A railcar that is not owned by a railroad.

Private railcars are identified by a stenciled mark or initial ending in “X”. This excludes railcars ending in “X” that are owned by the TTX Company, since TTX is jointly owned by railroads. If the mark does not end in “X”, or it does end in “X” but is owned by the TTX Company, it is considered a railroad car and will be treated as such in regards to car service rules, interchange rules, freight rates, and car hire.

Example: ABCX = Private Railcar Mark

Yes. Prior to entering into any arrangement to acquire privately marked railcars for loading, customers should discuss all available options with Norfolk Southern.

Yes. In accordance with AAR Circular OT-5K, the car controller must register private railcars with the originating carrier via the Railinc OT-5 registration system. Private railcars must be granted loading authority for movement on our network prior to their first load.

Here are a few things to note when obtaining loading authority from Norfolk Southern:

• NS has the right to deny the OT-5 application for safety, mechanical factors, or inadequate customer storage space.
  
  
• Private equipment is managed by the controlling entity.
  
  
• Private equipment is subject to NS storage charges.
  
  
• NS may, at any time, require customers to store their private cars or move them offline at the customer's expense.
  
  
• Termination of load authority on NS may occur at any time under the following circumstances: guidance of the AAR Interchange Rules, expiration date of lease, age out, inadequate storage, mechanical or safety issues.
  
  
• All repair and maintenance will be handled in accordance with AAR rules.

• NS will handle all private railcars other than tank cars in accordance with Supplement 11 to Tariff RIC 6007-N (Item 540).
  
  
  • NS will pay loaded mileage and any applicable supplements if specified in the freight tariff or contract under which the lading is moving.
     
• NS will handle empty private tank cars in accordance with Tariff RIC 6007-N (Item 190).
  
  
  • Tariff RIC 6007-N governs mileage reporting and adjustments and any applicable supplements.

Email Private Car Desk at tncduinboxpvts@nscorp.com