Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 262

House to Discuss Amtrak Reauthorization Bill

June 11, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The House was today expected to discuss a bill to reauthorize Amtrak and improve intercity passenger rail. Last month, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved HR 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The bill authorizes $14.4 billion for Amtrak capital and operating grants, state intercity passenger grants, and high-speed rail over the next five years. Even if the house approves the bill, it faces a tough road since President Bush has said he supports a self-sufficient Amtrak. Major provisions of the bill include: – Authorizing $4.2 billion (an average of $840 million per

Heavy Traffic, Complex Rail Crossing Played Role in 2005 Collision

June 10, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

ELMWOOD PARK, Ill. — The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of an accident that occurred at a highway-railroad grade crossing in Elmwood Park, Ill., was a combination of factors including the intersection angle, the heavy holiday traffic and the complex street and rail pattern and related signal interactions at the intersection. “Despite the efforts of state and local authorities to address the safety concerns at this large and complicated grade crossing with a variety of signage and technology improvements, this accident occurred because these changes still failed to prevent vehicles from being trapped inside the crossing

Senators Want to Look at Proposed CSX Investors

June 5, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Democratic and Republican senators want an investigation into the push that foreign investors are making to take control of CSX, according to a published report. “Very little is known about the investors in the TCI group or those investors’ agenda,” the senators said in a letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, USA Today reported. “They are anonymous and invisible to government regulators” and could be fronts for foreign governments.” TCI is a hedge fund that formed a group to nominate a slate of directors to stand for election at the 2008 CSX annual meeting. In March, CSX filed

Senate Committee Reschedules NTSB Hearing

June 4, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces that the Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee NTSB Reauthorization Hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. June 5 has been postponed. A new date and time for the hearing will be announced as soon as it is available. The hearing is expected to focus on the activities of the NTSB and its legislative reauthorization proposal. The NTSB’s current authorization expires on Sept. 30. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., will chair the hearing.

Congressmen Oppose CN’s Request for Expedited Review

June 4, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Sens. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., have sent a joint letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) stating their opposition to Canadian National’s request for an expedited environmental review and decision on its pending acquisition of the EJ&E Railroad. “Given the impact of this acquisition on local communities throughout Northwest Indiana, it’s important that the STB have the time for careful consideration of the deal,” Bayh said. “I believe strongly that area residents should be given the opportunity for a thoughtful, public review and the chance to voice concerns and have

Rediscover the Coast Starlight: Enhanced Parlour Cars Debut in Time for Summer Travel Season

June 4, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND — Amtrak is unveiling a new look on the Coast Starlight just in time for the busy summer travel season, officials said. This legendary train, which operates daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, features refurbished Parlour Cars, new Arcade rooms and enhanced amenities. “This is going to be an exciting summer for passengers traveling on board the Coast Starlight,” said Emmett Fremaux, Amtrak’s Vice President, Marketing & Product Development. “The Coast Starlight has long been one of the most popular long-distance trains in our network and we are delighted to bring these upgrades to our dedicated passengers.” The new

Suit Against UP Gains Class Action Status

June 4, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

LEWISVILLE, Ark. — The families of Arkansasans who were either killed or injured in accidents between 1992 and 2005 involving Union Pacific and who later settled with the company have been certified as a legal class to pursue additional compensation for their claims. On April 11, 2008, Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge Jim Hudson determined that a class action should proceed in a case against the railroad, according to the Duncan Firm. The suit does not include railroad employees. The suit alleges that Union Pacific violated the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices act. The railroad is accused of pressuring families and

STB to Hold Hazardous Materials Hearing

June 4, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public hearing next month to discuss “issues related to the common carrier obligation of railroads—the duty of railroads to provide transportation or service on reasonable request—with respect to the transportation of hazardous materials.” The hearing follows one held in April on the general topic of the common carrier obligation of railroads. The July 16 hearing “will provide a forum for a more detailed discussion of issues specifically pertaining to the railroads’ common carrier obligation regarding the movement of toxic by inhalation hazards and other hazardous materials,” the STB said in a

FRA: Train Crews in Wrecks Have Better Chance of Survival

June 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Train crews involved in a locomotive collision will have a better chance of survival with reduced injuries as a result of the first-ever federal freight locomotive crash worthiness standards issued, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman said. The regulation is intended to prevent the locomotive cab from being crushed during a head-on collision with another locomotive, or when it strikes the rear of another train, a shifted load on a train on an adjacent track, or a vehicle at a highway-rail grade crossing, Boardman said. “This regulation will give engineers and conductors a better chance to walk away

RailWorks Appoints Holt President of National Transit Division

June 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — RailWorks Corp. has appointed Michael P. Holt as president of the National Transit division of its transit systems subsidiary, L.K. Comstock & Company Inc. Holt comes to L.K. Comstock with more than 30 years of construction experience in the public and private sectors, focusing on heavy civil, building, and water and wastewater treatment facility projects. He most recently served as vice president and East Coast regional manager for MWH Constructors Inc., an international program management, consulting and construction services firm. Prior to that he held leadership positions at a range of respected construction companies, including Holt &