February 2010 – Page 2 – Railfanning.org

CN Employees Raise Money for Haiti Relief Efforts

February 19, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — CN’s employee relief fund for Haiti has generated more than C$460,000 for the Red Cross to assist the agency’s continued relief efforts in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake on Jan. 10. Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of CN, said: “The needs for recovery in Haiti are enormous, and the response of CN’s employees in the wake of this tragedy is inspiring. The success of CN’s employee relief fund for Haiti is a testament to the generosity of our railroaders across North America. The earthquake has taken much from so many Haitians, and we are pleased to be

Norfolk Southern’s Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility Is Awarded $52.5 Million Tiger Grant From U.S. Department of Transportation

February 19, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern’s (NYSE: NSC) planned Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility was awarded $52.5 million from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program. In July 2009, Norfolk Southern announced that it intended to construct a new intermodal terminal in Rossville, Tenn., as part of the railroad’s multi-state $2.5 billion Crescent Corridor program of projects to establish a high-speed intermodal freight rail route linking the Gulf Coast and the Northeast. “Because of its strategic location and the growing intermodal demands in the Southeast, the Memphis Regional

Norfolk Southern’s Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility is awarded $52.5 million TIGER grant from U.S. Department of Transportation

February 19, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern’s planned Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility was awarded $52.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program. In July 2009, Norfolk Southern announced that it intended to construct a new intermodal terminal in McCalla, Ala., adjacent to the Jefferson Metropolitan Park at McCalla, as part of the railroad’s multi-state $2.5 billion Crescent Corridor program of projects to establish a high-speed intermodal freight rail route linking the Gulf Coast and the Northeast. “Because of its strategic location and the growing intermodal demands in

Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor is Awarded $105 Million TIGER Grant From U.S. Department of Transportation

February 19, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight Program of Projects was awarded $105 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program. In September 2009, lead state Pennsylvania, joined by Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia, submitted an application to USDOT for a $300 million TIGER grant to help improve Norfolk Southern’s rail lines and facilities between the Gulf Coast and the Northeast. Although the award represents a shortfall from the original TIGER request, it will enable NS and its partners to begin construction of

NTSB to Hold Three-Day Hearing on Fatal 2009 Wreck

February 19, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board has released additional information about the Board’s scheduled public hearing as part of its ongoing investigation into the cause of the collision of two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail Red Line trains. The collision occurred on June 22, 2009, between the Fort Totten and Takoma stations in Washington, D.C. As a result of this accident, there were nine fatalities and numerous injuries. The three-day hearing will convene at 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 23 and is expected to conclude before the close of business on Feb. 25.

American Railcar Industries Announces Formation of U.S. Railcar Joint Venture

February 19, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — American Railcar Industries and Ohio-based U.S. Railcar announced the formation of a joint venture to be named U.S. Railcar Co. The joint venture is being formed to design, manufacture and sell Diesel Multiple Units, which are self-propelled passenger railcars in both single- and bi-level configurations. ARI is majority owned by Icahn Enterprises. “ARI is excited to participate in this opportunity to join USR and bring ARI’s freight rolling stock manufacturing heritage to the passenger equipment sector,” said ARI President and CEO James Cowan. “Our commitment to expand and diversify ARI’s manufacturing program results from ARI’s desire

FreightCar America Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results

February 18, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — FreightCar America Inc. reported results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 with sales of $49.4 million and a net loss of $5.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share. Sales for the quarter were down 10 percent from third quarter 2009 sales of $55.1 million and down significantly over fourth quarter 2008 sales of $271.9 million. Railcar deliveries totaled 697 units in the quarter, compared to 695 units delivered in the third quarter of 2009 and 3,624 units delivered in the fourth quarter of 2008. The gross margin rate for the fourth quarter was 6.8 percent, compared to

Amtrak Applauds DOT for TIGER Grants

February 18, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak said it “applauds the U.S. Department of Transportation for once again recognizing the importance of intercity passenger rail as a vital component of this nation’s transportation system.” “Routes served by Amtrak will be among the beneficiaries of the state and locally sponsored passenger rail improvement projects selected to receive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants,” the railroad said in a statement. “In particular, grants for projects aimed at reducing or eliminating rail congestion choke points in Chicago will support Amtrak on-time performance and station improvements in New York City, Normal, Ill., and St. Paul, Minn., will enhance

MARTA Renames ‘Yellow’ Line to Avoid ‘Racially Insensitive’ Perceptions

February 17, 2010 Todd DeFeo

DECATUR, Ga. – MARTA announced that it is changing the name of one of its lines to avoid any perceived “racially insensitive” implications. Members of the Asian community expressed concern about one of the rail system’s lines being renamed the “Yellow” line. In October, MARTA introduced color-coded rail lines – similar to systems in other major cities – saying it will help cut down on rider confusion. With the change, the former Northeast-South Line, which serves Doraville and Chamblee on the Northside, became the Yellow Line. “In light of the concerns that have been expressed regarding the use of the

Federal Railroad Administration Initiates Trespass Prevention Study in South Florida

February 17, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced that the City of West Palm Beach, FL and the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), among other partners, will participate in the Trespass Prevention Research Study, a program designed to identify and review trespass laws and mitigation strategies. The goal is to successfully reduce trespassing incidents and fatalities, the feds said. The SFRTA area experienced ten fatalities due to illegal trespassing in the first eight months of 2008, half of which occurred in the West Palm Beach area. Research done by FRA in the region will help the agency better understand trespassing