August 2008 – Railfanning.org

Norfolk Southern Says NTSB’s Finding on 2006 Train Accident is Erroneous

August 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — In a formal petition filed with the National Transportation Safety Board, Norfolk Southern Railway Company presented documentation and analysis, including new evidence, clearly establishing good cause for the NTSB to reexamine and amend its conclusion regarding the cause of an Oct. 20, 2006, derailment in New Brighton, Pa. The NTSB’s assertion that the accident was caused by an “inadequate rail inspection and maintenance program” is contrary to both the new and previously available evidence provided to the agency during its original investigation, NS said. The immediate cause of the New Brighton accident was a rail fracture that

STB’s Buttrey Leaving Government

August 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Commissioner W. Douglas Buttrey announced that he plans to leave government service upon the completion of the Board’s work on several pending matters. Buttrey was nominated to serve on the Board by President George W. Bush on Nov. 17, 2003, for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31. He served as the agency’s Chairman from Jan. 5, 2006 until Aug. 14, 2006. Pursuant to the Board’s governing statute, a Board Member may continue to serve for up to one year after the termination of the Member’s term, unless a successor is appointed. Buttrey stated, in a

FRA Grant Supports Continued Research into PTC Wireless Communication Systems

August 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is issuing a $1.4 million grant to the Railroad Research Foundation to continue development and testing of wireless communications devices and systems for use with Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) technology. CBTC is a form of Positive Train Control (PTC) that can automatically control train speed and movements to ensure safe movements should a locomotive engineer fail to take appropriate action. In addition to advancing technical development of such technologies, grant funds will be used to: continue work on a portable remote operation device so employees on the ground can authorize a PTC-equipped

St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad to Install New Rail in Vermont with FRA Grant

August 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad is receiving a $924,510 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to supplement an ongoing project to upgrade about 18-miles of track between North Stratford and Norton, Vt. The grant funds will be used to install approximately three miles of continuous welded rail that support safer operations, heavier rail car loads and higher track speeds. In addition, the railroad is providing $231,128 in matching funds.

FRA Grant to Support Rail Upgrades at Washington State Intermodal Center

August 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHIGNTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding $882,000 to the Washington Department of Transportation for rail improvements at the Big Pasco Industrial Center. This intermodal facility is owned by the Port of Pasco and located along the Columbia River in southeastern Washington. The grant funds will be used to construct a new track junction with the BNSF Railway, a new highway-rail grade crossing at Sacajawea Park Road, and 1 ½ miles of new track within the industrial center to be used for rail car switching operations. These upgrades are part of a larger project at the facility intended

Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad Receives FRA Grant to Replace Cross Ties

August 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding a $100,000 grant to the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad that will be used to replace approximately 1,625 cross ties along a 25-mile segment of track between Cloe and Creekside, Penn. These funds will supplement a larger ongoing rehabilitation project to upgrade this line with safety improvements that will permit trains that deliver coal to the Edison Mission Homer City Power Plant to operate at higher speeds. In addition, the railroad is providing $25,000 in matching funds.

CSXI Celebrates National Driver Appreciation Week

August 28, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As part of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, CSX Intermodal (CSXI) is paying tribute to its owner-operators with events at many of the terminals where trains exchange containers and trailers with trucks. Truck drivers arriving at many of CSXI’s 40 terminals are greeted by banners proclaiming “thank you.” Meals are being served and gifts ranging from commemorative caps to sunglasses and tread gauges are being handed out. “Professional truck drivers are critical to our nation’s supply chain,” said Jim Hertwig, CSX Intermodal president, who rode with drivers in New Jersey and Chicago on deliveries of freight that

Amtrak California Corridor Ridership Continues to Soar in July

August 25, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND – July was an historic, record-breaking month for Amtrak California trains. More than half a million passengers traveled on the three state-supported services (Capitol Corridor, San Joaquins and Pacific Surfliner ), the most passengers Amtrak California has ever carried in a single month. The most significant ridership increase was on the Amtrak San Joaquins service (San Francisco/Oakland-Sacramento-Bakersfield) where more than 100,000 passengers traveled the route, a 32 percent increase over the previous year. Over 300,000 passengers rode the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains (San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo), a rise of more than 12 percent compared to the same month

FRA Provides First-Ever Bridge Inspection Handbook to All Railroads

August 22, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), and the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association (AREMA) have collaborated to distribute AREMA’s first-ever Bridge Inspection Handbook. It contains vital information for use by bridge inspectors, maintenance of way managers, and all other persons who are involved in decisions related to railroad bridge safety and management. It provides sound direction and advice based on recognized engineering practices to assist railroads in meeting its bridge inspection duties. FRA purchased and distributed one copy of this important reference guide to each of the

UIC Receives FRA Grant to Develop Software to Study Track Performance

August 22, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a $549,132 grant to the University of Illinois at Chicago to develop a computer software simulation tool to evaluate track performance and vehicle dynamics under high speed operation. Once complete, the software will enable to users to assess the behavior of complex light weight rail vehicles over rail lines. Through modeling and three-dimensional simulation, the application will demonstrate the interaction between train wheels and track under diverse conditions. It will also permit the study of derailment scenarios and how various types of rail vehicles are able to safely navigate track with different