December 2009 – Railfanning.org

Metro Transit Police Arrest Man for Pushing a Minor into the side of a Moving Train

December 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) arrested Jarrell Thompson, Jr., on Dec. 29 and charged him with aggravated assault for pushing another young man into the side of a Red Line train at the Gallery Pl-Chinatown Metrorail station last month. Thompson, 18, from Southeast Washington, could receive up to 15 years in prison. He is in custody in the District of Columbia. The incident occurred at 3:35 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 as the train was coming into the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station. The train was headed in the direction of Shady Grove. The investigation indicated that the

Man Dies Three Days After Being Struck by Train

December 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The 48-year-old man of Rockville, Md., who fell to the tracks and was struck by a Red Line train at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station on Dec. 27, died as a result of his injuries today, Wednesday, Dec. 30. The preliminary investigation indicates that the man accidentally tumbled onto the tracks as the train pulled into the station Sunday morning. The Metro Transit Police continue to investigate the incident.

Man Struck by WMATA Train in Critical Condition

December 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A 48-year-old resident of Rockville, Md., remains in critical condition at an area hospital after he fell to the tracks and was struck by a Red Line train early this morning, Dec. 27. Metro Transit Police continue to investigate the 7:28 a.m. incident, which took place at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station. The preliminary investigation indicates that the man was standing at the edge of the platform and accidentally tumbled onto the tracks as the train pulled into the station. The train was headed in the direction of Shady Grove. The incident impacted Red Line service for about

CN Board of Directors Recognizes Outgoing President and CEO, E. Hunter Harrison

December 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — David G. A. McLean, chairman of the board of directors of CN, acknowledged the remarkable career of CN’s outgoing president and chief executive officer E. Hunter Harrison. “On behalf of CN’s board of directors, I would like to thank Hunter for the outstanding leadership and service that he has provided to this company. His innovative Precision Railroading model and tireless dedication has led to the creation of a great North American railroad and will leave this company well positioned for future success,” said McLean. “As Hunter prepares to step down from the company and from its board of

Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council Names Union Pacific 2009 Corporation of the Year

December 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — The Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council has named Union Pacific as its 2009 Corporation of the Year. The award recognizes Union Pacific for its many efforts to increase and improve its minority supplier business relations as well as assist other companies and their key suppliers to recognize the value of supplier diversity. Union Pacific provides financial support for many of the Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (GPMSDC) events and functions, and dedicated employees demonstrate the railroad’s commitment to minority business development. In the past year, Union Pacific hosted the GPMSDC’s second quarter meeting and an

Metrorail, Metrobus Back in Business

December 21, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — All 86 Metrorail stations will be open and ready to move customers on Monday morning (December 21), two days after a record-setting snowfall forced trains into underground-only mode from 1 p.m. Saturday throughout the day on Sunday. Metrobus service will also be back on the area’s streets providing significantly improved service from the skeletal service available on Sunday. MetroAccess will be operating limited service from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for individuals whose trips are associated with life-sustaining medical needs such as chemotherapy and dialysis. “I want to thank our customers for their understanding as we used Sunday

Metrobus, MetroAccess delayed due to snow

December 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Metrorail system will open on time Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7 a.m. and will operate train about 10 to 12 minutes apart this morning. Metrobuses and MetroAccess trips are experiencing major delays due to heavy snow on the area’s roads. Metrobus routes are limited to operating on snow emergency routes due to the poor road conditions. Metrorail operates very close to a normal schedule in snowfall of up to six inches. However once snow reaches a depth of eight inches, it is difficult to operate trains because snow starts to cover the electrified third rail, which is

Amtrak Restores Dining Car Service on Lake Shore Limited Trains

December 16, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — To meet passenger demand for a higher level of food service, Amtrak said it is restoring dining car service to its long-distance Lake Shore Limited route that operates from New York and Boston to Chicago. The dining car service began Dec. 14 with Train 49, originating from New York. It provides an improved culinary experience for passengers with enhanced ambience and comfort, including trained chefs who will prepare freshly made meals. In addition, the 1950s era dining cars have been refurbished to meet current safety and operating standards and feature booth style seating, large picture windows and modern

Holiday Cheer Rolls Through Southern California Aboard BNSF’s Santa Claus Express

December 16, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

LOS ANGELES — Santa Claus and his merry helpers will ride the rails and distribute gifts to hundreds of deserving children on board the 19th annual BNSF Santa Claus Express train as it travels through Southern California beginning Dec. 17 through Dec. 21. Children are selected for the free rides by the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, Arrowhead United Way, Salvation Army Red Shield Youth and Community Center, Comprehensive Child Development Center, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, City of Hope Hospital and Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital of Long Beach, among other organizations. BNSF employee volunteers will

Union Pacific Sets Monthly Record Moving Loaded Agricultural Unit Trains

December 15, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad announced it set a monthly record for moving loaded agricultural unit trains from facilities across its network. In November, the railroad moved 400 agricultural unit trains, breaking the previous record of 381 trains during October 2006. Of the 400 trains, 338 of them were grain and soybean unit trains and 62 were grain product trains. “With record crop production levels, we knew this would be a busy year. Every area, from operating to engineering to our dispatch center, was ready for the challenge and provided peak service levels for our customers,” said Paul Hammes,