Norfolk Southern's solid fourth quarter — combined with the optimism the railroad is hearing from their customers and support they’re getting from Washington D.

Norfolk Southern says it has a deal with Ancora Holdings to keep the investor from launching a repeat of this year’s campaign to take control of the railroad.

The flurry of contract agreements announced early this fall — including two more Wednesday — offer evidence that major railroads and their unions are working to avoid the standoffs that led them to a brink of a national strike two years ago.

Norfolk Southern railroad’s streamlined operations delivered strong earnings last quarter, even excluding boosts from insurance payouts related to the disastrous derailment in East Palestine and the sale of two rail lines.

Norfolk Southern said Thursday that its new CEO’s salary will jump to $1 million now that Mark George has been promoted from chief financial officer, and he will be eligible for a $2.25 million bonus and significant stock awards for performance.