The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated February 4, 2021)

We are offering $ million aggregate principal amount of our % senior notes due 20 (the “20 Notes”) and $ million aggregate principal amount of our % senior notes due 20 (the “20 Notes” and, together with the 20 Notes, the “Notes”). The 20 Notes will bear interest at a rate of % per year. We will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on the 20 Notes on and of each year, beginning on , . The 20 Notes will mature on , 20 . The 20 Notes will bear interest at a rate of % per year. We will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on the 20 Notes on and of each year, beginning on , . The 20 Notes will mature on , 20 . We may redeem the Notes of each series prior to maturity in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, as described in this prospectus supplement.

The Notes will be unsecured obligations and rank equally with our other unsecured senior indebtedness. The Notes of each series will be issued only in registered form in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Investing in the Notes involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement and similar sections in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference herein.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The Notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company and its participants, including Euroclear Bank, SA/NV, and Clearstream Banking, S.A., on or about , 2023.

You should rely only upon the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents they incorporate by reference. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell the Notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume the information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of the document in which that information appears. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus supplement contains the terms of this offering of Notes. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change other information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, the information incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus may have added, updated or changed information in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any information in the accompanying prospectus (or any information incorporated therein by reference), this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede such information in the accompanying prospectus.

It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents they incorporate by reference in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the additional information under the captions “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

In this prospectus supplement, except as otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, “Norfolk Southern,” “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Norfolk Southern Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. References herein to a fiscal year shall mean the fiscal year ended December 31.

Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus is a prospectus for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended (the “Prospectus Regulation”). This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of Notes in any Member State of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) will only be made to a legal entity which is a qualified investor under the Prospectus Regulation (“EEA Qualified Investors”). Accordingly, any person making or intending to make an offer in that Member State of Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only do so with respect to EEA Qualified Investors. Neither Norfolk Southern Corporation nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of the Notes in the EEA other than to EEA Qualified Investors.

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97, as amended (the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus is a prospectus for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (the “EUWA”) (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”). This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of Notes in the United Kingdom will only be made to a legal entity which is a qualified investor under the UK Prospectus Regulation (“UK Qualified Investors”). Accordingly, any person making or intending to make an offer in the United Kingdom of Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only do so with respect to UK Qualified Investors. Neither Norfolk Southern Corporation nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of the Notes in the United Kingdom other than to UK Qualified Investors.

PROHIBITION OF SALES TO UNITED KINGDOM RETAIL INVESTORS — The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For these purposes, a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the EUWA; or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the United Kingdom’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the EUWA (“UK MiFIR”); or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

The communication of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the Notes offered hereby is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the FSMA. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and such other documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and such other documents and/or materials are for distribution only to persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”)), (ii) fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside of the United Kingdom, or (iv) are other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the Notes offered hereby are directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any other document or materials relate will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any other document or materials relating to the issue of the Notes offered hereby or any of their contents.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) allows certain issuers, including the Company, to “incorporate by reference” information into a prospectus supplement such as this one, which means that we can disclose important information about us by referring you to those documents and that such incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus supplement. Any statement contained in this prospectus supplement or a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is deemed to be incorporated herein or therein by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. A statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement the documents set forth below that have been previously filed with the SEC (other than information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K). These documents contain important information about Norfolk Southern Corporation and its finances.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); provided, however, that we are not incorporating any information we furnish rather than file with the SEC.

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, prospectuses and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available at the Internet website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov. The filings are also available to the public on our website at http://www.nscorp.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

This prospectus supplement contains summaries of the material terms of certain documents and refers you to certain documents that we have filed with the SEC. Copies of these documents, except for certain exhibits and schedules, will be made available to you without charge upon written or oral request to:

Investor Relations
Norfolk Southern Corporation
650 West Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308-1925
(470) 867-4807

This prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference herein, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and relate to future events or our future performance, including but not limited to statements regarding future financial performance and anticipated results, benefits, and targets related to our strategic plan. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or our achievements or those of our industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “consider,” “predict,” “potential,” “feel” or other similar references to the future. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. These and other important factors, including those discussed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Fiscal 2022 Form 10-K, as supplemented in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Quarterly Reports, as well as our subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause actual results, benefits, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Please refer to these SEC filings for a full discussion of those risks and uncertainties we view as most important. Forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as, a guarantee of future events or performance, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at or by which any such events or performance will be achieved. As a result, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SUMMARY

This summary highlights the information contained elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement. Because this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a more complete understanding of this offering, we encourage you to read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein. You should read the following summary together with the more detailed information and consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and incorporated by reference herein and therein.

The Company

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies, moving goods and materials that help drive the U.S. economy. We connect customers to markets and communities to economic opportunity with safe, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions. Our Norfolk Southern Railway Company (“NSR”) subsidiary operates in 22 states and the District of Columbia. We are a major transporter of industrial products, including agriculture, forest and consumer products, chemicals, and metals and construction materials. In addition, in the East we serve every major container port and operate the most extensive intermodal network. We are also a principal carrier of coal, automobiles, and automotive parts. The common stock of Norfolk Southern is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NSC.”

Our executive offices are located at 650 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308-1925, and our telephone number is (855) 667-3655. Our website is located at http://www.nscorp.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus supplement.

The Offering

The following is a brief summary of some of the terms of this offering. For a more complete description of the terms of the Notes, see “Description of the Notes” herein.

Issuer	Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Notes Offered	$ million aggregate principal amount of % senior notes due 20 . $ million aggregate principal amount of % senior notes due 20 .

Maturity Date	The 20 Notes will mature on , 20 . The 20 Notes will mature on , 20 .

Interest	We will pay interest on the 20 Notes at the rate of % per year. Interest on the 20 Notes will accrue from , 2023 and be paid in cash semi-annually in arrears on and of each year, beginning on , . We will pay interest on the 20 Notes at the rate of % per year. Interest on the 20 Notes will accrue from , 2023 and be paid in cash semi-annually in arrears on and of each year, beginning on , . Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Ranking	The Notes will be our direct, unsecured unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Notes will be effectively subordinated to existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, to the interest of existing and future holders of preferred stock of our subsidiaries and to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness.

Optional Redemption	We may redeem the Notes in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at the applicable redemption price set forth in this prospectus supplement. See “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption.”

Change of Control Repurchase Event	Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event (as defined herein) in respect of a series of Notes, each holder of Notes of such series may require us to repurchase all or a portion of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. See “Description of the Notes—Change of Control Repurchase Event.”

Certain Covenants	The Indenture governing the Notes contains covenants that, among other things, will limit our ability to:

	● create liens on the stock or debt of NSR; ● incur Funded Debt (as defined under “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus); and ● consolidate with or merge into, or sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to, another person.


Use of Proceeds	The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes after deducting the underwriting discount and our estimated offering expenses will be approximately $ million. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Governing Law	State of New York.

Risk Factors	See the risk factors described herein under the heading “Risk Factors,” in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Fiscal 2022 Form 10-K, in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Quarterly Reports and in our other filings with the SEC during this fiscal year, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Before deciding to invest in the Notes, you should carefully consider those risks.

Trustee	U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association).

Before making any investment decision, including whether to participate in this offer, you should carefully consider the risk factors below as well as the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Fiscal 2022 Form 10-K, as supplemented in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Quarterly Reports, which are both incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. See “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” Based on the information currently known to us, we believe that the foregoing and the following information identifies all known material risk factors relating to the Notes and affecting this offer. However, the risks and uncertainties are not limited to those set forth in the risk factors referred to above and described below. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be less significant than these risk factors may also adversely affect our business. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. References in this section to “Norfolk Southern,” “we,” “our;” “us” or the “Company” refer to Norfolk Southern Corporation only unless the context otherwise requires.

We may not be able to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event in respect of a series of Notes, each holder of Notes of such series will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of repurchase. If we experience a Change of Control Repurchase Event, we cannot assure you that we would have sufficient financial resources available to satisfy our obligations to repurchase the Notes. Furthermore, debt agreements to which we are a party at such time may contain restrictions and provisions limiting our ability to repurchase the Notes, and our ability to repurchase the Notes may also be limited by law. Our failure to repurchase the Notes as required under the indenture governing the Notes would result in a default under such indenture, which could have material adverse consequences to us and the holders of the Notes. See “Description of the Notes—Change of Control Repurchase Event.”

The Change of Control Repurchase Event provision applicable to each series of Notes provides only limited protection.

The definition of the term “Change of Control Repurchase Event” in the indenture governing the Notes is limited and does not cover a variety of transactions (such as acquisitions by us and recapitalizations or “going private” transactions by our affiliates) that could negatively affect the value of the Notes. A Change of Control under the indenture governing the Notes may only occur if there is a change in the controlling interest in our business. For a Change of Control Repurchase Event to occur, there must be not only a Change of Control as defined in that indenture, but also a ratings downgrade, with respect to the applicable series of Notes, to below investment grade resulting therefrom. If we were to enter into a significant corporate transaction that negatively affects the value of the Notes, but would not result in a Change of Control Repurchase Event, you would not have any rights to require us to repurchase the Notes prior to their maturity and may be required to hold the Notes despite the occurrence of such a transaction, which could materially and adversely affect your investment. See “Description of the Notes—Change of Control Repurchase Event.”

We conduct our operations through our subsidiaries, and claims of holders of the Notes will be structurally subordinated to those of creditors and any preferred equity holders of our subsidiaries.

We are a holding company, and we conduct substantially all of our operations through our subsidiaries. We perform management, legal, financial, tax, consulting, administrative and other services for our subsidiaries.

Our principal sources of cash are from external financings, dividends and advances from our subsidiaries, investments, payments by our subsidiaries for services rendered, and interest payments from our subsidiaries on cash advances. The amount of dividends available to us from our subsidiaries largely depends upon each subsidiary’s earnings and operating capital requirements. The ability of our subsidiaries to make any payments to us will depend upon the terms of any credit facilities or other debt instruments of the subsidiaries, upon the subsidiaries’ earnings, business and tax considerations and legal restrictions.

As a result of our holding company structure, the Notes effectively rank junior to all existing and future debt, trade payables and other liabilities, and preferred equity of our subsidiaries. Our right and the right of our creditors to participate in the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon any liquidation or reorganization of any such subsidiary will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors and preferred equity holders, except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor of such a subsidiary. As of June 30, 2023, total liabilities (other than intercompany liabilities) of our railroad subsidiaries were approximately $11.9 billion and total debt of our railroad subsidiaries was approximately $311 million.

We cannot assure you that active trading markets will develop or be maintained for the Notes.

Each series of Notes is a new issue of securities for which there is currently no trading market. We cannot guarantee:

Liquidity of any market for a series of Notes, and future trading prices of such Notes, will depend on many factors, including:

The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the Notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may cease any market-making at any time without notice. In addition, the underwriters’ market-making activities will be subject to limits imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Exchange Act. It may be difficult for you to find a buyer for the Notes at the time you want to sell them and, even if you find a buyer, you might not receive the price you want.

Our net proceeds from the sale of the Notes after deducting the underwriting discount and our estimated offering expenses will be approximately $ million. We intend to use the net proceeds of the sale of the Notes for general corporate purposes.

The following description of the Notes we are offering supplements and, to the extent applicable, supersedes the description of the general terms and provisions of our debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities.” References in this section to “Norfolk Southern,” “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Norfolk Southern Corporation only unless the context otherwise requires.

The Notes will be senior debt issued under an indenture, dated as of February 28, 2018, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture thereto to be entered into on the settlement date of this offering (together, the “Indenture”), between Norfolk Southern and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The 20 Notes will bear interest at a rate of % per year and the 20 Notes will bear interest at a rate of % per year. Interest on the 20 Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on and of each year, beginning on , and interest on the 20 Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on and of each year, beginning on , (in each case, the “interest payment dates”). Interest on the 20 Notes will be paid to holders of record on the or , as the case may be, immediately before the applicable interest payment date, and interest on the 20 Notes will be paid to holders of record on the or , as the case may be, immediately before the applicable interest payment date.

If any interest payment date, redemption date or the maturity date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment shall be made on the next Business Day as if it were made on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date or the maturity date, as the case may be. “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation, executive order or governmental decree to close. Interest, principal and any premium will be payable in U.S. dollars at the Trustee’s New York corporate trust office, which is located at 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, New York 10005. The 20 Notes will mature on , 20 and the 20 Notes will mature on , 20 . The Notes of each series will be issued only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. There will be no sinking fund payments for the Notes.

The Notes will be our direct, unsecured unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. As of June 30, 2023, prior to giving effect to the offering of the Notes, we had $15.1 billion of outstanding senior indebtedness (none of which is secured indebtedness) not including the debt of our subsidiaries. Because we are a holding company, the Notes effectively will rank junior to all liabilities and preferred equity of our subsidiaries. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Notes—We conduct our operations through our subsidiaries, and claims of holders of the Notes will be structurally subordinated to those of creditors and any preferred equity holders of our subsidiaries.” As of June 30, 2023, total liabilities (other than intercompany liabilities) of our railroad subsidiaries were approximately $11.9 billion and debt of our railroad subsidiaries was approximately $311 million.

At its option, the Company may redeem the 20 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, prior to , ( months prior to the maturity date for the 20 Notes) (the “20 Par Call Date”) and at its option, the Company may redeem the 20 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, prior

to , ( months prior to the maturity date for the 20 Notes) (the “20 Par Call Date” and, together with the 20 Par Call Date, the “Par Call Dates” and each, a “Par Call Date”), at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.

On or after the applicable Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Notes of the applicable series, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the applicable Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields — one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life — and shall interpolate to the applicable Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.

If on the third business day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the applicable Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the applicable Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the applicable Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the applicable Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the applicable Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the applicable Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the applicable Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed.

In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the note will state the portion of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed. A new note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the note will be issued in the name of the holder of the note upon surrender for cancellation of the original note. For so long as the Notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.

Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs with respect to a series of Notes, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the applicable series of Notes as described above, the Company will make an offer to each holder of the applicable series of Notes to repurchase all or any part (in integral multiples of $1,000) of that holder’s Notes at a repurchase price (the “repurchase price”) in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes of such series repurchased to, but not including, the repurchase date. Within 30 days following a Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to a Change of Control, but after the public announcement of such Change of Control, the Company will mail, or cause to be mailed, a notice to each holder of the applicable series of Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase the applicable series of Notes on the payment date specified in the notice (such offer the “repurchase offer” and such date the “repurchase date”), which repurchase date will be a Business Day that is no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed. The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the repurchase offer is conditioned on a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the repurchase date.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes by virtue of such conflict.

On the repurchase date following a Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to a series of Notes, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

The Trustee will promptly mail, or cause the paying agent to promptly mail, to each holder of Notes, or portions of Notes, properly tendered the repurchase price for such Notes, or portions of such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Notes surrendered, as applicable; provided that each new note will be in a principal amount equal to $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Company will not be required to make a repurchase offer upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for such an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

For purposes of the foregoing discussion of a repurchase at the option of holders, the following definitions are applicable:

“Below Investment Grade Ratings Event” means, with respect to a series of Notes, on any day within the 60-day period (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of such Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any Rating Agency) after the earlier of (1) the occurrence of a Change of Control; or (2) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or the intention by the Company to effect a Change of Control, such Notes are rated below investment grade by each and every Rating Agency.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Below Investment Grade Ratings Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Ratings Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Repurchase Event hereunder) if the rating agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Trustee in writing at the Company’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Ratings Event).

“Change of Control” means the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or its subsidiaries, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s voting stock or other voting stock into which the Company’s voting stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed measured by voting power rather than number of shares.

“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Ratings Event with respect to a series of Notes.

“Investment grade” means, with respect to Moody’s, a rating of Baa3 or better (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of Moody’s); with respect to S&P, a rating of BBB- or better (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P); and, with respect to any additional Rating Agency or Rating Agencies selected by the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, and its successors.

“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if either of Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the applicable Notes or fails to make a rating of the applicable Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by the Company (as certified by a Board Resolution) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and its successors.

“voting stock” of any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date means the capital stock of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such person.

The Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Notes may in certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a sale or takeover of the Company and, thus, the removal of incumbent management. We could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control Repurchase Event under the Notes, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit ratings on the Notes.

If we experience a Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to a series of Notes, we may not have sufficient financial resources available to satisfy our obligations to repurchase all Notes of such series or portions of such series of Notes properly tendered. Furthermore, debt agreements to which we are a party at such time may contain restrictions and provisions limiting our ability to repurchase the Notes. Our failure to repurchase the Notes of a series as required under the Indenture would result in a default under the Indenture, which could have material adverse consequences for us and the holders of the Notes.

The definition of the term “Change of Control Repurchase Event” is limited and does not cover a variety of transactions (such as acquisitions by us and recapitalizations or “going private” transactions by our affiliates) that could negatively affect the value of the Notes. A Change of Control may only occur if there is a change in the controlling interest in our business. For a Change of Control Repurchase Event to occur, there must be not only a Change of Control, but also a ratings downgrade, with respect to the applicable series of Notes, to below investment grade resulting therefrom. If we were to enter into a significant corporate transaction that negatively affects the value of the applicable Notes, but would not result in a Change of Control Repurchase Event, you would not have any rights to require us to repurchase such Notes prior to their maturity and may be required to hold such Notes despite the event, which could materially and adversely affect your investment.

The holders of a majority, in aggregate principal amount, of a series of Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place to conduct any proceeding to exercise any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that series of Notes, subject to certain exceptions. The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) occurs (and is not cured) with respect to a series of Notes, the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the same degree of care and skill a prudent person would use in the conduct of that person’s own affairs. Subject to this standard, the Trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its powers under the Indenture at the request of a holder of a series of Notes, unless the holder offers to indemnify the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense, and then only to the extent required by the terms of the Indenture.

We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the registered holders of a series of Notes, create and issue further notes ranking pari passu with the Notes of such series in all respects (or in all respects except for the issue date, price to public, payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further notes or the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further notes) so that such further notes may be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as such Notes; provided, however, if such further notes are not fungible with the original Notes of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such further notes will have a different CUSIP number than the original Notes of such series and will trade separately from the original Notes of such series.

The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, shall be applicable.

The following are summaries of certain rules and operating procedures of DTC that affect the payment of principal and interest and the transfers of interests in the global notes (the “Global Notes”). Upon issuance, each series of Notes will be issued only in the form of one or more definitive global securities which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in definitive form under the limited circumstances described below, a Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole (1) by DTC to a nominee, (2) by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or (3) by DTC or any such nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be limited to persons that have accounts with DTC for such Global Note (“participants”) or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a Global Note, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the Notes represented by such Global Note beneficially owned by such participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may limit or impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the Global Notes.

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global Note, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by such Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note will not be entitled to have Notes represented by such Global Note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such Notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the Indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the Indenture. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to give or to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Principal and interest payments on interests represented by a Global Note will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of such Global Note. None of Norfolk Southern, the Trustee or any other agent of Norfolk Southern or agent of the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any facet of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership of interests. We expect that DTC, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of a Global Note, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in such Global Note as shown on the records of DTC. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes held through such participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practice, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participants.

A Global Note will be exchangeable for Notes of the applicable series in definitive form only if (i) we deliver to the Trustee a notice from DTC that (A) DTC is no longer willing or able to continue as depositary for such Global Note or (B) DTC ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act and, in either case, we are unable to locate a qualified successor within 90 days, (ii) we, at our option, notify the Trustee in writing that we elect to cause the issuance of such Notes in definitive form or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or an Event of Default (each as defined in the Indenture) with respect to the Notes of the applicable series. Any Global Note that is so exchangeable will, upon surrender by DTC, be exchangeable for Notes of the applicable series registered in such names as DTC shall direct in writing. It is expected that such directions will be based upon directions received by DTC from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes.

DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold the securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to the DTC book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers and dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Settlement for the Notes will be made by the underwriters in immediately available funds. All payments of principal and interest in respect of the Notes will be made by us in immediately available funds.

The Notes will trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity and secondary market trading activity in the Notes will settle in immediately available funds. No assurance can be given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the Notes.

The following discussion is a summary of United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of the Notes by a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined below). This discussion does not address specific tax consequences that may be relevant to particular persons in light of their individual circumstances (including, for example, entities treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes or partners or members therein, banks or other financial institutions, broker-dealers, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt entities, common trust funds, certain expatriates, controlled foreign corporations, dealers in securities or currencies, accrual method taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of their use of financial statements, and persons in special situations, such as those who hold the Notes as part of a straddle, hedge, synthetic security, conversion transaction or other integrated investment comprised of the Notes and one or more other investments). This discussion is limited to Non-U.S. Holders that purchase the Notes in this offering at their issue price and that hold such Notes as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes. In addition, this discussion does not describe any tax consequences arising under United States federal gift and estate tax, the Medicare tax on net investment income or other U.S. federal tax laws or under the tax laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

Prospective purchasers of the Notes are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences to them of acquiring, owning and disposing of the Notes, as well as the application of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws.

For purposes of this discussion, a Non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of the Notes, other than a partnership (or entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes), that is not a U.S. person. A “U.S. person” means (i) a citizen or individual resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of the source; or (iv) a trust, if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all its substantial decisions, or (B) the trust has in effect a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person for United States federal income tax purposes.

Payments of Interest. Payments of interest on the Notes made by us or our agent to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax, provided that:

If a Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements of the exemption described above, payments of interest made to such Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% withholding tax unless the beneficial owner of the Notes provides the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed:

If interest on the Notes is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business of the beneficial owner (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States), the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from the withholding tax described above, will generally be subject to United States federal income tax on the receipt or accrual of such interest on a net income basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. person. In addition, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments. For this purpose, interest on the Notes will be included in such foreign corporation’s earnings and profits.

Disposition of the Notes. No withholding of United States federal income tax generally will be required with respect to any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the Notes.

In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal income tax on gain realized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the Notes unless (i) the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, or (ii) such gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. trade or business and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States. A Non-U.S. Holder described in clause (i) above will generally be subject to United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which such Non-U.S. Holder’s capital gains allocable to U.S. sources (including gains from the sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition of Notes) exceed its capital losses allocable to U.S. sources. A Non-U.S. Holder described in clause (ii) above will generally be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis and, if the Non-US Holder is a foreign corporation, may be subject to a United States branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate). Proceeds from the disposition of a Note that are attributable to accrued but unpaid interest will generally be subject to, or exempt from, tax to the same extent as described above with respect to interest paid on a Note.

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” or “FATCA”) generally impose withholding at a rate of 30% in certain circumstances on interest payable on the Notes held by or through certain financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution certifies that it has entered into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to certain interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution that are owned by certain U.S. persons or by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments. Similarly, interest payable on the Notes held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions generally will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (y) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (z) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which will in turn be provided to the United States Department of the Treasury. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these rules on an investment in the Notes.

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters named below, for whom BofA Securities, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives, have severally and not jointly agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the respective principal amounts of the Notes set forth opposite their names below:

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the Notes offered hereby are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the Notes if any Notes are taken. The offering of the Notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

The underwriters have advised us that they propose initially to offer the Notes to the public at the public offering prices on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of % of the principal amount of the 20 Notes and % of the principal amount of the 20 Notes. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of % of the principal amount of the 20 Notes and % of the principal amount of the 20 Notes to other dealers. After the Notes are released to the public, the offering prices and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the underwriters.

We have been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters currently intend to make a market in the Notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading markets for the Notes.

The expenses of the offering payable by us, not including the underwriting discounts, are estimated to be $ .

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

In order to facilitate the offering of these securities, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Notes or any other notes the prices of which may be used to determine payments on the Notes. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more Notes than they are obligated to purchase in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. A short sale is covered by purchasing the Notes in the open market. A short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Notes in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. As an additional means of facilitating the offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the Notes or any other notes in the open market to stabilize the price of the Notes or of any other notes. Finally, in any offering of the Notes through a syndicate of underwriters or dealer group, the underwriters acting on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or for themselves may impose a penalty bid, whereby the underwriters reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the Notes in the offering, if the underwriters repurchase previously distributed Notes to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the Notes. Any of these activities may raise or maintain the market price of the Notes above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the Notes. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time without notice.

In general, purchases of a Note for the purpose of stabilizing or reducing a syndicate short position could cause the price of the Note to be higher than it might otherwise be in the absence of such purchases without notice.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Notes.

The underwriters and their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Each of the underwriters and/or its affiliates may have performed certain investment banking, commercial banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. Certain of the underwriters and/or their affiliates are lenders under our existing unsecured revolving credit facility. The underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they will receive customary fees and expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own accounts and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the Company. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters and their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the Notes. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the Notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

The Notes may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the Notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

The Notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA. For the purposes of this provision:

The Notes have not been and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the laws of Hong Kong) (the “SFO”) and any rules made under the SFO, or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the laws of Hong Kong) (the “C(WUMP)O”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O; and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Notes has been or will be issued or has been or will be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue (whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under the SFO.

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and accordingly, have not been and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to, or for the account or benefit of, others for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been and will not be registered as a prospectus under the Securities and Futures Act 2001 (the “SFA”) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the offer of the Notes in Singapore is made primarily pursuant to the exemptions under Sections 274 and 275 of the SFA. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase of the Notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA (an “Institutional Investor”) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA (an “Accredited Investor”) or other

relevant person as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA (a “Relevant Person”) and pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA and (where applicable) Regulation 3 of the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018; or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with, the conditions of any other applicable exemption or provision of the SFA.

It is a condition of the offer that where the Notes are subscribed for or acquired pursuant to an offer made in reliance on Section 275 of the SFA by a Relevant Person which is:

securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation, and the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust, shall not be transferred within 6 months after that corporation or that trust has subscribed for or acquired the Notes except:

Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification—Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to Sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, the issuer has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the Notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and “Excluded Investment Products” (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Investments Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FSCMA”) and the Notes have been and will be offered in Korea as a private placement under the FSCMA. None of the Notes may be offered, sold or delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the FSCMA and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FETL”). For a period of one year from the issue date of the Notes, any acquirer of the Notes who was solicited to buy the Notes in Korea is prohibited from transferring any of the Notes to another person in any way other than as a whole to one transferee. Furthermore, the purchaser of the Notes shall comply with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to requirements under the FETL) in connection with the purchase of the Notes.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an issue prospectus pursuant to Article 652a or Article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations and the Notes will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Therefore, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not comply with the disclosure standards of the listing rules (including any additional listing rules or prospectus schemes) of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Accordingly, the Notes may not be offered to the public in or from Switzerland, but only to a selected and limited circle of investors who do not subscribe to the Notes with a view to distribution. Any such investors will be individually approached by the agents from time to time.

The Notes have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan, pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be offered or sold in Taiwan through a public offering or in any manner which would constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or would otherwise require registration with or the approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the Notes in Taiwan.

The Notes have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws, regulations and rules of the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Financial Centre governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Financial Centre) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

The Notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of this provision:

Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of the Notes may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to Norfolk Southern Corporation.

All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

The validity of the Notes will be passed upon for us by Christine R. Hardy, Deputy General Counsel & Data Privacy Officer of the Company (or other senior general counsel as may be designated by us). Christine R. Hardy, in her capacity as Deputy General Counsel of the Company, is a participant in various of our employee benefit and incentive plans, including stock option plans, offered to employees of the Company. Certain legal matters relating to the offering of the Notes will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York and for the underwriters by Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York. Sidley Austin LLP has from time to time provided and may continue to provide legal advice and services to us.

The consolidated financial statements of Norfolk Southern Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

We will provide the specific prices and terms of these securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus at the time of offering. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves a number of risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 5 before you make your investment decision.

We or any selling security holders may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters or dealers, through agents or directly to purchasers. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “NSC.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may sell common stock; preferred stock; debt securities; warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or securities of third parties or other rights; depositary shares; stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

The information in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any other date.

When used in this prospectus, the terms “Norfolk Southern,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “company” refer to Norfolk Southern Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, prospectus and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available at the Internet website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. The filings are also available to the public on our website at http://www.nscorp.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

This prospectus contains summaries of the material terms of certain documents and refers you to certain documents that we have filed with the SEC. Copies of these documents, except for certain exhibits and schedules, will be made available to you without charge upon written or oral request to:

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, except that any statement contained in this prospectus, an accompanying prospectus supplement or a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus or an accompanying prospectus supplement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus and an accompanying prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is deemed to be incorporated herein or therein by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. A statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC (other than information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K). These documents contain important information about Norfolk Southern Corporation and its finances.

All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), after the date of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and before the termination of the offering shall also be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including our compensation committee report and performance graph or any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.

This prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference herein, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that may be identified by the use of words like “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “consider,” “predict,” “potential,” “feel,” or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements reflect our good-faith evaluation of information available at the time the forward-looking statements were made. However, such statements are dependent on and, therefore, can be influenced by a number of external variables over which we have little or no control, including: transportation of hazardous materials as a common carrier by rail; acts of terrorism or war; capacity constraints that could negatively impact our service and operating efficiency; PTC Implementation; general economic conditions including, but not limited to, fluctuation and competition within the industries of our customers; competition and consolidation within the transportation industry; the operations of carriers with which we interchange; disruptions to our technology infrastructure, including computer systems; labor difficulties, including strikes and work stoppages; commercial, operating, environmental, and climate change legislative and regulatory developments; results of litigation; natural events such as severe weather, hurricanes, and floods; unpredictable demand for rail services; fluctuation in supplies and prices of key materials, in particular diesel fuel; volatility in energy prices; changes in securities and capital markets; and the risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in our Fiscal 2020 Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as our subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Our Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,300 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. We are a major transporter of industrial products, including agriculture, forest and consumer products, chemicals, and metals and construction materials. In addition, we operate the most extensive intermodal network in the East and are a principal carrier of coal, automobiles, and automotive parts. The common stock of Norfolk Southern is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NSC.”

Our executive offices are located at Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, Virginia 23510-2191, and our telephone number is (757) 629-2600. Our website is located at http://www.nscorp.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves risk. See the risk factors described in our Fiscal 2020 Form 10-K, in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC, pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. These risks could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition and cause the value of our securities to decline. You could lose all or part of your investment. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Except as otherwise set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes, including the redemption and refinancing of outstanding indebtedness, increasing our working capital and other business opportunities.

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units that we may offer and sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. However, at the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.

As used in this prospectus, debt securities means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that we may issue separately, upon exercise of a debt warrant, in connection with a stock purchase contract or as part of a stock purchase unit from time to time. The debt securities may either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities may be issued under a “Senior Indenture” and subordinated debt securities may be issued under a “Subordinated Indenture.” This prospectus sometimes refers to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture collectively as the “Indentures.” The Indentures have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus forms a part. We may also issue debt securities under a separate, new indenture. If that occurs, we will describe any differences in the terms of any series or issue of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to that series or issue.

The following briefly summarizes the material provisions of the Indentures and the debt securities, other than pricing and related terms disclosed in the accompanying prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. You should read the more detailed provisions of the applicable Indenture, including the defined terms, for provisions that may be important to you. You should also read the particular terms of an offering of debt securities, which will be described in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. Copies of the Indentures may be obtained from Norfolk Southern Corporation or the applicable trustee.

As used in this “Description of Debt Securities,” the terms “Norfolk Southern,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “company” refer to Norfolk Southern Corporation, a Virginia corporation, and do not, unless otherwise specified, include our subsidiaries.

The debt securities will be our direct unsecured obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our present and future senior indebtedness to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture.

Since our operations are partially conducted through our subsidiaries, the cash flow and the consequent ability to service our indebtedness, including the debt securities, is partially dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings or upon advances or other payments of funds by those subsidiaries to us. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the debt securities or to make funds available to us, whether by dividends, loans or other payments. In addition, the payment of dividends and the making of loans and advances to us by our subsidiaries may be subject to contractual or statutory restrictions, are contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to various business considerations. Any right we may have to receive assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization (and the consequent right of the holders of our debt securities to participate in those assets) will be effectively subordinated to the claims of such subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors.

The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may issue and provide that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. We may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable Indenture. The Indentures also do not limit our ability to incur other debt.

Each prospectus supplement will summarize the material terms relating to the specific series of debt securities being offered. These terms may include some or all of the following:

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and will be issued in fully-registered form without coupons.

Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities. The debt securities may also be issued as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to specific debt securities will also describe any special considerations and certain additional tax considerations applicable to such debt securities.

The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will describe the specific subordination provisions, including the extent of subordination of payments by us of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such subordinated debt securities.

The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the issuance of additional senior debt securities.

We will not, and will not permit any of our Subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge or security interest of any kind, other than a Purchase Money Lien, upon any stock or indebtedness, owned on the date any debt securities are first issued or thereafter acquired, of the Principal Subsidiary, to secure any Obligation (other than the debt securities) of the company, any Subsidiary or any other Person, without in any such case making effective provision whereby all of the outstanding debt securities are secured equally and ratably with such Obligation.

Such limitation will not apply to any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge or security interest on any stock or indebtedness of a corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Subsidiary. Such limitation will not restrict any of our other property or other property of our Subsidiaries or restrict the sale by us or any Subsidiary of any stock or indebtedness of any Subsidiary.

The Indentures provide that we will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to incur, issue, guarantee or create any Funded Debt unless, after giving effect thereto, the sum of the aggregate amount of all outstanding Funded Debt of the Restricted Subsidiaries would not exceed an amount equal to 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

The limitation on Funded Debt will not apply to, and there will be excluded from Funded Debt in any computation under such restriction, Funded Debt secured by:

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, at any date, the total assets appearing on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of Norfolk Southern and Restricted Subsidiaries as at the end of our fiscal quarter ending not more than 135 days prior to such date, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, less (1) all current liabilities (due within one year) as shown on such balance sheet, (2) applicable reserves, (3) investments in and advances to Securitization Subsidiaries and Subsidiaries of Securitization Subsidiaries that are consolidated on the consolidated balance sheet of Norfolk Southern and its Subsidiaries and (4) Intangible Assets and liabilities relating thereto.

“Funded Debt” means (1) any indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary (excluding indebtedness in favor of another Restricted Subsidiary or Norfolk Southern) maturing more than 12 months after the time of computation thereof, (2) guarantees by a Restricted Subsidiary of Funded Debt or of dividends of others (except guarantees in connection with the sale or discount of accounts receivable, trade acceptances and other paper arising in the ordinary course of business), (3) all preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary and (4) all Capital Lease Obligations (as defined in the Indentures) of a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Indebtedness” means, at any date, without duplication, (1) all obligations for borrowed money of a Restricted Subsidiary or any other indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary, evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments and (2) Funded Debt, except such obligations and other indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary and Funded Debt, if any, incurred as part of a Securitization Transaction.

“Intangible Assets” means at any date, the value (net of any applicable reserves) as shown on or reflected in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of Norfolk Southern and the Restricted Subsidiaries as at the end of our fiscal quarter ending not more than 135 days prior to such date, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, of: (1) all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights, service marks, goodwill and other like intangibles; (2) organizational and development costs; (3) deferred charges (other than prepaid items, such as insurance, taxes, interest, commissions, rents, deferred interest waiver, compensation and similar items and tangible assets being amortized); and (4) unamortized debt discount and expense, less unamortized premium.

“Liens” means such pledges, mortgages, security interests and other liens, including purchase money liens, on property of the company or any Restricted Subsidiary which secure Funded Debt.

“Obligation” means any indebtedness for money borrowed or indebtedness evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, company (including any limited liability company), association, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

“Purchase Money Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge or security interest of any kind upon any indebtedness of the Principal Subsidiary acquired after the date any debt securities are first issued if such Purchase Money Lien is for the purpose of financing, and does not exceed, the cost to us or any Subsidiary of acquiring the indebtedness of the Principal Subsidiary and such financing is effected concurrently with, or within 180 days after, the date of such acquisition.

“Receivables” mean any right of payment from or on behalf of any obligor, whether constituting an account, chattel paper, instrument, general intangible or otherwise, arising, either directly or indirectly, from the financing by us or any Subsidiary of ours of property or services, monies due thereunder, security interests in the property and services financed thereby and any and all other related rights.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of Norfolk Southern other than Securitization Subsidiaries and Subsidiaries of Securitization Subsidiaries.

“Securitization Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of Norfolk Southern (1) which is formed for the purpose of effecting one or more Securitization Transactions and engaging in other activities reasonably related thereto and (2) as to which no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (a) is guaranteed by any Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) subjects any property or assets of any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to any lien, other than pursuant to representations, warranties and covenants (including those related to servicing) entered into in the ordinary course of business in connection with a Securitization Transaction and inter-company notes and other forms of capital or credit support relating to the transfer or sale of Receivables or asset-backed securities to such Securitization Subsidiary and customarily necessary or desirable in connection with such transactions.

“Securitization Transaction” means any transaction or series of transactions that have been or may be entered into by us or any of our Subsidiaries in connection with or reasonably related to a transaction or series of transactions in which we or any of our Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (1) a Securitization Subsidiary or (2) any other Person, or may grant a security interest in, any Receivables or asset-backed securities or interest therein (whether such Receivables or securities are then existing or arising in the future) of Norfolk Southern or any of our Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto, including, without limitation, all security interests in the property or services financed thereby, the proceeds of such Receivables or asset-backed securities and any other assets which are sold in respect of which security interests are granted in connection with securitization transactions involving such assets.

“Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, corporation, company (including any limited liability company), association, partnership, joint venture or other business entity of which a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock (as defined in the Indentures) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person, such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise required by the context, Subsidiary shall refer to a Subsidiary of the company.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, that, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the action of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

So long as any debt securities are outstanding, we cannot consolidate with or merge into any other Person, or sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of our assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person, unless:

Since we are a holding company, if one of our Subsidiaries distributes its assets as a result of a liquidation or recapitalization of that subsidiary, our rights, and indirectly the rights of our creditors and of the holders of debt securities to participate in such Subsidiary’s distribution of assets will be subject to the prior claims of such Subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we may be a creditor with prior claims enforceable against such Subsidiary.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a particular series, may notify Norfolk Southern (and the

trustee, if notice is given by the holders) and declare that the unpaid principal of (premium, if any) and accrued interest on, if any, the debt securities of such series is due and payable immediately. However, under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series may be able to rescind and annul this declaration for accelerated payment. Norfolk Southern will furnish the trustee with an annual statement that describes how Norfolk Southern has performed its obligations under the applicable Indenture, and that specifies any defaults that may have occurred.

Unless otherwise provided in an applicable Indenture supplement, we may discharge certain obligations to holders of any debt securities issued under the Indenture of a particular series when:

and if, in either case, we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the Indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series and we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that the requisite conditions precedent have been complied with.

In addition, unless otherwise provided in an applicable Indenture supplement, we may elect with respect to any series of debt securities either:

We may exercise our defeasance option or our covenant defeasance option with respect to any series of debt securities, only if:

Absent a change in federal tax laws, a defeasance is likely to be treated as a taxable exchange by holders of the relevant debt securities for an issue consisting of either obligations of the trust or a direct interest in the cash and securities held in the trust, with the result that such holders would be required for tax purposes to recognize

gain or loss as if such obligations or the cash or securities deposited, as the case may be, had actually been received by them in exchange for their debt securities. In addition, if the holders are treated as the owners of their proportionate share of the cash or securities held in trust, such holders would then be required to include in their income for tax purposes any income, gain or loss attributable thereto even though no cash was actually received. Thus, such holders might be required to recognize income for tax purposes in different amounts and at different times than would be recognized in the absence of defeasance. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the specific consequences of defeasance.

Modification and amendments of the Indentures may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected thereby; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of a particular series affected thereby:

The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of a series affected thereby, on behalf of all of the holders of the debt securities of such series, are permitted to waive any past default under the applicable Indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series, and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt security or a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the applicable Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of a debt security shall be binding upon such holder and upon every subsequent holder of such security, irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or waiver is made upon such debt security, unless revoked as provided in the applicable Indenture.

The Indentures provide that payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the Person in whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest.

Holders must surrender debt securities to a paying agent to collect principal payments. Unless specified otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, we will pay principal and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the securities represented by a global security (including principal (and premium, if any) and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the depository, which shall be The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, its nominees and their respective successors.

The Indentures provide that initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, will act as paying agent and registrar. We may appoint and change any paying agent, registrar or co-registrar without notice. We or any of our domestically incorporated wholly owned subsidiaries may act as paying agent, registrar or co-registrar.

We will maintain an office or agency in the City of New York where debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange and an office or agency in the City of New York where debt securities may be presented for payment. The registrar shall keep a register of the debt securities and of their transfer and exchange. We may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents.

If money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest remains unclaimed for two years after such amount has become due and payable, the trustee or paying agent shall pay the money back to us at our written request unless an abandoned property law designates another person. After any such payment, holders entitled to the money must look only to us and not to the trustee or paying agent for payment.

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a nominee for DTC. In such case, each holder’s beneficial interest in the global securities will be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial interests will only be effected through DTC’s records.

A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial interest in a global security for certificated securities registered in the holder’s name if:

If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of such denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination. Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the trustee’s corporate office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by us under the Indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different denominations may also be made at such locations.

The Indentures are and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, shall be applicable.

The trustee of the Indentures is U.S. Bank National Association. The trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of debt securities and may otherwise deal with us or our affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not trustee.

The following summary of our common stock and preferred stock is not meant to be a complete description. For more information, you also should refer to our Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”), our Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the “Virginia Act”). Under the Articles of Incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 1,350,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value. We will describe the specific terms of any common stock or preferred stock we may offer in a prospectus supplement. The specific terms we describe in a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

As of January 31, 2021, Norfolk Southern had 251,911,634 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, excluding 20,320,777 shares held by our wholly owned subsidiaries. For all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share registered in his or her name on our books. Our common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. As a result, subject to the voting rights of any outstanding preferred stock (of which there currently is none), the persons who hold a majority of the outstanding common stock entitled to elect members of the board of directors (the “Board”) can elect all of the directors of the company.

If the Board declares a dividend, common shareholders will receive payments from the funds of Norfolk Southern that are legally available to pay dividends. However, this dividend right is subject to any preferential dividend rights we may grant to the persons who hold preferred stock, if any is issued. If Norfolk Southern is dissolved, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all the assets that remain after we pay (i) our liabilities and (ii) any amounts we may owe to the persons who hold our preferred stock, if any is issued. Common shareholders do not have preemptive rights, and they have no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. All outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.

No shares of preferred stock are issued or outstanding. However, 600,000 shares of preferred stock designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock” are authorized by our Articles of Incorporation, which further authorize the Board to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the liquidation preferences, voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights and redemption rights of each such series. The ability of the Board to issue and set the terms of preferred stock could make it more difficult for a third person to acquire control of Norfolk Southern. The Board has the authority to fix the following terms of any series of preferred stock, each of which will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement:

Norfolk Southern will designate the transfer agent and registrar for each series of preferred stock in a prospectus supplement.

The Virginia Stock Corporation Act, as amended and in effect from time to time (the “Virginia Act”) contains certain anti-takeover provisions regarding, among other things, affiliated transactions and control share acquisitions. In general, the Virginia Act’s affiliated transactions provisions prevent a Virginia corporation from engaging in an “affiliated transaction” (as defined in the Virginia Act) with an “interested shareholder” (generally defined as a person owning more than 10% of any class of voting securities of the corporation) unless approved by a majority of the “disinterested directors” (as defined in the Virginia Act) and the holders of at least two thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested shareholder, subject to certain exceptions.

Under the control share acquisitions provisions of the Virginia Act, shares acquired in a “control share acquisition,” generally defined as transactions that increase the voting strength of the person acquiring such shares above certain thresholds in elections of directors generally, have no voting rights unless they are granted by a majority of the outstanding voting stock not owned by such acquiring person. If such voting rights are granted and the acquiring person controls 50% or more of the voting power, all shareholders, other than the acquiring person, are entitled to receive “fair value” (as defined in the Virginia Act) for their shares. If such voting rights are not granted, the corporation may, if authorized by its articles of incorporation or bylaws, purchase the acquiring person’s shares at their cost to the acquiring person. A Virginia corporation has the right to “opt out” of the control share acquisition statute, and effective January 27, 2009, the Board amended our bylaws to “opt out” of the statute, and the affiliated transaction statute.

This section describes the general terms and provisions of our warrants to acquire our securities that we may issue from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrant agreements and the warrants issuable thereunder. If any particular terms of the warrants described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation, or agency or trust relationship, with you. We will file a copy of the warrant and warrant agreement with the SEC each time we issue a series of warrants, and these warrants and warrant agreements will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A holder of our warrants should refer to the provisions of the applicable warrant agreement and prospectus supplement for more specific information.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of those warrants, including, when applicable:

After your warrants expire they will become void. All warrants will be issued in registered form. The prospectus supplement may provide for the adjustment of the exercise price of the warrants.

Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.

The applicable warrant agreement may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the warrants to which it applies to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of warrants will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the applicable warrants then outstanding approve the amendment. Every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement as amended. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of warrants may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price and the expiration date, may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant.

Norfolk Southern may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. If so, Norfolk Southern will issue receipts for these “depositary shares,” each of which will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the fraction of preferred stock represented by that depositary share, to the rights and preferences of the preferred stock, including any dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights. Norfolk Southern will enter into an agreement (the “Deposit Agreement”) with a depositary, which will be named in the related prospectus supplement, and with the holders of the “depositary receipts” that represent the depositary shares.

The following summary of the depositary shares is not meant to be complete. For more information, you should refer to the Deposit Agreement, to the depositary receipts and the certificate of designation of the series of preferred stock that underlies that series of depositary shares and to the related prospectus supplement. A form of Deposit Agreement, depositary receipt and certificate of designation will be filed as exhibits to, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement before we issue depositary receipts.

In order to issue depositary shares, Norfolk Southern will issue preferred stock, and immediately deposit these shares with the depositary. The depositary then will issue and deliver depositary receipts to the persons who purchase depositary shares. The depositary will issue depositary receipts in a form that reflects whole depositary shares, and each may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

The depositary will distribute all cash and non-cash distributions it receives, with respect to the underlying preferred stock, to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares they hold. In the case of non-cash distributions, the depositary may determine that the distribution cannot be made proportionately or that it may not be feasible to make the distribution. If so, the depositary will, with our approval, adopt a method it deems equitable and practicable to effect the distribution, including the sale (public or private) of the securities or other non-cash property it receives in the distribution at a place and on terms it deems proper. Norfolk Southern or the depositary may reduce the amount it distributes in order to pay taxes or other governmental charges.

If Norfolk Southern redeems the series of preferred stock that underlies the depositary shares, the depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the redemption of the preferred stock it holds. The depositary will redeem the number of depositary shares that represent the amount of underlying preferred stock that Norfolk Southern redeemed. The redemption price per depositary share will be in proportion to the redemption price per share that Norfolk Southern paid for the underlying preferred stock. If Norfolk Southern redeems less than all the depositary shares, the depositary will select by lot, or by some substantially equivalent method, which depositary shares to redeem.

After a redemption date is fixed, the depositary shares to be redeemed no longer will be considered outstanding. The rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive money or other property they are entitled to receive upon the redemption. In order to redeem their depositary shares, holders will surrender their depositary receipts to the depositary. If Norfolk Southern deposits funds with the depositary to redeem depositary shares, and the holders fail to redeem their receipts, the money will be returned to Norfolk Southern within two years from the date the funds are deposited.

When Norfolk Southern notifies the depositary about any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information to the record holders of depositary shares related to that preferred stock. Each record holder of such depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as

the record date for the related preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary how to vote the shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will try to vote the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with these instructions, provided the depositary receives these instructions sufficiently in advance of the meeting. Norfolk Southern will take all reasonable action necessary to provide the depositary with sufficient notice of any meeting. If the depositary does not receive instructions from the holders of the depositary shares, the depositary will abstain from voting the preferred stock that underlies those depositary shares.

When a holder surrenders depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, and pays any necessary taxes, charges or other fees, the holder will be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock, and any money or other property, if any, represented by their depositary shares. Once a holder exchanges depositary shares for whole shares of preferred stock, that holder cannot “re-deposit” these shares of preferred stock with the depositary, or exchange them for depositary shares. If a holder delivers depositary receipts that represent a number of depositary shares that exceeds the number of whole shares of related preferred stock the holder seeks to withdraw, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt to the holder that evidences the excess number of depositary shares.

Norfolk Southern and the depositary can agree, at any time, to amend the form of depositary receipt and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement. However, if an amendment has a material adverse effect on the rights of the holders of related depositary shares, it must first be approved by the holders of at least a majority of these depositary shares then outstanding. Every holder of a depositary receipt at the time an amendment becomes effective will be bound by the amended Deposit Agreement. However, subject to any conditions in the Deposit Agreement or applicable law, no amendment can impair the right of any holder of a depositary share to receive shares of the related preferred stock, and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares, upon surrender the depositary receipts that represent their depositary shares.

Norfolk Southern can terminate the Deposit Agreement at any time, as long as it provides at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the depositary. If Norfolk Southern terminates the Deposit Agreement, then within 30 days from the date the depositary receives notice, the depositary will deliver whole or fractional shares of the related preferred stock to the holders of depositary shares, when they surrender their depositary receipts. The Deposit Agreement will terminate automatically after all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed, or, in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Norfolk Southern, after the final distribution of Norfolk Southern’s assets has been made to the holders of the related series of preferred stock and, in turn, to the holders of depositary shares.

Norfolk Southern will pay the charges of the depositary, including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of preferred stock, the initial issuance of the depositary shares, and all withdrawals of shares of the related series of preferred stock. Norfolk Southern also will pay all transfer and other taxes and the government charges that arise solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. However, holders of depositary shares will have to pay all other transfer and other taxes and government charges, as provided in the Deposit Agreement.

The depositary may resign, at any time, by delivering written notice of its decision to Norfolk Southern. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect when we appoint a successor depositary. Norfolk Southern must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal, and the successor depositary must be a bank or trust corporation that has its principal office in the United States, and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Norfolk Southern will be required to furnish certain information to the holders of the preferred stock. The depositary, as the holder of the underlying preferred stock, will forward any reports or information it receives from Norfolk Southern to the holders of depositary shares.

Neither the depositary nor Norfolk Southern will be liable if its ability to perform its obligations under the Deposit Agreement is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control. Both Norfolk Southern and the depositary will be obligated to use their best judgment and to act in good faith in performing their duties under the Deposit Agreement. Each of Norfolk Southern and the depositary will be liable for gross negligence and willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under the Deposit Agreement. They will not be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal proceeding with respect to any depositary receipts, depositary shares or preferred stock unless they receive what they, in their sole discretion, determine to be a satisfactory indemnity. Norfolk Southern and the depositary may rely on the advice of legal counsel (including in-house counsel) or accountants of their choice. They may also rely on information provided by persons they believe, in good faith, to be competent, and on documents they believe, in good faith, to be genuine.

The depositary’s corporate trust office will be identified in the related prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts, and if Norfolk Southern redeems shares of preferred stock, the depositary will act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as stock purchase contracts. The price per share of the securities and the number of shares of the securities may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts, and may be subject to adjustment under anti-dilution formulas. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, any other securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as stock purchase units. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or the stock purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. This description is not complete and the description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference is made to the stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, which will be filed with the SEC each time we issue stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. If any particular terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the stock purchase units and the stock purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We may sell the securities being offered hereby from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:

In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters may be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York and/or Vanessa Allen Sutherland, our Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer (or other senior general counsel as may be designated by us). Vanessa Allen Sutherland, in her capacity as Chief Legal Officer of the Company, is a participant in various of our employee benefit and incentive plans, including stock option plans, offered to employees of the Company. If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of an offering of those securities, that counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.

The consolidated financial statements of Norfolk Southern Corporation as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report covering the December 31, 2020 consolidated financial statements refers to a change in accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and the related amendments.

	Page
ABOUT THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT	s-ii
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE	s-iv
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	s-iv
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	s-v
SUMMARY	s-1
RISK FACTORS	s-4
USE OF PROCEEDS	s-6
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES	s-7
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS	s-14
UNDERWRITING	s-16
LEGAL MATTERS	s-22
EXPERTS	s-22

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE	2
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	3
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION	4
RISK FACTORS	5
USE OF PROCEEDS	5
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES	6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	6
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK	16
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	17
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES	19
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS	22
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	23
LEGAL MATTERS	24
EXPERTS	24

Underwriters		Principal Amount of 20 Notes		Principal Amount of 20 Notes
BofA Securities, Inc.	$		$
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
Total	$		$

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE	2
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	3
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION	4
RISK FACTORS	5
USE OF PROCEEDS	5
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES	6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	6
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK	16
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	17
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES	19
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS	22
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	23
LEGAL MATTERS	24
EXPERTS	24