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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Utilizes Wind to Power Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ohio

BELLEVUE, Ohio – Norfolk Southern is erecting a 50 kilowatt wind turbine at its Bellevue Yard in Ohio to power the yard’s wastewater treatment plant. Construction of the turbine is expected to begin in November and be complete by the end of the year. This is one of the first times wind has been used to provide power to a railroad facility in the U.S. “Norfolk Southern is assessing opportunities to utilize alternative renewable energy sources where practical,” said Chuck Wehrmeister, vice president safety and environmental. “We are confident that the wind turbine at Bellevue Yard will be an immediate

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Union Pacific

Appliance Manufacturing Employees Welcome at Union Pacific

OMAHA, Neb. – With nearly 40 percent of its workforce reaching retirement age in the next ten years, Union Pacific Railroad continues to recruit and hire new employees to ensure consumer products, ethanol, automobiles, coal and food continue to move across the nation’s rail system. This could be great news for the 550 employees affected by the recent plant closing in the Newton, Iowa area. “While we don’t expect all of our employees to take retirement the minute they are eligible,” said Barb Schaefer, senior vice president Human Resources, “we do want to add employees now so they will have

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Amtrak

‘Great Dome’ Car Added to Adirondack Service

WASHINGTON — Beginning Monday, Oct. 22, through Monday, Nov. 12, passengers riding Amtrak’s Adirondack train, which operates between New York City and Montreal, will have the unique opportunity to experience the spectacular view afforded by the historic “Great Dome” car between Albany and Montreal. Named for their design that features an upper level with windows on all sides as well as overhead, dome cars provide passengers with panoramic views of passing scenery. The dome car is temporarily assigned to the Adirondack, and provides views of fall foliage and Lake Champlain as the train travels through upstate New York and across

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Legislation

Some Say Rail Safety Bill Focuses More on Appeasing Labor Than on Most Effective Safety Improvements

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation to reauthorize the Federal Railroad Administration and fund federal rail safety programs for the next four years. The Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 renames the agency the “Federal Railroad Safety Administration” and seeks to address a number of issues pertaining to employee fatigue, grade crossing safety, employee training and positive train control. The bill passed the House by a 377-38 vote. “I am concerned that this rail safety bill concentrates too much on accommodating a big labor wish list rather than on the most effective means to improve

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CSX

CSXT Employee Wins Rail Industry’s Professional Environmental Award

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Association of American Railroads granted its top award for environmental professionals, the 2007 North American Environmental Employee Excellence Award, to Keith A. Brinker, manager of environmental remediation at CSX Transportation. Brinker received the award during an annual railroad environmental conference. A 28-year railroad veteran, Brinker’s accomplishments include: helping to establish CSXT’s first Environmental Operations Department; devising numerous standard operating procedures for the use of chemicals and cleaners; and organizing CSXT’s internal Environmental Crimes Unit (ECU), which ensures compliance with government and company regulations. “Perhaps [the railroad industry’s] most important environmental advantage comes from dedicated employees like

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Norfolk Southern

NS Ends ‘The Joint Section’

Norfolk Southern will terminate its 109-year operating agreement in Ontario, Canada, known today as “The Joint Section.” NS will offer interline rail service for these customers at interchange points in the U.S. for business to/from the following locations in Ontario, Canada: Chatham, Ft. Erie, Thamesville, Walkerville, Welland, Windsor, Niagara Falls, and Port Robinson.  NS will continue to participate in joint line business opportunities with our Class I and short line partners located in Ontario. — Special to Railfanning.org News Wire

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Safety

Union Pacific Urges Motorists and Pedestrians to Travel Safely This Halloween

OMAHA, Neb. — Millions of miniature witches, princesses and superheroes will canvass neighborhoods Halloween night in search of tricks-or-treats. During this spooky time, Union Pacific urges travelers – motorists and pedestrians alike – to take extra time when crossing railroad tracks and at grade crossings. It is essential always to practice safety at highway-rail grade crossings and to heed the warnings of automated crossing gates, flashing signals, stop signs, yield signs and crossbuck signs. When traveling near the railroad, please remember these important safety guidelines: Never walk along tracks and only cross tracks at designated pedestrian roadway crossings when on

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Amtrak

Amtrak California Corridor Ridership Rising Steadily

OAKLAND — Amtrak ridership in Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07) increased to 25,847,531, marking the fifth straight year of gains and setting a record for the most passengers using Amtrak trains since the National Railroad Passenger Corporation started operations in 1971. The three California corridors, operated under the partnership banner, Amtrak California, are the busiest in the nation behind the Washington – Boston Northeast corridor and the Empire corridor serving Albany – New York City. Passenger traffic on the Amtrak California trains continues to expand. Since 2001, ridership increased more than 35 percent while the State’s population rose by 7.1 percent.

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Amtrak

Annual Amtrak Ridership Sets All-Time Record; Fifth Straight Year of Increases

WASHINGTON — Amtrak ridership in Fiscal Year 2007 increased to 25,847,531, marking the fifth straight year of gains and setting a record for the most passengers using Amtrak trains since the National Railroad Passenger Corporation started operations in 1971. This total, for the period October 1, 2006-September 30, 2007, topped the 24,306,965 for the previous 12 months and is greater than the passenger count of 25.03 million reached in 2004, before Amtrak transitioned some services to a commuter rail operator. Total ticket revenue for the fiscal year, $1.5 billion was an 11 percent increase over the $1.37 billion in FY06.