News – Page 265 – Railfanning.org

UP Offers Quick Web Pricing Solutions For Expanding “MexDirect” Service

March 31, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire 0

OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific has announced that customers can now access rail through-rates and easy-to-use instructions on the UP Web site for their MexDirect product, offered in conjunction with the Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana and other participating rail connections. MexDirect, first introduced last year, is the industry’s first “one-stop” rail product for shipments moving between major markets in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Union Pacific and Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana (TFM ) also announced the expansion of this innovative product, first introduced to cover iron and steel sheet or coil, to include other steel products, lumber, and various panel products. “We

CSXT Modifies Fuel Cost Recovery Program

March 25, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire 0

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In an effort to more quickly respond to changing market conditions and the continued volatility in fuel prices, CSX Transportation (CSXT) announced today modifications to its fuel cost recovery program. After the transition to the new program, CSXT’s fuel surcharges will be applied in smaller increments, on a more real-time basis, consistent with increases or decreases in fuel prices. With the changes, CSXT will no longer only adjust surcharges in 2 percnt increments for every $5/barrel change in crude oil prices. Instead, the surcharge will be adjusted up or down 0.4 percent for every dollar increase or

CPR Uses Vin Numbers To Boost Auto Shipment Efficiency

March 25, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire 0

TORONTO, Ontario – Canadian Pacific Railway is nearing completion of a $4.5-million, multi-year program to harmonize railway shipments of motor vehicles with manufacturers’ and dealers’ computerized inventory systems through the use of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that appears beneath the windshield of every new car and light truck. Once fully operational by mid-year, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) VIN program will make it possible for customers to follow the progress of not only railway freight cars but also the individual automobiles and light trucks in them as they make their way from assembly plants to showrooms via the railway’s

CPR Joins Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism

March 23, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire 0

CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian Pacific Railway on March 21 announced it has further strengthened its cross-border security by joining the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). C-TPAT is a U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection initiative to build relationships between business and government that strengthen overall supply chain and border security. “C-TPAT membership is an important vote of confidence in the steps CPR has taken to run a secure railway in the face of recent security threats,” Rob Ritchie, CPR’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said. “Initiatives such as C-TPAT help to keep important international trade routes operating safely

Amtrak Gets Most of Requested Funding

March 10, 2003 The Cross-Tie 0

WASHINGTON – Congress on Feb. 13 passed legislation granting Amtrak a $1.05 billion operating and capital grant for the 2003 fiscal year. Additionally, repayment of a June 28, 2002, $100 million from the U.S. DOT loan from has been deferred. “We have no plans to shut down,” Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Van Veen told Gannett News Service. Amtrak’s $1.2 billion request for the fiscal year was predicated upon projected revenue levels and tight controls on spending. Despite the appropriation, Amtrak still believes sustaining operations will be an ongoing challenge. “Though the budget will be extremely tight, this funding level should be

Amtrak Gets Most of Requested Funding

March 1, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire 0

WASHINGTON – Congress on Feb. 13 passed legislation granting Amtrak a $1.05 billion operating and capital grant for the 2003 fiscal year. Additionally, repayment of a June 28, 2002, $100 million from the U.S. DOT loan from has been deferred. “We have no plans to shut down,” Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Van Veen told Gannett News Service. Amtrak’s $1.2 billion request for the fiscal year was predicated upon projected revenue levels and tight controls on spending. Despite the appropriation, Amtrak still believes sustaining operations will be an ongoing challenge. “Though the budget will be extremely tight, this funding level should be

Intermodal Freight: The Railroad’s livelihood

February 15, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire 0

For a sixth time in seven years, intermodal freight set an annual record during 2002, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). “2002 was a very challenging year for industries across the economic spectrum, including freight railroads,” said AAR vice president Craig F. Rockey. “Obviously, we’re pleased to have set another intermodal record — an indication that the intermodal partnerships between railroads, motor carriers, and steamship lines are working extremely well.” Intermodal — the movement of trailers or containers on rail cars — accounts for approximately 20 percent of U.S. Class I rail revenue. Over the past 10 years,

Amtrak Funding: What’s the Answer?

February 1, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire 0

Can Amtrak operate without government funding? “Earlier today I met with Senator Patty Murray of the Appropriations Committee concerning Amtrak funding for FY ’03,” Amtrak President David L. Gunn said on Jan. 15, 2003. “I updated Senator Murray on the progress being made to stabilize Amtrak’s operations and finances and to bring tight new fiscal controls to bear on the company. I also repeated my concern that federal funding substantially less than $1.2 billion in FY ‘03 will take us right back to the near-shutdown we experienced last summer.” Murray, D-Washington, along with several Senate Republicans, on Jan. 16 ensured

NS Corp. to Spend $798M in 2003

January 31, 2003 The Cross-Tie 0

Norfolk Southern Corporation plans to spend $798 million for capital improvements in 2003.

This train is bound for Glory … and Washington, D.C.

August 22, 2002 Todd DeFeo 0

ATLANTA – For train fans, the only thing better than watching trains is riding them. And that’s what I’m about to do. I decided rather than sitting around for my vacation, I’d hop on No. 20 (that’s the Northbound Crescent, for those of you who might not know) and take a trip to Washington, D.C. I’ll depart Atlanta at about 8 p.m. and arrive at Union Station at about 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. Yes, it’s a long trip, but it’s also an experience. I reserved a coach seat. I thought that would provide me with the best train experience. Besides,