Norfolk Southern will buy 100 locomotives next year in its continuing effort to take market share from truck carriers.
Company officials have said publicly many times that they’re targeting freight currently carried by truck and this purchase is seen as part of that effort. This newly-announced purchase will bring the nation’s fourth largest freight hauler to 3,500 engines.
In all, the company plans to spend $810 million in 2004 for capital improvements to its railroad operations and subsidiaries. The anticipated spending includes $517 million for roadway projects and $258 million for equipment, company officials said.