Bridging safety: Inside NS’ snooper inspections

By Brett Willi, Senior Communications Manager

When it comes to keeping trains moving safely across NS’ 22-state network, bridges play a critical role — and so does Dennis Pence. Some of these structures soar hundreds of feet above the ground, making his work both specialized and essential.

Dennis is part of a five-member snooper inspection team that evaluates 8,960 railroad‑maintained bridges across NS’ network. This responsibility is shared by approximately 175 bridge inspectors, including local teams and the snooper crew. Together, they perform about 15,000 inspections annually to ensure every structure meets rigorous safety standards.

Seeing what others can’t

As a supervisor of bridge inspections, Dennis covers seven states and more than 300 bridges in the Gulf Division. “My job entails ensuring that all my bridges are inspected on a yearly schedule,” he says. “I perform the inspections, input reports and coordinate repairs with local bridge supervisors.”

He inspects components that local teams can’t easily reach or observe, such as areas high above rivers or tucked behind structural barriers. His work ensures every critical part of each bridge gets the attention it needs for safe operations.

Tools that make the difference

A high-rail snooper truck is central to Dennis’s work. “It’s my most important piece of equipment, letting me reach areas that are impossible to access otherwise,” he says.

This specialized vehicle is equipped with rotating turrets and booms, one ending in a basket that allows him to get beneath the bridge and inside the trusses. From there, Dennis uses a camera to document any issues. To prevent rollovers and maintain stability, the truck’s design incorporates multiple safety features, including counterweights, limit switches, tilt alarms and axle locks.

“I also rely on an intercom system to communicate with my pilot, who helps maneuver the truck and secure track time,” Dennis adds. “That teamwork is critical to getting the job done safely and effectively.”

Safety is the bottom line

That attention to detail matters. “If I don’t do my job properly and find the defects that exist, trains are not able to successfully pass over the bridge structures,” Dennis emphasizes. His inspections have prevented serious issues — like the time he discovered a broken bottom chord on the Pearl River Bridge in Slidell, Louisiana, prompting an immediate emergency repair.

A failed bottom cord on the Pearl River Bridge, now repaired, compromised structural integrity.

For Dennis, safety goes beyond the job. “If I’m unsure, I ask. If I don’t know, I stop,” he says. “Safety doesn’t end when I leave work. It’s something I carry with me everywhere.”

Experience that inspires confidence

After 22 years in railroading — 21 with NS — Dennis still finds the work rewarding. “I inspect some of NS’ most complex structures,” he says. “Learning the many aspects of this field is its own reward. I’m proud of what our dedicated team does to keep rail operations safe and reliable every day.”

At more than 300 feet high, the New River Bridge in Tennessee is a historic marvel on NS’ CNO&TP line — and one of the bridges our snooper team inspects to keep trains moving safely.

Brett Willi leads internal communications for Norfolk Southern, focusing on safety, compliance, operational excellence and employee engagement. He also oversees communications for Engineering and Mechanical. Brett joined NS in 2025, with 20 years of strategic communications, digital content and analytics expertise.