May 2008 – Railfanning.org

House Committee Approves Transit Bill

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure earlier this month approved a broad transit bill that aims to support public transportation agencies and increases incentives for commuters to choose transit options HR 6052, known as the “Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008”, addresses the nation’s energy crisis by encouraging the growth of public transit, proponents say. “As the price of gas approaches $4 a gallon, more and more commuters are choosing to ride the train or the bus to work rather than drive alone in their cars,” said Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the

Kids Ride Free Weekends this Summer on Amtrak Hiawathas; Ridership Growth of More than 18 Percent on the Route

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — Take a ride on the Amtrak Hiawatha Service trains between Chicago and Milwaukee this summer and bring the kids for free. From now through August 31, kids ages 2 to 15 travel for free every weekend this summer — including Independence Day weekend in July. With the Amtrak Kids Ride Free promotion on the Hiawatha trains, two children may travel for free with each full-fare paying adult on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Amtrak Hiawatha Service trains offer seven daily departures in each direction Mondays through Saturdays, with six trains each way on Sundays. The Kids Ride Free promotion

Indian Railway Bulletproofing Locomotives

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW DELHI — An Indian railway that is at times the subject of terrorism is bulletproofing some of its locomotives, officials said. “The idea is to instill some confidence in our engine drivers,” Northeast Frontier Railways general manager Ashutosh Swami told Indian Express newspaper. “The move, along with the bulletproof jackets which are already being provided by the Assam Police, will boost their morale.” The move comes as the railway is working to resume operations on its Lumding-Badarpur division. The Black Widow militant group has targeted that section of line, and a strike on May 15 killed an engineer. The

N.J. Transit Moving to Extend Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Line

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit officials have awarded a contract for the final design and construction of a one-mile extension to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line. The transit’s board last month awarded a $58.4 million contract to George Harms Construction Inc. of Howell, N.J., for work to extend the light rail line to at 8th Street from its current southern terminus at 22nd Street. The extension includes the design and construction of foundations, viaduct structure, track work, intersection improvements, a new station, landscaping, lighting and customer amenities. “The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line has been serving Waterfront communities since opening eight

Toronto Transit Commission Orders Composite Ties

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — The Toronto Transit Commission ordered specialty-engineered composite railroad switch ties from Axion International, the company said. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), a public transport authority, operates buses, streetcars, subways and advanced light rapid transit in Toronto, Ontario. Axion, in conjunction with Rutgers University, has developed plastics technology that uses almost 100 percent recycled plastic. Axion’s structural products have the distinct advantage of being environmentally friendly as well as providing superior products to customers, officials say. Officials tout that the company’s products address the increasing worldwide environmental concerns for deforestation coupled with the specific goals for recycling,

Salt Lake City Orders 77 Light Rail Vehicles

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Salt Lake City’s Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has ordered from Siemens 77 S70 light rail vehicles over a four-year period. The $277 million contract surpasses the order volume from Siemens’ most recent win in Denver for 55 light rail vehicles and is UTA’s fourth order with Siemens. That brings the total number of Siemens vehicles for Salt Lake City to 117. “Utah is the fifth fastest growing state in the U.S. and the expansion of our rail system brings us closer to creating a more sustainable and less congested metro area for us and the next generation,”

CSX Appoints Gary Bethel as Vice President-Mechanical

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gary Bethel has been appointed as CSX’s Vice President-Mechanical, replacing Rich Regan, who will retire after 33 years of service. Bethel has served as Atlanta Division manager and in other key operating positions. His appointment is effective immediately, and a new Atlanta Division manager will be named soon. “Gary Bethel brings a wealth of operating and management experience to this important position,” said Tony Ingram, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “He will lead our efforts to maintain and improve our locomotive reliability and rail car availability, all with safety at the forefront.” Bethel began his

Norfolk Southern and 10 Short Line Railroads Create Short-Haul Rail Options in New York and Beyond

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. and 10 New York-based short line railroads have created a program to convert short-haul truck movements to rail. The “Empire Link” allows the short line railroads to market the excess rail freight capacity on NS’ Southern Tier main line between Binghamton and Silver Springs, N.Y., as well as on branch lines between Corning and Geneva, and between Waverly and Ludlowville. “With the high price of diesel fuel, the Empire Link is an attractive option for shippers currently trucking freight in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey,” said David Lawson, Norfolk Southern’s vice president industrial

Railroads Rack Up $380M in Federal Grants

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded $380.1 million for transit security as part of its Infrastructure Protection Activities (IPA) grant program. The grants will be used to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies. “With this year’s funding, the department will have provided roughly $3 billion in grants for securing the nation’s critical infrastructure and transportation systems,” Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said. “As capabilities mature, we’re encouraging state and local governments and the private sector to prioritize IED prevention and protection, communications capabilities, information sharing, and regionally

Patriot Rail Corp. Railroads Win Short Line ‘Jake’ Safety Awards

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Two Patriot Rail Corp. railroads won the prestigious 2007 “Jake” Safety Awards awarded by the American Short Line Railroad Association (ASLRRA) earlier this month. The award, presented to short lines and regional railroads with outstanding safety records, are named after Copper Basin Railway President and Chief Operating Officer L.S. “Jake” Jacobson, who created the award in 1994. Patriot’s Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railway (BAP) earned the ASLRRA’s Jake Award with Distinction for the second year in a row. In 2007, the BAP completed 34,590 man-hours with no reportable injuries. Based in Anaconda, Montana, the BAP operates