rail

Norfolk Southern Secures Major Manufacturing Partnership as Virginia Transformer Breaks Ground in Alabama

Norfolk Southern will serve as the primary rail carrier for Virginia Transformer's new 600,000 square-foot manufacturing facility under construction in Colbert County, Alabama. The plant, set to begin operations in January 2028, will employ 1,100 workers and produce power transformers ranging from 2 MVA to 500 MVA capacity. A dedicated NS rail spur will handle shipping and supply chain logistics for the operation. Virginia Transformer selected the Shoals Research Airpark site on approximately 90 acres, with the location decision supported by Alabama's economic development initiatives. Power transformers represent among the most complex industrial shipments, often exceeding standard dimensions and weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds. Rail transport provides the specialized infrastructure and coordination necessary for such oversized cargo. This supports grid expansion and energy infrastructure demands across the nation.