Runs along the rails: Norfolk Southern legacy from Roanoke to Atlanta

By Jihan Gary, Senior Communications Manager

For Senior Product Owner, Katelyn Brammer, railroading has always been part of her life. Not loud. Not flashy. Just steady.

As a third‑generation railroader, her maternal grandfather, Billy Coyne, worked in the traffic department at Norfolk & Western. His experience in the Merchant Marines during World War II, where he helped move critical cargo in support of the war effort, shaped his appreciation for logistics and transportation and inspired him to pursue a career working in rail after returning home.

That legacy became much more personal through Katelyn’s father, former Product Manager, Ken Brammer. Growing up around Roanoke, Virginia, she saw how Norfolk Southern was viewed as the place to work if you wanted a solid career.

After her family moved several times around the east coast with her father’s career at Norfolk Southern, Katelyn and her family settled in Atlanta. At a time when Katelyn was going through a career change and considering a new industry, she started thinking about joining the railroad herself and leaned on her dad’s expertise heavily.

“Working for a railroad is unique in that they have their own jargon which kind of creates a family atmosphere. While there are many people active throughout the supply chain industry, few really understand the intricacies of railroading,” shared Ken. 

“I talked to him a lot before I started,” Katelyn said. “I was nervous. I felt like I needed to really understand how the railroad works before I was ready to make that change.”

Those conversations helped her feel grounded as she stepped into her role at Norfolk Southern, first in HR scaling internal platforms and tools systems, then moving to supporting customers and their experience with the railroad. What she brought with her wasn’t just family history, but family habits.

That mindset came from watching her dad navigate a career that involved constant movement, change, and flexibility. Katelyn and her family were transferred several times throughout her childhood, which was certainly challenging, but it taught her early that adaptability isn’t optional. It’s part of building a life.

Hard work. Staying organized. Taking responsibility. And most of all, solving problems. “When something comes up in our family, we don’t just sit there,” Katelyn said. “We go into action. We figure it out.”

Today, Katelyn carries that same approach into her work. Her role may look different from the ones her grandfather and father held, but the purpose feels familiar. Show up. Support others. Keep things moving.

And when she talks about why the railroad still matters, she echoes the advice her dad once gave her.

“It’s just such a unique industry,” she said. “There’s so much history behind it. Being part of that is really special.”

For Katelyn, that history isn’t just something she works around. It’s something she’s continuing, one generation at a time.

Jihan Gary leads internal communications for Norfolk Southern, focusing on change management and employee communications. She also oversees strategic communications for Digital and Technology, Human Resources and Compliance. Jihan joined NS in 2023, with over 15 years of corporate communications expertise.