Year: 2009

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Amtrak

Amtrak Returns to Service the First Superliner Passenger Car Restored With Recovery Funds

August 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
BEECH GROVE, Ind. — Amtrak unveiled the first of 21 passenger railcars to be removed from storage, restored to good condition, and returned to service as part of a $19.3 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funded program at the Amtrak Beech Grove (Ind.) maintenance facility that will add seating capacity primarily to its trains operating on routes in the Midwest and West. “Restoring and returning passenger railcars to service is another concrete example of how Amtrak is rebuilding and renewing the nation’s railroad,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman, noting that many other infrastructure improvement projects including
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CSX

CSXT, Locomotive Engineers Reach Tentative Agreement

August 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have reached a tentative agreement on a five-year extension to a combined wage and performance bonus package. In addition to wage increases, CSXT engineers will continue to be eligible for payments from a Performance Bonus Plan that links that portion of their compensation to company financial performance. “This is an important evolution in the agreement that directly aligns the interests of our more than 5,000 locomotive engineers with company goals to meet the expectations of our customers and shareholders,” said Lisa Mancini, senior vice president-human resources. “We
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Amtrak

Amtrak Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Adirondack Service

August 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
NEW YORK — Amtrak along with its partners, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the National Park Service Trails and Rails program, is commemorating the 35th anniversary of the operation of the historic Adirondack service with a special event at the Rensselaer station in Albany, N.Y., on Aug. 5. “The Adirondack represents rail travel’s connection to the past as well as its importance as a vital transportation alternative now and for the future,” said Tom Connolly Amtrak’s District Superintendent, noting that the Adirondack remains a popular route carrying over 112,000 passengers during FY08, representing an 11 percent
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FRA

Federal Railroad Administration Awards $1 Million Rail Safety Grant to Operation Lifesaver

August 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo announced a $1,015,000 grant for Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), providing the Alexandria, Va.-based nonprofit organization support to continue its wide-ranging public education outreach efforts to raise awareness about the potential hazards at grade crossings and the dangers of illegal trespassing on railroad property.In 2008, there were 2,395 grade crossing incidents resulting in 287 deaths, as well as 453 deaths due to rail trespassing, slightly fewer than similar incidents in 2007. “Despite decreases in the number of train-vehicle collisions, promoting railroad safety is as important as ever,” Administrator Szabo said. “Through this sustained public-private
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Amtrak

Amtrak Pere Marquette 25th Anniversary

August 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
HOLLAND, Mich. – Michigan communities along the Grand Rapids – Chicago route of the state-supported Amtrak Pere Marquette train will celebrate the 25th anniversary of passenger rail service on Aug. 5 and Amtrak is offering a special anniversary fare promotion this week to recognize the Silver Anniversary of the service. To commemorate the milestone, Amtrak is promoting the event with the special use of Superliner train equipment, including a double-decker lounge car and coaches. Every westbound passenger on Aug. 5 will receive a gift bag containing West Michigan products. In addition, ceremonies organized with the Michigan Department of Transportation and
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Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific Announces Sale of Windsor Station to Cadillac Fairview

August 4, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway announced the sale of Windsor Station and significant other related real estate assets to The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited for $86 million. As part of the transaction, Canadian Pacific has entered into a long term lease with Cadillac Fairview, and will remain the principal tenant of Windsor Station, reflecting its close connection to the building and its long-term presence in Montreal. The transaction has received the necessary regulatory approvals, including federal government approval.
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Amtrak

Amtrak and First Class Motorcycle Tours Team Up for Two Auto Train Vacation Packages

July 31, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Amtrak and First Class Motorcycle Tours have teamed up to offer two new vacation packages which include first-class accommodations on Amtrak’s Auto Train that allows motorcycle riders to travel with their bikes on board the train between Lorton, Va., south of Washington, DC and Sanford, Fla., just outside of Orlando. The motorcycles are secured in specially-designed carriers and travel in the train’s auto carriers while tour participants travel on the train in private roomette sleeping accommodations. All meals on board the train are included in the price of the tour. Both the northbound and southbound Auto Trains depart
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Amtrak

Amtrak to Report Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Independent Review to Assess Carbon Footprint

July 31, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – Furthering its commitment to be a transportation leader on environmental issues, Amtrak is joining efforts to voluntarily and publicly report its greenhouse gas emissions and undergo an independent assessment of its programs to reduce its carbon footprint. “Putting our emissions data out in the open for all to see and getting an outside review of our environmental programs will help make Amtrak a greener railroad,” said Amtrak president and CEO Joseph Boardman. Boardman announced that Amtrak is a new member of The Climate Registry, a non-profit organization founded to set consistent and transparent standards for businesses and governments
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Commuter Rail

NTSB Releases Wreck Site Back to WMATA

July 31, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board released the site of the Ft. Totten accident back to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The site, located on the Red Line between Ft. Totten and Takoma stations in Washington, D.C., was the scene of the fatal collision of two WMATA trains on June 22, 2009. The NTSB’s Signal and Train Control Group has completed its examination and testing of train control equipment at the scene of the accident.  Therefore, the accident site, including the track, has been released back to WMATA. As part of the ongoing investigation, the NTSB is