Ashtabula dock to be idled

[Matt L]

From https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-news-wire earlier today:

NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) announced today it will consolidate operations of its coal docks located on Lake Erie in Northern Ohio. This change will streamline operations for customers while improving network efficiency and reducing operating costs for Norfolk Southern.

NS plans to idle its Ashtabula, Ohio, Coal Pier and shift operations to the railroad's Sandusky, Ohio, Dock. Ashtabula will continue to operate until all coal inventories have been transloaded, which is expected to be completed by May 2016. The facility will remain idled until and if market conditions warrant reopening.

"Norfolk Southern is committed to providing shippers with an efficient transportation network, and we are actively addressing the industry-wide decline in coal volumes by streamlining operations and positioning our railroad for long-term success," said David Lawson, NS vice president coal marketing.

NS will continue to use the dock until the coal there is depleted, which will probably be in May. CSX also has trackage rights to the dock, but there has been no word on their plans. Please note that the NS Youngstown Line will remain active.