July 2009 – Page 6 – Railfanning.org

Union Pacific Announces Operations Management Changes Across its System

July 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad announced the appointments of several service unit superintendents at various locations across the railroad’s 32,000-mile system. The appointments were effective July 1. David Giandinoto has been appointed general superintendent — transportation services for the Chicago Service Unit. Giandinoto is responsible for safe operation of trains on more than 1,000 miles of track in Illinois and Wisconsin. Prior to his recent appointment he had been director — transportation services for the Houston Service Unit. Giandinoto replaces Rod Richardson who has been appointed to a position in Oakland, Calif. Giandinoto began his railroad career in 1994

AAR: Rail Freight Traffic Down in June

July 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads reported that U.S. railroads originated 1,039,889 carloads of freight in June 2009, down 19.7 percent with 255,668 fewer carloads, compared with June 2008. U.S. intermodal rail traffic – comprising trailers and containers on flat cars that are not included in carload figures – totaled 755,000 units in June 2009, down 18.2 percent compared with the same period last year with 168,031 fewer trailers and containers, the association said. For the first six months of 2009, total U.S. rail carloadings were down 19.5 percent (1,594,411 carloads) to 6,579,294 carloads, while intermodal traffic was down

BNSF: Carbon Estimator Shows Railroad Saves Every American Greenhouse Gas

July 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH — BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) said it has developed a new tool that allows shippers to quantify the amount of carbon emissions that can be saved for those route segments on rail instead of over the road. Overall, shipping by BNSF can save Americans an average of 200 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per American per year, which is the equivalent of planting 37 trees for each person living in the United States, the railroad said. “Earlier this year, BNSF provided its customers with customized letters that analyzed their total rail carbon footprint and savings compared to movements

NTSB Now Investigating WDW Monorail Collision

July 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating the fatal Walt Disney World monorail collision. At about 2 a.m. EDT on Sunday (July 5), two monorail trains collided killing the operator of one of the trains. One cast member was killed, but no resort guests were seriously injured. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is already investigating the fatal monorail collision. The crash happened near the Ticket and Transportation Center. The cast member, a 21-year-old, was piloting a monorail that crashed into a second train, according to published reports. Authorities believe one of the

Norfolk Southern Names Julian to Lead Safety Efforts

July 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. named David F. Julian vice president safety and environmental. The appointment is effective July 1. Julian will have his office in Roanoke, Va., and he reports to Mark D. Manion, executive vice president operations. NS’ safety and environmental department is responsible for employee safety training and awareness, grade crossing safety and trespassing abatement programs, and environmental protection, including hazardous materials safety and industrial hygiene. Julian succeeds Charles J. Wehrmeister, who retired from NS’ lead safety position after a 40-year career with Norfolk Southern. Julian joined NS in 1971 in the mechanical department and later

NTSB to Hold Hearing on 2008 MBTA Trolley Wreck

July 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting Tuesday, July 14, to discuss a 2008 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) trolley wreck. On May 28, 2008, at about 5:51 p.m. EDT, MBTA Green Line train, traveling westbound at about 38 mph, struck the rear of another westbound Green Line train, which had stopped for a red signal. The wreck occurred in Newton, Mass., a suburb of Boston. Each train consisted of two light rail trolley cars and carried both a train operator in the lead car and a trail operator in the second car. The

OSHA to Investigate Monorail Crash

July 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating Sunday’s fatal monorail collision at the Walt Disney World resort, authorities said. A Walt Disney World cast member was killed early Sunday morning (July 5) when two monorails collided at the Ticket and Transportation Center. The cast member, a 21-year-old, was piloting a monorail that crashed into a second train, according to published reports. There is some speculation that one of the monorails may have been backing up at the time of the crash, the driver perhaps thinking he was backing onto a spur track. Disney said

One Killed in WDW Monorail Collision

July 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A Walt Disney World cast member was killed early Sunday morning (July 5) when two monorails collided at the Ticket and Transportation Center. The cast member, a 21-year-old, was piloting a monorail that crashed into a second train, according to published reports. “Today, we mourn the loss of our fellow cast member. Our hearts go out to his family and to those who have lost a friend and co-worker,” OrlandoSentinel.com quoted Walt Disney World spokesman Mike Griffin as saying. “The safety of our guests and cast members is always our top priority. The monorail is

Red Line Trains to Operate at Regular Speeds Starting Friday, July 3

July 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Starting at 7 a.m. Friday, July 3, Washington Metro trains will return to regular speeds on the Red Line except for those passing through the area of last week’s accident between Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail stations. The Takoma Metrorail station will close at 10 p.m. Thursday, July 2, to allow investigators to continue their work to determine the cause of the accident. The Takoma Metrorail station will reopen with normal speeds at 7 a.m. on Friday, July 3, when the rail system will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on the Federal Independence Day holiday.

Union Pacific Invests Nearly $12 Million for Track Improvements to Its Big Springs-to-Potter, Neb., Line

July 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Trains will run more efficiently and motorists will spend less time at crossings as a result of nearly $12 million in track improvements made by Union Pacific Railroad to its Big Springs-to-Potter, Neb., line.When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed more than 90,000 ties, spread nearly 29,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed and renewed road surfaces at 50 crossings. Work began on the project June 24 and is scheduled to be completed by mid August. Union Pacific invested more than $254 million for capital projects in Nebraska in 2008.