Norfolk Southern and Schneider partner to expand domestic intermodal capacity across the eastern U.S.

Schneider is transitioning its primary eastern rail provider to Norfolk Southern.

Rhea-AI Summary

Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Schneider (SNDR) announced an agreement combining Schneider's intermodal services with Norfolk Southern's eastern U.S. rail network.

Schneider is transitioning its primary eastern rail provider to Norfolk Southern. The agreement pairs Schneider's company-owned equipment and logistics capabilities with Norfolk Southern's infrastructure investments across its 22-state intermodal network. Norfolk Southern's intermodal volumes grew 3% in the third quarter of 2026.

Recent and ongoing projects include Cincinnati–Atlanta service, Midwest–New England double-stack clearance improvements and terminal expansions in Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina and Illinois.

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• Moderate pointSchneider's transition makes Norfolk Southern its primary eastern rail provider under the partnership.
• Moderate pointNorfolk Southern's intermodal volumes grew 3% in the third quarter of 2026.
• Minor pointNorfolk Southern's recent and ongoing projects include new Cincinnati–Atlanta service.
• Minor pointNorfolk Southern's double-stack clearance improvements connect the Midwest and New England through the East Edge route.
• Minor pointNorfolk Southern's terminal expansions span Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina and Illinois.
• Minor pointNorfolk Southern is upgrading terminal infrastructure and security across eight named markets.

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Collaboration brings together Schneider's asset-based expertise with Norfolk Southern's eastern U.S. intermodal network to deliver greater efficiency and more flexible capacity for shippers

Key Takeaways

• Norfolk Southern and Schneider are partnering to advance domestic intermodal growth by combining Norfolk Southern's eastern U.S. rail network and infrastructure investments with Schneider's asset-based intermodal services.
• The partnership gives shippers a more scalable alternative to over-the-road transportation, with improved efficiency, flexible capacity and greater supply chain resilience.
• Schneider brings 35 years of intermodal expertise, professional company drivers, company-owned tractors, approximately 23,900 chassis and 26,800 containers and more than 60 North American intermodal rail hubs.
• Norfolk Southern is investing ahead of customer demand across its 22-state intermodal network, including gateway capacity, terminal expansions, double-stack clearance improvements, reliability upgrades and enhanced security.

ATLANTA and GREEN BAY, Wis., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and Schneider National, Inc. (NYSE: SNDR), a premier multimodal provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services, today announced a strategic agreement that combines Schneider's 35 years of intermodal expertise, professional company drivers, company-owned assets and logistics capabilities with Norfolk Southern's extensive eastern U.S. intermodal network and ongoing infrastructure investments.

The partnership brings together two networks built around breadth, consistency and customer growth at a time when demand for intermodal solutions continues to build. Schneider's Intermodal Service is backed by company-owned tractors, approximately 23,900 chassis and 26,800 containers, more than 60 intermodal rail hubs across North America, and professional company dray drivers who complete more than 90% of Schneider's domestic dray moves. Norfolk Southern's intermodal volumes grew 3% in the third quarter of 2026, supported by steady consumer demand, favorable truck-market dynamics and network improvements.

"Schneider's Intermodal network is built on a strong asset-based foundation that gives customers the control, consistency and reliability they depend on," said Michael Baumgardt, Executive Vice President of Intermodal and Logistics at Schneider. "As we transition our primary eastern rail provider to Norfolk Southern, we'll expand access to key markets, increase network flexibility and create new opportunities to better serve our customers. It will strengthen Schneider's competitive position and enhance the reliable service experience our customers expect."

As one of the largest intermodal carriers in North America, Schneider brings more than three decades of intermodal expertise to help customers move freight with truck-like reliability and rail-driven efficiency. In addition to its company-owned containers, lightweight chassis, company-operated dray fleet, and company drivers, Schneider also supports performance through priority rail access, proactive execution across long-haul lanes, satellite tracking for real-time visibility, and advanced security measures. Aligning with Norfolk Southern reflects Schneider's commitment to evolving with customer needs and changing freight flows. Norfolk Southern's expansive eastern network broadens Schneider's reach, creating new opportunities to grow with existing customers, attract new freight, and convert truckload shipments to intermodal.

"Customers are taking a broader view of intermodal than ever before, and we are investing ahead of that demand," said Ed Elkins, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Norfolk Southern. "By combining Norfolk Southern's network reach, as well as our terminal investments and capacity, with Schneider's proven logistics expertise, owned equipment and customer relationships, we are creating new opportunities to move freight across North America and make rail a stronger part of the domestic supply chain."

The agreement builds on Norfolk Southern's strategy to invest ahead of customer growth across its 22-state intermodal network. Recent and ongoing projects include a new service between Cincinnati and Atlanta; double-stack clearance improvements connecting the Midwest and New England through the East Edge route; and terminal expansions in Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina and Illinois. At facilities across Atlanta, Louisville, Harrisburg, Croxton, Chesapeake, Charlotte, Chicago and St. Louis, Norfolk Southern is also improving pavement, lighting, storage areas, maintenance facilities, truck access routes and security systems to strengthen reliability, driver turn times and the everyday terminal experience customers depend on.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to making intermodal transportation more dependable and more accessible for customers. By bringing together complementary strengths and investing for long-term growth, Schneider and Norfolk Southern are helping shape the future of domestic freight transportation.

About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports in the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

About Schneider
Schneider is a premier multimodal provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services, helping customers turn supply chain complexity into greater control. Backed by more than 90 years of operational expertise and innovation, Schneider delivers reliable, flexible and responsible solutions that help businesses move freight with confidence.

Schneider's broad portfolio includes Regional and Long-Haul Truckload, Expedited, Dedicated, Bulk, Intermodal, Brokerage, Warehousing, Supply Chain Management, Port Logistics and Logistics Consulting. Through its digital marketplace, Schneider FreightPower®, the company gives shippers access to an expanded, highly flexible capacity network and carriers access to quality drop-and-hook freight.

For more information about Schneider, visit Schneider.com or follow the company socially on Facebook, LinkedIn and X: @WeAreSchneider. Always Delivering. Always Ahead. 

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SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation

FAQ

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What does the Norfolk Southern and Schneider intermodal agreement involve?

The agreement combines Schneider's asset-based intermodal services with Norfolk Southern's eastern U.S. rail network and infrastructure investments. Schneider is transitioning its primary eastern rail provider to Norfolk Southern.