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April 28, 2011 8:20 AM, EDT

Norfolk Southern Corp.’s first-quarter profit rose from the same quarter last year on higher freight levels, the Eastern freight railroad said late Wednesday.

Net income rose to $325 million, or 90 cents per share, up from $257 million, or 68 cents, a year ago. Railway operating revenue rose 17% to $2.6 billion.

Intermodal revenue rose 18% to $483 million, and general merchandise revenue rose 10% to $1.3 billion. Coal revenue gain 30% to $816 million.