January 30, 1997 Confidential PRELIMINARY DRAFT Materials Prepared for Discussion North Carolina Railroad Company - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Table of Contents - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Overview 2. Alternatives for the NCRR Valuation 3. Discount Rate Analysis 4. NCRR Stock Price Performance - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Preliminary Draft - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Overview - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Preliminary Draft - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Alternatives for the NCRR Valuation - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Preliminary Draft - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Discount Rate Analysis - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Preliminary Draft - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. NCRR Stock Price Performance - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 32 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Overview - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR), through the Special Committee of its Board of Directors, is considering the value of the NCRR to its minority shareholders in expectation of receiving a buyout offer from the State of North Carolina (the State), the majority shareholder of the NCRR. Background The major value of the NCRR is as owner of 317 miles of railroad right of way and track in North Carolina. Most of NCRR's property had been leased primarily to Norfolk Southern and its predecessors in leases that expired at the end of 1994. The NCRR negotiated a lease extension agreement (the Agreement) with Norfolk Southern that was unanimously approved by the NCRR Board of Directors on August 10, 1995. On July 29, 1996, a federal judge invalidated the lease agreement, on the basis that a majority of NCRR's minority shareholders had not been represented at the annual meeting and therefore there was no quorum. Subsequent to the invalidation of the Agreement, the NCRR filed a motion with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to set an interim and permanent rate for Norfolk Southern to pay to use the NCRR line. On August 26, 1996, the State announced that it was considering a buyout of the NCRR and that it had retained Nationsbank as its financial advisor. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 33 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Perspectives of Value - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [GRAPHIC OMITTED] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Value of Lease to NCRR Value of NCRR - to State 1. Value of lease payments 5. Similar values paid by states under lease extension agreement for access to railroad corridors 2. Value of STB mandated lease payments Value of NCRR - to Norfolk Southern Value of NCRR - to Others 3. Value up to the cost of diverting 6. ROW usage payments traffic 4. Value of NCRR traffic - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 34 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Alternatives for the NCRR Valuation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ========================================================================================================================= ALTERNATIVE PROS CONS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lease Value o Current NCRR Board approved lease o Represents a commercially o Valuation not supported by minority extension agreement negotiated agreement shareholders o Potential for state to renegotiate o RCNLD o Potential for high valuation o Numerous interpretations o Potential outcome from STB ruling o STB outcome uncertain o Dispute over ownership of assets o NLV -- o Low valuation o Unlikely to be used by STB o Lease to Third Party o Value enhancing amendment to the o Potential for State to renegotiate current situation Norfolk Southern Value o Diversion Analysis o Yields high valuation o Uncertain as to how much NS would give up o Income Value o Higher valuation than lease o Uncertain as to how much NS would extension give up o Railroad purchases o Numerous transactions with o Not necessarily comparable to NCRR available data situation State of North Carolina Value o Corridor purchases o Transactions are probably most o Difficult to correlate data comparable to a state buyout o Land Value o Base cost for replacing the ROW o Not a full costing (only land) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 35 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Valuation Methodologies - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ($ in Millions except per share values) ==================================================================================================================================== PRELIMINARY METHODOLOGY VALUATION RANGE PER SHARE VALUE COMMENT - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lease Value Lease Extension Agreement $145 - $190 $33.76 - $44.46 $8 million NS lease Replacement Cost New Less $70 - $474 $16.39 - $110.60 Surface Transportation Board (STB) Methodology Depreciation (RCNLD) Net Liquidation Value (NLV) $75 - $78 $17.42 - $18.22 STB Methodology. Only used once previously Third Party Lease $154 - $199 $35.95 - $46.46 Value to Norfolk Southern Diversion $782 $182.56 Capital cost and extra operating cost Income $212 - $255 $49.59 - $59.43 NCRR Share of NS North Carolina income Railroad Purchases $280 - $330 $65.37 - $77.04 Income value plus sale price (Raleigh to Morehead City) Value to State Corridor Purchases $450 - $740 $105.06 - $173.17 Florida and California corridor purchases - purchase price based on RCNLD Land Value NC DOT Estimates $225 - $250 $52.53 - $58.36 Cost of a 200 ft., 317 mile ROW between Morehead City and Charlotte - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 36 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Preliminary DCF Valuation Ranges -- Lease Extension - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ($ in Millions except per share values) ================================================================================================================ REAL DISCOUNT RATE ------------------------------------------------------- VALUE 4.5% 5.0% 5.5% 6.0% - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Perpetuity of Lease Payments (1,7) $207.0 $186.7 $170.1 $156.3 Perpetuity of NCRR Expenses (1,2,7) (13.3) (12.0) (11.0) (10.1) Value of Renewal Payment (3) 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 Less Value of Indexing Cap (4) (6.2) (5.6) (5.1) (4.7) ------ ------ ------ ------- Equity Value $188.1 $169.8 $154.7 $142.2 Equity Value Per Share (5) $43.93 $39.65 $36.15 $33.23 Non-Railroad NCRR Assets (6) $2.35 $2.35 $2.35 $2.35 Adjusted Equity Value $190.4 $172.1 $157.1 $144.6 Adjusted Equity Value Per Share (5) $44.46 $40.18 $36.67 $33.76 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assumes transaction closes 12/31/97 (1) Assumes Mid-Year Discounting (2) $550,000 in 1995 dollars, indexed by the IPD-GDP (3) Assumes a $5.0mm payment received 12/31/2023, discounted at 8.0% (4) Assumes the Indexing cap has a (3.0)% impact on revenue value (5) 4,283,470 shares outstanding 9/30/96 10-Q (6) Non-railroad real property not producing income. (7) IPD-GDP deflator values used were 2.24% for 1994, 2.57% for 1995 and 1.73% for 1996. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 37 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company NCRR Revenue Sources-Lease Extension - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================================ REVENUE SOURCES PER YEAR(1) ISSUES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 1 Revenue Certain Under Lease Lease Extension $8,000,000 Indexed by the GDP deflator 1968 Lease 81,319 Fixed Non-operating Properties 100,000 NCRR Estimate Dividend 4,500 30 shares of the University ---------- Railroad with a $150 dividend Tier 1 Revenue $8,185,819 Tier 2 Revenue - Unresolved Issues CSX/1862 Chatham Railroad Lease $115,000 Under negotiation: - $80,000 track usage fee, indexed - $35,000 Non-operating lease pass-throughs Lease Extension CSX Usage payment 250,000 Tier 2 Revenue $ 365,000 ---------- Tier 1 & Tier 2 Revenue $8,550,819 ================================================================================ (1) 1995 dollars - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 38 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company NCRR Cash Costs -- Lease Extension - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==================================================================== NORMALIZED NCRR OPERATING COSTS - 1995 DOLLARS(1) -------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 275,000 Salaries & Administrative 45,000 Professional Fees - Consulting 100,000 Insurance & Taxes 30,000 Capital Expenditure 100,000 Other --------- $ 550,000 --------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Cash costs grow at the rate of the implicit price deflator of the gross domestic product (IDP - GDP) - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 39 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Estimate of STB Determined Rental - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the absence of an agreement between the NCRR and Norfolk Southern for a lease of the NCRR's property, as the result of an NCRR petition, the STB should rule on the NCRR's request to set both interim and permanent lease rates for Norfolk Southern's use of the NCRR. Choice of Methodologies There is no prescribed methodology for the STB to follow in setting rates for track usage, however Replacement Cost New Less Depreciation (RCNLD) is the methodology with the most precedent. Net Liquidation Value (NLV) has been used in one case. If the STB rules on the rent to be paid by the NCRR there is no guarantee that the STB will use either of these methodologies to calculate the rate to be paid, or it may make adjustments in the way it applies them. Lack of Precedent It must be noted that the STB has not presided over a case in which a non-operating entity has leased its tracks to an operating railroad. The fact that the NCRR is a REIT adds to the complexity of the situation and makes the outcome of the STB hearings more unpredictable. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 40 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company STB Lease Rate Setting -- RCNLD - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reproduction Cost New Less Depreciation Analysis ($ in Millions) ==================================================================================================================== POTENTIAL GROSS RENTAL LESS POTENTIAL PROPERTY DEFINITIONS (1) RCNLD ANNUAL RENTAL(3) UPKEEP (4) VALUATION(2) @11.7% @11.7% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Land only - 50' ROW (Right of Way) $ 40 $ 4.7 2. Land with Grading and Bridges - 50' ROW 180 21.1 2a. Scenario 2 without Bridges 161 18.8 3. Land only - 200' ROW 115 13.5 4. Land with grading and bridges -200' ROW 260 30.4 4a. Scenario 4 without bridges 241 28.2 5. Land with grading, bridges, track and signals - 200' ROW 400 46.8 $ 22.1 6. Land with grading, bridges, track and signals - 200' ROW plus yards and shops excluding Spencer (Linwood) Yard 412 48.2 23.5 7. Land with grading, bridges, track and signals - 200' ROW plus yards and shops including Spencer (Linwood) Yard 450 52.7 28.0 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Examines various definitions of property varying from narrow to broad. (2) Based upon Mercer Management Consulting analysis. (3) STB rail industry composite after-tax cost of capital for 1995. (4) Assumes maintenance of $10.2mm and capital expenditures of $14.5mm, based on Mercer Management Consulting analysis. Possible STB options: (i) Use a restricted asset definition (Scenarios 1 to 4a) and leave NS the upkeep; or (ii) Use a full asset definition (Scenario 5, 6 or 7) and charge the NCRR for upkeep. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 41 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company RCNLD Lease Values - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Perpetuity Value of RCNLD Leases (6) (Dollars in Millions, except per share values) ==================================================================================================================================== PERPETUITY OF GROSS RENTAL LESS RENTAL @ 6.0% UPKEEP @ 6.0% (5) -------------------------------------------- POTENTIAL 11.7% PER 11.7% PER POTENTIAL PROPERTY DEFINITIONS(1) RCNLD VALUATION RENTAL(3) SHARE(4) RENTAL(3) SHARE(4) (2) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Land only - 50' ROW (Right of Way) $ 40 $70.2 $16.39 2. Land with Grading and Bridges - 50' ROW 180 351.3 82.01 2a Scenario 2 without Bridges 161 313.1 73.10 3. Land only - 200' ROW 115 220.8 51.54 4. Land with grading and bridges -200' ROW 260 511.9 119.50 4a Scenario 4 without bridges 241 473.7 110.60 5. Land with grading, bridges, track and signals - 200' ROW 400 793.0 185.12 $369.1 $86.17 6. Land with grading, bridges, track and signals - 200' ROW plus yards 412 817.1 190.75 393.2 91.80 and shops excluding Spencer (Linwood) Yard 7. Land with grading, bridges, track and signals - 200' ROW plus yards 450 893.3 208.56 469.5 109.61 and shops including Spencer (Linwood) Yard - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Examines various definitions of property varying from narrow to broad. (2) Based upon Mercer Management Consulting analysis. (3) STB rail industry composite after-tax cost of capital for 1995. (4) 4,283,470 shares outstanding. (5) Assumes maintenance and capital expenditure of $24.7mm. (6) Includes a one-time charge for NCRR general and administrative expenses of $10.1mm. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 42 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company STB Lease Rate Setting -- Net Liquidation Value - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Liquidation Value (NLV) has been used on one occasion by the STB. It may be used if the STB were to allocate maintenance to Norfolk Southern. Net Liquidation Value Methodology ($ in Millions) ============================================================================= POTENTIAL NLV GROSS ANNUAL POTENTIAL PROPERTY DEFINITIONS VALUATION RENTAL 11.7% (1) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property including Spencer (Linwood) Yard $43.9 $5.1 Property excluding Spencer (Linwood) Yard $42.2 $4.9 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) STB rail industry composite after-tax cost of capital for 1995. Source: Mercer Management Consulting analysis. Perpetuity Value of NLV Based Rental(2) ($ in Millions, except per share values) ================================================================================ POTENTIAL NLV VALUE AT VALUE AT POTENTIAL PROPERTY DEFINITIONS VALUATION 6.0% 6.0% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property including Spencer (Linwood) Yard $43.9 $78.0 $18.22 Property excluding Spencer (Linwood) Yard $42.2 $74.6 $17.42 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Includes a one-time charge for NCRR general and administrative expenses of $10.1mm. (3) 4,283,470 shares outstanding. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 43 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Lease to Third Party - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There may be some interest from a short line operator to lease or purchase the right to operate freight service from Raleigh to Morehead City. NS also may be perceived as the only logical operator of the Raleigh-to-Charlotte line. Value Implications o Mercer Management Consulting believes the Raleigh-Morehead City line is currently a loss maker and therefore there should be no loss of NS revenue (under the Lease Extension Agreement). o Assumes the freight rights on the Raleigh-to-Morehead City segment are valued at 2.0x revenues ($9.0mm). - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 44 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Preliminary Diversion Analysis -- Roanoke/Bristol/Knoxville Line - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost and Value Impact on NS ($ in Millions) ======================================================================== - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annual Operating Cash Flow Impact on NS in 1997 $ 69.0 NS 1997 Operating Cash Flow Multiple (1) 7.4x Implied Loss of Value to NS Due to Lost Operating Cash Flow $ 511 Replacement Capital Requirement $ 271 Total Estimated Valuation Impact $ 782 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Mercer Management Consulting Analysis (1) As of 1/28/97 - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 45 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Impact of Additional Car Mileage and Traffic - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercer Management Consulting estimates that the annual operating cash flow impact to NS to divert traffic from the NCRR is approximately ($69)MM. The Key assumptions: o NS would retain all divertible traffic and upgrade the Roanoke/Bristol/Knoxville line o NS would lose all local and non-divertible overhead traffic on the NCRR o NS would retain traffic forwarded to and received from the NCRR, but would experience a diminished length of haul and diminished revenue and operating costs o Changes in NS operating costs are based on analysis using the Uniform Rail Costing System (URCS) - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 46 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company NS Replacement Cost for the NCRR - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercer's estimate for the capital cost to replace the NCRR is $271MM based upon: o Upgrading the Roanoke/Bristol/Knoxville route to carry all non-captive overhead traffic from the NCRR. o 304,000 carloads to be diverted o Estimates provided by NCRR and adjusted for recent events - ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Line Segment Item/Quantity Total Cost ($MM) - ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Roanoke - Bristol Passing Track/10.5 miles $16 Bristol - Knoxville CTC/90 miles 14 Passing Track/14 miles 21 Knoxville - Ooltewah CTC/86 miles 14 Passing Track/12 miles 18 Bull's Gap - Atlanta 2nd Main Track/135 miles 189 ---------- $271 - ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 47 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company NCRR Operating Cash Flow to Norfolk Southern - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercer Management Consulting prepared estimates of NS' NCRR derived operating cash flow using three different methods. The yearly figures are: Regression Model --> $33.4 million North Carolina State Reporting --> $34.4 million NS System Total Reporting --> $28.7 million - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Range $28.7 - $34.4 million - -------------------------------------------------------------------- NS 1997 Operating Cash Flow Multiple 7.4x (3) - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Implied Enterprise Value $212.4 - $254.6 million Implied Per Share Value $49.59 - $59.43 - -------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Revenues were estimated and allocated based on gross-ton mileage information derived from NS' traffic density map. (2) Estimates were developed for three segments of the NCRR line: Charlotte - Greensboro; Greensboro - Raleigh; Raleigh - Morehead City. (3) As of 1/28/97. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 48 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Selected Comparable Railroad Transactions - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Class 1 Railroad ($ in Millions) =================================================================================================================================== ADJUSTED VALUE AS A MULTIPLE OF ------------------------------- ADJ. PRICE / DATE ANN./ TARGET COMPANY ADJUSTED ADJ. PRICE/ TRACK MILE OPERATING OPERATING DATE COMP. ACQUIRING COMPANY EQUITY PRICE PRICE MGTM (1) ($000'S) SALES CASH FLOW INCOME - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10/23/96 Conrail, Inc./ $10,465.7 $12,425.2 N.A. $701.4 3.3x 12.6x 17.7x Pending Norfolk Southern Corp. 10/15/96 Conrail, Inc./ $9,762.9 $11,722.4 N.A. $661.8 3.1x 11.8x 16.6x Pending CSX Corp. 1/17/96 CCP Holdings, Inc. / $139.0 $157.0 $34.9 $184.7 2.1x 4.4x 4.6x 6/13/96 Illinois Central Corporation 11/10/95 Mexrail Inc./ $46.9 $46.9 N.A. $299.0 2.6x N.A. N.A. 12/12/95 Kansas City Southern Industries 8/3/95 Southern Pacific Rail Corp./ $4,012.9 $5,476.0 N.A. $377.7 1.7x 12.5x 18.7x 9/11/96 Union Pacific Corp. 3/23/95 Chicago & North Western/ $1,573.6 $2,667.7 N.A. $477.1 2.4x 8.9x 11.8x 6/23/95 Union Pacific Corp. 1/18/95 Santa Fe Pacific Corp./ $3,635.8 $4,770.4 N.A. $611.6 1.8x 7.6x 11.1x Withdrawn Union Pacific Corp. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Mercer Management estimates. (Continued on next page) - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 49 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Selected Comparable Railroad Transactions - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Class 1 Railroad ($ in Millions) =================================================================================================================================== ADJUSTED VALUE AS A MULTIPLE OF ------------------------------- ADJ. PRICE / DATE ANN./ TARGET COMPANY ADJUSTED ADJ. PRICE/ TRACK MILE OPERATING OPERATING DATE COMP. ACQUIRING COMPANY EQUITY PRICE PRICE MGTM (1) ($000'S) SALES CASH FLOW INCOME - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12/23/94 Santa Fe Pacific Corp./ $4,077.8 $5,212.4 N.A. $668.2 1.9x 8.3x 12.2x 9/22/95 Burlington Northern Inc. 7/19/94 Kansas City Southern $638.7 $1,573.7 $59.4 $551.2 3.1x 8.2x 11.1x Withdrawn Industries, Inc. (Railway Division)/ Illinois Central Corporation 9/12/92 MidSouth Corporation/ $213.5 $350.0 $58.6 $318.2 3.2x 8.2x 11.1x 6/10/93 Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. 1/8/92 Green Bay & Western $7.7 $10.2 N.A. $40.0 0.5x N.M. N.M. 8/27/93 Railroad Co./ Wisconsin Central Transportation Corp. (Itel Corp.) 1/8/92 Fox River Valley Railroad Co./ $54.4 $79.3 $72.1 $375.8 2.8x 9.6x 13.3x 8/27/93 Wisconsin Central Transportation Corp. (Itel Corp.) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Mercer Management estimates. (Continued on next page) - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 50 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Selected Comparable Railroad Transactions - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Class 1 Railroad ($ in Millions) =================================================================================================================================== ADJUSTED VALUE AS A MULTIPLE OF ------------------------------- ADJ. PRICE / DATE ANN./ TARGET COMPANY ADJUSTED ADJ. PRICE/ TRACK MILE OPERATING OPERATING ============================================================================================================================== DATE COMP. ACQUIRING COMPANY EQUITY PRICE PRICE MGTM (1) ($000'S) SALES CASH FLOW INCOME 05/16/90 Delaware & Hudson Railway/ $25.0 $25.0 N.A. $28.9 N.A. N.A. N.A. 1/18/91 Canadian Pacific Ltd. 2/20/90 RF&P Corp. (Railway $135.0 $135.0 N.A. $1,194.7 2.7x 6.5x 8.4x 10/10/91 Operations)/ CSX Corp. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High: $72.1 $1,194.7 3.3x 12.6x 18.7x Average: 56.3 463.6 2.4x 9.0x 12.5x Median: 59.0 427.4 2.6x 8.3x 11.8x Low: 34.9 40.0 0.5x 4.4x 4.6x ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Implied Enterprise Value of NCRR NCRR - Average $292.8 $147.0 $195.4 $309.6 $331.3 NCRR - Median 306.8 135.5 211.6 285.5 312.7 Implied Per Share Value of NCRR NCRR - Average $68.35 $34.31 $45.61 $72.28 $77.33 NCRR - Median 71.62 31.63 49.41 66.66 73.00 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Mercer Management estimates. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 51 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Value to the State - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The NCRR represents a railroad operation and right of way (ROW) that will be of increasing value to the State as time passes and the cost of reproducing the ROW increases. The use of the railroad for economic development and transit purposes has value to the State in a number of ways, including: o Taxation revenue o Right of way usage o Reduced highway spending o Employment o Environmental Priorities Valuation of the benefits of full ownership of the NCRR by the State is difficult to quantify, especially considering that passenger rail services, while often desired by a government are usually cash flow negative. Two recent railway corridor purchases by the states of Florida and California show that replacement cost can be a proxy for value in instances in which a State is purchasing a rail corridor for public use. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 52 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company State Uses For the NCRR - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================================ PROPOSED USES OF THE NCRR - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Triangle Transit Authority Chartered with providing public transport within the Triangle area - is proposing to run passenger commuter service over NCRR lines in the Triangle. High Speed Rail Corridor(1) The NCRR line between Charlotte and Raleigh has been designated as part of a high speed rail corridor by the U.S. Department of Transport, linking Charlotte to Washington, D.C. Global Transpark(1) Rail service along the NCRR's route is seen a major supporting element for the establishment of the Global Transpark in eastern North Carolina. Promoting Economic Encourage industry to locate close to Development(1) the NCRR through the use of concessional freight rates and favorable leases on NCRR property. The NCRR is seen as an important element for the further development of the Morehead City port. Corridor Uses(1) ROW use for oil, gas, water or sewer lines; communications lines and power transmission. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Report of the Governor's Special North Carolina Railroad Study Group. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 53 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company State Rail Corridor Purchases - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two recent purchases of railroad corridors give an indication of the value place by a State on the ownership of a railroad corridor in fast growing and densely populated areas. ($ in Millions except for per share values) ==================================================================================================================== IMPLIED NCRR (1) ACQUIROR/SELLER DATE DESCRIPTION PRICE PRICE PER MILE PRICE PER SHARE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State of Florida/ 1988 81 miles of track from $ 263 $ 3.25 $ 240.42 CSX Corp West Palm Beach to Miami. CSX retained freight rights State of California/ 1992/1993 340 miles of track sold to Santa Fe 8 transportation agencies $ 482 $ 1.42 $ 104.91 in the Los Angeles area Average $ 2.34 NCRR at Average Price 317 Miles $ 740 $ 2.34 $ 173.17 NCRR RCNLD 317 Miles $ 450 $ 1.42 $ 105.06 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: The valuation basis of the Florida/CSX transaction was RCNLD. (1) Based on price per mile by 317 miles and 4,283,470 shares outstanding. The section of NCRR track from Raleigh to Charlotte offers the State the section of the track most ready to be used for passenger service, while the section of the track from Raleigh to Morehead City is where the railroad is important to the economic development aims of the State. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 54 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company NCRR Right of Way Land Value - NCDOT Estimate - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In December 1996, the right-of-way (highway) section of the North Carolina Department of Transportation estimated the cost of acquiring land to duplicate the NCRR right of way. The cost estimate was $225MM - $250MM. Land Value Estimates - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCATION DOLLARS PER ACRE - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morehead City, Havelock, New Bern Kinston $50,000 - $200,000 Outlying Morehead City and Selma 2,000 - 10,000 Raleigh, Durham and Research Triangle 30,000 - 200,000 Rural areas of Durham, Orange and Alamance counties 5,000 - 10,000 Burlington 40,000 - 80,000 Rural Alamance and Eastern Guilford 5,000 - 25,000 Greensboro/High Point 50,000 - 100,000 Rural Davidson County 4,000 - 4,000 Salisbury 40,000 - 80,000 Kannapolis, Concord and Charlotte 40,000 - 60,000 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 55 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company IPD - GDP Estimate - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lease Extension Agreement between NCRR and Norfolk Southern contains a provision for the payments by Norfolk Southern to be indexed, on a lagged basis, by the Implicit Price Deflator of Gross Domestic Product (IPD-GDP). An estimate of an average rate 1.0-3.0% for the IDP-GDP for the next 50 years will be used. There are few published long term estimates for the US IPD-GDP available from reliable sources. As a result a Credit Suisse First Boston economist was consulted. His view is: o There has been, and continues to be, a shift in the fiscal policies of Governments globally towards fiscal restraint and balanced budgets; o This will lead to the IPD-GDP averaging between 1.0%-3.0% over the next 30-50 years, compared to a compounded annual rate of 4.4% from 1960 to the third quarter of 1996;(1) o This estimate does not take into account the impact a major war or oil shock could have on inflation as the timing and impact (if any) of these events difficult to estimate. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Data inconsistencies make a comparison of IPD-GDP values prior to 1960 to those after 1960 inconsistent, however including the 1950's in the equation would lower the average compound IDP-GDP rate. For the CPI it lowers the average 0.55% and for the Producer Price Index (PPI) by 0.42%. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 56 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Measures of Inflation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consumer Price Index, Producer Price Index and IPD - GDP Quarterly Year-on-Year Percent Changes 1950-1996 Q3 [LINE GRAPH OMITTED] Source: PPI and CPI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDP - GDP, Bureau of Economic Analysis. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 57 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Preliminary Discount Rate Analysis - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ===================================================================================================================== SECURITY/INDEX NOMINAL YIELD BENEFITS OF USING AS PROXY DOWNSIDES OF USING AS PROXY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P&WV Common(1) 7.86% o All revenues derived from o Under the terms of the lease, long-term operating lease with NS annual payments do not grow with REIT structure inflation o Relatively small market capitalization o P&WV lease goes through 2067 (less renewal risk) NS Preferred(2) 6.36% o Reflects subordinated, unsecured o Fixed rate coupon position in long-term NS obligation o Does not grow with inflation o Preferred has DRD eligibility S&P Utility Index(3) 5.05% o Dividends grow roughly with o Reflects common stock and inflation utility-specific risk o Distributes majority of earnings as dividends NS Long Term Debt (4) 7.54% o Actual long term NS debt, o No inflation adjustment (2021) reflecting unsecured position in Low renewal risks long term NS obligation U.S. Government 3.45% o Reflects inflation premium o Controversy over the exact CPI CPI Indexed Bond(5) definition and novelty may depress yield. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) NS railroad lease that qualifies for REIT tax status. Assumes quarterly dividend of $.14 per share; $7.13 per share closing price 1/28/97. Market equity value of $10.6 million. (2) Based on $2.60 annual dividends; $40.88 closing price 1/29/97. (3) As of 1/28/97. (4) As of 1/28/97. (5) First auction of 10 year U.S. Government CPI indexed bonds occurred on 1/29/97, with an acceptance yield of 3.45%. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 58 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Preliminary Discount Rate Analysis - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Potential Estimates of Real Discount Rate ============================================================================================================================= P&VW S&P UTILITY US GOV'T REFERENCE SOURCE COMMON NS PREFERRED NS DEBT INDEX INDEXED BOND RANGE - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Nominal Yield 7.86% - 7.86% 6.36% - 6.36%(3) 7.54% - 7.54% 5.05% 3.45% Long-Term Inflation Expectation 3.00% - 1.00% 3.00% - 1.00% 3.00% - 1.00% - - ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 4.86% - 6.86% 3.36% - 5.36% 4.54% - 6.54% 5.05% 3.45% 4.5 - 6.0% - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Impact of Inflation Rate Escalation Cap ========================================================================= ANNUAL COMPOUND RATE 1960 - 1995 1950 - 1995 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- IPD - GDP 4.39% NA Consumer Price Index 4.71% 4.16% Producer Price Index 3.87% 3.45% IDP-GDP Under Index Cap 4.11% (1) Impact on Value (3.81)%(2) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Lease Extension Agreement indexing cap of 4% adjustment plus 75% of IPD-GDP movement in excess of 4.0% (2) Discounted at 8.0% and includes IPD-GDP adjustment cap. (3) Does not include a yield adjustment for DRD. Adjustment would result in a yield of 9.0% assuming a 38.0% tax rate. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON CONFIDENTIAL 59 - ------------======================---------------------------------------------- North Carolina Railroad Company Recent Stock Price Performance - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daily Closing Prices January 3, 1996 to January 29, 1997 [BAR GRAPH OMITTED] Source: IDD Information Services/Tradeline. - ----- CREDIT | FIRST ---------------------------------------------------------- SUISSE | BOSTON