Norfolk Southern has announced a significant agreement with Jaguar Transport Holdings, LLC to improve and expand rail freight service in Atlanta's northeast metropolitan region. The partnership will focus on delivering increased capacity and providing expanded local service in the key metro Atlanta market. With this deal, Norfolk Southern aims to strengthen its position as a leading player in the region's rail freight industry.
The agreement calls for Jaguar to handle local switching, operate the NS Doraville transload terminal, and invest in targeted infrastructure upgrades to support new freight volumes and first- and last-mile connections for customers. This comprehensive approach will enable Norfolk Southern to better serve its customers and meet their growing demands for rail freight services.
According to Stefan Loeb, vice president of business development and first and final mile market for Atlanta-based NS, the deal is completely focused on freight growth, delivering increased capacity, and providing expanded local service in the important metro Atlanta market. This emphasis on freight growth demonstrates Norfolk Southern's commitment to supporting its customers' needs and driving economic growth in the region.
The partnership with Jaguar also supports Norfolk Southern's long-term vision for a proposed end-to-end combination with Union Pacific Railroad. As a short line partner of Union Pacific, Jaguar will play a crucial role in facilitating operational alignment and scalable model for local-market growth across a transcontinental network.
Located near interstates 285 and 85, the Doraville rail corridor serves a cluster of businesses in northeast Atlanta. Through local switching and transload access, it serves rail-adjacent customers and regional shippers that depend on truck-to-rail connectivity and frequent, reliable local service. This localized approach will enable Norfolk Southern to better serve its customers and increase efficiency.
The collaboration is expected to generate significant growth at the Doraville transload facility, and among directly served customers by supporting freight growth; enabling new industrial and warehouse development in the corridor; and increasing switching opportunities, transloading capacity, and interchange fluidity. This growth will have a positive impact on the regional economy and support Norfolk Southern's long-term vision for expansion.
Jaguar, which operates transload ramps across the U.S., will also make unspecified capital improvements to expand yard capacity and support future growth at Doraville. These investments will enable Jaguar to better serve its customers and meet their growing demands for rail freight services.
The partnership highlights the importance of short lines and transload operations in supporting freight growth and capacity expansion. As the rail industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this one will be crucial in driving economic growth and meeting customer needs.
Jaguar is committed to being a reliable growth partner for Norfolk Southern in Atlanta,
The deal highlights the importance of short lines and transload operations in supporting freight growth and capacity expansion.
