Conway Yard reaches major safety milestones

At Conway Yard, one of the largest and most complex operations on Norfolk Southern’s network, the team has reached two significant safety milestones: more than one year injury-free and more than 500 days without a stop signal violation.

A “stop signal violation” indicates whether trains stop as required before entering occupied or protected track. It’s a critical safeguard, particularly in a busy yard environment. Consistently meeting that standard over time reflects strong communication, discipline, and a shared commitment to doing the job the right way.

What leaders are saying

“We’ve got a lot of moving parts here,” said Jim Stager, Manager Terminal Operations. “Staying focused on safe, consistent execution is what makes results like this possible.”

“We’re always having conversations, making sure everyone understands how the operation works and what’s expected,” added Assistant Superintendent Craig Pequignot. “That alignment is what allows the team to get it done together.”

By the numbers

• 1+ year injury-free
• 500+ days without a stop signal violation
• +10% volume handled vs. last year
• +21% improvement in dwell vs. same time last year
• +1,130 cars processed in a single shift

The connection

These results highlight the link between safety, performance, and teamwork. Adjustments to traffic flow, along with reinforced training and communication, have helped the team improve how the yard operates day to day.

Even as volume has increased, Conway has reduced dwell and handled more cars — demonstrating more consistent, efficient train handling across the operation.

“When we operate safely, everything else improves,” Stager said. “You reduce disruptions, improve service, and keep the operation moving.”

The team behind the results

Beyond the metrics, the progress reflects the people who make the operation run.

“This is one of the largest operations on the network,” Pequignot said. “To see this team achieve these milestones at this level of volume shows what’s possible. We’ve got people who believe in what they’re doing and in each other.”

Why it matters

For customers, consistency matters. Safer operations mean fewer disruptions, more reliable service, and stronger network performance.

Conway’s results show how a focus on doing the job safely and the right way translates directly into better service — helping keep freight moving efficiently across the network.

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 brings nearly 20 years of combined strategic communications experience in the private and public sectors.