Month: July 2013

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Commuter Rail

Atlanta Braves Looking to Build Maglev to Turner Field

July 31, 2013 Todd DeFeo

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are looking to add a maglev train connecting Turner Field with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), the city’s mass transit system. According to published reports, the Braves are partnering with a Marietta-based company, American Maglev Technologies, on the proposed connection. Currently, anyone taking public transportation to the Braves’ stadium must transfer from the subway to a bus. While a rail link to Turner Field has been discussed over the years, one has yet to be built, prompting the recent maglev train proposal. “We think this is a huge opportunity to not only solve

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World

Swiss Train Crash Kills Driver, Injures 26

July 30, 2013 Voice of America

Two trains have collided head-on in western Switzerland, killing one train’s driver and injuring at least 26 passengers. Officials say 46 passengers were on board the trains when the accident happened late Monday in Granges-pres-Marnand. The cause of the collision was not immediately clear. Last week, 79 people were killed in a train crash in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela.

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Amtrak

Amtrak: New Locomotives Advancing in Testing Program

July 29, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

PUEBLO, Colo. – The new Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS-64) electric locomotives are now in a comprehensive and rigorous testing program, and are being put through the paces before entering Northeast service this fall. Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo and Siemens Rail Systems President Michael Cahill traveled to the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Technology Center (TTC) facility in Pueblo, Colo., to get an update on the testing program and to observe a testing demonstration. “These locomotives are the new workhorses of the Amtrak fleet in the Northeast and they must meet our performance-based

Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4014

July 29, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad reached an agreement with the Southern California Chapter – Railway & Locomotive Historical Society in Pomona, Calif., to transfer ownership of one of the world’s largest steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014, back to Union Pacific. Union Pacific plans to relocate No. 4014 to Cheyenne, Wyo., where Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet Operations team will work to restore it to operating condition. Details regarding those efforts will be made public at a later date. Union Pacific donated No. 4014 to the historical society December 7, 1961. The locomotive arrived January 8, 1962, at its current

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Miscellaneous

Southern Museum Wraps Up Successful Railroad Rendezvous

July 28, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

KENNESAW, Ga. — More than 600 people turned out Saturday for the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History’s first ever Railroad Rendezvous event. During the event, museum visitors were able to participate in games such as sack races and a bean bag toss, learn about railroads and safety precautions to take around them, and even de-code hobo symbols and learn about living life on the rails. “We want thank each and every person who came out to support us to help make our first ever Railroad Rendezvous a tremendous success,” said Valerie Serra, events coordinator for the Southern

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Amtrak

Central Florida’s SunRail scheduled to open next year

July 26, 2013 Todd DeFeo

ORLANDO, Fla. – Work on Central Florida’s first commuter rail line is progressing, and the line is expected to open by next year. Work to convert the corridor for use by SunRail remains ongoing and the headway is quite apparent. For example, new platforms are nearing completion at the Amtrak stations in Orlando and Winter Park; the stations will continue to serve the national passenger railroad once SunRail starts operations. As part of the 12-stop, 32-mile first phase, trains will operate between DeBary, north of Orlando’s city center, and Sand Lake Road in Orlando. When the second phase opens in

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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Earnings

July 24, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — For the second quarter of 2013, Norfolk Southern reported net income of $465 million, 11 percent lower than $524 million for second-quarter 2012. Diluted earnings per share were $1.46, down 9 percent compared with $1.60 per diluted share in the same period last year. “In the second quarter, Norfolk Southern delivered solid results, supported by growth in our chemicals, intermodal, and automotive businesses, despite continuing weakness in the coal markets,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “We continue to focus on service efficiency and velocity, which is enabling us to control operating expenses and deliver superior performance to our