SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

November 12, 2002 

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION
(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia                1-8339          52-1188014    
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission     (IRS Employer
of incorporation)         File Number)  Identification No.)

Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, Virginia  23510-9241
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (757) 629-2680

No Change
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Item 5.                 Other Events.

On Monday, November 11, 2002, the Registrant issued a Press Release,
attached hereto as an exhibit, announcing it has decreased its expected
long-term rate of return assumption on pension plan assets for 
purposes of pension accounting.

Item 7.(c)      Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit No.             Exhibit Description

99    Press Release, issued by the Registrant on Monday, November 11, 
2002, announcing it has decreased its expected long-term rate of
return assumption on pension plan assets for purposes of pension
accounting.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION
(Registrant)

/s/________________________
Name:  Dezora M. Martin
Title:  Corporate Secretary

Date:  November 12, 2002

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number 
System                       Description

99  Press Release, issued by the Registrant on Monday, November 11,
2002, announcing it has decreased its expected long-term rate
of return assumption on pension plan assets for purposes
of pension accounting.

2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2002

NS CHANGES EXPECTED RATE OF RETURN ON PENSION PLAN ASSETS
NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) announced that
it has decreased its expected long-term rate of return assumption on
pension plan assets for purposes of pension accounting under SFAS 87
to 9 percent. The change is based on the long-term market outlook and
will result in a non-cash increase of approximately $10 million in
pre-tax compensation and benefits expense in fourth quarter 2002. 
"While we are reducing the rate of return assumption for pension
accounting purposes, it should be noted that our retirement plan
remains fully funded," said David R. Goode, chairman, president and
chief executive officer. 
Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of America's leading
transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary
operates approximately 21,500 miles of road in 22 states, the District
of Columbia and the province of Ontario, serving every major container
port in the eastern United States and providing superior connections
to western rail carriers. NS operates the East's most extensive
intermodal network and is the nation's largest rail carrier of
automotive parts and finished vehicles. 
# # #

Media Contact: Frank Brown, Norfolk, 757-629-2714
World Wide Web Site: www.nscorp.com