January 2008 – Railfanning.org

Norfolk Southern Names Dimino VP Audit and Compliance; Carter Retires

January 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Joseph C. Dimino has been named vice president audit and compliance for Norfolk Southern Corp., effective Feb. 1, with headquarters in Norfolk. He will report to Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman. Dimino joined Norfolk Southern in 1976 as an attorney and was promoted to senior general counsel in 2002 and vice president and corporate counsel in 2006. He was named vice president compliance in 2007 and will keep that responsibility. Dimino earned a political science degree from the University of Rochester and a law degree from the University of Virginia. In his new position, Dimino assumes the

More Than 150,000 Rail Passengers in Southern China Stranded

January 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BEIJING — Thousands of Chinese railway passengers were stranded following heavy snow in southern China. More than 150,000 passengers were stranded at the Guangzhou railway station. The station is on the southern end of a the rail line that connects Beijing. Many of the passengers were heading home for Lunar New Year holiday. An additional 450,000 passengers were expected to be stranded in the coming days. It isn’t clear when rail service might be restored. Several major highways and airports were also been closed because of the heavy snows and freezing rains. — Railfanning.org News Wire

Nine Killed in Turkish Derailment

January 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KUTAHYA, Turkey — Nine people were killed and at least 14 injured when a passenger train derailed Jan. 27 in western Turkey. The train was carrying more than 400 people when two of its cars derailed near Kutahya. The train left Istanbul and was heading for Denizli at the time of the derailment. Investigators are probing whether speed or ice on the tracks played a role in the crash. — Railfanning.org News Wire

Norfolk Southern Reports Fourth-Quarter and 2007 Results

January 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. reported record fourth- quarter 2007 net income of $399 million, an increase of 4 percent, compared with $385 million for fourth-quarter 2006. Diluted earnings per share were $1.02, up 7 percent, compared with the $0.95 per diluted share earned in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net income for 2007 was $1.5 billion, down 1 percent, compared with record net income for 2006. Diluted earnings per share increased 3 percent, or 11 cents, to $3.68. “I am pleased to report that Norfolk Southern delivered a strong financial performance in the fourth quarter in the face

CSX Reports Strong Double Digit Earnings Growth in Fourth Quarter

January 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. reported fourth quarter 2007 net earnings of $365 million, or 86 cents per share, including a penny per share from insurance gains. In the fourth quarter of last year, the company reported earnings of $347 million, or 75 cents per share, including 18 cents per share from insurance gains, a gain on Conrail property and the resolution of certain tax matters. On a reported basis, earnings per share increased 15% percent on a year-over- year basis. “Once again, CSX delivered outstanding financial gains for our shareholders through strong improvements in safety, service and productivity,” said

NTSB: Inadequate Procedures and Safeguards Contributed to Two Fatal WMATA Accidents

January 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board is calling on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to tighten rules governing wayside worker safety following a pair of Metrorail accidents that resulted in three employee fatalities. “The safety provisions that are in place are understandably geared to the thousands of the daily Metro commuters,” said NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. “However, we also need to make sure that the same attention to safety is established for employees who service and maintain the track, signals, and railcars for the Metro system.” On May 14, 2006, a southbound WMATA Metrorail Red Line

Coast Starlight Suspended Due to Massive Mudslides

January 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHEMULT, Ore. — Following mudslides over railroad tracks north of Chemult, Ore., on Jan. 19, Amtrak Coast Starlight service will be disrupted Jan. 24 through Jan. 31. No alternate transportation is provided. Union Pacific Railroad has suspended all railroad traffic through the area. The northbound Coast Starlight (Train 14) is canceled from Los Angeles to Seattle from Jan. 24 through Jan. 31. The southbound Coast Starlight (Train 11) is canceled from Seattle to Los Angeles from Jan. 25 through Feb. 1. These dates may be extended. Although the Coast Starlight is canceled in its entirety between Los Angeles and Seattle

Amtrak and Labor Organizations Sign Tentative Agreement, Averting a Strike

January 18, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak and representatives of nine labor organizations today signed an agreement, avoiding a strike that would have brought to a halt the nation’s passenger railroad and dozens of other railroads that use Amtrak’s rail network. The nine unions were legally free to strike starting Jan. 30, 2008. The National Mediation Board had released the parties from mediation on Nov. 1, and a Presidential Emergency Board handed down recommended settlement terms Dec. 30. Details of the tentative pact were not immediately released to the public. The agreement will be sent to the affected union members for their ratification vote

NTSB to Discuss Two Fatal Subway Accidents

January 17, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 23) regarding two fatal Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail accidents. The incidents happened within six months of one another that involved wayside workers. On May 14, 2006, a southbound WMATA Metrorail Red Line subway train struck and killed a Metrorail employee as the train was about to enter the Dupont Circle station in Washington, D. C. The employee was an automatic train control system mechanic who had been working with two other mechanics at the interlocking just north of the Dupont Circle

‘World’s Top 25 Trains’ Announced by The Society of International Railway Travelers

January 12, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — What does Europe’s sophisticated “Venice Simplon-Orient-Express” have in common with India’s wheezing, narrow-gauge geezer, the 100-year-old steam “Toy Train”? They’re both members of a select group; namely, “The World’s Top 25 Trains,” as determined by The Society of International Railway Travelers. An organization of travelers who love the comfort and romance of great trains, the Society celebrates its 25th year in 2008. Some on the list are over-the-top luxury, such as the all-first-class “Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express,” Rovos Rail’s “Pride of Africa” and India’s “Deccan Odyssey.” Others offer the most stylish and comfortable way to see less-developed