May 2008 – Page 2 – Railfanning.org

New Ultra-Low Emission UP Locomotive Arrives in California

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific’s most environmentally friendly yard locomotive is on the job at J. R. Davis Rail Yard in Roseville, Calif. The first of four next generation Genset locomotives arrived in Northern California this week and is already pushing rail cars into place throughout the Union Pacific yard. The switcher builds on Genset technology developed by Union Pacific over the past six years, and is part of the railroad’s ongoing efforts to continue reducing air emissions in cooperation with federal, state and local environmental agencies. The new Genset switcher is powered by three 667-horsepower ultra-low-emission U. S. Environmental

Central California Traction Company Satisfied with Test of Ultra Low Emissions Locomotives from National Railway Equipment Co.

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

STOCKTON, Calif. — The Central California Traction Company (CCT) successfully performed an operational test at the Port of Stockton, Calif., and on its main line, the National Railway Equipment Co. (NREC) announced. CCT tested an N-ViroMotive GenSet locomotive from NREC. The locomotive was a two-engine 1400 HP (2GS-14B) 4-axle unit that is EPA certified and CARB recognized as ultra-low emitting GenSet locomotive. CCT’s objective in testing the new locomotive is fuel conservation, protecting the environment and operational efficiency which are vital to CCT’s cost effective operations in the Port of Stockton and Stockton to Lodi, Calif., officials said “The CCT

California State Assembly Approves California High-Speed Rail Legislation

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Assembly has approved legislation that improves the existing California High Speed Train Bond Act by strengthening provisions for financial controls, environmental findings and construction implementation, officials said. The legislation was approved by a 60-3 margin. The technical amendments in the bill clarify construction and financing requirements for the $9.95 billion dollar bond measure, which will be on the November 2008 statewide ballot. The bill also prioritizes construction segments based on financial readiness and ability to leverage local, federal, and private funds. Prior to passage on the Assembly floor, two Assembly committees, Assembly Transportation and

Amtrak Cancels Trains to Replace Bridge Span

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW LONDON, Conn. — For four days next month, Amtrak will cancel some of its trains in order to replace the movable span of the 90-year-old Thames River Bridge, located between Groton and New London, Conn. Rail service will be affected between New Haven and Boston on June 14-17 when Amtrak will install a new vertical lift span to replace the movable bascule portion of the bridge. That will mark the final stage of a multi-year, $83 million project designed to improve the reliability of the bridge, reduce the chance of operational failures and minimize train delays. “The aged drawbridge

DOT: Action Plan Contributes to Nearly 25 Percent Decrease in Train Accidents

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The number of train accidents has decreased by 23.3 percent in the past three years in part because the Department of Transportation has completed an ambitious plan designed to improve safety on the Nation’s railroads, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters says. “We’ve seen how much can be done when you combine good data analysis, sound strategies, and focused decisions to tackle persistent safety problems,” Peters said, stressing the achievements resulted from the Department’s National Rail Safety Action Plan, the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) comprehensive freight and passenger rail safety programs and the work of railroads, rail

Rail Network Could Face Major Congestion in Coming Decades

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Congestion on the nation’s rail network is expected to increase over the next two decades and could eventually pose a major problem, members of Congress warned. Since deregulation of the freight railroad industry in 1980, Class 1 freight ton-miles have increased 93 percent, while miles of track have decreased 40 percent, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., said. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the demand for rail freight transportation will increase 88 percent by 2035, and their studies estimate that an investment of $148 billion in infrastructure expansion will be needed over the ext 28 years to

MBTA Commuter Trains Collide, One Dead

May 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWTON, Mass. — One person died and a dozen were injured after two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains collided. The only fatality was the engineer of one of the trains. The employee had worked for MBTA for less than a year, according to media reports. According to reports, one train rammed into the rear of the other train, which was waiting at a red light. The National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a Go Team to investigate the collision. NTSB Rail Investigator Wayne Workman will serve as Investigator-in-Charge and lead the 7-member team.

MBTA Commuter Trains Collide

May 28, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOSTON — Two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains collided near Newton, Mass. The National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching a Go Team to investigate the collision. NTSB Rail Investigator Wayne Workman will serve as Investigator-in-Charge and lead the 7-member team. Board Member Kitty Higgins will accompany the team and serve as spokesman for the on-scene investigation.

Good Old Steam

May 28, 2008 Todd DeFeo

I went to Chattanooga this weekend. Here’s the first of what will likely be several videos. This shows No. 610 steaming around the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum:

43 Rail Customers Earn Norfolk Southern’s Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award

May 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. has recognized the safety performance of 43 of its rail transportation customers with the Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award for 2007. The awards, given annually for 12 years, are presented to companies that ship more than 1,000 carloads of hazardous chemicals without incident. “These valued customers have set the example for safe handling of chemicals transported by rail,” said Norfolk Southern Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman. “Their record of zero incidents demonstrates their commitment to safety in the workplace and in the community. Norfolk Southern is pleased to recognize their accomplishments.” Customers earning the award