Contact
2222 W. Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27705
contact@norfolksouthernhs.org

For those of you looking for information about the now present Norfolk Southern Corporation, they can be found here: http://www.nscorp.com/
Note to people searching for Employee Records/Retirement Records/Family Genealogy:
NSHS does not have any Norfolk Southern Railway employee records. It is recommended that you contact the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, which you can contact at 844 North Rush, Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 751-4500, or on the web at The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board: http://www.rrb.gov/

Norfolk & Southern Historical Society News

Next N & S Historical Society Annual Meeting will be held in Fayetteville, NC for 2014 on April 19th.
More information will be posted as announced.

June 4, 2013
NS 611 Camp Car

Added NS 611 Camp car photo to Equipment page. Currently being stored at Shearon Harris.

June 3, 2013
New Bowser DS-4-4-1000 Switcher Locomotives

Ready to Run and Detailed. Features: air hoses, windshield wipers, grab irons, coupler lift bars, operating headlight, window glass, can motor, flywheels, nickel silver wheels with RP25 flanges and knuckle couplers. Available with sound and DCC or just DC. DCC ready with 8 pin plug.
Sound Locos are equipped with Digital Sound Decoders

Due Fall 2013

NS Original
23773 Road #1001 $169.95
23774 Road #1002 $169.95
23775 Road #1001 w/snd $279.95
23776 Road #1002 w/snd $279.95

Go to Bowser's webpage here. http://www.bowser-trains.com/

New book called Locomotive Quarterly featuring NS Berkshire steam locomotives was added to NSArticles webpage.

Added NS 50' boxcar to Equipment page. Former Norfolk Southern boxcar now used as a MOW storage shed on the GFRR Albany, GA 6/2/2013.

March 4, 2013
N & S Historical Society Annual Meeting in Walstonburg/Wilson area April 20th, 2013

Schedule for Saturday April 20, 2013

9:00 a.m. Annual Meeting
The annual meeting will be at the former NS depot in Walstonburg, NC. Walstonburg is about 15 miles east of Wilson. It is slightly south of highway 264. Turn off of highway 264 onto highway 91 and go south for a short distance until you get to the railroad track. The meeting place (former depot) is at the crossing.

10:00 a.m. Slide Show by Mike Seawell and Felix Freeman
This will cover operations and equipment of the original NS and present day operation and equipment of short lines on the former NS.

Noon Lunch
Lunch will be a B-B-Q meal provided by the local American Legion at a nominal cost to attendees. This will coincide with a “Proud to be an American” celebration on the same day in Walstonburg.

1:00 p.m. Driving Tour of Local Area
We will head east from Walstonburg and work our way to Wendell. We are most fortunate to have members Mike Seawell and Tom King to guide us on our tour. On this tour we will visit locations on the former NS. This will include buildings that are at their original locations and buildings that have been moved. Mike and Tom will enlighten us as to what used to be at sites that are now gone. Mike and Tom have spent a considerable amount of time in the area and have extensive knowledge of what went on at the time of NS operation . Places that we will visit include Wilson , Simms, Bailey, Middlesex, Zebulon, and Wendell.

July 2, 2012
Heritage Locomotives at NC Transportation Museum July 3rd and 4th.

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Norfolk & Southern Historical Society will have a table set up in the round house at the NS Heritage Locomotive event at the North Carolina Transportation Museum July 3 & July 4. If you are attending the event drop by our table to say hello and enjoy a little Norfolk Southern conversation.

June 24, 2012
Next N&S Historical Society Annual Meeting will be held in Wilson, NC for 2013 on April 20th.

We will release more details as they become more refined.

April 26, 2012
Norfolk Southern releases heritage NS locomotive

We are proud to see the new Norfolk Southern Corporation's unit 8114 released out of the paint shop. Click on the link to make the jump.
"Norfolk Southern Railway Company 8114, Norfolk Southern's ninth heritage locomotive, rests under a colorful sunrise outside the paint shop at DeButts Yard in Chattanooga. Casey Thomason photo, copyright Norfolk Southern Corporation. For more information, visit www.nscorp.com"
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=396143

March 1, 2012
Norfolk Southern celebrates colorful heritage with historic paint schemes

We are greatly thankful for Norfolk Southern Corporation's decision to paint one of their new units in an original Norfolk Southern red Baldwin
paint scheme. We are thankful for our member's contribution and help towards this project.
"Norfolk Southern Railway (SR, EMD) (not to be confused with today’s Norfolk Southern) was a line serving southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina, chartered in 1883 and acquired by Southern Railway in 1974."
Here is an artist's rendering of the unit. Click on it for a larger version.

For more information, please read the news release:
http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Media/News%20Releases/2012/ns_heritage.html

February 10, 2012
N & S Historical Society Annual Meeting in Fort Story, VA April 21st, 2012

Schedule April 21st, 2012:

9:00 A.M. Gather at Cape Henry Lighthouse Visitor Center on Fort Story
Note: There is an $8 Entrance Fee.

9:00 A.M. - Noon
1. Annual business meeting at St. Theressa Church
2. Slide show by Dale Dicont at St. Theressa Church
3. Walking tour of Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, St. Teressa Church and the N & S Depot.

12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
1. Lunch on NRHS Tidewater Chapter Car at Little Creek Yard (Ferry Rd.)
Note: This will be a box chicken lunch from Bojangle’s – cost $7.00.
2. Program by members of the Tidewater Chapter NRHS re: N & S and operations at Little Creek Yard.

2:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
1. Meet at Newtown Road Station. Ride the The Tide to the end of the line and return.

4:30 P.M.
1. Meet at the Railroad Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth for a tour conducted by members of the NRHS Tidewater Chapter.

On the evening of April 20th, we will meet at 6:00 P.M. at Charlie’s Seafood Restaurant, for anyone interested. This is located at 3139 Shore Drive West (Hwy 60) between Lynhaven Bridge and Great Neck Rd. in Virginia Beach.

June 16, 2011
NS 100-ton Hoppers still running on the rails

Added additional information for Existing Equipment page:
Covered hoppers (Most of these were from a group of 150 cars numbered 5300-5449, built in 1973. The last of new cars to be bought by the independent NS.
Bought for phosphate service on the Lee Creek Branch.
From ORERs, it shows that the Southern eventually renumbered them into a 90850-90999 pool (supported by NS 5405->SOU 90920->PLCX 16688).
The 1975 ORER lists 105 still lettered for NS, then the numbers dwindle in 1977 - 80, 1979 - 46, 1980 - 26, 1981 - 18, 1983 - 16.
This last numbering scheme would support PLCX range 16621-16765. By the 1989 ORER, it showed PLCX having 145 of these and SOU - zero.

April 27, 2011
Atlas Trainman NS Cupola Caboose

The first all-steel cabooses built for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad were produced in 1937 by the Magor Car Corporation in Clifton, N.J. Magor, along with St. Louis Car Company and ACF, ultimately built a total of 350 cabooses for the C&O using a similar design. The last were produced in 1949. Through subsequent rebuilding and modernization, many remained in service through the end of regular caboose usage in the 1980s. Cabooses of a similar design were also built for Pere Marquette, Missouri Pacific and Chicago & Eastern Illinois.
Features:
· True scale dimensions with accurate details
· Weighted, detailed underframes
· Equipped with AccuMate® Knuckle Couplers
· Trucks equipped with free-rolling metal wheels
· Clear window inserts & separately applied side railings
AccuMate® couplers are made under license from AccuRail, Inc.
Norfolk Southern Railway #367 and #371
Product Numbers 11358 and 11359
Guaranteed Pre-orders through 02/25/2011. Estimated arrival 3rd Qtr 2011. MSRP: TBD.
For more information, see the Winter 2011 Catalog online here: http://download.atlasrr.com/Winter11Catalog/3-16a.pdf

April 12, 2011
Model Railroader Club Offerings NS 40-foot Boxcar.

The May 2011 issue of Model Railroader magazine on page 13 has an ad about our 40-foot NS Boxcars custom made by Bowser.
For more information, please go here: http://norfolksouthernhs.org/NSclubcar.html
They are also listed in our NS Modeling page.

January 26, 2011
Walthers decals scanned and posted to the Modeling page.
New Speedwitch kit

K120.1 - Norfolk Southern 1932 ARA Box Car with Viking roof
These kits include one-piece cast resin bodies, etched metal trust plates, resin, styrene, and metal details and accurate decals, including
the white, red, and yellow emblem shown in the top corner of the photo of the finished model. Trucks and couplers not included.
Accurate trucks are available from Tahoe Model Works (shown on model above.), $40.
http://www.speedwitch.com/Models/k120_1.htm
Added new Speedwitch NS 25325 to the Modeling page.

August 2010
Craig Zeni model of the Wright Trak kit:

Wright Trak announces NS Gondola resin kit

Now available
NORFOLK SOUTHERN
(old original Lowside Gons)
With Custom Decals from Rail Graphics.
Order Now!
$39.95 + shipping
Click Here for Instruction Sheets
For more information, please visit: http://www.wrighttrak.com/
Added new WrightTRAK Gondola NS 7738 to the Modeling page

July 27, 2010

New Bowser AS-616 Locomotives (Announced at NMRA 2010 Convention)

Ready To Run and Fully Detailed. New die cast frame with a new fuel tank, fuel fills, and site glass. Brass MU Hoses, brass air hoses, brass windshield wipers, steel grab irons, steel coupler lift bars, operating headlight, window glass, can motor, brass flywheels, nickel silver wheels with RP25 flanges, metal knuckle couplers, warm white LED headlight. New handrails (installed). Body is easily removed if necessary. NMRA 8-pin plug for DCC (Decoder-ready)

The sound locos will be equipped with SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Sound Decoders

DC $169.95 / DCC with Sound $279.95
Due Early 2011 Prefered Order Date 9-15-10

For more information: http://www.bowser-trains.com/New_Products/New 2007-18-10 AS-616/New 07-18-10 AS 616.htm

June 30, 2010
New Atlas 1932 ARA Box Car (released June 2010)

Added new Atlas 1932 ARA Box Car to the Modeling page. Three numbers available in both HO and N scale (25229, 25246, 25499).

April 16, 2010
Updated NSHS Annual Meeting Agenda and new Existing Equipment

Added DME 16652 covered hopper to the surviving equipment page.

Removed "Save the NS 701" page since it was scrapped in Laurinburg.

N & S Historical Society Annual Meeting in New Bern, NC April 17th, 2010 (updated April 16th, 2010)

Schedule April 17th, 2010:
9 AM - Frit Car Inc. Tour, Behind Handy Mart, 2020 US Highway 17, New Bern, N.C. http://www.fritcar.com/
12 Noon - Lunch @ Chelsea, 335 Middle Street, New Bern (downtown) http://thechelsea.com/
1:30 PM - Viewing of former New Bern Union Station mural, New Bern Academy Building (Academy Museum), New and Hancock Streets (500 Hancock St).
http://www.tryonpalace.org/newbernacademy.html
2 PM - Annual Meeting @ Olde Pinnix Drug Store, 628 Hancock Street
3:00 PM - Restore Union Station, Presentation by New Bern Preservation Foundation
3:30 PM - View New Bern Union Station (outside only)
4:00 PM - 100th Birthday - Union Station Reception, Hosted by New Bern Preservation Foundation, New Bern Historical Society and the Preservation Legal Action Trust at the Olde Pinnix Drug Store
4:30 PM - Carolina Coastal Railroaders Club Layout Tour, 2001 South Glenburnie Road, New Bern, NC
http://carolinacoastalrailroaders.org/

February 19, 2010
NS 2007 added to surviving equipment page as THNR 2886. Three Notch R. R.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1231353

January 28, 2010
New Athearn Wood Chip Hopper (released late 2009, more in 2010)

Added new Athearn Wood Chip Hopper to the Modeling page. Several numbers and 4-packs are available with new 4-pack sets being made for 2010.

January 27, 2010
S. David Carriker's book

Added S. David Carriker's book "Railroading in the Carolina Sandhills: Volume 1 & 2" to the NSarticles page.

January 7, 2010
N S Historical Society Annual Meeting

We will be meeting in New Bern, NC on Saturday, April 17th, 2010. The agenda will be announced in the next month.

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009
NS 384 added to surviving equipment page

Thought you may be interested in hearing about this former NS caboose, No. 384. See the attached photos. The caboose is located on private property, but I was allowed to take some photos back in 2006. As you can see from the photos, it has been made into a cabin with a stick-built addition extending off the left side between the bay and the A-end, and a deck along the rest of that side all the way to the B-end platform. From the placement of the addition, a hole had to be cut in the side of the car near the A-end on the left side. How big the hole is I had no way of determining. The B-end leaf-spring truck had NOR-SOU. RR. cast on the side-frame. I did not check the A-end truck.

The car is south of Cordele out of view on the east side of US41 just north of the GA300 interchange. You may be able to spot it on Google Earth.

Stephen Syfrett
Albany, GA

Sunday, April 26, 2009
N S Historical Society Annual Meeting

We will be meeting at the NC Railway Museum in New Hope (Bonsal, NC) on Saturday May 2, 2009. The agenda will be as follows.

9:30 to 11:30 AM The railway museum will be open for walking around the various displays and the company store should also be open to accept any funds you want to spend.
11:30 to 12:15 PM Lunch
12:15 to 1:30 PM The Business meeting will be on one of the train cars.
2:00 to 3:30 PM Train ride. The Museum may be able to do a run by.

Since there are no restaurants close by, we have made arrangements with Old Time Barbecue to cater a lunch. The menu will be Eastern Carolina Pork Barbecue along with hush puppies, potatoes and green beans. Drinks will include Sweet Tea and Lemonade. If you would rather have something else to eat or drink, you will need to bring it with you. A $9.00 donation per person is suggested. The Society will have to pay for any difference in the total bill. At present we have given a number of 60 people to Old Time. Make sure that you send back the enclosed flyer with the total number of people that you intend to bring to lunch. Money will be collected on May 2nd.
The Society has also had to commit to a cost of $375.00 to the NC Railway Museum for the Train ride. The cost of an adult is $9.00 and children 12 years and younger is $6.00. The total seats on the Train are 239 seats. To pre reserve seats please send in your money along with the enclosed form. You will be able to pick up your tickets after 9:30 AM on the 2nd. You can also invite your non member friends to ride the train, as long as someone pays for the ticket. The Train ride will be a first come first serve basis. If we go past 239 then we will have a standby list.
If you have any questions you can contact me (John Janosko) at 919 656 6897. Hope everyone can come and I for one intend on having a great time.
Posted by Norfolk Southern Historical Society Web Admin at 7:40 PM

Thursday, March 26, 2009
Save the NS 701!!!
http://norfolksouthernhs.org/ns701.htm

Save a piece of North Carolina history! As railroaders in this state, we all know another Norfolk Southern existed long ago, and now is almost completely gobbled up in the flurry of mergers and abandonments of the last thirty years. Still, an original piece of the old NS remains in locomotive NS 701, currently in storage, but now threatened with the scrapper’s torch! We at the NS Historical Society and the North Carolina Railway Museum feel a tangible piece of history like this should be preserved, and believe you feel the same way. We have therefore established the NS 701 Preservation and Restoration Fund. If you are interested in seeing a real part of our railroad heritage preserved for the enjoyment and education of your future generations, please send a donation of any size to:

NS 701 Preservation and Restoration Fund
c/o North Carolina Railway Museum, Inc.
Post Office Box 40
New Hill, NC 27562
All donations are tax deductible. Please help us in this worthwhile cause, and keep our common history alive.

These 70-tonners once ran the rails at Bonsal, NC during construction of the relocation of the NS rail line during the building of Jordan Lake, so it would be fitting that we bring one of them back to the New Hope Valley Railway! They were the first NS purchase of locomotive power other than Baldwin since 0-6-0 number 14 back in 1900. Delivered to the NS from GE in June 1948, they were the only 70-tonners used to pull the mail and express trains (#1 & #2) between Raleigh and Norfolk, VA. The last run of the mail train was December 12th, 1951 and after that, these engines were used in local and branch line service and as switchers at the smaller yards. After #702 was sold in 1964, the other two (701 & 703) spent most of their time around New Bern and on the Bayboro Branch. After the 1974 merger with Southern Railway, they were repainted again into the Southern black colors and remained on the SR roster until 1978. The Norfolk & Southern was the only Class 1 railroad to have its' Headquarters located in Raleigh, NC.
Posted by Norfolk Southern Historical Society Web Admin at 7:39 PM

Friday, March 13, 2009
New NSHS website!

This marks the new update website (actually third revision) for the Norfolk Southern Historical Society. Hopefully this will make it a bit easier to keep up with any new changes to the website.
-Rob
Posted by Norfolk Southern Historical Society Web Admin at 1:08 PM