SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
                  PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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     (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) 

 [ ] Definitive Proxy Statement 

 [X] Definitive Additional Materials 

 [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) 
     or Section 240.14a-12 

                                 CONRAIL INC. 
               (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) 

                         NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION 
   (NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT) 

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    to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee 
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 [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. 

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NS NORFOLK SOUTHERN [LOGO]



                                                             December 14, 1996

Dear Conrail Shareholder:

                        TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR YOU TO
                PRESERVE THE VALUE OF YOUR CONRAIL INVESTMENT!

                    VOTE AGAINST CONRAIL'S PROPOSALS TODAY!

   As you know, Conrail has scheduled its Special Meeting of Shareholders for
December 23rd. Conrail wants you to give up your valuable shareholder rights
and "opt out" of Pennsylvania's Fair Value Statute. Don't be coerced by
Conrail -- You have nothing to gain by voting for Conrail's proposals.

   Consider both sides of the equation:

     CSX = INFERIOR VALUE. By voting for Conrail's "opt out" amendment, you
     will be helping CSX gain control of your Company at an inferior price
     (currently valued at $89.80* per share for the remaining Conrail shares).

     NORFOLK SOUTHERN = $1.4 BILLION MORE. Under Norfolk Southern's $110
     all-cash, all-shares offer, with prompt payment through use of a voting
     trust, Conrail shareholders (other than CSX) would receive $1.4* billion
     more in their pockets than under the CSX proposal.

     CSX = CONTINUED RISKS. 75% of CSX's remaining consideration consists of
     CSX stock. Conrail shareholders would continue to be subject to
     substantial risks--including equity risk and regulatory risk. Conrail
     itself has stated that it doesn't expect to receive regulatory approval,
     if it comes, until early 1998. That's a long time to have your investment
     subject to these substantial risks.

     NORFOLK SOUTHERN = NEAR TERM VALUE. Norfolk Southern has committed to
     establish a voting trust mechanism so that Conrail shareholders can
     receive 100% of their cash consideration in the near term. THERE'S NO
     EQUITY OR REGULATORY RISK FOR SHAREHOLDERS UNDER NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S
     PROPOSAL.

   The logic is inescapable: the Norfolk Southern offer is SUPERIOR in every
respect. But you must act now to preserve the opportunity to receive its
benefits. VOTE AGAINST CONRAIL'S PROPOSALS TODAY.

   You, the shareholders, are the true owners of Conrail. Tell the Conrail
directors in terms they can't ignore that you want them to deliver the
superior value represented by Norfolk Southern's $110 all-cash, all-shares
offer NOW. 



              SEND THE CONRAIL BOARD THE VOTE THAT WON'T GO AWAY:

       [X]  AGAINST Amending its Charter

            AND

       [X]  AGAINST Adjourning the Meeting if Conrail doesn't have enough
            votes to pass the Amendment Proposal.

   Time is short, so vote AGAINST on the enclosed GOLD proxy card today (or
green instruction card if you are an ESOP participant).

                                        Sincerely,


                                        /s/ David R. Goode
                                        David R. Goode
                                        Chairman, President and
                                        Chief Executive Officer

                             IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    If your Conrail shares are held in the name of a bank or broker, only your
  bank or broker can vote your shares and only upon receipt of your specific
  instructions. Please instruct your bank or broker to vote AGAINST Conrail's
  proposals by executing the GOLD proxy card today. If you have any questions
  or require any assistance in voting your shares, please call:


                                  GEORGESON
                            & COMPANY INC. [LOGO]

                               Wall Street Plaza
                           New York, New York 10005
                         CALL TOLL FREE: 800-223-2064
                     Banks and Brokers call: 212-440-9800

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*   Based on the closing price of CSX shares on December 12, 1996.