March 2009 – Railfanning.org

Sanford Amtrak Auto Train Station to Receive Federal Support

March 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., applauded Vice President Joe Biden’s announcement that out of the $1.3 billion that Amtrak will receive from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $10.5 million will be spent on reconstruction of the Sanford Auto Train terminal. This funding will be spent immediately, with construction beginning in April and a projected completion date of October 2010. “We hope to enhance the Auto Train experience by giving Amtrak passengers a decent facility for their arrivals in and departures from Central Florida. The new 600-seat station will make up for the sparse and inadequate reception

$36 Million to Pay for Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail

March 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Valley Metro Rail officials and local leaders announced $36 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds for the Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Project. “This light rail project has been an engine for growth in the Phoenix area,” LaHood said. “And these recovery funds will ensure that transit continues to stimulate Arizona’s economy.” The ARRA funds will help to complete the rail line and allow Valley Metro to begin work on the extension, which is expected to create 10,000 jobs over the life of the project. Funds will be used

New York & Atlantic Railway Takes Out the Trash

March 27, 2009 PRNewswire

While many people balk at taking out the trash, it’s a job that the New York & Atlantic Railway does gladly — hauling 1.7 million pounds of residential and municipal waste each day, destined to Dixie in sealed containers riding aboard extra-long flat cars.

Amtrak: Sleeping Car Service to be Restored between Boston and Chicago

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited will offer sleeping car service between Chicago and Boston “to better suit our passengers needs,” starting with the eastbound departure of Trains 48/448 on April 2 from Chicago and the westbound departure of Trains 49/449 from New York and Boston on April 4, Amtrak said. The eastbound Train 48/448 will depart Chicago an hour earlier than the existing schedule, also effective on April 4. The restoration of sleeping car service provides a higher level of comfort than can be provided in coach for passengers riding to and from Boston (South Station) and the

Evergreen Names CSXI Carrier of the Year

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Intermodal (CSXI) has received the 2008 Carrier of the Year award from Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corporation. “This award is given on the basis of excellence in quality, service and support,” said Wesley Brunson, president of EGA. “We are pleased to present CSX Intermodal with the Carrier of the Year award in appreciation of their superb partnership with our customers and our company.” Jim Hertwig, president of CSXI, said his company strives to meet increasing standards in reliable and quality service, accurate systems, timely responses and overall value. “CSX Intermodal is proud to receive this award,

UP Recognizes Chemical Customers for Safety Excellence

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific recently announced the recipients of the railroad’s 13th annual Pinnacle Award for chemical transportation safety. The award annually recognizes companies that have successful prevention and corrective plans as well as a rate of zero non-accident releases (NARs) for shipments of regulated hazardous materials. “The Pinnacle Award gives Union Pacific the chance to acknowledge and thank our customers for their continuing efforts to eliminate chemical releases from rail cars,” said Diane Duren, vice president and general manager – chemicals. “We work closely with all customers to help prevent an accidental release during transit of chemical shipments

Caltrain: Rail Grinding Will Result in Quieter Trains

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Caltrain began a three-week rail grinding project March 18 “that will result in measurably reduced noise impacts for neighbors next to the right of way and a safer, smoother ride for passengers,” the railroad said. A rail-mounted, industrial-sized grinder will be used to smooth out defects and restore the shape of the rail. During the rail maintenance, there will be noise impacts to areas immediately adjacent to the rail alignment while the grinding is taking place. The contractor is required to maintain noise levels below 85 decibels at a distance of 25 feet from the center

TTA Chooses DART’s Thomas as Outstanding General Manager

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

DALLAS — Gary Thomas, President and Executive Director of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), has received the Outstanding Public Transportation General Manager Award from the Texas Transit Association (TTA). The award, which honors a public transportation manager who has made outstanding contributions to the industry, was presented to Thomas during the 2009 Texas Transit Conference in Austin. Thomas was recognized for leading DART to secure a $700 million Full Funding Grant Agreement, one of the nation’s largest, from the Federal Transit Administration; for beginning construction on the Green Line rail expansion that will lead to a doubling of the

10.7 Billion Trips Taken on U.S. Public Transportation in 2008

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

Despite falling gas prices and an economic recession, increasing numbers of Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation in 2008, the highest level of ridership in 52 years and a modern ridership record, according to a report released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This represents a 4 percent increase over the number of trips taken in 2007 on public transportation, while at the same time, vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) on the nation’s roads declined by 3.6 percent in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. “Even as gas prices fell for the second half of

CTA to Use ‘Stimulus Funds’ for Slow Zone Project in Dearborn Subway

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority Board approved a $56.6 million contract for renewal of approximately 36,000 feet of track in the Blue Line Dearborn subway. Funding for the work is being provided by “stimulus funds.” The work will remove the existing slow zones and help prevent the creation of new slow zones in the Dearborn subway. In 2007 and 2008, CTA eliminated 6,336 feet of slow zones in the Blue Line subway between the Damen and Clark/Lake stations. “The allocation of stimulus funding comes at a critical time for CTA as the agency needs funding to maintain an aging