September 2009 – Page 3 – Railfanning.org

NTSB Identifies Signal Failure in DC Crash

September 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued nine safety recommendations, six of which are urgent, as part of its investigation into the collision between two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) trains on June 22, 2009. The trains crashed on the Red Line near the Fort Totten station in Washington. The NTSB’s recommendations address concerns about the safety of train control systems that use audio frequency track circuits, authorities said. As part of its investigation, the NTSB said it discovered that a failure occurred in which a spurious signal generated by a track circuit module transmitter mimicked a valid signal and bypassed the rails via an unintended

Feds: Transit Systems Should be Alert

September 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Federal authorities sent warnings to transit systems, hotels and stadiums nationwide that Islamic terrorists might target them. Law enforcement continued to search for suspects in “a possible al-Qaida plot to set off hydrogen-peroxide bombs hidden in backpacks,” The Associated Press reported. The DHS and the FBI “have no information regarding the timing, location or target of any planned attack, we believe it is prudent to raise the security awareness of our local law enforcement partners regarding the targets and tactics of previous terrorist activity,” the groups said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. “The MTA is a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and

Play it Safe When it Comes to Railroad Crossings

September 22, 2009 Todd DeFeo

MARIETTA, Ga. – It was the Fourth of July, and the town square was packed with revelers waiting to see the evening’s fireworks display. The town square was closed for the event, and the nearby railroad tracks were quiet – or so it seemed. Before long, that unmistakable sound ruminated in the distance. The warning bells started to clang. Red lights flashed. The gates started to lower. A locomotive with freight cars in tow started to round the corner. The engineer sounded the customary warning horns – long, long, short, long. At that moment, it became obvious to some pedestrians that they were on the wrong side of the tracks.

Amtrak’s ‘Great Dome’ Car Returning to Adirondack Service During Fall Foliage Season

September 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Passengers riding Amtrak’s Adirondack train will once again have the unique opportunity to experience the spectacular view of New York State’s fall foliage season when the historic “Great Dome” rail car makes a special six-week return appearance from October 1 through November 10. With its partners the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the National Park Service Trails & Rails program, Amtrak worked cooperatively to bring its only dome car back to upstate New York. The car features an upper level with windows on all sides as well as overhead to provide passengers with panoramic views of the changing colors of the trees and of

WMATA: Person Fatally Struck by Train

September 17, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A person was fatally struck by a six-car Yellow Line train as it pulled into the Columbia Heights Metrorail station today at 1:55 p.m., WMATA said. The train was headed downtown. The preliminary indication leads investigators to believe that the individual intentionally placed himself/herself (gender not yet confirmed) in the path of the train.

Norfolk Southern Thanks State Partners in Crescent Corridor Stimulus Application

September 15, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern commended its partners in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee for their leadership in supporting the Crescent Corridor program to increase rail freight transportation capacity and improve mobility and the environment. “On behalf of Norfolk Southern, I thank our partners for their farsighted support of the Crescent Corridor,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “The Crescent Corridor is a tremendous economic advantage for the states and the nation. It will stimulate jobs, tax revenue, and business growth, while delivering substantial public benefits for communities and customers. Governors Ed Rendell, Tim Kaine, Bob Riley, Haley Barbour, and Phil Bredesen are leading the way in showing how public-private partnerships

Norfolk Southern’s Sustainability Report Highlights Carbon Footprint, Improved Fuel Economy

September 15, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. has issued its second annual sustainability report, including the company’s first-ever calculation of its carbon footprint and highlighting achievements in responsible economic, environmental and social performance. “We have made good progress,” notes CEO Wick Moorman in a letter introducing the 62-page report. Norfolk Southern’s carbon footprint is a measurement of greenhouse gases produced by the company’s business operations. The largest single component, about 90 percent, is carbon dioxide emissions from diesel-burning locomotives. Other sources include emissions from production of electricity for rail facilities and fuel consumption by everything from company vehicles to boilers. Putting it all together, Norfolk Southern’s carbon footprint for 2008 is

Man Dies After Being Struck by WMATA Train

September 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A man was struck and killed by a six-car Red Line train headed in the direction of Shady Grove at 7:58 a.m. this morning, Sept. 13. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the man, a customer, placed himself in the path of the train. Customers can expect major delays on the Red Line throughout the remainder of the morning while police conduct an investigation. Shuttle buses are moving customers between Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place and Judiciary Square Metrorail stations. Sunday is the least traveled day on the Metrorail system. The Red Line at Metro Center and Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail stations has been closed down, however the stations remain

Dutch High Speed Line Opens

September 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

AMSTERDAM — Dutch Government representatives on Sept. 6 officially opened the high speed line connecting Amsterdam Central Station-Schiphol Airport-Rotterdam Central Station, operated by NS Hispeed — the Netherlands Railways’ high-speed operations brand name. The first trains to run on the line are being hauled by BOMBARDIER TRAXX locomotives, which shorten the travel time between Amsterdam and Rotterdam to 43 minutes. The TRAXX multisystem locomotives operating on the line are leased from Angel Trains Cargo, the locomotives leasing division of Angel Trains International, one of Europe’s leading rolling stock leasing companies. The TRAXX The TRAXX platform of locomotives consists of three electric variants (multi-system, alternating and direct current) and one diesel-electric

CN Opens Toronto Auto Compound

September 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

TORONTO — CN opened a new Toronto Automotive Compound at MacMillan yard north of Toronto. The new facility’s track layout will accommodate the unloading of 60 auto-carrying rail cars at once, compared with 27 unloading spots at the former compound at Mac Yard, and will have room to park up to 4,500 vehicles. A planned phase two expansion of the compound will provide parking for 6,000 cars and/or trucks. “Our Toronto Automotive Compound is a key facility in our vehicle distribution network in Ontario, the largest auto market in Canada,” said James Foote, executive vice-president, Sales and Marketing for CN. “Our new state-of-the-art facility will help CN increase the efficiency