Women in Rail | Women’s History Month

Linda M. Briggs

Carman - Mechanical Department
Lambert's Point, (Norfolk, Virginia) / Blue Ridge Division
Years at NS: 18

A certification, craft, or specialty you’re proud of:
Welding, Forklift etc./ Journeyman Engineer / We do it All

My job can be described as:  
I inspect and repair freight cars.

What drew you to rail—and to this position in particular?  
I’ve always loved trains, and working as a carman allows me to combine that lifelong fascination with hands‑on mechanical work.
 

Tell us about a moment when you felt true belonging on the railroad. What made the difference? 
Troubleshooting air‑brake issues on a freight car isn’t easy - if it isn’t this, it could be A, B, or C. Figuring out why a car fails its air test and getting it to pass is like solving a puzzle. When the car finally passes its air test, it’s the best feeling in the world.

When the work gets tough, what keeps you motivated?
I believe in top quality, and I know that quality work will always please our customers.  Remembering that my work keeps our customers’ freight moving safely, which keeps me going when the job gets hard.

What advice would you share with women considering a career in rail?  
Don’t be scared; just be open to learning and know you have people who will support you.

What policy, practice, or tradition at NS makes the biggest difference for women’s careers here? 
Having WINS (Women in NS – Employee Resource Group) helped me see other women at Norfolk Southern and made me feel I wasn’t alone.

What decisions matter most for safety and service?
Deciding whether a car can safely continue in service or needs to be set out for repair - decisions that directly impact safety and service reliability.

How does your team watch out for each other on the job site?  
Safety is always my first priority. I constantly watch for moving equipment, use lock‑out/tag‑out procedures, and rely on my team to communicate hazards and remind each other to work safely.  “We are our brothers' and sisters' keeper.”

Brianna Johnson

Transportation Training Specialist-Safety Department
McDonough Training Center (McDonough, Georgia)/Coastal Region
Years at NS: 8

A certification, craft, or specialty you’re proud of:
I’m proud to be Remote Control Operator (RCO) certified.

My job can be described as:
I train conductor trainees.

What drew you to rail—and to this position in particular? 
My uncle, Eric Burton—a retired conductor who worked in East Point—was the first person to encourage me to pursue a career in rail. My current role drew me in because it brings together three of my passions: rail, education, and encouragement. I love guiding and supporting conductor trainees as they navigate the rigorous five‑week training program at the training center.

Tell us about a moment when you felt true belonging on the railroad. What made the difference?

Last year at the Women in Operations Forest Session, I felt a deep sense of belonging. Being surrounded by so many incredible women in operations—women with similar experiences and challenges—made a lasting impact. We lifted each other up, encouraged one another, and shared motivation to keep advancing in our fields.

When the work gets tough, what keeps you motivated?
When work gets challenging, I stay focused on the impact we make on our customers—our conductor trainees—and their families. This career has the potential to create generational change, and remembering that keeps me motivated to show up at my best for every class.

What advice would you share with women considering a career in rail?  
It’s not for the faint of heart—but if you stay grounded in strong moral principles such as integrity, accountability, reliability, and respect, you can build a successful and fulfilling career in rail.

What policy, practice, or tradition at NS makes the biggest difference for women’s careers here?
NS’s tradition of investing in women—through programs like WINS, Women in Operations; Forest session—has made a tremendous difference in my career. These opportunities allow women across the system to connect, build deep roots, and form relationships with colleagues we might never meet otherwise.

What decisions matter most for safety and service?
The most important decisions always relate to doing the job safely.

How does your team watch out for each other on the job site? 
We have a very close‑knit team at the training center. It’s all hands-on deck to ensure every part of the training is covered. There are no barriers to sharing knowledge or best practices, and we constantly support each other in finding new ways to engage and develop our trainees.

Jennifer Bailey

Director Mechanical Operations JLS- Mechanical Department
Juniata Locomotive Shop (Altoona, PA)/Keystone Region
Years at NS: 27

A certification, craft, or specialty you’re proud of:
On a more personal note, I’m so proud of our two sons.  As my husband and I moved to different railroad locations during their younger years, they took their diverse experiences in different cities and schools and leveraged them into strong interpersonal skills, a great work ethic and determination to be successful young adults.

My job can be described as:  I manage the Juniata Shops, making sure the team has what they need to be successful in safety, production, and quality.  The backshop is responsible for engine and truck overhauls, capital locomotive work, and providing locomotive components across the system of locomotive shops to support repairs.

What drew you to rail—and to this position in particular?  
I was drawn to rail initially because I needed a job in college.  I needed work experience and I needed a paycheck.  I began as a co-op in Knoxville, TN, while attending college and that grew to a position after graduation and a career.  I truly appreciate being in a shop environment with employees that are so skilled.  There is a sense of camaraderie on the railroad, at every shop and location, that is appealing and makes being at work enjoyable.  As an engineer, it is exciting to see the problem solving that occurs daily at every level.

When the work gets tough, what keeps you motivated?
Knowing that others on my team are counting on me is motivating.  Juniata makes a significant impact on the reliability of Norfolk Southern’s locomotive fleet.  I want to make sure I present information and the work the team is doing in the most accurate way possible so that it drives the right decisions.

What advice would you share with women considering a career in rail?  
Find ways to make your job meaningful to you.  Think about the types of skills you have and the activities you enjoy doing outside of work.  Find ways to incorporate those themes into the career you want. 

What policy, practice, or tradition at NS makes the biggest difference for women’s careers here? 
Bringing women in operations together to share experiences, build connections and learn from each other has been valuable to me over my career.  Some years this is more informal and occurs with a smaller group meeting at the various work locations.  Other times, we have the privilege of gathering as a larger group in a company-sponsored location for a more extended agenda.  The benefit is there for participants at all levels of the company.

What decisions matter most for safety and service?
Decision making and planning begin well before the start of a shift.  The team meets prior to that start of shift as a larger group to discuss ongoing work in each of the areas of the shop.  It is important for all to understand how their activities may impact others.  We can alter plans as needed, adjust the workforce assignments to cover higher priority needs, and plan locomotive or crane movement throughout the day to keep the operations moving fluidly.

How does your team watch out for each other on the job site?  
The team communicates before a task, throughout the shift and circumstances change.  We are concerned about each other and want everyone to return home safely after work.  Everyone looks out for the safety of others around them and does not hesitate to speak up if they see a potential hazard or a way to improve the work from the standpoint of safety or quality.

Camille Leonard

Director Advanced Technology & Train Reliability-Mechanical Department
650 HQ (Atlanta, GA)/Coastal Region
Years at NS: 10

A certification, craft, or specialty you’re proud of:
I started my career at the Research and Test Lab as a Metallurgist where I did failure analysis and other materials testing.

My job can be described as:  
My team and I create new technologies to prevent and reduce service disruptions due to Mechanical failures using wayside detectors and machine vision systems.

What drew you to rail—and to this position in particular?  
I interned while I was still in school at the lab and came back to work full time once I graduated. As I learned about the industry and saw the impacts my work had on safety and service, I came to really enjoy being a part of the railroad. I transitioned into the Digital Train Inspection group in late 2023 to focus on using data to proactively identify and repair poor performing components before they cause derailments.

When the work gets tough, what keeps you motivated?
When the job is challenging, I remind myself that doing the right thing is often demanding but those efforts are well spent. One initiative we spearheaded held an industry vendor accountable for putting poor quality components into service. Holding them accountable reduced operational risk for the entire industry.

What advice would you share with women considering a career in rail?  
It’s a tough industry but fun and rewarding! Take every opportunity to learn and experience as much of the operation as you can. The more diverse your experience the more tools and connections you’ll have to leverage in different roles.

What policy, practice, or tradition at NS makes the biggest difference for women’s careers here? 
The Women in Operations group does a great job of connecting women throughout the operation. Having that network to lean on and learn from is great.

Maria Fannin

Material Foreman-Mechanical Department
Shaffer's Crossing (Roanoke, VA)/Blue Ridge Division
Years at NS: 25

A certification, craft, or specialty you’re proud of:
I am appreciative of being a JSM (Carman), Machinist, and Clerk – all crafts - during my years of service with NS.

My job can be described as:  
I manage inventory, staff, and all storehouse operations within the Locomotive shop.

What drew you to rail—and to this position in particular?  
I was in need of a job with good pay and benefits. I was questioned if I would be open to becoming a Material Foreman.

What decisions matter most for safety and service?
From the time we drive through the tunnel to begin our shift. We are on the lookout for others coming to work and movement on property when we leave at the end of our shift by finishing our tasks and setting up the next shift for success. It is impossible to list all of the decisions we make in a day for safety and service.  There is nothing typical. It can, and does, change in the blink of an eye.

How does your team watch out for each other on the job site?  
We are constantly moving either on foot, fork truck, or vehicle.  We must keep our head on a swivel in observation of others in our work area or path and must be able to adapt to the constant distractions that occur.