Schneider National (CCJ Top 250, No. 6) and Norfolk Southern Corporation have announced a strategic partnership that combines Schneider’s asset-based intermodal services with Norfolk Southern’s 22-state rail network.
Effective Jan. 1, the agreement—the financial terms of which were not disclosed—"expands Schneider's reach and creates additional opportunities to grow with existing customers, pursue new freight and convert truckload shipments to intermodal," said Jim Filter, CEO, president and director of Schneider National.
Under the collaboration, Schneider will transition its primary eastern rail provider to Norfolk Southern.
Schneider brings 35 years of intermodal experience to the partnership, backed by professional company drivers, company-owned tractors, approximately 23,900 chassis, 26,800 containers and more than 60 North American rail hubs. Company-operated dray drivers currently complete more than 90% of Schneider’s domestic dray moves.
"By leveraging Schneider's 100% company-owned containers and chassis, which are complemented by our company-operated dray fleet," Filter said, "we expect this agreement to strengthen service, enhance network reach and support our long-term growth strategy."
The partnership coincides with rising intermodal activity. Norfolk Southern reported a 3% volume increase in the third quarter of 2026, driven by steady consumer demand and favorable truck-market dynamics.
The collaboration builds on Norfolk Southern's ongoing infrastructure investments designed to handle long-term freight growth. Recent projects include a new service route between Cincinnati and Atlanta, double-stack clearance improvements connecting the Midwest and New England via the East Edge route, and terminal expansions across Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina and Illinois.
The railway is also upgrading terminal facilities in Atlanta, Louisville, Harrisburg, Croxton, Chesapeake, Charlotte, Chicago and St. Louis by improving pavement, lighting, storage areas, truck access routes and security systems.
A potential combination of Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific could provide additional upside through new single-line services and improved connectivity, Filter added, but those benefits are not assumed in the company's current expectations.
"The growth we have seen in Mexico following the combination that created the CPKC only reinforces our view of the long-term opportunities that an effective single-line rail network can provide," he added. "A combination of Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific stands to see similar benefits to speed and reliability on a broader scale while also introducing new intermodal lanes."
Union Pacific Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp. are inching toward creating a transcontinental railroad that seeks to sap 2 million truckloads of freight annually. Federal regulators are currently reviewing the proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Public comments on the merits of the proposal are due Nov. 18.
"We see compelling value from positioning Schneider to be the only fully asset-based provider on the first single-line transcontinental railroad in the United States," Filter said.
