ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. announced the layoff of 38 conductors earlier this week in response to declining coal shipments.
The railroad company also said Monday that it has suspended training for seven conductor trainees during the past three weeks.
According to the Roanoke Times, coal revenue fell during the third quarter of 2015 by 23 percent from the same period of 2014. The railroad said it had taken about 300 miles of track primarily used for coal out of service.
Norfolk Southern bases its Virginia Division in Roanoke.