Keeping NS moving safely, one exact measurement at a time

By Brett Willi, Senior Communications Manager

Every shipment across Norfolk Southern’s 22-state footprint depends on precision. Behind the scenes, a four-member Scales Inspection team ensures railcars are weighed accurately and safely. Among them is Jeremy Koeck, supervisor of Scales Inspections, who — along with his fellow railroaders — is responsible for inspecting, maintaining, testing, and troubleshooting the scales that support daily operations.

Eighteen NS-owned scales play a critical role, alongside a variety of customer-owned scales. Scales are used to weigh railcars and entire trains, ensuring each load meets safety standards, regulatory requirements, and accurate billing for customers. The team completes around 250 scale tests annually, providing expertise that keeps trains moving, customers confident, and safety standards high.

“Each day is different,” Koeck said. “One day we’re at a customer site testing a rail scale, the next we’re troubleshooting an electrical issue or working with other teams to address bridge concerns. Our work touches every part of the network.”

Jeremy with one of NS’ two master scales, certified annually by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and used to certify the weight of test cars. This master scale is in Altoona, Pa.

Precision in practice: Scales are designed for different uses and installed in diverse settings, including bridges and customer facilities. The team ensures every scale delivers reliable measurements by using certified test cars and advanced diagnostics to verify accuracy, monitor performance remotely, review data logs, and schedule maintenance.

When a problem arises, the team is ready to investigate and resolve it — often collaborating with NS’ Engineering, Digital & Technology (D&T), and Transportation teams, local and state officials, and our customers.

Upgrades and modernization are ongoing, including new technologies, control system upgrades, and testing innovative scale systems to reduce maintenance and improve operations.

NS utilizes test cars like the 4-axle self-propelled version shown above, which has a certified weight, to test and calibrate our track scales and customer scales. The test car’s weight is traceable to a national reference standard.

Safety and integrity: Scales are NS’ first line of defense for safe operations, revenue accuracy, and fair business. “Our scales help us identify overloaded cars so we can make adjustments before they become a problem,” Koeck said. “It’s good, ethical business practice, and it prevents derailments.”

Accurate weighing is essential for billing and customer trust. Certified weights ensure NS and its customers are charged fairly for every shipment. “Some customers rely on us exclusively for certified weights,” Koeck explained.

Scales also help NS meet regulatory requirements, such as weighing certain trains before they travel shared Amtrak corridors.

Couple-In-Motion (CIM) rail scale in McElhattan, Pa. These specialized track sections have built-in scales that weigh entire trains as they move across, without stopping or uncoupling individual cars.

Problem-solving and pride: The job demands technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and responsiveness. Jeremy recalls a challenge at Lamberts Point in Norfolk, Va., where a computer upgrade disrupted the transfer of scale weights into the inventory system. “It took multiple teams working collaboratively to trace the issue, reconfigure hardware, and get both systems working again,” Koeck said.

As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with 15 years at NS, Jeremy brings the same commitment and discipline to his railroad work. “What keeps me motivated is knowing our work has a meaningful impact on safety, our customers, and the economy.”

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.