A father-son legacy on the rails

Jun 21, 2026

For the Shirley family, railroading isn’t just a career. It’s something that’s been passed down through generations and learned side by side.

Chris and his son Ryan both work as conductors and locomotive engineers in Birmingham, AL, often on the same job. They even shared Ryan’s first trip as a newly qualified conductor.

“I was nervous,” Ryan said. “But working with him just made it all that much better.”

Carrying on a family tradition

Chris has 31 years with Norfolk Southern. His father, Dale Shirley, worked more than 37 years as a conductor. Growing up, Chris saw both the sacrifices and the stability that came with the job.

Chris and his dad

“You saw what it did for the family,” he said. “We struggled at first, but once he got settled in, the railroad took care of us.”

It’s a path Chris chose to continue and one he encouraged his own kids to consider.

“Some folks say they don’t want their kids out here. I’m the opposite,” he said. “The railroad’s been good to me and my family.”

The ties don’t stop with Dale, Chris, and Ryan. Chris’ brother spent 20 years with Norfolk Southern. His uncle and cousin each had careers in rail. His nephew, Chase Shirley, is now on the railroad, too.

“It’s always been a family thing,” Chris said.

Learning the right way

For Ryan, railroading was always part of everyday life.

“It’s all I’ve ever known,” he said. “My dad and all his friends, they were railroaders.”

Now 12 years into his own career, Ryan still leans on what he learned early on. He was trained by his dad, first as a conductor and then as an engineer.

“He taught me how to switch, then how to run,” Ryan said.

Chris takes pride in that responsibility.

“You want your kids to be better than you,” he said. “And I know he’s been taught the right way.”

It’s something Ryan doesn’t take for granted.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.

Generational pride

Some of Chris’ proudest moments trace back to his own father.

One that stands out came after he qualified as an engineer and had the chance to work alongside his dad, Dale.

“He never told me this,” Chris said. “But my mom said he went home bragging about how I ran the train like the old heads. That meant a lot to me because I was a 19-year-old kid running these trains up and down the main.”

Chris with his mom and dad

Chris doesn’t hold back.

“I tell Ryan to his face,” he said with a smile. “I couldn’t ask for a better son or a harder worker.”

That pride shows up in the small moments too, like the shared car rides to and from work or the chance to share a shift.

Chris and Ryan Shirley

“It’s pretty awesome getting to work with my son,” Chris said. “We’re best friends. We have a good time, even before we ever get to the job.”

Timeless advice

The railroad may have changed some over the years, but the advice Chris and Ryan would give hasn’t.

“Stick with it,” Chris said. “You’re going to have ups and downs anywhere. But if you do it right, the railroad will take care of you and your family.”

Ryan keeps it simple.

“If you’re willing to work, it’ll fill your pockets up,” he said.

For families like the Shirleys, that commitment shows up every day — on the job, in the lessons passed down, and in the pride of doing the work the right way.

It’s the same focus that helps keep freight moving safely and reliably for our customers and communities across the network.

By Martin Wattenbarger, Senior Communications Manager

Martin leads internal communications for Norfolk Southern Operations, with an emphasis on safety culture and performance, operational excellence, and employee engagement. He joined NS in 2020 and brings nearly 20 years of combined strategic communications experience in the private and public sectors.