Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 271

NTSB: 2007 Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Rail Accident Was Failure to Provide Signal Protection for Track Maintenance Workers

March 18, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of the collision involving a Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority train with a maintenance truck in Woburn, Mass., was the failure of the train dispatcher to maintain blocking that provided signal protection for the track segment occupied by the maintenance-of-way work crew, and the failure of the work crew to apply a shunting device that would have provided redundant signal protection for their track segment. “This tragic accident occurred because several employees of the railroad failed to do a very important part of their job,” NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker

Train Accidents Decline for Third Consecutive Year, Other Rail Safety Data Improves

March 17, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The number of train accidents across the Nation declined for the third consecutive year according to preliminary 2007 data released by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters. “Our strong focus on improving rail safety is achieving significant results for three years running now,” Peters said, noting there has been 833 fewer train accidents, or a 24.6 percent reduction when comparing the period from 2004 to 2007. Peters stressed that some of the safety gains are attributable to aggressive implementation of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) National Rail Safety Action Plan first launched in May 2005. It

Amtrak Cascades Service North of Seattle Disrupted by Freight Derailment

March 17, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

Due to a BNSF freight train derailment on Monday, March 17, north of Seattle, the railroad is temporarily closed in the area. As a result, all train service is currently suspended between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. Trains #510 and #517, between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. are cancelled with alternate transportation provided. Trains #513 and #516 are cancelled between Portland/Seattle and Bellingham, with alternate transportation provided. Normal service is anticipated by the morning of March 18.

Wabtec Receives Orders Worth $100 Million to Supply Components for NY Subway Cars

March 13, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILMERDING, Pa. — Wabtec Corp. said it has received orders worth about $100 million to supply components for New York City subway cars being purchased under the city’s R-160 program. The contracts represent components for the first option order of 620 cars, which are to be delivered over the next two years. Under the R-160 program, New York City has now ordered 1,280 cars and has an option to order an additional 420. The cars are being built by ALSTOM Transportation and Kawasaki. Wabtec has been supplying components for the base order of 660 cars and will now provide the

China Ministry of Railways Chooses Verint IP Video Solution to Enhance Security of Beijing-Tianjin High-Speed Rail System

March 11, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

MELVILLE, N.Y. — The People’s Republic of China Ministry of Railways has selected Verint System Inc.’s Nextiva Critical Infrastructure IP video solution with integrated analytics to enhance the security of certain portions of the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed passenger rail system. The first high-speed rail system built in mainland China, the Beijing-Tianjin circuit will feature trains reaching speeds in excess of 300 kilometers per hour. The 74.6-mile rail system will connect the cities of Beijing and Tianjin and is scheduled to be fully operational by August of 2008 to support passenger transit at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. “Verint is pleased

KCS Realigns Operations Team, Promotes Two

March 7, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern and its U.S. subsidiary, The Kansas City Southern Railway Co., announced the promotions of two employees and the realignment of its transportation divisions and leadership team. David R. Ebbrecht was promoted from assistant vice president network operations to vice president transportation, reporting to Scott E. Arvidson, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Jeff M. Crandall has moved from vice president transportation to vice president engineering, reporting to Jerry W. Heavin, senior vice president international engineering. Mitchell S. Whitmire was promoted from general director materials logistics to general manager locomotive operations, reporting to

FreightCar America Announces Stay of Preliminary Injunction in Pension Case

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has stayed the preliminary injunction issued by a lower court in an ongoing lawsuit concerning the FreightCar America Inc.’s pension obligations at its Johnstown, Pa., manufacturing facility, the company said. The preliminary injunction had directed the Company to reinstate certain laid-off employees for pension purposes pending further proceedings in the lawsuit. The order of the Court of Appeals grants a stay of the preliminary injunction and directs the Company to take no action during the pendency of its appeal of the injunction, including closing the Johnstown facility, which would

KCS Announces the Appointment of Michael W. Upchurch as Senior Vice President Financial Management & Purchasing

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern announced the appointment of Michael W. Upchurch as senior vice president financial management and purchasing. Upchurch will direct The Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) and advise Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) on all long-range planning, purchasing and internal audit matters. He will report to executive vice president and chief financial officer Patrick J. Ottensmeyer. “In addition to an extensive background in managing a broad array of financial functions for a major, international telecommunications company, Mike brings an impressive track record of change management, driving for results and leadership,”

Class I Railroad Awards Duos Technologies Contract to Secure Critical Rail Yard

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A leading rail carrier has awarded a contract in excess of $500,000 to Duos Technologies, Inc. to secure a key rail yard in the western United States, safeguarding property and assets at the facility. Duos-developed intelligent video security and sensor technology will be used to establish a “virtual perimeter,” providing continuous, active monitoring of the yard and rail cars. The system is designed to function as an intrusion detector to identify a perimeter breach, assess threat risk, and promptly alert security personnel. Authorized rail security personnel can view both real-time, streaming video and video archives, both locally

Ohio Gov Asks Amtrak to Review 3-C Corridor for Possible Passenger Service

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Saying his administration is “committed to providing Ohio’s urban areas with the tools they need to create jobs and attract investments to make their communities vibrant centers of commerce,” Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has written a letter to Amtrak President & CEO Alex Kummant asking the nation’s passenger rail corporation to identify what is needed to initiate rail passenger service in the “3-C” (Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati) corridor. Governor Strickland asked that the analysis be done in two parts: Cleveland to Columbus and Columbus to Cincinnati (via Springfield and Dayton). The Governor called the 3-C the “backbone of the Ohio