Thoroughbred Trading Post: Transforming asset disposition at Norfolk Southern

By Brett Willi, Senior Communications Manager

A new mobile app advancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability across NS’ network.

Norfolk Southern has expanded the Thoroughbred Trading Post, a mobile application that modernizes how surplus assets are documented, reviewed, and sold while helping teams maintain safer and more orderly yards and field locations. The platform was designed and developed in-house, which sets it apart as a unique and innovative solution within the rail industry. It supports equipment, machinery, tools, facility items, and other operational materials.

With a quick photo and brief description, NS employees can initiate a disposition request to remove, auction, recycle, or reassign items from anywhere.

Key benefits

• Safety: Removing unused equipment reduces hazards, keeps yard areas clear, and supports safer daily operations.
• Automation: Faster response times and consistent data make asset disposition more accessible and efficient.
• Transparency: No more email chains or spreadsheets. All information lives in a single and easy-to-use app.
• Stewardship: Responsible handling ensures assets are credited, managed, and routed appropriately, including direct-to-auction for high value items.
• Revenue Generation: Larger assets route directly to auction partners, improving returns for NS.

Future vision

NS is expanding access, enhancing auction capabilities, and continuing to innovate so every asset is accounted for and accurately processed. This strengthens sustainable rail and safety across operations. Work is underway to build parallel applications for rail and other track material (OTM) scrap, including rail sections, tie plates, spikes, and anchors, using the same workflow. The long-term vision is a single consistent and transparent process for every surplus asset across the railroad.

What we’re saying

“We built the Thoroughbred Trading Post in-house because we wanted a solution that truly fits the way our teams work. It empowers employees, streamlines asset disposition, and helps us all work safer by removing what is no longer key to our operations or necessary. This is NS problem solving at its best.” — Jonathan Anthony, NS Senior Manager, Agile Business Solutions

“This new solution reflects the culture of ingenuity across Norfolk Southern. It ensures every asset is handled responsibly and supports the safety, efficiency, and orderliness of our work environment. It shows how NS is leading with practical and innovative solutions in an area where many railroads face the same challenges.” — Paris Stroud, NS Sr. Category Specialist, Asset Disposition

“The app makes the asset disposition process go smoother and acts as a one‑stop shop instead of having to go through multiple steps. It also keeps me in the loop in real time on where an item is in the process, which is a tremendous value‑add.” — Teddy Lowry, NS Sr. Supervisor Work Equipment – Engineering

Learn more about how asset disposition supports sustainable rail at NS here.

Brett Willi leads internal communications for Norfolk Southern, focusing on safety, compliance, operational excellence, and employee engagement. He also oversees communications for Engineering and Mechanical. Brett joined NS in 2025, with 20 years of strategic communications, digital content, and analytics expertise.