Industrial & Rail Development

DRIVING GROWTH. POWERING POSSIBILITY. GROW WITH RAIL.

At Norfolk Southern, Industrial Development is more than a service—it’s a legacy of partnership and progress dating back to 1894. We work hand-in-hand with customers, communities, and economic development partners to deliver innovative, tailored rail solutions that support long-term industrial growth.

 

From the first mile to the last mile, we bring our rail expertise and deep industry knowledge to help your business streamline your supply chain and become an engine for growth. Whether you’re building a new facility or expanding an existing one, we are with you from the earliest discussions to the moment your first railcar arrives—and far beyond.

Why Partner with Norfolk Southern?

  • End-to-End Support: We guide you through every phase—from site planning to railcar delivery—ensuring a seamless development experience.
  • Extensive Site Access: Choose from nearly 800 rail-served sites across 22 states using our NSites tool, designed to simplify your search.
  • Customized Site Planning: Our engineers deliver customized track designs and site evaluations aligned with your facility’s specific rail needs.
  • Securing Long-term Success: We help coordinate rail-related lease agreements, real estate transactions, and operating contracts to ensure smooth project execution.
  • Carbon Reduction: Use our Carbon Calculator to measure and reduce your environmental impact by shipping with rail.
Nine or more Norfolk Southern container trains on tracks all working towards customer centric strategy

Finding Your Rail-Served Site

With a portfolio of over 700+ rail-served sites—ranging from 3 to 3,000 acres and spanning 22 states—we offer strategic access to one of the most robust freight rail networks in the country. This includes both publicly listed properties and Norfolk Southern-owned sites designed to meet the evolving needs of industry.

Finding Your Rail-Served Site

Talk to an Expert

Our Localized Team Knows the Ins and Outs of Your Area

Our team of Industrial Development managers and technical specialists is embedded across our 22-state network, providing local insight and on-the-ground support for site selection, track design, and rail infrastructure planning.

 

Whether you're breaking ground on a new facility or expanding an existing one, we're here to ensure your project is rail-ready and built for the future.

Norfolk Southern employees sitting at a table looking at industrial development sites on a tv

700

Available rail-served sites along our network that are ready for your business.

700

Companies that we’ve helped relocate or expand since 2015.

$13.2 BILLION

Invested in 249 rail development projects on our network since 2022, creating 18,274 new jobs.

RAIL-SERVED SITES AVAILABLE FOR YOU

Norfolk Southern’s NSites platform gives companies and site selectors a powerful starting point to explore hundreds of rail-served industrial properties across our 22-state network. From greenfield sites to existing facilities, NSites connects users with up-to-date data, interactive maps, and site brochures to simplify the search process. For those seeking a higher level of confidence and speed to market, our Norfolk Southern REDI Sites represent a select group of properties that have been vetted through a rigorous, third-party certification process—ensuring readiness in key areas like rail access, utility availability, zoning, and environmental due diligence. Together, NSites and REDI Sites help unlock smart, strategic growth opportunities with rail at the center.

NSITES

Looking for a rail-served site? View 700+ available industrial sites and transload locations served by Norfolk Southern. NSites makes it easy to search for the optimal site to meet your specific needs.

Use the videos below for a quick NSites tutorial.

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NOT SURE WHERE TO
START? WE CAN HELP.

We'll guide you through the rail development process, from site location to development to your first shipment and beyond. We will consider all your specific business requirements, growth plans, and supply chain strategies to achieve your goals.

  • Over shoulder shot of women holding laptop talking about industrial development with someone else

    Tell Us About Your Project

    Our rail project management experts are here for you, from initial point of contact to delivery of your first railcar.

  • Aerial view of train passing through an industrial development wooded site

    Connect Your Business to Rail

    For nearly two centuries, NS has moved the goods that power the U.S. economy, with the most sustainable means to transport freight over land.

     

    Customer-centric, operations driven, and safety conscious, we’re using AI and the latest digital technology to advance safety and efficiency.

  • Person with close up of phone and computer looking for an industrial development site

    Find Industrial Property with Rail Access

    Our team will assist you with locating rail-served sites, identifying sites that align with your business needs and development strategies.

Rail Development Tools

New to Norfolk Southern?

See how we provide safe, consistent, and reliable service across our extensive rail system.

Industry Track Design Standards

We've compiled our specifications for designing and constructing privately owned tracks in one easy-reference guide.

Our Everyday Safety Measures

At Norfolk Southern, everything starts with safety. We’re proactively taking precautions to advance the safety of transportation.

Leading the Way in Sustainability

Reduce your company’s emissions by partnering with us. We’re investing in multiple initiatives to drive sustainability across our operations.

Calculate Carbon Savings

Reduce emissions and shipping costs. By shipping with rail, our customers save 15 million metric tons of CO2 each year. Find out how much you can reduce your carbon footprint by shipping with us.

Business Development and First and Final Mile

Norfolk Southern Industrial Development Overview

Tell Us More About Your Project

Connect with us today to begin planning your site and rail service.

NSites map