Year: 2012

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Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad Investing $20 Million to Test Emissions-Reducing Locomotive Technology in California

August 14, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Union Pacific Railroad is investing $20 million to test new technology designed to reduce diesel emissions from freight locomotives in California. A series of 25 experimental locomotives will be based in two Union Pacific rail yards in California as part of a rigorous test of emissions-reducing technologies. The investment represents Union Pacific’s latest effort to further reduce emissions and move closer to the U.S. EPA’s Tier 4 locomotive emissions standards for new locomotives starting in 2015. The experimental locomotives are intermediate line-haul units, with an operating range of approximately 200 miles, and will be used exclusively in

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FRA

Federal Railroad Administration, OSHA Sign Agreement to Protect Railroad Workers from Retaliation

July 23, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) signed an agreement to improve coordination between the two agencies in enforcing the whistleblower provision of the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA). The FRSA protects employees from retaliation when they report safety violations to the government or report work-related personal injuries or illnesses. “Safety is our highest priority and this agreement is an important step in providing protections for those who report unsafe conditions,” said FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo. “Establishing a formal process for safeguarding the rights

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Commuter Rail

Metro Takes Delivery of State-of-the-Art Track Geometry Vehicle

July 5, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

Metro has accepted delivery of its first track geometry vehicle (TGV), a specialized railcar equipped with advanced technology to analyze the condition of rail and track infrastructure, and to alert Metro to potential defects. The TGV, built by Falls Church, VA-based Ensco, Inc., gives Metro in-house capability to inspect track with greater speed and efficiency, and to detect track anomalies before they have an impact on service. “Ultrasonic and geometry testing can be performed to assist in managing maintenance needs and advance identification of ‘trouble spots’ to improve reliability of service and limit disruptions,” said Tom Robinson, Metro’s Deputy Chief

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CSX

CSX names John W. Kelsey Business, Technology Park ‘Select Site’

June 7, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced the selection of the John W. Kelsey Business and Technology Park in Greenville, Ill., as one of its first certified CSX Select Sites. CSX has introduced CSX Select Sites to offer customers an easy way to access certified, rail-ready properties for a variety of industrial uses. “These sites represent many of the best manufacturing properties along CSX’s rail network in the eastern U.S.,” explained Clark Robertson, CSX Assistant Vice President – Regional Development. “The Select Site designation promotes shorter decision timelines, increased speed to market, and lower up-front development risk for companies seeking industrial

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CSX

CSX Announces Record First Quarter Results Inbox

April 22, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced first quarter net earnings of $449 million, or $0.43 per share, versus $395 million, or $0.35 per share, in the same period last year. This represents a 23 percent year-over-year improvement in earnings per share. “CSX is off to a fast start in a year that will be dynamic and challenging,” said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer of CSX. “A significant majority of our transportation markets are performing very well and our operations are delivering excellent results.” Revenue in the quarter improved 6 percent from the prior year to nearly

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History

City honors switch operater for role in Civil War chase

April 13, 2012 Todd DeFeo

The north Georgia city of Kingston on Thursday honored a former city resident for his role in the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862. Kingston was a turning point in the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862, in part, because station agent/switch operator Uriah Stephens declined to hand over the switch keys to James J. Andrews. Hours earlier, Andrews and a group of Union spies stole The General locomotive from what is now Kennesaw, Ga., while the train stopped for breakfast. Andrews’ goal was to destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a major Confederate road that connected Atlanta and Chattanooga. “In this day

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Miscellaneous

The Andrews Raid: A Timeline of Events

April 12, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

KENNESAW, Ga. – April 12, 1862. It was the one-year anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and the morning passenger train – pulled by the locomotive General – arrived in town. A band of Union spies led by James J. Andrews, the men planned to steal the locomotive and then destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a vital link between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., in the heart of the Confederacy. The Andrews Raid, also known as The Great Locomotive Chase, ultimately failed. More than an “astounding adventure,” the raid was near genius. Thursday marks the 150th anniversary of

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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern’s ‘Train Your Brain’ Safety Campaign Heads to Alabama

April 11, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Alabama, known for college sports, beaches, and space camp, among other things, will never be the same once Brainy, a giant, wide-eyed pink walking brain, arrives this week. Brainy, a hapless brain in need of training, is Norfolk Southern’s (NYSE: NSC) public safety mascot. Brainy is part of Norfolk Southern’s “Train Your Brain” public railroad safety program, now in its sixth year. Brainy reminds people to be smart and alert around highway-rail grade crossings and to avoid trespassing on railroad property. Alabama was selected as a target for the Train Your Brain campaign because it is a