February 2009 – Page 3 – Railfanning.org

CN and Norfolk Southern Announce MidAmerica Corridor Initiative to Speed Freight Between Midwest and Southeast

February 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — CN and Norfolk Southern announced an initiative to create a “MidAmerica Corridor” in which the railroads will share track between Chicago, St. Louis, Kentucky and Mississippi to establish shorter and faster routes for merchandise and coal traffic moving between the Midwest and Southeast. This initiative, when finalized through definitive agreements, will have three components. First, Norfolk Southern (NS) will haul CN freight between Chicago and St. Louis, reducing the distance between these points for CN shipments by 60 miles and providing improved connections to other rail carriers through the St. Louis gateway. Second, NS will use CN’s

NTSB to Discuss Metrolink Crash

February 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public hearing on the 2008 collision in Chatsworth, Calif., involving a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train. The two-day hearing will begin on March 3 at the NTSB’s Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington. At 4:22 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2008, Metrolink commuter train 111 and a Union Pacific freight train collided. As a result of this head-on accident, there were 25 fatalities and numerous injuries. On the day of the accident, the Metrolink engineer, who was responsible for the operation of the

Amtrak Celebrates Black History Month with Special Ceremony Honoring Pullman Porters

February 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND, Calif. – Amtrak, in celebration of Black History Month, partnered with the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum to host a ceremony celebrating the contributions of the legendary Pullman Porters and African-American railroad workers at the Oakland Amtrak Station Feb. 10. Amtrak officials and local dignitaries will gather to honor five porters and dining car waiters who proudly served as far back as the mid-1940s. Honored are Lee Gibson, 98, of Los Angeles, James Smith, 83, of Simi Valley, Samuel Coleman, 80, of Las Vegas, and Troy Walker, 90, and Thomas Gray, 71, of Seattle. “The celebration is an

Atlantic City Express Service Launches Inaugural Trains Connecting New York, Atlantic City

February 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Representatives from the Atlantic City Express Service (ACES) joint venture partners — Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa — joined New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine and other key New Jersey officials to launch weekend train service between New York’s Penn Station and Atlantic City. The launch of the ACES train is another major step in the evolution of Atlantic City into a world-class destination, providing residents of New Jersey and New York the opportunity to experience all the new attractions the city has to offer. “I welcome this

STB Announces Speakers Lineup

February 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board provided a schedule of speakers’ appearances and their time allocations for the Board’s Feb. 11 public hearing on the Board’s new responsibilities under the recently passed Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The Act enhances the Board’s role with regard to Amtrak and its relationships with commuter rail operators, host railroads, states and the public.

Deaf Teen Killed in Ga. Town

February 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — A 17-year-old deaf teen was killed after he was struck by a train, authorities say. Authorities say the train’s engineer sounded the horn, but that the boy was deaf.

Union Pacific Railroad Named to Most Admired for HR List By Human Resource Executive

February 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Human Resource Executive has named Union Pacific Railroad as one of the 50 “Most Admired for Human Resources” companies according to Human Resource Executive. Union Pacific ranked No. 29 on the list. Philadelphia-based Hay Group conducted the research for this project. Hay Group is the management consulting firm that has partnered with Fortune since 1997 to identify and rank the magazine’s “Most Admired Companies.” More than 3,700 executives, directors and securities analysts from Fortune 1,000 U.S. companies and top-ranked foreign companies operating in the U.S. were asked to select companies they admired most in their respective industries.

BNSF Railway & J.B. Hunt Celebrate 20 Years of Intermodal Success

February 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — Twenty years ago, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. and BNSF predecessor The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company loaded a Hunt trailer onto a railcar and ushered in the modern age of intermodal freight transport. Today, intermodal is one of the most efficient, economic and environmentally friendly ways to move goods. However, 20 years ago, trucks and trains were more competitors than partners. All that changed in 1989 when Santa Fe and J.B. Hunt Transport came together in a move that would lead the industry in innovation. This joint effort started with 150 trailers and

Mica: 80 and Counting Respond to Call for U.S. High-Speed Rail

February 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Eighty companies and state departments of transportation have responded to the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) request for expressions of interest to develop high-speed rail corridors, according to U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla. “This overwhelming response is remarkable given the current state of the economy,” said Mica, the Republican Leader of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Last year, he led the effort to open high-speed rail development to private sector participation in 11 federally designated corridors in the United States. The measure including this initiative was signed into law in October. As required by the Mica initiative,

Biden: Bailout Bill Will Create Jobs

February 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

LAUREL, Md. — After touring the local MARC Train Station, Vice President Joe Biden said that 400,000 jobs will be created over the next two years nationwide if Congress approves a massive pork-filled “bailout” bill. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan includes the largest investment increase — at least $100 billion – in our nation’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges and mass transit systems, since the creation of the national highway system in the 1950s. The House has approved the bill, but the Senate is currently debating the bill. Should the Senate approve the bill, it will likely head back to