MONTREAL — Canadian Pacific and the United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1976, representing 1,100 clerical and intermodal workers, have announced the ratification of a three-year contract settlement. The agreement provides for a six per cent wage increase for the three years spanning 2010 to 2012.
WASHINGTON — Transportation fatalities in the United States decreased by almost 10 percent in 2008 from 2007, according to preliminary figures released by the National Transportation Safety Board. This marks the third consecutive year of decreasing transportation fatalities. “While the statistics reveal an encouraging trend line, there is still much work to be done to ensure that fewer families each year will face losing a loved one in a transportation accident,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “We at the NTSB will continue to press hard advocating improvements in all modes of transportation to keep this trend moving in the right direction, because every transportation fatality is an unnecessary tragedy.”
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern has launched a new Web site focusing on the benefits of its corridor and public-private partnership projects. The Web site, TheFutureNeedsUs.com, describes projects to increase rail freight transportation capacity and improve mobility and the environment. Information is provided for projects in Alabama, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, where governors Riley, Barbour, Rendell, Bredesen, Kaine, and Manchin are leaders in supporting transportation solutions. The site outlines how upgrading the Crescent Corridor — the existing 2,500-mile rail route from the Southeast to the Northeast — will support a stronger economy, less highway congestion, cleaner air, and fuel savings. The Crescent Corridor will be among the
ALTOONA, Pa. — Norfolk Southern unveiled the latest in alternative energy locomotive technology at its Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Pa. NS 999 is a prototype 1,500-horsepower switching locomotive that relies solely on rechargeable batteries for power. “At Norfolk Southern we strongly subscribe to the view that sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint are solid business objectives that also provide enormous benefits to the communities we serve,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “By utilizing regenerated kinetic energy of the train and with no diesel exhaust emissions, NS 999 achieves those goals. “This prototype locomotive was developed by Norfolk Southern, with the help of an incredibly creative partnership, including the U.S. Dept.
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced it has issued its decision calculating the railroad industry’s cost of capital for 2008. In Railroad Cost of Capital — 2008, STB Ex Parte No. 558 (Sub-No. 12), the Board found that the rail industry’s after-tax cost of capital for 2008 was 11.75 percent. Last year, the cost-of-capital was 11.33 percent. The Board uses the cost of capital figure in evaluating the adequacy of individual railroads’ revenues each year. It also uses the figure when determining the reasonableness of a challenged rail rate, considering a proposal to abandon a rail line or valuing a particular railroad operation. This year, consistent with the Board’s
BUFFALO, N.Y. — CSX Intermodal (CSXI) has begun two new international services that link Buffalo, N.Y., to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and Philadelphia, Pa. The services, which started Sept. 21, utilize the new CSXI Buffalo Terminal opened in 2008, with the support of the New York Department of Transportation and Erie County, increasing CSXI’s presence in the Buffalo and Toronto markets. On-dock service destined for Buffalo from the Elizabeth Marine Terminal (EMT) at the PANYNJ will be available on the second day after departure; Buffalo traffic destined for EMT will be available on the third day. This new service also qualifies for current incentives
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — CN announced the completion of the $100 million multi-year construction project to reconfigure and modernize its Memphis rail classification yard. “This project transformed an aged, inefficient rail yard into a state-of-the-art, effectively designed major terminal capable of handling existing and future traffic quickly and efficiently,” said CN executive vice-president Claude Mongeau, who will succeed retiring president and chief executive officer E. Hunter Harrison on Jan. 1, 2010. “Today’s yard can handle nearly double the traffic the old facility could in a 24 hour period.” Memphis, a major freight distribution hub, is a key operating center on CN’s North American network. It is an important destination for freight
Part I: Play it safe when it comes to railroad crossings Part II: Train vs. motorists or pedestrians – the train will win A number of organizations – Operation Lifesaver, the U.S. Department of Transportation and major railroad companies – joined together to launch the Common Sense campaign. The initiative aims to reduce the number of pedestrians who are killed and injured when trespassing around tracks and trains. The only safe place to cross railroad tracks is at a public crossing—designated by the crossbuck. Turn your cell phone and MP3 players off when you’re near train tracks. Forget texting, as it could be a deadly distraction near the tracks. Trains
MARIETTA, Ga. – A number of organizations – Operation Lifesaver, the U.S. Department of Transportation and major railroad companies – joined together to launch the Common Sense campaign. The initiative aims to reduce the number of pedestrians who are killed and injured when trespassing around tracks and trains. The campaign is targeted toward 18-34 year olds. “Young adults also may be distracted by cell phones, texting, or listening to MP3 players if they’re near the tracks. This new public awareness campaign has a simple message: staying away from the tracks is common sense, and it can save your life,” Cliff Stayton, a former locomotive engineer, said in a news release.
NEWARK, N.J. — The N.J. Transit Board of Directors approved a study that explores the feasibility of extending Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service farther west in Jersey City. The line would extend from its current western terminus at West Side Avenue Station across Route 440 to a redevelopment zone along the Hackensack Riverfront.
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