Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 265

Feds Announce New Safety Standards for Freight and Passenger Trains

January 23, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Joseph Szabo on Jan. 12 announced historic safety regulations requiring that Positive Train Control (PTC) technology be installed on the nation’s major rail lines as well as commuter and intercity passenger rail routes.

Federal Authorities Want Recorders in Train Cabs

January 21, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities want trains to be equipped with audio and image recorders capable of providing recordings to verify that train crew actions are in accordance with rules and procedures that are essential to safety as well as train operating conditions. The recommendation was part of a National Transportation Safety Board investigation into a fatal 2008 Metrolink wreck.

Union Pacific Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings

January 21, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corp. reported 2009 fourth quarter net income of $551 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, compared to $661 million, or $1.31 per diluted share in the fourth quarter 2008. “Union Pacific’s fourth quarter earnings reflected the continued impact of the recession that began in 2008,” said Jim Young, Union Pacific chairman and chief executive officer. “In this difficult environment, we’ve continued to focus on running our business efficiently and improving customer service. As a result, we finished the year with new records in safety, service, customer satisfaction and efficiency.” Slightly stronger fourth quarter demand led

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reports Fourth Quarter/Full Year 2009 Results

January 21, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. reported quarterly earnings of $1.55 per diluted share, which included a tax benefit of $0.25 per share related to the fourth-quarter donation of a portion of a line segment located in Washington State. This compared to fourth-quarter 2008 earnings of $1.78 per diluted share, which included a fuel surcharge lag benefit of about $200 million. “We have seen some improvement in volumes during the second half of 2009 and expect this gradual improvement to continue,” said Matthew K. Rose, BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “BNSF will continue to position

Burke Centre Now an Amtrak Stop

January 18, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

RICHMOND, Va. — Beginning Jan. 18, Amtrak Virginia passengers have one more option when traveling on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional service from Lynchburg as the Burke Centre station becomes an Amtrak stop. Previously the station only provided connecting service for Virginia Railway Express passengers. With this new designation, passengers may now book travel to and from Burke Centre on Amtrak.com. “By adding Burke Centre to the Amtrak system, the rail travel possibilities from central Virginia are significantly enhanced,” said Jay McArthur of Amtrak’s Policy and Development Department, noting that passengers may now book travel to and from Burke Centre to any

Amtrak Set to Replace Niantic River Bridge

January 17, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON— Amtrak announced today it has awarded a $104.7 million contract to Cianbro/Middlesex VII of Littleton, Mass., for the replacement of the 102-year old movable bridge over the Niantic River in East Lyme, Conn. The three year project is set to begin in April, 2010. It is being funded by $47.1 million from Amtrak’s annual capital program and $57.6 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It is anticipated that this project will result in good paying jobs locally and in the region. The project involves construction of a new two-track bridge south of its present alignment. Additional work

Boardman: State of America’s Passenger Railroad is Strong

January 16, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman said the state of America’s passenger railroad is strong and announced it had set a first quarter ridership record carrying nearly 7.2 million passengers during the first three months of fiscal year 2010. In his State of the Railroad remarks (attached), he also said there is reason to be optimistic about the future declaring “the days of wondering if Amtrak is going to survive another year are behind us. This year, and the years ahead are, and will be, focused on growth.” He said his optimism is driven, in part, by the

NTSB to Discuss Fatal Metrolink Wreck

January 15, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a Board meeting on Jan. 21to discuss a fatal 2008 Metrolinktrain crash. At 4:22 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2008, Metrolink commuter train 111 and a Union Pacific freight train collided. As a result of this head-on accident, there were 25 fatalities and numerous injuries. On the day of the wreck, the Metrolink engineer, who was responsible for the operation of the train, received and sent several text messages on his cell phone while he was on duty. The meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in its Board Room and Conference Center,

Metro General Manager John Catoe to Retire

January 14, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Metro General Manager John Catoe has decided to retire and leave the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority after three years as its top manager. Catoe informed Metro’s Board of Directors today of his decision to leave the transit agency. His last day will be Friday, April 2. “I have decided that it is time for me to channel my future in new directions and provide this organization an opportunity to move beyond the current distractions,” Catoe said. “Good leaders know how to impact change. Great leaders know when it’s time for leadership change. I hope I fall into

Record Year for Union Pacific Railroad’s Domestic Intermodal Shipments; Railroad and UPS Achieved Perfect Peak Season

January 13, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad achieved a record year of 1.25 million domestic intermodal shipments in 2009. In addition, for the second consecutive year, Union Pacific and UPS achieved a “Perfect Peak Season” by delivering 100 percent of UPS peak season freight without a sort failure. “More and more customers are recognizing the value Union Pacific brings to their businesses,” said John Kaiser, Union Pacific vice president and general manager – Intermodal. “We have the equipment, core lane offerings and service products to provide a wide range of transportation solutions. Most importantly, we have the right people with the