Norfolk Southern, CN to Share Track, Freight in Midwest

Canadian National Railway and Norfolk Southern Corp. plan to create a “MidAmerica Corridor,” an agreement in which the railroads will share track and carry each other’s shipments in various routes in the Midwest, the railroads announced Tuesday.

Under the agreement, Norfolk Southern will carry CN freight between Chicago and St. Louis, reducing CN’s shipping distance between these cities by 60 miles, the companies said.

Norfolk Southern will also use CN track between St. Louis and Fulton, Ky., reducing Norfolk Southern’s distance between those cities by more than 50 miles.

CN will carry Norfolk Southern’s freight between Chicago and Fulton, Ky., shortening Norfolk Sothern’s route between Chicago and Birmingham, Ala., by almost 100 miles, the companies said.

The railroads also plan to create a gateway at Corinth, Miss., in order to better link utility plants in the Southeast, served by Norfolk Southern, to coal producers in Illinois, served by CN.

The initiative is subject to formal agreements and regulatory approval, the companies said.