posted
Our company have been initially approached to do some work on NS. In preparation for this I want some basic information on them, mostly about their signalling but also their system as a whole. Apart from their own website, which is surprisingly fairly barren of statistics, and Wikipedia which gives a lot more background, I'm struggling to find out exactly what their system comprises of.
For example: - How much route mileage is double track vs single track? - How much CTC is there? ABS? TWC? etc - How many trains a day on each route? - What proportion of "extras" to "regular, daily trains"?
Thanks
Geoff M.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
You must be mindful, Mr. Geoff M, that the info you desire is proprietary in nature and scope. However, if you represent bona fide business interests of a responsible vendor, then I would guess that Public Affairs may be more forthright with your concern than the company is prepared to be with the public-at-large, i.e. the website.
Geoff M Member # 153
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No, Mr. Norman. What they choose to publish is their own business, not yours. I'll I am after is some basic statistics and information which are extremely likely to be published somewhere - the problem being that I have yet to find where. Be mindful that it may already publically exist on their website but that I have not stumbled across it. Other railroads do publish such information though that doesn't mean NS have to.
I'm not after some dastardly trade secrets or sensitive security information. What good would the questions I've asked do? Nothing. I just want some background information about the company before we meet them. It's basic business sense to know about your potential customer before you meet them.
Finally, I would reiterate that NS approached us, not the other way around. Our reputation is such that they did so. Beyond that, as I'm sure you appreciate, I cannot divulge much more about the project or who I work for (though a bit of Googling would probably soon determine the latter).
Thankfully others on this forum have been a lot more helpful via private email.
(Oddly I didn't post in the Amtrak forum so I've no idea how this thread got here).
Geoff M.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
I'm sorry Mr Geoff M, but I am at a loss to know how I ruffled your feathers. The tone of your posting suggests that I have done such.
disclaimer; author holds position in NSC. On that point, if your organization can offer anything to Norfolk Southern Corp that will add value to the shareholder's, be assured 'I'm all for it".
George Harris Member # 2077
posted
Mr. Norman:
I am somewhat baffled concerning what is "proprietary" about the questions asked. Particularly the signal information since that sort of stuff is subject to FRA review and approval and is therefore "public" if not published.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
Train frequencies, scheduled or "extra" were the two items that I detected. But if that information is in the public domain, who am I to keep Mr. GeoffM from obtaining such?
After all, I want the value of my NSC position to be enhanced, and if Mr. M's business enterprise is a means to attain that end, go for it.
There may be additional public information available in the Form R-1 filed annually with the STB (as successor to the ICC), but I doubt that the case. Same is applicable to the SEC Form 10-K.
rresor Member # 128
posted
A good place to start is Schedule 755 of the R-1 report to the Surface Transportation Board, which contains a number of operating statistics, including some of what you are looking for. R-1s are available on the STB Web site:
posted
Thanks, rresor, but I'm unable to find the particular reports that you mention on that website. Can you give me a clue please?
Sounds like it's the publically-available information I'm looking for though.
Thanks
Geoff M.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
Please excuse the akwardness of this posting, as for reasons I know not, UBBC will not accept this link to the 2007 Norfolk Southern Corp Form R-1 available at the site noted by Mr. Resor.
posted
Thanks, GBN and rresor, it's at least got some of the information I desire. Like I say, it's good to know the basics about any potential customer.
posted