Month: November 2009

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Amtrak

Amtrak to Begin Major Bridge Project in New York

November 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK – Amtrak is making major investments in the New York area to bring its bridges, tracks and other infrastructure up to a state of good repair, increase track speeds and improve operations, including a soon to start $10 million project to rehabilitate the Pelham Bay Bridge located along the Northeast Corridor. “Amtrak is committed to maintaining and improving our infrastructure in New York to ensure the safety of passengers and support efficient train operations,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman, noting a specific focus on the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor between New York and Boston and on

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FRA

New Study Shows Freight Rail Fuel Efficiency Up More Than 20 Percent Since 1999

November 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a study showing vast improvements in freight rail fuel efficiency over the last two decades, approximately 22 percent between 1990 and 2006. “While all types of transportation are vital to the distribution of goods across the country, this study shows that utilizing America’s freight rail system can lead to significant fuel savings,” said FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo. “The environmental benefits of these positive changes over the last two decades are enormous. We look forward to working with the freight rail industry to make sure these gains continue.” Several factors point to the

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Commuter Rail

N.J. Transit Joins FRA ‘Close Call’ Pilot Program

November 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — N.J. Transit has started its participation in the Close Call Project, a safety pilot program designed to give rail employees the ability to voluntarily and anonymously report “close call” incidents that could have resulted in an accident but did not. “We are excited that New Jersey Transit is taking part in this valuable safety program that has already proven to reduce injuries and save lives,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We hope that others will follow suit and strengthen our efforts.” N.J. Transit is the third railroad – and the first passenger railroad – to join the program

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BNSF

Montana Sues BNSF

November 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

BILLINGS, Mont. — The state of Montana is suing BNSF over a 1984 settlement agreement regarding Central Montana Railway (CMR), a wholly owned subsidiary of the state. “The State’s suit primarily deals with issues that have already been before federal courts for the past four years,” BNSF said in a statement. “Many of these issues were resolved in BNSF’s favor by the federal court and arbitration panels. We intend to continue these efforts to demonstrate that our actions are legal, designed to provide Montana producers with rate transparency and protect Montana producers from excessive rail rates.”

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Miscellaneous

Axion Signs Milestone $957,000 Contract for Construction of Railroad Bridges Made from Recycled Plastic

November 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J. –Axion International Holdings, a next-generation technology innovator utilizing recycled plastic for high-load industrial products, today announced the completion of a milestone $957,000 contract for the construction of two railroad bridges designed from nearly 100 percent recycled plastics. The U.S. Army has commissioned each of these bridges to be built at Fort Eustis, Va., home of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. The main structural components of these bridges will be made entirely from recycled consumer and industrial plastics using Axion’s proprietary immiscible blending to create Recycled Structural Composites (RSC). With load rating capacities of 130 tons, these bridges

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Short Line/Regional

Railmark Sells Michigan Railroad

November 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WALLED LAKE, Mich. — Railmark Holdings announced that it sold its Michigan Air-Line Railway Co. to Nebraska-based Browner Turnout Co. The Oakland County Michigan railroad serves the communities of West Bloomfield, Commerce Township, Walled Lake and Wixom and is the home of the iconic Star Clipper Dinner Train, the first dinner train in North America, now in its 25th season. Browner Turnout Co. becomes the fifth owner of the rail line in 123 years. The price and terms of the sale are not being disclosed by the Company, however, Railmark is using the transaction to eliminate its long-term debt, redeem

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NTSB

Inspector Gives NTSB Clean Bill

November 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — For the seventh consecutive year the National Transportation Safety Board’s financial statements received an unqualified, or “clean,” opinion from the Department of Transportation Inspector General. The results are from an audit conducted on the Safety Board’s financial statements for Fiscal Year 2009. The opinion comes at a time when the Board has realized improvement in several management measurements. “As proud as I am of the continuing professionalism of the NTSB’s accident investigations,” NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said, “I am gratified that the agency has demonstrated achievement in its stewardship of taxpayer resources.” Recently, the Government Accountability Office issued

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Amtrak

Amtrak Cascades Adding New Stop

November 17, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SEATTLE – For the first time in 38 years, passenger rail service is returning to the community of Stanwood/Camano Island with daily Amtrak Cascades train service making two morning and two evening stops at a new rail station beginning the morning of Nov. 21. “Amtrak is delighted to stop in Stanwood and provide residents with direct access to train travel and connections to our national network,” said Kurt Laird, Amtrak District Superintendent. “The opening of this new station could not come at a better time with the 2010 Olympics right around the corner,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “Not