ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, April 5, 1997                TAG: 9704070122
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: A-5  EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: INDICATORS 
SOURCE: MAG POFF

INDICATORS

Unusually high exports pushed up last month's coal car loadings for Norfolk Southern Corp. Mark Bower, assistant vice president for the railroad's coal marketing in Roanoke, said March was the best month in five years for coal exports through Lambert's Point pier in Norfolk - the destination of many NS trains that move through Roanoke. Bower said 3.4 million tons were loaded aboard ships and barges at Lambert's Point last month.

March also marks the end of the coal contract year, Bower said, so there is always a rush to accommodate final shipments.

Bower said coal use by utilities also increased in March.

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