Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 241

MARTA Approves New Agreement for Ad Space

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — MARTA’s Board of Directors has selected CBS Outdoor Group Inc. to manage the sale and use of advertising space on buses, rail cars, stations, bus shelters and benches. The deal totaling a guaranteed minimum of $60.3 million includes a 15-year contract for bus shelters and benches and a five-year contract for transit advertisements, including rail cars, buses and stations. As part of these contracts, CBS will replace aging bus shelters, implement rigorous cleaning and maintenance programs for advertising venues, and offer new ways for customers to provide feedback, officials said. “At the core of this agreement is an opportunity

N.J. Transit Moves to End Locomotive Idling

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit is moving to a new policy that aims to significantly reduce diesel locomotive idling, Executive Director Richard Sarles said earlier this month. The new policy would be effective Jan. 1, 2008. Earlier this year, N.J. Transit ended locomotive idling above 40 degrees, but is expanding the policy to include temperatures down to zero degrees to further reduce noise, diesel fuel consumption and emissions. “Our new policy of turning off our locomotives to reduce idling will mean quieter rail yards and an improved quality of life for the communities we serve,” Sarles said. N.J. Transit has

N.J. Transit Plans Meetings to Discuss West Trenton Line

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit is planning a pair of public meetings to discuss a proposal to restore passenger rail service on the West Trenton Line. The proposed 27-mile line would link the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) West Trenton Station in Ewing (Mercer County) to N.J. Transit’s Raritan Valley Line in Bridgewater (Somerset County). Service on the Raritan Valley Line continues to Newark Penn Station. New stations are proposed in Ewing, Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Montgomery and Hillsborough. The line would provide additional transportation options in central New Jersey and promote Smart Growth planning and land-use principles near the

FRA Publishes Collision Hazard Analysis Guide for Passenger Rail Operators

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has published a step-by-step guidebook on how to identify and analyze potential hazards along a rail corridor for use in developing effective risk reduction strategies that will improve the safety of commuter and intercity passenger rail operations. The analysis provides a foundation for ensuring that hazards such as highway-rail grade crossings, overhead and trackside structures, or bridge abutments are evaluated and addressed. The FRA publication supports the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) ongoing Commuter Rail System Safety Program Plan initiative, officials said.

FRA Sends Model Legislation to Governors to Protect Against Scam Railroads

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration sent model State legislation to the nation’s Governors, which if enacted, would ensure that only people employed by actual railroad carriers, as defined by Federal rail safety laws and confirmed in writing by the FRA Administrator, are commissioned by state authorities to serve as railroad police officers. In addition, the model state law sets forth minimum qualifications required for a person to be commissioned as a railroad police officer including passing a criminal background investigation and submitting fingerprints to the FBI for clearance.

Virginia Railway Express Receives FRA RRIF Loan for New Railcars

November 24, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Virginia Railway Express, a commuter railroad operating in northern Virginia, is receiving a $72.5 million loan from the Federal Railroad Administration to finance a portion of the cost of acquiring 50 new bi-level passenger railcars. The new equipment will allow VRE to replace old railcars, increase the size of its fleet, add seating capacity to each railcar and improve service for its riders, officials said. The state of Virginia is providing an additional $20 million. VRE is the first commuter rail operator to receive a loan under FRA’s Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan program.

U.S. Class I Railroads Dominate Top 25 in List of Military-Friendly Employers

November 22, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — America’s freight rail industry dominated the fifth annual America’s Top 50 “Military Friendly-Employers” list published by G.I. Jobs, the nation’s premier career guide for military job-seekers. The magazine named four Class I freight railroads in the top half of the most military-friendly employers for 2007, selecting BNSF Railway as the No. 1 employer of military personnel. Also making the list were Union Pacific, CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern. “The nation’s freight railroads maintain a strong commitment to the men and women who serve our country,” said Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads.

FreightCar America Announces Major Organizational Changes in Its Sales and Marketing Group

November 21, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — FreightCar America is making several changes in its sales and marketing organization, involving people in Chicago; Johnstown, Penn.; and Plano, Texas. Ted Baun, who has been serving as vice president, sales — western region, has been promoted to the position of vice president, sales. In this new role he will lead FreightCar America’s nationwide sales effort, reporting to Ed Whalen, senior vice president, marketing and sales. Jay Hatfield, formerly manager, coal, emissions and railcar purchasing, with Luminant Energy, has joined FreightCar America to replace Baun as vice president, sales — western region. Hatfield has a B.A. in marketing

Amtrak Prepares for Busy Thanksgiving Travel Week, Expects 70 Percent Increase in Passengers

November 17, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Anticipating the busiest travel week of the year, Amtrak is planning ahead for Thanksgiving and encouraging customers to do the same. Amtrak is ready to welcome thousands of passengers aboard, especially in the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston, where more trains will be added during peak travel times. The week of Thanksgiving — Tuesday to Monday — is typically Amtrak’s busiest travel period of the year, carrying more than 600,000 passengers last year. On the heaviest travel day of the year for Amtrak, Nov. 21, the railroad expects ridership to reach over 115,000 passengers system-wide — 70 percent more passengers than an average Wednesday

Northstar Commuter Rail Receives $55 Million Earmark in Congressional Conference Report

November 16, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

ANOKA, Minn. — Northstar Commuter Rail leaders said they were pleased to hear this week that the conference report for the fiscal year 2008 federal transportation appropriations bill recommends $55 million for Northstar construction. Of the 40 new rail projects in the report, Northstar ranked 10th highest in total recommended dollars. “Northstar’s ranking in the bill demonstrates how important this project is to our country’s transportation system,” said Dan Erhart, chair of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA). “We have our Congressional delegation to thank for this good news, primarily Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar, and Representatives Jim Oberstar