UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q/A [X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the period ended March 31, 1995 -------------- or [ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934 For the transition period from to --------- --------- Commission file number 0-15768 NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) NORTH CAROLINA 56-6003280 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 234 Fayetteville Street Mall, Suite 600 P. O. Box 2248, Raleigh, North Carolina 27602 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (919) 829-7355 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date. Common Stock, $.50 par Value--4,283,470 shares as of March 31, 1995. The total number of pages contained in this document is 17 pages. 1 INDEX NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item l. Financial Statements (Unaudited) Balance Sheets - March 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Statements of Income - Three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Statements of Cash Flows - Three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Notes to financial statements - March 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Item 2. The Registrant's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. . . . 10 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 3. Legal Proceedings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SIGNATURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY March 31 December 31 1995 1994 ------------ ------------ ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 905,190 $ 1,615,284 Short-term investments 673,000 -0- Rent receivable 132,688 246,030 Interest receivable and other assets 77,759 65,400 Income taxes recoverable 16,130 -0- ------------ ------------ TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,804,767 1,926,714 PROPERTIES Roadway and land--Note B 7,848,842 7,848,842 Buildings and equipment 236,369 236,369 Less accumulated depreciation (294,186) (292,395) ------------ ------------ 7,791,025 7,792,816 OTHER ASSETS Lease negotiation costs 421,523 365,267 ------------ ------------ $ 10,017,315 $ 10,084,797 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Accrued expenses and accounts payable $ 424,392 $ 421,026 Dividends paid -0- 128,504 Unearned rental income 61,000 -0- ------------ ------------ TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 485,392 549,530 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 1,217,051 1,214,451 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock, par value $0.05 per share-- 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,283,470 shares issued and outstanding 2,141,735 2,141,735 Additional paid-in capital 3,588,455 3,588,455 Retained earnings 2,584,682 2,590,626 ------------ ------------ 8,314,872 8,320,816 ------------ ------------ COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES--Note C $ 10,017,315 $ 10,084,797 ============ ============ See notes to financial statements. 3 STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY Three Months Ended March 31 1995 1994 Revenues: Lease of roadway and land $ 168,569 $ 160,703 Interest income 31,504 18,575 Rental income 3,150 1,080 Other 30,234 10,787 --------- --------- 233,457 191,145 Expenses: Salaries and administrative 61,106 61,477 Professional fees 116,229 89,074 Insurance and taxes 16,332 11,763 Depreciation 1,791 1,796 Consulting fees 14,651 2,161 Other 26,692 18,606 --------- --------- 236,801 184,877 --------- --------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (3,344) 6,268 Income taxes: Current -0- -0- Deferred 2,600 2,600 --------- --------- 2,600 2,600 --------- --------- NET (LOSS) INCOME (5,944) 3,668 ========= ========= Earnings per share: $ 0.00 $ 0.00 ========= ========= See notes to financial statements. 4 STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY Additional Common Paid-In Retained Earnings Shareholder's Shares Capital Restricted Unrestricted Equity ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Balance at January 1, 1994 $ 2,141,735 $ 3,588,455 $ 509,778 $ 2,102,207 $ 8,342,175 Net income (loss) 4,041 (373) 3,668 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Balance at March 31, 1994 $ 2,141,735 $ 3,588,455 $ 513,819 $ 2,101,834 $ 8,345,843 =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== Balance at January 1, 1995 $ 2,141,735 $ 3,588,455 $ -0- $ 2,590,626 $ 8,320,816 Net (loss) -0- (5,944) (5,944) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Balance at March 31, 1995 $ 2,141,735 $ 3,588,455 $ -0- $ 2,584,682 $ 8,314,872 =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== See notes to financial statements. 5 STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY Three Months Ended March 31 1995 1994 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net (loss) income $ (5,944) $ 3,668 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Deferred income taxes 2,600 2,600 Depreciation 1,791 1,796 Lease negotiation costs (56,256) -0- Change in operating assets and liabilities: Rent receivable 113,342 233,111 Interest receivable and other assets (12,359) (5,071) Income taxes recoverable (16,130) -0- Accrued expenses 3,366 19,145 Unearned rental income 61,000 61,000 ----------- ----------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 91,410 316,249 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Increase in restricted assets -0- (4,041) Purchase of equipment -0- (1,487) Purchases of short-term investments (673,000) -0- ----------- ----------- NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (673,000) (5,528) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Dividends paid (128,504) -0- ----------- ----------- NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (128,504) -0- (DECREASE)INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (710,094) 310,721 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,615,284 912,655 ----------- ----------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 905,190 $ 1,223,376 =========== =========== See notes to financial statements. 6 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY March 31, 1995 NOTE A--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations of the North Carolina Railroad Company (the "Company" or "NCRR") as of and for each of the periods presented. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's audited financial statements for 1994. PROPERTIES: Buildings and equipment are reported at cost. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings are depreciated over thirty years and equipment is depreciated over three to five years. Properties in the roadway and land account are carried at an amount which approximates the 1916 valuation by the Interstate Commerce Commission. All the property in the roadway and land account is leased either to the Norfolk Southern Railway Company ("Norfolk Southern Railway") or the Atlantic and East Carolina Railway Company ("AECR") (See Note B). Norfolk Southern Railway is a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Corporation. AECR is a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway. These properties are not depreciated because they represent fully depreciated roadway or non-depreciable land. However, a rehabilitation project of $200,000 was amortized over a five-year period during the 1940's. REVENUE RECOGNITION: Revenue is reflected in the statements of income when earned in accordance with the Company's lease arrangements on the accrual method. Excess lease revenue related to the 1939 lease with AECR is estimated and recognized based upon the previous quarter's billed traffic. INCOME TAXES: Income tax expense is disproportionate to income before income taxes because the lessee of certain of the properties, pursuant to the terms of the lease, pays all taxes attributable to the lease arrangement. The Company considers the lessee's share of the amortization of roadway costs to be a permanent difference and no deferred taxes are provided thereon. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Cash and cash equivalents include investments due to mature within 90 days of the balance sheet date. SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS: Short term investments include investments in high quality commercial paper and U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities within one year of the balance sheet date. LEASE/TRANSACTION COSTS: Certain lease negotiation costs have been capitalized and will be amortized over the life of any lease extension agreements, if consummated. RESTRICTED RETAINED EARNINGS: Under terms of its lease agreement with AECR, the Company had maintained a restricted cash account. All restrictions expired on December 31, 1994, and the assets became the property of the Company. Accordingly, these assets are no longer classified as restricted. 7 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY NOTE B--LEASES ON ROADWAY AND LAND The Company leases it roadway and land under two leases to Norfolk Southern Railway and one lease to AECR. The first lease to Norfolk Southern Railway (the "1895 Lease") expired on January 1, 1995, and provided for an annual lease rental of $286,000. Under the terms of the lease, all income, property and franchise taxes are paid by the lessee. The Company leased additional roadway and land to AECR (the "1939 Lease") under the terms of an original lease dated August 30, 1939 between Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad Company and AECR. The original lease was amended on August 29, 1954, and provided for an expiration date of December 31, 1994. The lessee is responsible for all state and federal taxes imposed upon the lessee on account of the operation of the railroad. The lessor is responsible for certain ad valorem property taxes, income taxes assessed against it, and payroll taxes on account of it employees. Under the terms of this lease, AECR pays an annual fixed lease rental of $60,500 plus annual excess lease rentals based upon operating revenues in excess of $475,000. The Company and Norfolk Southern Railway have conducted intensive negotiations over the terms of a definitive agreement to extend the 1895 and 1939 Leases. Thus far, the negotiations have not successfully produced a definitive agreement satisfactory to the Company and Norfolk Southern Railway, but negotiations are continuing. The second lease to Norfolk Southern Railway expires on December 31, 2067, and provides for an annual lease rental of $81,319 through December 31, 2017. Beginning January 1, 2018, 6% of the appraised value of the property will be the annual lease for the remainder of the lease. Under the terms of the lease, all taxes connected with the property, except income taxes, are paid by the lessee. NOTE C--COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES During the fourth quarter of 1989, the Company was notified by the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources ("DEHNR") of a possible abandoned pesticide disposal site on property owned by the Company in Johnston County, North Carolina. It is believed that the site was used by a predecessor owner to burn and/or bury surplus pesticides from the predecessor's business, which was not located at the site. In January, 1994, DEHNR initiated a lawsuit against the Company and other parties seeking reimbursement of $84,354 in response costs incurred by DEHNR and remediation of the site. On February 1, 1995, the Court granted partial summary judgment holding all of the defendants, including the Company, jointly and severally liable for the site. The Court has not yet ruled on apportionment of liability or cost sharing among the defendants. According to a preliminary study conducted by the Company, the estimated costs of remediation range between $500,000 to in excess of $2,000,000. The Company will vigorously defend the action brought by DEHNR and will aggressively pursue any other parties who may be liable for any remediation, removal, or clean-up. The ultimate costs of any remediation, removal, or clean-up are not known. However, if such costs are not paid by other parties, the financial position of the Company would be materially adversely affected. 8 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY NOTE C--COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued) Four shareholder derivative actions were filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina during December 1994 and January and February 1995 by shareholders of the Company. The complaints name the directors of the Company as defendants and the Company as "nominal defendant." Two of the actions seek to enjoin a purported lease between the Company and Norfolk Southern Railway and seek to recover for the Company unspecified damages and other relief from the directors. Two other actions seek similar relief and also name the State of North Carolina, the Governor of North Carolina, and Norfolk Southern Railway as defendants. The Company's officers and directors are indemnified in the bylaws of the Company for certain claims and liabilities alleged in the actions, including the defense costs and expenses. The Company notified its directors and officers insurance carrier of claims as a result of the actions, which claims have been acknowledged by the insurance carrier. The directors and officers insurance policy has an aggregate limit of $5,000,000 and a $75,000 aggregate retention. On December 10, 1991, the Registrant initiated a lawsuit in the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Superior Court regarding its railroad corridor through downtown Charlotte. The Registrant alleged that both the City of Charlotte and Norfolk Southern Railway have breached contract obligations and obligations based on real property rights to the Registrant. The litigation has been disclosed by the Registrant in prior quarterly and annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. On December 7, 1993, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled against the defendants' appeal and against the Registrant's cross-appeal. Norfolk Southern Railway then petitioned the Supreme Court of North Carolina to review the decision of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, which petition was denied. In September, 1994, Norfolk Southern Railway petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review. The United States Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the petition. 9 Item 2. The Registrant's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations There was little change in the liquidity, capital resources, or financial position of the Registrant for the three month period ended March 31, 1995 as compared with the year ended December 31, 1994 or the three month period ended March 31, 1994. Financial Condition A majority of the Registrant's assets are subject to two railroad operating leases dating to 1895 and 1939. Information about the leases has been disclosed by the Registrant in prior quarterly and annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. There was little change in liquidity, capital resources, or asset position from the end of the fiscal year 1994 to March 31, 1995. The Registrant's lessees pay for maintenance and all operating railroad equipment. Therefore, the Registrant does not anticipate any need for substantial capital expenditures unless the 1895 and 1939 Leases are not extended. The Registrant is negotiating for extension of the leases. (See Note B to the financial statements and Item 5, Other Information below.) If the leases are not extended or if the Registrant is unable to negotiate other leases upon acceptable terms, operating its own line without a lessee would subject the Registrant to a number of risks that would materially affect the Registrant's liquidity and capital resources. The Registrant anticipates that it would have to incur substantial operating expenses over time, but that it would initially not likely incur substantial capital expenditures with respect to fixed plant. Under the terms of the 1895 Lease, the lessee is required to return the leased properties, or equivalent replacements of leased properties, including equipment, in as good a condition and repair as the property was at the inception of the lease, less ordinary depreciation. However, the Registrant may be required to incur substantial capital expenditures and other expenses for the operation of the railroad line if the equipment is not returned in operating condition upon termination of the leases or if the quantities or type of the returned equipment is insufficient to operate the railroad line. Risks of independent operation that would affect operating income and expenses would include the potential for diversion of overhead traffic by Norfolk Southern, loss of traffic to competitors, and unpredictable maintenance and labor expenses. The Registrant does not foresee any need for funds during 1995 which cannot be met primarily from its income from leases or in part from available cash in the regular course of business, except that (1) in the event the Registrant and Norfolk Southern litigate issues before the Interstate Commerce Commission ("ICC"), claims under the 1895 and 1939 Leases, or other matters, 10 the Registrant may be required to finance part of the litigation expenses, and (2) if the Registrant seeks qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT") for income tax purposes, the Registrant may be required to finance a portion of accumulated earnings and profits required to be distributed to the Registrant's shareholders in the first year of REIT status. During the first quarter of 1995, $91,410 of net cash was provided by operating activities and was related primarily to a decrease in rent receivable of $113,342 and an increase in unearned rental income of $61,000 which was offset by capitalized lease negotiation costs of $56,256. Investing activities resulted in a net use of cash of $673,000 from purchases of short-term investments. Financing activities resulted in a net use of cash of $128,504 from dividends paid. Results of Operations Total revenues increased from $191,145 for the first quarter of 1994 as compared to $233,457 for the first quarter of 1995. Revenues from leases of roadway and land increased from $160,703 for the three month period ended March 31, 1994 to $168,569 for the same period ended March 31, 1995. The slight increase in revenues from leases of roadway and land were attributable to estimated increases in excess rental revenues from the 1939 Lease. The 1939 Lease rental estimate is based upon AECR previous quarter's billed traffic, plus or minus adjustment to actual revenues as the amounts are determined during the year. AECR revenue estimates are furnished by Norfolk Southern Corporation. See Note B to the financial statements. Interest income increased from $18,575 for the three month period ended March 31, 1994 to $31,504 for the same period ended March 31, 1995. The increase in interest income is attributable to increases in yields on invested cash. Other income increased from $10,787 for the three month period ended March 31, 1994 to $30,234 for the same period ended March 31, 1995. The Registrant's other income is derived primarily from proceeds of condemnations of the Registrant's properties. Salary and administrative expenses remained relatively constant at $61,477 for the first quarter of 1994 as compared to $61,106 for the first quarter of 1995. Professional fees increased from $89,074 for the first quarter of 1994 to $116,229 for the first quarter of 1995. The 11 increase in professional fees is attributable to increases in fees and expenses associated with the Registrant's renegotiation of its leases with Norfolk Southern Railway, attorneys' fees in litigation matters, and evaluation of REIT qualification. The Registrant expects to continue to incur substantially greater professional and investment banking fees and expenses in future periods until resolution of matters related to current and future leases or other transactions. The majority of such fees are currently being capitalized for income tax purposes. Insurance and taxes increased from $11,763 for the first quarter of 1994 to $16,332 for the first quarter of 1995. The Registrant expects to incur higher property tax expense in future periods if any properties are excluded from a lease extension agreement and separately managed by the Registrant. Consulting fees increased from $2,161 for the first quarter of 1994 to $14,651 for the first quarter of 1995. The increase in consulting fees is attributable to increases in outside consultants' fees associated with the termination of the 1895 and 1939 Leases and negotiations with Norfolk Southern Railway. The Registrant expects to continue to incur substantial consultants' fees and other expenses in future periods at least until the resolution of all matters related to current and future leases or other transactions. Other expenses increased from $18,606 for the first quarter of 1994 to $26,692 for the first quarter of 1995. The increase in other expenses is primarily attributable to an increase in office furniture and supplies expenses. Current income taxes were constant at $-0- for the first quarter of 1994 and the first quarter of 1995. Deferred income taxes also remained constant at $2,600. Under the 1895 Lease, all taxes attributable to the 1895 Lease, including income taxes, are paid by Norfolk Southern Railway as lessee. The Registrant and its lessees are responsible for compliance with state, federal, local or other provisions relating to discharge of materials or the protection of the environment. The risk of incurring environmental liability is inherent in conducting railroad operations. Some of the commodities which are transported over the Registrant's railroad lines are classified as hazardous materials. The 1895 and 1939 Leases did not make provision for the lessees to disclose environmental problems affecting the Registrant's properties. Environmental problems may exist on properties owned by the Registrant which are known to the lessees but have not been disclosed to the Registrant or which are unknown to the lessee or the Registrant. State and federal environmental provisions may impose joint and several liability upon the Registrant and its lessees and sublessees for environmental damage or clean up (or 12 associated costs) of any real properties owned by the Registrant and adjoining properties if the source of any problem is the property of the Registrant. The Registrant believes that damage or clean up (or the associated costs) would be the responsibility of the lessees and any sublessees or other parties who may have created any actionable environmental condition. However, if such parties are not able to meet their responsibilities, under certain statutes, regulations, and rules, the Registrant could ultimately be held responsible for any remediation, removal, or cleanup of the property it owns. The status of one such site is disclosed in Item 3 "Legal Proceedings." According to a preliminary study conducted by the Registrant, the estimated costs of remediation range between $500,000 to in excess of $2,000,000. At this time, the Registrant does not know the total amount of its financial exposure, the timing of the resolution of the matter, or the extent to which the Registrant's potential exposure may be reduced by contribution or indemnification from other parties. The Registrant does not have insurance to minimize its potential exposure. Legal expenses and the costs of remediation, removal, or cleanup represent a possible substantial future drain on the financial resources of the Registrant which cannot be quantified at this time. Any future remediation, removal, or cleanup at the site should have no effect upon railroad operations. Inflation affects the Registrant primarily through increased salary, administrative, property tax, and insurance expenses. The Registrant's primary sources of revenue are increased only to the extent changes in the general inflation rate increase the excess rental payments under the 1939 Lease, which are based on a percentage of the lessee's operating revenues. Revenues from the 1895 Lease do not increase or decrease with changes in the inflation rate. The Registrant expects to offset any negative effects of inflation not offset by increased excess rental payments by controlling current expenses. The Registrant is also seeking inflation protection provisions in connection with its negotiations for a lease extension agreement. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 3. Legal Proceedings Except as described below, there are no legal proceedings pending to which the Registrant is a party that are material to the operation of the Registrant. Peele Site During the fourth quarter of 1989, the Registrant was 13 notified by the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources ("DEHNR") that DEHNR had been notified of a possible abandoned pesticide disposal site on property owned by the Registrant in Johnston County, North Carolina. Information about the Site has been disclosed by the Registrant in prior quarterly and annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In February 1991, the Registrant received notice from DEHNR that the site had been included in the North Carolina Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites Priority List. The sites on the Priority List are ranked in decreasing order of danger to the public health and environment based on a ranking system administered by DEHNR. In February 1995, the site ranked 98 out of a total of 158 sites on the Priority List. In January, 1994, DEHNR initiated a lawsuit against the Registrant and other parties seeking reimbursement of $84,354 in response costs incurred by DEHNR and remediation of the site. On February 1, 1995, the Court granted partial summary judgement holding all of the defendants, including the Registrant, jointly and severally liable. The Court has not yet ruled on apportionment of liability or cost sharing among the defendants. According to a preliminary study conducted by the Registrant, the estimated costs of remediation range between $500,000 to in excess of $2,000,000. The Registrant will vigorously defend the action by DEHNR, and will aggressively pursue any other parties who may be liable for any remediation, removal, or clean-up. The ultimate costs of any remediation, removal, or clean-up are not known. However, if such costs are not paid by other parties, the financial position of the Registrant would be materially adversely affected. Charlotte Convention Center Litigation On December 10, 1991, the Registrant initiated a lawsuit in the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Superior Court regarding its railroad corridor through downtown Charlotte. The Registrant alleged that both the City of Charlotte and Norfolk Southern Railway have breached contract obligations and obligations based on real property rights to the Registrant. The litigation has been disclosed by the Registrant in prior quarterly and annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. On December 7, 1993, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled against the defendants' appeal and against the Registrant's cross-appeal. Norfolk Southern Railway then petitioned the Supreme Court of North Carolina to review the decision of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, which petition was denied. In September, 1994, Norfolk Southern Railway petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review. The United States Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the petition. 14 Shareholder Litigation Four shareholder derivative actions were filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina during December 1994 and January and February 1995 by shareholders of the Registrant. The complaints name the directors of the Registrant as defendants and the Registrant as "nominal defendant". Two of the actions, Kahn v. North Carolina Railroad Co., et al. ("Kahn"), Civil Action No. 5:94-CV-936-F(2) and Norberg v. North Carolina Railroad Co., et al. ("Norberg"), Civil Action No. 5-95-CV-96-F(2) seek to enjoin a purported lease between the Registrant and Norfolk Southern Railway and to recover for the Registrant unspecified damages and other relief from the directors. Two other actions, Werner, et al. v. North Carolina Railroad Co., et al. ("Werner"), Civil Action No. 5:94- CV-943-F(1) and Taran v. North Carolina Railroad Co., et al. ("Taran"), Civil Action No. 5:95-CV-17-F(1), seek similar relief and also name the State of North Carolina, the Governor of North Carolina, and Norfolk Southern Railway as defendants. On March 30, 1995, the court consolidated the actions into one proceeding. The Kahn and Norberg actions allege misconduct by the directors of the Registrant, including breach of fiduciary duty, mismanagement, and waste of corporate assets. The Werner and Taran actions assert similar claims, allege collusion between the State of North Carolina and Norfolk Southern Railway producing a below-market lease rental rate, and assert that the State of North Carolina has condemned the Registrant's properties for public uses for the benefit of the State. The Registrant will oppose the actions brought by the plaintiffs to the extent the actions seek to enjoin any lease arrangement or seek recovery against the Registrant or seek any remedy against the best interests of Registrant or its shareholders. The Bylaws of the NCRR provide that its Directors shall have the right to be indemnified by the NCRR, to the fullest extent permitted by law, against liabilities and expenses arising out of their status as Directors. To the extent the Directors' conduct meets the standard of conduct for indemnification set forth by the North Carolina Business Corporation Act ("NCBCA"), as described below, they will be so indemnified by the NCRR in connection with the shareholder derivative actions described herein. Under the NCBCA, a corporation is permitted to indemnify a director who conducted himself in good faith and reasonably believed: (i) in the case of conduct in his official capacity with the corporation, that his conduct was in the best interest of the corporation and (ii) in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation's best interest. In the case of any criminal proceeding, the director must not have had any reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In any proceeding by or in the right of a corporation (such as the shareholder derivative actions described herein), a corporation 15 may not voluntarily indemnify a director if the director is adjudged liable to the corporation. In addition, a corporation may not indemnify a director if the director is adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by him. Where a proceeding is by or in the right of a corporation, indemnification of a director is limited to reasonable expenses if the proceeding is concluded without a final adjudication on the issue of liability. The NCBCA permits an advance for expenses incurred by a director in defending a proceeding. The expenses may be paid by a corporation in advance of the final disposition of the legal action, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director to repay such amounts unless it is ultimately determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation against such expenses. The Directors of the NCRR have executed such undertaking and are receiving advances for expenses incurred in defending the actions brought against them in connection with the Lease Extension Agreement. Additionally, the NCBCA provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director of the corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by him in that capacity or arising from his status as a director. The NCRR has an insurance policy that covers the NCRR against the indemnification liability of the NCRR to its directors. The policy has a aggregate limit of $5 million and a $75,000 retention per occurrence. The NCRR's liability exposure to its Directors will, therefore, not be material, unless (i) the Directors satisfy the requirements for being indemnified as described above and (ii) the indemnified liabilities and expenses exceed the NCRR's insurance coverage. The NCRR is unable to determine this early in the legal proceedings whether of the foregoing conditions will occur. The Registrant also notified its general liability insurance carrier of claims as a result of the shareholder actions, which claims were denied. 16 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY DATE: November 9, 1995 /s/ John F. McNair III --------------------- ------------------------------- John F. McNair III President DATE: November 9, 1995 /s/ Lynn T. McConnell --------------------- ------------------------------- Lynn T. McConnell, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer 17