Norfolk Southern (NSC) 8-K Other Events

Exhibit 12.1

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

($ in millions)

	Nine months ended			Year ended December 31,
	September 30, 2011			2010			2009			2008			2007			2006
EARNINGS
Income from continuing operations before income taxes as reported	$	2,195		$	2,367		$	1,622		$	2,750		$	2,237		$	2,230
Add (subtract):
Total interest expenses (as detailed below)		376			517			499			491			520			548
Amortization of capitalized interest		7			8			7			6			6			5
Income of partially owned entities(1)		(31	)		(43	)		(36	)		(40	)		(57	)		(48	)
Total earnings	$	2,547		$	2,849		$	2,092		$	3,207		$	2,706		$	2,735
FIXED CHARGES
Interest expense on debt	$	339		$	462		$	467		$	444		$	441		$	476
Interest expense on unrecognized tax benefit		(9	)		1			(6	)		(15	)		12			--
Other interest expense		8			16			1			17			15			17
Calculated interest portion of rent expense(2)		38			38			37			45			52			55
Total interest expenses		376			517			499			491			520			548
Capitalized interest		13			15			17			15			14			13
Total fixed charges	$	389		$	532		$	516		$	506		$	534		$	561
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES		6.55			5.36			4.05			6.34			5.07			4.88

(1) Represents undistributed income of equity investees included in income from continuing operations before income taxes as reported.

(2) Interest component of leases includes one-third of rental expense which approximates the interest component of operating leases.