Month: February 2008

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Union Pacific

Union Pacific Elects Lance M. Fritz Vice President-Labor Relations

February 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific said that Lance M. Fritz has been elected vice president-labor relations, succeeding John Marchant, who has announced he is retiring at the end of June. Fritz is currently the regional vice president for the Southern Region. The company also announced that Gregory D. Workman has been elected to succeed Fritz as the vice president-southern region. Workman, currently the assistant vice president-operations for the southern region will be succeeded by the superintendent of the Houston service unit, Daniel J. Shudak. Brian McGavock will succeed Shudak as general superintendent of the Houston service unit. Fritz joined Union

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Kansas City Southern

KCS Board of Directors Announce the Election of Henry R. Davis

February 28, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern said that Henry R. Davis of Mexico City, D.F., was elected as a member of the company’s board of directors by a unanimous vote of the current KCS board members at a meeting held Feb. 28 at the company’s headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. Davis was elected to fill a vacancy created by the resignation from the board of Arthur L. Shoener, KCS’ president and chief operating officer, who resigned in order to allow the company to increase the number of independent directors on its board without increasing the size of the board.

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Amtrak

Amtrak Celebrates Black History Month with Special Ceremony Honoring Pullman Porters

February 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak, in partnership with the A. Philip Randolph Museum, hosted a ceremony Feb. 25 at Washington Union Station to honor the contributions of the legendary Pullman Porters to the nation’s railroads. Amtrak employees gathered to give heartfelt thanks in person to three Pullman Porters who proudly served as far back as the mid-1940s.& Honored were E. Donald Hughes, retired sleeping car porter, from Columbia, Md., William H. Costen, retired chair car porter, from Hartford, Conn., and Thomas E. Dunn, retired dining car cook, from Washington, D.C. “Today’s celebration is an opportunity for Amtrak’s current employees to express their

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Short Line/Regional

Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Successfully Tested Ultra Low Emissions Locomotive from National Railway Equipment Co.

February 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway recently held a one-week operational test of a three-engine 2100 HP (3GS-21B) N-ViroMotive GenSet locomotive at their Gary, Ind., switch yard. The new unit is EPA certified and CARB recognized as an ultra-low emitting GenSet locomotive. “We have the objectives of fuel conservation, protecting the environment and operational efficiency on our railroad,” said Gerry Carr, senior road foreman of engines in Gary, Ind. “We performed an operational test of a National Railway Equipment Co. (NREC) N-ViroMotive unit to see if it would meet our objectives. “We were pleased with the result, as

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World

Axis Network Cameras on Norway’s Railways

February 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

STOCKHOLM — Axis Communications’ network cameras will be installed on trains in Norway. Axis’ partner ESP Group, a systems integrator with focus on intelligent video surveillance, received the order for a security solution from NSB, the Norwegian State Railways. Initially, the order comprises about 3.200 AXIS 209FD-R and AXIS 221 cameras, with a potential for additional installations. Axis network cameras are part of a solution on the trains to improve security for passengers and personnel. Mounting of the cameras will begin in spring 2008 and is expected to be completed mid-2010. The AXIS 209FD-R will be used for surveillance in

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Kansas City Southern

Fitch Upgrades Kansas City Southern de Mexico to ‘BB-‘

February 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Fitch Ratings has upgraded the foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) of Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) to ‘BB-‘from ‘B+’. The Rating Outlook is Stable. Fitch has also upgraded to ‘BB-‘ from ‘B+’ the following senior unsecured obligations of KCSM: –US$165 million 7.375% senior notes due 2014: –US$460 million 9.375% senior notes due 2012; –US$175 million 7.625% senior notes due 2013. These rating actions reflect KCSM’s improving operating profile, increased financial flexibility and stronger liquidity over the past two years. Operating EBITDAR, defined as operating EBITDA plus KCSM’s locomotive and railcar

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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Names Newell Baker to Lead Industrial Development; Collingwood Retires

February 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Newell M. Baker has been named assistant vice president industrial development for Norfolk Southern Corp. effective March 1, in Atlanta. He will report to Robert E. Martinez, vice president business development. Baker joined Norfolk Southern as a management trainee in the engineering department in 1973. He was named director industrial development, his current position, in 1993. Baker earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University. In his new position, Baker will assume the responsibilities held by Larry R. Collingwood, who will retire March 1 after a 36-year railroad career. Collingwood joined Norfolk Southern

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Miscellaneous

Ferromex Joins the TTX Railcar Pool

February 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — TTX, one of the nation’s leading railcar providers, today announced the expansion of its railcar pool with the addition of Mexican railway Ferrocarril Mexicano S.A. de C.V. (Ferromex). Ferromex becomes the first new owner of TTX in 43 years. Its addition to the TTX family is expected to enhance the utilization of energy efficient rail transportation for international movements. “This is an important step for our company,” said TTX President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew F. Reardon. “With Ferromex, we will extend the benefits of TTX’s time-tested business model to an important and growing participant in the North

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Amtrak

30th Street Station Celebrates Black History Month

February 25, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak 30th Street Station in Philadelphia will celebrate Black History Month on February 29, in the North Arcade reception area at the station. The celebration will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The day will feature an array of talented African American entertainers showcasing poetry, spoken word, dramatic presentations, instrumental performances, individual singers, chorale lyricists and interpretive dancers. There will also be motivational and inspirational speakers throughout the day. A diverse group of individuals will be represented with participants ranging from ages 6-60. Local politicians have been invited to speak or participate in the celebration. In