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Amtrak

Amtrak Planning to Acquire New Next-Generation High-Speed Train Sets

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is advancing plans to acquire new next-generation high-speed train sets and ending its plans to purchase 40 additional high-speed passenger cars to add to the existing Acela Express fleet. In early 2013, Amtrak will issue a Request for Information (RFI) to formally start the process that will replace the existing 20 Acela Express train sets and add additional train sets to expand seating capacity and provide for more frequent high-speed service on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), the railroad said. “Moving directly to new high-speed train sets is the best option to create more seating capacity, permit higher

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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Completes Major Upgrade of Export Coal Facility

NORFOLK, Va, — Norfolk Southern has completed a major upgrade to its Lamberts Point export coal transload facility in Norfolk, positioning it to remain the largest and fastest coal transload facility in the Northern Hemisphere. More commonly known simply as Pier 6, the facility transfers coal hauled by train from Appalachian coal fields to ships bound for world markets. “This investment reflects our belief in the long-term prospects for the global coal market and Norfolk Southern’s continuing pivotal role in that market,” said Danny Smith, NS senior vice president-energy and property. “This helps assure that we will remain the premier

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CSX

Belfast Commerce Centre First in Georgia to Receive CSX Select Site Designation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corporation announced that the Belfast Commerce Centre in Bryan County, Ga. is the first recipient in the State of Georgia to receive CSX Select Site designation. CSX’s Select Sites program reviews manufacturing and distribution development sites along the CSX network that can rapidly utilize freight rail service. This designation confirms that standard land use issues have been addressed and that the site is ready for development. “The Select Site certification provides certainty for companies seeking industrial property for manufacturing operations and allows for increased speed to market and reduced development risk,” said Clark Robertson, assistant vice

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Amtrak

Mica: Focus High Speed Rail Construction on NEC

If the country is going to build high-speed rail, its focus should be squarely on the densely populated Northeast Corridor (NEC), especially considering the highway and air congestion in the region, and the existing connections to other transportation modes, U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., contends. The NEC is the only segment of rail primarily owned by Amtrak rather than the freight railroads. He stated that while the Administration has invested some in the NEC, it’s been in a piecemeal, half-baked fashion. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Members, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Department of Transportation Inspector General highlighted

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Commuter Rail

LaHood: $75 Million to Extend Light Rail in Arizona

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood last month announced a $75 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to build a 3.1-mile light rail extension connecting the city with Phoenix and Tempe. LaHood was joined at the event by Congressman Ed Pastor, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff and local officials. “The Obama Administration is committed to bringing more public transportation choices to fast-growing cities like Mesa,” LaHood said. “By investing in this light rail project, we are helping thousands of workers, seniors, students and others in Maricopa County connect with jobs, medical

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Miscellaneous

Southern Museum’s Annual Trains Event Attracts Railfans, Hobbyists and Families

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History will kick off its packed 2013 calendar of events with a family day focusing on all aspects of trains and featuring a model train expo. The “Trains, Trains, Trains” event will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, in the museum’s Jolley Education Center and throughout the museum. This family friendly event will feature crafts, tips and techniques for building a home layout and a variety of different model train layouts that can be operated by children of all ages. The daylong event

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Amtrak

Amtrak to Offer Modified Service Starting Nov. 1

Amtrak will provide modified Northeast Regional service between Boston and New Haven, Conn., and between Newark, N.J., and points south, on Thursday, Nov. 1. Amtrak will also operate Shuttle service trains between Springfield, Mass., and New Haven, Keystone Service trains between Harrisburg, Penn., and Philadelphia, and Downeaster service trains between Boston and Portland, Maine, along with additional overnight services to and from the Northeast. Amtrak is continuing to remove water from tunnels in order to make repairs to track, signal and power systems under the Hudson and East rivers and to restore service to and from Penn Station in New

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Commuter Rail

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Announces Restoration of Limited Commuter Railroad and Subway Service

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that beginning this afternoon, both Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad will begin to provide limited service on part of their respective networks. The Governor also announced that beginning Thursday morning, there will be limited subway service on several routes, supplemented by a bus shuttle between Downtown Brooklyn and Midtown. There will be no subway service between 34th St in Midtown and Downtown Brooklyn. Earlier today, Local, Limited-Stop and Express Bus service began operating as close to a normal weekday schedule as possible. As was the case yesterday, bus service will operate on a