A pair of railroads that have learned how to stay in the black in good times or bad are the 2,130-mile Norfolk & Western and the 608-mile Virginian, two of the nation's major soft-coal-hauling lines. Unlike other Eastern roads, which groan under huge passenger deficits, the N. & W. carries few passengers and the Virginian none. Despite last year's Eastern rail slump, the Virginian turned in profits of $11.6 million (off from $17 million in 1957), while the N. & W. earned $43.5 million (off from $44.5 million). Last week the two...
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