2009 – Page 50 – Railfanning.org

OneRail Coalition: Encourage Transportation Policies that IncreaseMobility, Reduce Emissions, Promote Economic Growth

January 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Environmental, freight and passenger rail groups have come together with reform-minded transportation experts to form a coalition that will advance rail programs. The coalition, called the OneRail Coalition, said it will encourage public policies recognizing rail as a critical element of the national transportation system and an essential part of the future economic growth and environmental well-being of the nation. Members include American Public Transportation Association, Amtrak, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, Association of American Railroads, Building America’s Future, National Association of Railroad Passengers, Natural Resources Defense Council, Railway Supply Institute, States for Passenger Rail Coalition, and Surface Transportation Policy Partnership. The group contends that public

Tickets Go on Sale for Atlantic City Express Service

January 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Atlantic City Express Service (ACES), offering the only direct train service between New York City and Atlantic City, announced that tickets are now available for weekend departures via www.acestrain.com or www.amtrak.com. Introductory ticket prices will start at $50 for a one-way coach seat and $75 for a one-way first class seat. Customers may also book the train’s lounge for four passengers with prices starting at $400. The ACES train will officially launch on Feb. 6. “We are excited to open ticketing to the public and welcome those eager to try this new option connecting two great cities,” said Dan Nita, SVP and General Manager of

STB Asks for Comments on Clean Railroads Act of 2008

January 14, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requesting comments on proposed rules to implement The Clean Railroads Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-432), concerning solid waste rail transfer facilities. The proposed rules also will serve as interim rules until completion of the rulemaking proceeding. The Clean Railroads Act, enacted in October 2008, adds new sections 10908-10 to Title 49 of the United States Code. Those sections limit the Board’s authority related to solid waste rail transfer facilities and expand the authority of states to regulate these facilities. The proposed rules address such topics as what existing and proposed solid waste rail transfer facilities must

CSX Announces Preliminary Fourth Quarter Results

January 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced preliminary fourth quarter earnings per share of 63 cents. These results include a noncash impairment charge of approximately 27 cents per share related to the write-down of its investment in The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Excluding this charge and insurance gains of 1 cent in the prior year quarter, comparable earnings per share would be approximately 90 cents, which represents a 6 percent increase over the prior year quarter. Overall revenues are expected to be approximately $2.7 billion for the quarter, up 4 percent from the prior year period. This was driven by higher yields and fuel recovery, which are

Service Alert: Partial Restoration of Amtrak Service in Pacific Northwest

January 9, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak will resume partial train service throughout the Pacific Northwest on Jan. 10. Service had been disrupted on several routes due to extreme weather conditions in the region. Full restoration of service for all routes is expected on Jan. 11. Amtrak Cascades There will be no train service the morning or January 10 between Seattle and Portland. Limited train operations will resume in the afternoon. Train service between Seattle and Bellingham or Vancouver, B.C. will remain suspended in the morning, with alternative motorcoach transportation provided. Normal train operations will resume in the afternoon. Train service between Portland and Eugene, Ore. continues to operate normally. It is anticipated that normal service

CSX Announces Approval of Lawsuit Settlement

January 9, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla./ — CSX Corp. announced that a federal court in New York has issued an order preliminarily approving a settlement reached by all parties to a civil action brought by plaintiff, Deborah Donoghue, a shareholder of CSX, to recover so-called “short-swing” profits under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 alleged to have been realized by defendants The Children’s Investment Fund and 3G Capital Partners LP in connection with their purchases and sales of CSX securities. CSX is party to the suit in name only, which was brought for the benefit of CSX, the railroad said in a news release. The parties filed the settlement with the

Mica: U.S. Takes Next Step Toward High-Speed Passenger Rail

January 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation has taken the next step in bringing true high-speed passenger rail to the United States, for the first time requesting private sector participation in the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of high-speed service, Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., said. “This is the most exciting development in U.S. passenger rail in years,” Mica said. “High-speed rail is an efficient, effective and environmentally friendly method of transportation, and a much-needed alternative to our congested highways and airspace.” Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation will begin accepting expressions of interest to finance, design, build, operate and maintain high-speed trains on the Northeast Corridor and

Six Restored Red Streetcars Roll

January 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW ORLEANS — Six of the 24 candy-apple red Canal Street streetcars that fell victim to the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina’s levee breaks are rolling down Canal Street, on North Carrollton Avenue to picturesque City Park, and along the majestic Mississippi Riverfront. On Dec. 12, the Regional Transit Authority held a re-dedication ceremony of the red streetcars Friday morning and when the ceremony concluded, the streetcars were put into revenue service. Mary E. Peters, Secretary, United States Department of Transportation, was among those enjoying the first ceremonial ride on the red streetcars. “In the case of New Orleans’ streetcars, seeing red is truly a cause for celebration,” Peters said. “The

Metro Tests Additional Eight-car Trains on the Blue, Orange and Red Lines Next Week

January 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Washington’s Metro will test additional eight-car trains on the Blue, Orange and Red Lines and will stop all trains at the end of each station platform as a test of its ongoing power, system, track and rail car enhancements leading up to Inauguration Weekend. On Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, Metro will operate additional eight-car trains during morning and afternoon peak periods on the Blue and Orange lines. During the off-peak periods, all trains on the Blue and Orange lines will operate with eight-cars. On Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, Metro will repeat the same process on the Red Line, operating additional eight-car trains during the peak periods,

Obama Selects LaHood as Transportation Secretary

January 1, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama has selected Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., to serve as the next transportation secretary. “Congressman LaHood’s broad experience and well-known pragmatism make him an excellent choice to lead and support America’s transportation future,” U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters said. “There will be challenges, but there are also incredible opportunities to continue work to improve transportation safety, tackle congestion and promote mobility, expand global transportation opportunities, rebuild transportation systems after disasters, and continue fundamental transportation reform. I’m confident our nation’s transportation network will be in good hands under the leadership of Congressman LaHood.” “The nation faces enormous transportation challenges. Capacity is an issue across all