Railfanning.org News Wire

No Picture
Amtrak

Amtrak to Perform High-Speed Rail Improvement Study in Michigan

January 30, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire
CHICAGO – Amtrak will perform a high-speed rail improvement study that will focus on determining what infrastructure upgrades are needed to provide 110 mph train service on the Norfolk Southern-owned rail corridor between Kalamazoo, Mich., and Detroit. “Amtrak believes 110 mph train service across Michigan is critical for the future and we’re committed to understanding what it will take to get there,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman, noting that Amtrak’s Wolverine service provides three daily roundtrips between Chicago and Pontiac via Detroit over the corridor. Boardman said Amtrak trains currently operate at 79 mph over the Norfolk Southern line between
No Picture
Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Reports 2009 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

January 27, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. reported fourth-quarter 2009 net income of $307 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared with $452 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, for the same quarter of 2008. Net income for 2009 was $1.0 billion, or $2.76 per diluted share, compared with $1.7 billion, or $4.52 per diluted share, for 2008. “Our fourth-quarter results demonstrate a continuation of the momentum we have generated since the second quarter of 2009,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “The results reflect a high level of performance throughout Norfolk Southern, and showcase the strength and flexibility of our franchise, our
No Picture
Canadian National

CN Reports Q4-2009 Net Income

January 26, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire
MONTREAL — CN reported its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2009. Fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 highlights: — Net income and diluted earnings per share for the final quarter of 2009 increased two per cent from the year-earlier period to C$582 million and C$1.23, respectively. The results included an after-tax gain of C$59 million (C$0.12 per diluted share) from a line-sale to Metrolinx, a transit agency in Toronto, and a deferred income tax recovery of C$99 million (C$0.21 per diluted share). — Excluding these items, adjusted fourth-quarter 2009 net income was C$424 million,
No Picture
Norfolk Southern

Thomas D. Bell Jr. Elected to Norfolk Southern Board

January 26, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire
NORFOLK, Va. — Thomas D. Bell Jr., chairman of SecurAmerica LLC, has been elected a director of Norfolk Southern Corp., Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman announced today. Bell retired as chairman and chief executive officer of Cousins Properties in July 2009. He previously served as chairman and CEO of the advertising and communications firm Young and Rubicam Inc., vice chairman and director of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, executive vice president of Ball Corporation, chairman of the Center for Naval Analysis, and president and CEO of the Hudson Institute. Bell attended the University of Tennessee and New York University. He served as
No Picture
Commuter Rail

NTSB Investigating WMATA Accident

January 26, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a team of investigators to today’s Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) accident in Rockville, Md. At 1:45 am (EST) a hi-rail vehicle, in the work zone on the red line near Rockville Station, struck and killed two employees on the track. The Metro employees, both males, were struck by a prime mover, a diesel-powered piece of equipment that is used to move heavy equipment, according to the preliminary report from Metro Transit Police. The employees were working along an outbound section of track on the Red Line in the direction
No Picture
CSX

CSXT: Economic Development Efforts Drive Job Creation

January 25, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Placing a substantial vote of confidence in rail transportation, customers committed to 92 new or expanded facilities on CSX Transportation (CSXT) lines in 2009. Upon completion, these projects will create nearly 1,400 new jobs, the company said. Located in 18 states and across markets that include energy, consumer goods and manufacturing, the projects ultimately will contribute $138 million in revenue, said Fredrik Eliasson, vice president-emerging markets. The facilities will be built on both CSXT lines and on some of the more than 230 short lines and regional railroads that connect to CSXT. “These projects collectively represent more
No Picture
Commuter Rail

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.