Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 264

Proposed Maine Abandonment Would Force More Trucks Onto Roads

April 9, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Section of Environmental Analysis at the Surface Transportation Board issued a draft environmental assessment on the proposed abandonment of 233 miles of rail line in the northern Maine counties of Aroostook and Penobscot. The draft review found that the abandonment of this line could divert onto Maine’s highways as many as an additional 73,344 truck trips per year, consuming an additional 3.3 million gallons of fuel per year. However, the draft review, which estimated it would take four trucks to replace every rail car, found that the diversion of rail traffic onto trucks would appear to be

Canadian Pacific announces Ed Harris as Chief Operations Officer

April 9, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited announced the appointment of Edmond (Ed) L. Harris to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. Reporting to CP President and Chief Executive Officer Fred Green, Harris will join the Company with responsibility for all aspects of railroad operations, safety, customer service, engineering and mechanical services in both Canada and the US. “Ed is a proven railroader and industry leader, widely recognized for his focus on service reliability, asset utilization, and productivity,” said Green. “We welcome his expertise and look forward to him joining the team.” Harris has over 30 years

Union Pacific: Railroad Not Required to Prevent Drug Smuggling on Mexican Railroads It Does Not Control

April 8, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has filed a motion for summary judgment in its July 2008 lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding Customs and Border Protection (CBP) fines and seizures of rail cars at the Mexican border.

Amtrak: Positive Train Control on the Fast Track

April 6, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is moving to expand and build out its existing and proven train collision prevention safety technology—commonly known as Positive Train Control (PTC) — to cover all of the tracks it owns along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and on its Michigan Line by the end of 2012, three years ahead of a federal deadline.

Wabtec Unit Awarded Contract To Overhaul Transit Cars For Angel Trains

April 6, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILMERDING, Pa. — Wabtec Corp. said its Wabtec Rail subsidiary in Doncaster, England has been awarded a $26 million contract to overhaul 286 transit cars for Angel Trains. The project is expected to run through 2014.

L.B. Foster, Portec Rail Receive Second Request from Department of Justice

April 6, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

PITTSBURGH — L.B. Foster Co. and Portec Rail Products Inc. have each received a formal second request for additional information and documentary material from the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice.

Unitrac Receives Three-Year Special Trackwork Contract from WMATA

April 6, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Unitrac Railroad Materials, a wholly owned subsidiary of Healey Railroad Corporation and a specialty trackwork manufacturer and distributor of new and relay rail, has received a three-year contract to supply special trackwork to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

New Expedited Refrigerated Container Rail Service and Distribution Services to Begin Between Central Washington and Chicago

April 6, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

QUINCY, Wash. — Rail Logistics, Columbia Colstor, LaGROU Distribution and the Port of Quincy have started to offer a new expedited refrigerated intermodal “Cold Train” container rail and distribution service between Quincy, WA and Chicago, IL beginning the week of April 5.

Taye Diggs Joins Amtrak to Celebrate National Train Day

April 1, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Actor and avid train fan Taye Diggs will join Amtrak to kick-off the third annual National Train Day.

Norfolk Southern CEO Notes Positive Momentum in 2009 Annual Report Message to Stockholders

April 1, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — In his recent message to stockholders in the 2009 Annual Report, Norfolk Southern Corporation CEO Wick Moorman says the company “withstood the economic shocks of 2009 to produce good economic results, and I go into 2010 with a sense of optimism for our future prospects.”