Norfolk Southern Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (together, Norfolk Southern) have agreed to resolve allegations that they delayed Amtrak passenger trains on Amtrak’s Crescent Route in violation of federal law by failing to give Amtrak trains preference over freight trains. The settlement will result in Norfolk Southern being required to give all Amtrak trains the highest priority and provide records regarding delays suffered by Amtrak trains traveling on the Crescent Route controlled by Norfolk Southern.
The Justice Department today announced the settlement with Norfolk Southern, which will resolve allegations that Norfolk Southern regularly failed to provide Amtrak passenger trains preference over freight trains on the Crescent Route, leading to widespread delays to train passengers. The Crescent Route, operated by Amtrak, is a 1,377-mile passenger line that stops at 33 cities and towns connecting rural areas in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana to each other and larger cities.
Norfolk Southern controls 1,140 miles of rail line on the Crescent Route and handles dispatching for all trains along that segment. Approximately 304,000 passengers traveled on the Crescent Route during 2024, and year-over-year ridership has increased so far in 2025, according to the complaint filed on July 30, 2024.
As part of the settlement, Norfolk Southern agreed to provide all Amtrak trains the highest priority; train its employees to give priority to Amtrak trains; require supervisor approval for any dispatching decision that does not give priority to Amtrak trains in non-emergency situations; and provide records regarding delays suffered by Amtrak trains traveling on the Crescent Route controlled by Norfolk Southern.
Norfolk Southern has also pledged to assist the Justice Department in determining the root cause of any delays to Amtrak Crescent Route trains. Norfolk Southern’s Vice President of Compliance will annually certify that Norfolk Southern is in compliance with the agreement and its obligations under the law to provide Amtrak trains preference.
“Americans traveling by train are entitled to trips free from delays caused by railroads failing to give Amtrak preference over freight trains,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Civil Division. “The settlement reached today, as well as Norfolk Southern’s improved performance on Amtrak’s Crescent Route, demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting everyday American train passengers.”
Defendant: Norfolk Southern Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (together, Norfolk Southern)
Criminal Charges: Delaying Amtrak passenger trains without giving preference over freight trains
City and State: Norfolk, Virginia
Exact Date: July 30, 2024
Sentence or Outcome: Settlement agreement requiring Norfolk Southern to give Amtrak trains priority and provide records regarding delays
Dollar Amounts: $0 (no fines or penalties specified)
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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