2009 – Page 44 – Railfanning.org

Chealander Steps Down From NTSB

February 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — National Transportation Safety Board Member Steven R. Chealander has announced his resignation from the Board, effective Feb. 28. Chealander has been a Board Member since Jan. 3, 2007. During his tenure at the Board he was the Board Member on scene for three major transportation accident investigations – a mid-air collision between two news helicopters in Phoenix, Arizona in 2007, the crash of a corporate aircraft in Owatonna, Minnesota in 2008, and last week’s crash of a turboprop airliner near Buffalo, New York. Chealander testified before the Texas State Senate in April 2007 on sobriety checkpoints, and before

STB Orders $345M in Rate Relief

February 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Boardgranted an estimated $345 million in reparations and rate reductions from the BNSF Railway (BNSF) to Western Fuels Association, Inc. and Basin Electric Power Cooperative Inc. The Utilities had challenged the railroad transportation rates charged by BNSF to haul 8 million tons of coal each year from mines in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin to their electric-generating plant in Moba Junction, Wyo., the STB said. The utility plant is captive to BNSF and provides electricity into grids serving consumers in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, the STB said.

Ridership on Amtrak Cascades Hits All-Time Record in 2008

February 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Ridership on Amtrak Cascades continued to grow substantially in 2008 carrying a total of 774,421 passengers. This represents a 14.4 percent increase over 2007 and the highest annual ridership since the inception of Amtrak Cascades service 10 years ago. “While we suspect high gas prices last summer helped entice people to try Amtrak Cascades, we think the excellent service and convenience for travelers will continue to stimulate even more growth in Amtrak Cascades ridership,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “Amtrak Cascades is a great investment for Washington and provides motorists with yet another travel option.” Compared

Brown: Congestion a Major Problem for Railroads

February 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Congestion is a major problem across all modes of surface transportation, said Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla. “And as we begin to develop and reauthorize the next surface transportation bill, it is critical that the need for additional rail capacity for both freight and passenger rail be addressed,” Brown said. “The future of ground transportation is on our rails, whether it is taking freight off congested highways or moving people on high-speed rail corridors. “There is no one solution that will solve the congestion problems plaguing our nation,” Brown added. “New and creative ideas from both government and the

‘Big Shanty, 20 minutes for breakfast’

February 19, 2009 Todd DeFeo

The General steam locomotive pulled the morning passenger train, winding its way through the rural Georgia countryside. Shortly before 6 a.m. on a rainy morning, Engineer Jeff Cain blew the locomotive’s whistle to signal that Big Shanty was approaching.

Amtrak Guest Rewards and Broadway’s Official Loyalty Program Join Forces

February 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak Guest Rewards and Audience Rewards, the Official Loyalty Program of Broadway, announced an exciting new marketing partnership designed to promote and make theatre more accessible to Amtrak Guest Rewards members. Members of Amtrak’s program can transfer their points into Audience Rewards ShowPoints and Audience Rewards members can convert their ShowPoints to Amtrak Guest Rewards points. “Amtrak is a critical marketing partner for Broadway given the access and reach it provides to potential theatre goers from major markets such at Boston, Providence, New Haven, Philadelphia, and the Washington D.C. area. We believe this partnership will create exciting marketing

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited Declares Dividend

February 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — The Board of Directors of Canadian Pacific Railway declared a quarterly dividend of $0.2475 per share on the outstanding Common Shares. The dividend is payable on April 27 to holders of record at the close of business on March 27 and is an eligible dividend pursuant to subsection 89(14) of the Income Tax Act. — PRNewswire-FirstCall

Two-Day Black History Month Celebration at Philadelphia 30th Street Station

February 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak 30th Street Station in Philadelphia will celebrate Black History Month on Feb. 26 and 27, in the North Arcade reception area at the station. The celebration will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. The day will feature an array of talented African American entertainers showcasing poetry, spoken word, dramatic presentations, instrumental performances, individual singers, chorale lyricists and interpretive dancers. There will also be motivational and inspirational speakers throughout the day. A diverse group of individuals will be represented with participants ranging from ages 6-60. Local politicians have been invited to speak or participate

Standing where the raiders once stood

February 13, 2009 Railfanning.org

The Kennesaw House is an impressive building, even by today’s standards. But its role in one of the most fascinating events of the Civil War is what makes it truly unique.

Oberstar: ‘Recovery’ Bill Will Benefit Rail Industry

February 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The so-called “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009″ will help with rail infrastructure and help put Americans back to work, Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn, said. “This bill is urgently needed to put Americans back to work,” Oberstar said. “The infrastructure investments funded by this bill will create good, family-wage jobs — jobs that cannot be outsourced to another country, because the work must be done here in the U.S. on our roads, bridges, transit and rail systems, airports, waterways, wastewater treatment facilities, and Federal buildings. “