USA: Norfolk Southern has launched East Edge, an intermodal corridor newly-cleared for double–stack trains between Chicago and Ayer in Massachusetts.
The modern and high-efficiency route replaces a slower single-stack route, reducing transit times by up to 10 h and freeing existing capacity for automotive, bulk and merchandise traffic.
NS said rising consumer demand, the growth in e‑commerce and expanding distribution hubs have long outpaced freight rail capacity in the New England region, pushing many shippers to rely heavily on road haulage. In response, it developed East Edge in a $64m programme working with partners including CSX, the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad, Providence & Worcester Railroad and state transport agencies.
‘This project pushed us to think outside the box’, said Jeff Page, System Engineer Design at NS. ‘From raising bridges with considerable regulatory oversight to reengineering tunnels, our teams adapted quickly and worked seamlessly across departments and with external partners to deliver solutions to meet the challenge.’
NS Chief Strategy Officer Mike McClellan said the launch on January 13 was ‘a capstone moment in our effort to fully clear the Norfolk Southern network for double-stack intermodal freight. Double-stack clearances drive terminal efficiency, double train capacity and reduce operating costs. With East Edge, we’ve unlocked faster service and created room for long-term growth in one of the most important and historically constrained regions in our network. It reflects decades of persistence, problem-solving, and partnership — and I’m incredibly proud of our NS team and other partners who delivered it.’
NS is evaluating future opportunities to expand origin‑destination pairs into New England. The final phase of its multi-decade investment to expand double‑stack clearance across its entire network is underway in western Pennsylvania and scheduled for completion by 2028.
