted accordingly. In the event of a Change in Control, the practices and procedures for determining any Earnings credited to any Participants’ Variable Earnings Accounts following a Change in Control shall be made in a manner no less favorable to Participants than the practices and procedures employed under the Plan, or otherwise in effect, as of the date of the Change in Control.

SECTION 5. RESTRICTIONS

The Participants shall have only those rights in respect of the amounts credited to their Accounts specifically set forth herein.

No Participant may, prior to the distribution of funds pursuant to Section 6, sell, assign, transfer, distribute, pledge as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation, exchange or otherwise dispose of any interest in the amounts credited to that Participant’s Accounts.

The amounts credited to the Accounts shall remain assets of NS until distributed to Participants pursuant to Section 6.

SECTION 6. DISTRIBUTION

(a) Fixed Interest Account. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7, distributions of the amounts credited to a Participant's Fixed Interest Account shall be made in ten annual cash installments beginning with the first day of the calendar year immediately following the year when a Participant ceases to be an NS director by retirement or otherwise.

(a)Variable Earnings Account. No later than the Election Deadline for each calendar year’s deferrals, a Participant may elect one of the two distribution options described in this Section 6(b) for amounts credited to the Variable Earnings Account. If a Participant fails to elect the time and form of distribution for a particular calendar year’s deferrals by the Election Deadline, the Participant shall be deemed to have made the same distribution election as he last made for a calendar year’s deferrals. If the Participant has never elected the time and form of distribution of his deferral, the Participant’s distribution will be made in one lump sum after the Participant experiences a “separation from service” within the meaning of section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder for a reason other than the Participant’s death (a “Separation From Service”).

The Participant must elect to have the benefit distributed either (i) beginning with the first day of the calendar year immediately following the year when the Participant experiences a Separation From Service, or (ii) upon the earlier of the Participant’s

Separation From Service or a specified date at least five (5) years but not more than fifteen (15) years after the calendar year in which the deferred amount is earned (“Specified Date”). If the Participant elects to receive the benefit upon Separation from Service, he may elect to have the benefit distributed to him in one lump sum or in annual installment payments that are distributed over a period of five (5), ten (10), or fifteen (15) years. The amount of each annual installment payment shall be determined by dividing the balance credited to the Participant’s Variable Earnings Account on each payment date by the number of installments remaining. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, a series of installment payments will be considered a single payment. Any benefit which a Participant elects to receive on the earlier of Separation from Service or a Specified Date will be distributed in one lump sum.

For each calendar year’s deferrals for which the Participant elected to have the benefit distributed on a Specified Date, the Participant shall be paid the amount in the Account for that calendar year’s deferrals on the first day on or after the date selected or, if the Participant’s Separation From Service is earlier than the Specified Date, on the first day following the date of the Separation From Service.

For a Participant who did not elect distribution on a Specified Date, the Participant shall be paid on the first day of the calendar year following the date the Participant experiences a Separation From Service, the amount in the Variable Earnings Account which is attributable to deferrals for which the Participant elected a lump sum distribution.

For distributions other than lump sum distributions, payments shall commence on the first day of the calendar year following the date the Participant experiences a Separation From Service and shall be made in installments on the first day of each year thereafter for each applicable deferral based on the distribution elections made by the Participant. The annual installment payment for each applicable deferral shall be an amount equal to the remaining balance in the Participant’s Account for that deferral, valued at the end of the calendar year preceding the installment payment, divided by the remaining number of annual payments not yet distributed for that deferral.

(b)Death of the Participant. The Participant may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries who shall receive a distribution of funds pursuant to this Section 6 in the event of the Participant’s death. In the absence of such designation, or if the beneficiary predeceases the Participant, the beneficiary shall be the Participant’s surviving spouse or, if the Participant does not have a surviving spouse, the Participant’s estate. In order to be effective, a Participant's designation of a beneficiary must be on file with NS before the Participant's death. Any such designation may be revoked and a new designation submitted by the Participant at any time before his death without the consent of the previously designated beneficiary.

Upon the death of a Participant prior to the expiration of the period during which the deferred amounts are payable, the balance of the deferred fees and Earnings

credited to the Fixed Interest Account and Variable Earnings Account shall be payable to the beneficiary or beneficiaries in full on the first day of the calendar year following the year in which the Participant dies.

(d) Administrative Adjustments in Payment Date. A payment under Section 6(b) or 6(c) is treated as being made on the date when it is due under the Plan if the payment is made on the due date specified by the Plan, or on a later date that is either (i) in the same calendar year (for a payment whose specified due date is on or before September 30), or (ii) by the 15th day of the third calendar month following the date specified by the Plan (for a payment whose specified due date is on or after October 1). A payment also is treated as being made on the date when it is due under the Plan if the payment is made not more than 30 days before the due date specified by the Plan. A Participant or beneficiary may not, directly or indirectly, designate the taxable year of a payment made in reliance on the administrative rules in this paragraph.

(e) Emergency Hardship Distribution. A Participant who ceased to be a Non-Employee Director before October 3, 2014, may request to withdraw all or any portion of the Participants’ Accounts for an Unforeseeable Emergency. The amounts distributed with respect to an Unforeseeable Emergency may not exceed the amounts necessary to satisfy such Unforeseeable Emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution, after taking into account the extent to which such hardship is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship). “Unforeseeable Emergency” means for this purpose a severe financial hardship to a Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, or the Participant’s dependent (as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code, without regard to section 152(b)(1), (b)(2) or (d)(1)(B)), loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant. The Corporation’s chief administrative officer will have the sole and absolute discretion and authority to determine the extent to which a distribution is permissible under this paragraph.

SECTION 7. CHANGE IN CONTROL

If, on the date of a Change in Control (as defined herein) or a 409A Change in Control (as defined herein), a Participant who was serving as a Non-Employee Director of NS on the day immediately preceding the date of the Change in Control or 409A Change in Control experiences a Separation From Service, then, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6, such Participant shall receive the following:

(a) For the Fixed Interest Account, a lump-sum cash payment equal to the present value on the Participant’s last day of service as a Non-Employee Director, using

a discount rate of 4.5 percent, of any stream of installment payments that the Participant would have received had the Participant served as a Non-Employee Director until the latest date permitted under the Retirement Policy for Non-Employee Directors as in effect on the day before the Change in Control; and

(b)For the Variable Earnings Account, in the event of a 409A Change in Control, a lump-sum cash payment equal to the present value on the Participant’s last day of services as a Non-Employee Director, using a discount rate of 4.5 percent. The present value will be calculated assuming that the Participant would have served as a Non-Employee Director until the latest date permitted under the Retirement Policy for Non-Employee Directors as in effect on the day before the Change in Control, and the projected Earnings used to determine such present value will be calculated in accordance with the Interest rate specified in Section 4(a) based on the Participant’s age immediately preceding the date of a Change in Control and applied to the Participant’s Variable Earnings Account balance on such date. In the event of a Change in Control that is not a 409A Change in Control, the benefit shall be calculated as described above except that any portion of the Participant’s deferred compensation benefit that is not a Grandfathered Benefit under Section 15, exclusive of any projected Earnings as described in this section, shall be paid at the time and in the form the benefit would have been paid absent a Change in Control.

Any payment made pursuant to this Section 7 will be in full satisfaction of all amounts credited to the Participant’s Accounts.

A Change in Control shall occur upon any of the following circumstances or events:

(i) NS consummates a merger or other similar control-type transaction or transactions (however denominated or effectuated) with another corporation or other entity (Combination), and immediately thereafter less than eighty percent (80%) of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation or entity is held in the aggregate by the holders of securities entitled, immediately prior to such Combination, to vote generally in the election of NS directors (Voting Stock);

(ii) NS consummates any stockholder-approved consolidation or dissolution (however denominated or effectuated) pursuant to a recommendation of the Board;

(iii) At any time, Continuing Directors (as herein defined) shall not constitute a majority of the members of the Board (“Continuing Director” means (i) each individual who has been a director of NS for at least twenty-four (24) consecutive months before such time and (ii) each individual who was

nominated or elected to be a director of NS by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election); or

(iv) NS sells all or substantially all of its assets to any other corporation or other entity, and less than eighty percent (80%) of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation or entity immediately after such transaction is held in the aggregate by the holders of Voting Stock immediately prior to such sale.

A Change in Control under Section 409A of the Code (a “409A Change in Control”) shall occur upon any of the following circumstances or events:

(i) A person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of NS that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of NS;

(ii) A person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of NS possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of NS;

(iii) Continuing Directors (as herein defined) no longer constitute a majority of the members of the Board (“Continuing Director” means (i) each individual who has been a director of NS for at least twelve (12) consecutive months before such time and (ii) each individual who was nominated or elected to be a director of NS by at least a majority of the directors at the time of such nomination or election); or

(iv) A person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from NS that have a total gross fair market value equal to forty percent (40%) or more of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of NS immediately before such acquisition.

For purposes of a 409A Change in Control, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock or similar business transaction with NS. The definition of a 409A Change in Control shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with section 409A of the Code.

SECTION 8. RECALCULATION EVENTS

NS' commitment to accrue and pay Interest and Earnings as provided in Section 4 is facilitated by the purchase of corporate-owned life insurance purchased on the lives of eligible Participants. If the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that any change whatsoever in Federal, State or local law, or in its application or interpretation, has materially affected, or will materially affect, the ability of NS to recover the cost of providing the benefits otherwise payable under the Plan, then, if the Board so elects, a Recalculation Event shall be deemed to have occurred. If a Recalculation Event occurs, then Interest and/or Earnings shall be recalculated and restated using a lower rate of Interest and/or Earnings determined by the Board, but which shall be not less than one-half (1/2) the rate of Earnings provided for in Section 4(b) or one-half (1/2) the rate of Interest provided in Section 4(a), as applicable.

SECTION 9. AMENDMENTS

The Board in its sole discretion may at any time modify or amend any provisions of the Plan, or suspend or terminate the Plan. However, except as otherwise provided in Section 8, no modification, amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan may, without the Participant’s consent, apply to or affect the rights of a Participant in respect of amounts credited to the Participant’s Account for any month ended prior to the effective date of that modification, amendment, suspension or termination. In no event shall a termination of the Plan accelerate the distribution of amounts deferred under the Plan in calendar year 2005 and succeeding years, except to the extent permitted in regulations or other guidance under section 409A of the Code and expressly provided in the resolution terminating the Plan.

SECTION 10. NATURE AND SOURCE OF PAYMENTS

The obligation to make payments hereunder with respect to each Participant shall constitute a liability of NS to the Participant and any beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the Plan. NS may establish one or more grantor trusts within the United States to which NS may transfer such assets as NS determines in its sole discretion to assist NS to accumulate assets that can be used to pay benefits under the Plan. While NS generally reserves the right to establish or fund any such grantor trust at any time, it shall not fund such trust in connection with a change in NS’ financial health to the extent that such funding would not comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code. The provisions of the Plan shall govern the rights of NS, Participants and the creditors of NS to the assets transferred to the trust. NS’ obligations under the Plan may be satisfied with trust assets distributed pursuant to the terms of the trust, and any such distribution shall reduce NS’ obligations under this Plan.

Participants and beneficiaries shall stand in the position of unsecured creditors of NS, and all rights hereunder and under any trust are subject to the claims of creditors of NS.

SECTION 11. EXPENSES OF ADMINISTERING PLAN

All expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by NS, and no part thereof shall be charged against the benefit of any Participant, except the costs of the Hypothetical Investment Options in the Variable Earnings Account, which shall be charged against the value of deferrals measured against those funds.

SECTION 12. FACILITY OF PAYMENT

If the Board shall find that any individual to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his or her affairs because of illness or accident or is a minor or other person under legal disability, any payment due such individual (unless a prior claim for such payment shall have been made by a duly appointed guardian, committee, or other legal representative) may be paid to the spouse, a child, a parent, or a brother or sister of such individual, or to any other person deemed by the Board to have incurred expenses of such individual, in such manner and proportions as the Board may determine. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liabilities of NS with respect thereto under the Plan.

SECTION 13. CONTINUED SERVICE

Nothing contained herein or in a deferral agreement shall be construed as conferring upon any Participant the right nor imposing upon the Participant the obligation to continue in the service of NS in any capacity.

SECTION 14. DISPUTED QUESTIONS

Any disputed question arising under the Plan, including questions of construction and interpretation, shall be determined conclusively and finally by the Board.

SECTION 15. EFFECTIVE DATE

The Plan became effective on June 1, 1982, and was last amended effective December 1, 2019. The Plan, as hereby amended and restated, is effective with respect to amounts that were not earned and vested (within the meaning of section 409A of the Code) before January 1, 2005, and any earnings on such amounts.

Amounts earned and vested (within the meaning of section 409A of the Code) before January 1, 2005, and earnings on such amounts (collectively, “Grandfathered Amounts”), remain subject to the terms of the Plan as in effect on October 3, 2004; provided, however, that Participants who ceased to be Non-Employee Directors before October 3, 2014, shall not have Grandfathered Amounts after October 2, 2014. For recordkeeping purposes, the Company will account separately for Grandfathered Amounts.

SECTION 16. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 409A

The Plan is intended, and shall be construed, to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code. NS does not warrant that the Plan will comply with section 409A of the Code with respect to any Participant or with respect to any payment, however. In no event shall NS, its officers, directors, employees, parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalty incurred by a Participant or beneficiary as a result of the Plan’s failure to satisfy the requirements of section 409A of the Code, or as a result of the Plan’s failure to satisfy any other applicable requirements for the deferral of tax.

Exhibit 21

APPENDIX A

Page 1 of 2

CONSOLIDATED (MORE THAN 50% OWNED AND CONTROLLED) SUBSIDIARIES

OF NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND STATES OF INCORPORATION

AS OF JANUARY 31, 2020

STATE OR COUNTRY

OF INCORPORATION

Atlantic Investment Company

Delaware

General American Insurance Company

Vermont

General Security Insurance Company, Ltd.

Bermuda

Norfolk Southern Properties, Inc.

Virginia

Norfolk Southern Railway Company

Virginia

NS Fiber Optics, Inc.

Virginia

PDC Timber LLC

Delaware

Pennsylvania Investment Company, Inc.

Delaware

PLC Timber LLC

Delaware

Pocahontas Development Corporation

Kentucky

Pocahontas Land Corporation

Virginia

Pocahontas Surface Interests, Inc.

Virginia

T-Cubed of North America, LLC

Delaware

Thoroughbred Technology and Telecommunications, LLC

Virginia


Norfolk Southern Railway Company Subsidiaries
Airforce Pipeline, Inc.						North Carolina
Alabama Great Southern LLC						Virginia
Alabama Great Southern Railroad Company, The						Alabama
Camp Lejeune Railroad Company						North Carolina
Carolina and Northwestern Railway Company						Delaware
Central of Georgia LLC						Virginia
Central of Georgia Railroad Company						Georgia
Chesapeake Western Railway						Virginia
Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Company, The						Ohio
Citico Realty Company						Virginia
CNOTP LLC						Ohio
Georgia Southern and Florida Railway Company						Georgia
GSFR LLC						Georgia
High Point, Randleman, Asheboro and Southern Railroad Company						North Carolina
HPRASR LLC						North Carolina
Interstate Railroad Company						Virginia
Lamberts Point Barge Company, Inc.						Virginia
Mobile and Birmingham Railroad Company						Alabama
Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Company						Virginia
Norfolk Southern International, Inc.						Virginia
Norfolk Southern - Mexico, LLC						Virginia
NorfolkSouthernMexicana, S. de R.L. de C.V.						Mexico
North Carolina Midland Railroad Company, The						North Carolina
NS Spectrum Corporation						Virginia
PLS Investment, LLC						Virginia

APPENDIX A

Page 2 of 2

STATE OR COUNTRY

OF INCORPORATION

Norfolk Southern Railway Company Subsidiaries (continued)

Rail Investment Company

Delaware

Reading Company, LLC [Virginia]

Virginia

RIC LLC

Delaware

South Western Rail Road Company, The

Georgia

Southern Rail Terminals, Inc.

Georgia

Southern Rail Terminals of North Carolina, Inc.

North Carolina

Southern Region Materials Supply, Inc.

Georgia

State University Railroad Company

North Carolina

S-VA Corporation

Virginia

TCV, Inc.

Delaware

Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway Company

Delaware

Tennessee Railway Company

Tennessee

Thoroughbred Direct Intermodal Services, Inc.

Pennsylvania

Thoroughbred Emissions Research, LLC

Virginia

Thoroughbred Funding, Inc.

Virginia

Thoroughbred Logistics Services, Inc.

Virginia

Transworks Company

Indiana

Transworks Inc.

Virginia

Transworks of Indiana, Inc.

Indiana

Triple Crown Services Company

Delaware

Virginia and Southwestern Railway Company

Virginia

Wheelersburg Terminal LLC

Virginia

Yadkin Railroad Company

North Carolina

Yadkin Railroad Investment LLC

North Carolina


Norfolk Southern Properties, Inc. Subsidiaries
Alexandria-Southern Properties, Inc.						Virginia
Arrowood-Southern Company						North Carolina
Charlotte-Southern Hotel Corporation						North Carolina
Lambert’s Point Docks, Incorporated						Virginia
Nickel Plate Improvement Company, Inc., The						Indiana
NS Transportation Brokerage Corporation						Virginia
Sandusky Dock Corporation						Virginia
Southern Region Industrial Realty, Inc.						Georgia
SRIR Timber LLC						Delaware
Virginia Holding Corporation						Virginia
Westlake Land Management, Inc.						Florida

In addition, NS owns direct or indirect equity interest in:

Conrail Inc.

Consolidated Rail Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries

CRR Holdings LLC

Delaware Otsego Corporation

DOCP Acquisition, LLC

Green Acquisition Corp.

Exhibit 23

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Norfolk Southern Corporation:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement numbers 333-71321, 333-205880 and 333-207640 on Form S-8 and 333-222869 on Form S-3 of Norfolk Southern Corporation of our reports dated February 6, 2020, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Norfolk Southern Corporation as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts as listed in Item 15(A)2 (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, which reports appear in the December 31, 2019 annual report on Form 10-K of Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Our report on the consolidated financial statements refers to a change in accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and the related amendments.

/s/ KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

February 6, 2020

Exhibit 31-A

CERTIFICATIONS

I, James A. Squires, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K 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: February 6, 2020


			/s/ James A. Squires
			James A. Squires
			Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31-B

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Mark R. George, certify that:

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

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: February 6, 2020


			/s/ Mark R. George
			Mark R. George
			Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer

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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019, 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-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Norfolk Southern Corporation.


Signed:			/s/ James A. Squires
			James A. Squires
			Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
			Norfolk Southern Corporation

Dated: February 6, 2020


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

Dated: February 6, 2020