December 2003 – Railfanning.org

CPR: Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure Should be National Priority

December 31, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire

Canada urgently needs a long-term strategy to address looming capacity constraints in the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure, Rob Ritchie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific Railway, said here Dec. 5.

Web site features trains in Marietta, Ga.

December 30, 2003 Railfanning.org

An updated website chronicles railroad activity in this metropolitan Atlanta town.

Orange Alert: Nationwide Railroads Step Up Security

December 24, 2003 The Cross-Tie

Nationwide, railroads stepped up security following the announcement of an increase to the country’s terror threat level.

SEPTA Statement on Passage of the Pennsylvania Fiscal 2004 Budget

December 24, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire

The passage of the Fiscal 2004 Pennsylvania state budget restores a 6 percent cut in SEPTA subsidies ($15 million), but does not alleviate the need for greater state support for public transit in the Commonwealth.

MTA, Bus and Rail Operators Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

December 24, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire

A tentative agreement has been reached on a new three-year labor contract between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the United Transportation Union, which represents 5,000 bus and rail operators, officials announced Dec. 18.

Innovation Under Way as Railway Aims to Cut Costs

December 18, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire

Canadian Pacific Railway in December became the first railway in Canada to operate intermodal freight trains with mid-train remote-control locomotives, the company said.

Communities Can Quiet Train Horns

December 17, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Dec. 17 announced a rule allowing local communities to quiet train horns at some 150,000 railroad crossings nationwide if safety requirements are met.

NS to Spend $810 Million in 2004

December 11, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire

Norfolk Southern Corporation plans to spend $810 million in 2004 for capital improvements to its railroad operations and subsidiaries.

November is Good to Amtrak

December 11, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak ended the busiest November in its 32-year history with a ridership total of 2,076,054, up 11.7 percent over last year’s total of 1,858,345.

Intermodal Sets Annual Record on U.S. Railroads

December 11, 2003 Railfanning.org News Wire

For the eighth time in the past ten years intermodal traffic on U.S. railroads has set an annual record, according to the Association of American Railroads.