2008 – Page 5 – Railfanning.org

FRA Announces Funding for Proposed Maglev Projects East of the Mississippi River

November 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration is now accepting applications from states or state designated authorities for $45 million in grant funding for proposed magnetic levitation (maglev) projects located east of the Mississippi River. The SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 limits the eligible projects to those in or between: Pittsburgh, Baltimore-Washington, and Atlanta-Chattanooga. FRA may award one or more grants which can be used for preconstruction planning activities and the capital costs of the fixed guideway infrastructure.

Traveling Between N.J. Transit, SEPTA Easier Than Ever

November 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — Just in time for the busy holiday travel season, N.J. Transit and SEPTA began a six-month effort promoting the ease of traveling between the two systems — including trips between Philadelphia and New York — with a simple connection at the new Trenton Transit Center. “We’ve made it easier than ever for customers to transfer between N.J. Transit and SEPTA, including a $79 million investment in Trenton Transit Center and new joint ticketing options,” said N.J. Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles. “Now, we want to get the word out and encourage customers to take advantage of the

FRA Issues Final Rule on Advanced Train Braking Technology

November 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Advanced brake technology will enable locomotive engineers to have better train control, lower the risk of derailment, and allow trains to safely travel longer distances between required brake tests under a new federal rule, announced U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters. “The concept is simple, better brakes allow trains to operate more safely,” Peters said, noting that the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) final rule on Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes will facilitate the widespread deployment of this technology by railroads and railcar owners. Peters explained that ECP brakes provide numerous safety and business benefits compared to conventional air

Amtrak Selects Transportation Industry Veteran as President & CEO

November 25, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s Board of Directors has selected Joseph Boardman, a nationally recognized transportation industry professional, to become president and chief executive officer of the company, effective Nov. 26. Boardman offers nearly 34 years of experience in the surface transportation industry at city, county, state, and federal government levels; most recently as the administrator at the Federal Railroad Administration, officials said. He succeeds Alex Kummant, who resigned Nov. 14. “In an attempt to maintain the momentum at Amtrak, while finding a permanent CEO candidate, the board has appointed Mr. Boardman for one year, but will conduct a search in the

St. Louis Opens $26.4 Million Transportation Hub

November 24, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis and Amtrak are pleased to announce the official grand opening of the Gateway Transportation Center (GTC), the city’s new $26.4 million multimodal transportation hub. Mayor Francis G. Slay, Comptroller Darlene Green, Amtrak Board Member Thomas Carper, Greyhound, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), Citizens for Modern Transit and other local officials dedicated the facility located at 430 South 15th Street. For nearly twenty years, a multimodal station to connect Amtrak, Greyhound, MetroLink and Metro Bus service has been an important concept in the overall design of St. Louis City’s transportation systems, but until

Renjel Named CSX VP – Strategic Infrastructure Initiatives

November 24, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Ward announced the appointment of Louis E. Renjel as vice president-strategic infrastructure initiatives. Renjel will report to Ellen M. Fitzsimmons, senior vice president-law and public affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary. “Louis will help our communities meet their transportation needs while increasing the capability of CSX to accommodate long-term growth,” Ward said. “His experience in the public and private sectors and his leadership in developing environmental solutions make Louis uniquely qualified for this assignment.” Renjel, who joined CSX in Washington, D.C., in 2006, has been active in the Company’s federal

Norfolk Southern Harnesses Sustainable Wind Energy

November 24, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Nov. 13, Norfolk Southern completed the installation of a 50 kilowatt wind turbine at its rail yard in North Kansas City to power the yard’s wastewater treatment plant. The wind turbine consists of three 24-foot rotor blades mounted on a 100-foot tower and is estimated to generate more than 100,000 kilowatt hours annually. “The North Kansas City wind turbine is the second of its kind on Norfolk Southern, and continues our efforts to promote and incorporate sustainable business practices,” said Chuck Wehrmeister, vice president safety and environmental. “We will continue to explore renewable energy

Amtrak Restores Auto Train Service Nov. 22

November 21, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak announced that Auto Train service will resume Saturday, Nov. 22, from both its terminals. The Auto Train carries passengers and their automobiles between Lorton, Va., and Sanford, Fla. The service was temporarily suspended Nov. 19 when cracks were found in the underframes of the rail cars that carry automobiles. No passenger-carrying cars were affected. “Although no incidents resulted from these cracks, we suspended service in the interest of safety,” Amtrak acting President and CEO William Crosbie said. We deployed welders and materials to both Auto Train facilities and worked round-the-clock in 12-hour shifts to resume this very

STB Sets CORP Sale Price

November 20, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced it has established $16.6 million as the purchase price of the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad Inc.’s (CORP) 111-mile railroad line, running from Danebo to Cordes, Ore. In a prior decision, the Board had ordered CORP to sell the line to the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay. The Board-established figure is approximately $2.9 million less than the $19.5 million that the Port testified it had available for the Line’s purchase. The Port must decide by Dec. 1 whether to accept the terms of sale established by the Board’s decision. If the Port

Amtrak California Prepares for Busy Thanksgiving Travel Week

November 20, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND – Amtrak, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) anticipating the busiest travel week of the year, are planning ahead for Thanksgiving by adding extra train cars and encouraging passengers traveling throughout California to make their reservations early. The week of Thanksgiving — Tuesday, November 25 to Monday, December 1 — is typically Amtrak’s busiest travel period of the year, carrying more than 665,000 passengers last year systemwide. To accommodate more passengers traveling during this holiday week, more capacity will be added to the Amtrak San Joaquin, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and Capitol