Celebrating 50 years of service

Nov 02, 2026

For five decades and counting, Grady Smith has helped keep Norfolk Southern’s steel wheels rolling safely and reliably.

A machinist at our Charlotte Roadway Shop, Grady is one of more than 120 railroaders who rebuild and repair specialized equipment and fabricate components used to maintain railroad infrastructure.

Aerial view of Charlotte, NC with Charlotte Roadway Shop in the foreground

The facility’s heavy repair shops have remanufactured more than 130 maintenance equipment machines, while its component shops fabricate the essential parts that keep trains moving efficiently and help deliver dependable service for customers and communities.

The team recently reached four years without an injury and is expected to pass one million injury-free work hours in November. Achievements like these come from railroaders looking out for one another every day, and Grady is an outstanding example of that commitment.

Congratulations on 50 years, Grady, and thank you for all you continue to do for Norfolk Southern!

By Martin Wattenbarger, Senior Communications Manager

Martin leads internal communications for Norfolk Southern Operations, with an emphasis on safety culture and performance, operational excellence, and employee engagement. He joined NS in 2020 and has nearly 20 years of combined strategic communications experience in the private and public sectors.