December 2012 – Railfanning.org

Amtrak: Private Dollars Will Follow Taxpayer Funding

December 31, 2012 Todd DeFeo

Amtrak wants to upgrade its operations along the Northeast Corridor and bring about true high speed rail.

Sandy relief bill includes millions for Amtrak

December 31, 2012 Todd DeFeo

Amtrak could receive millions as part of a $60.4 billion Hurricane Sandy supplemental spending bill Congress approved earlier this month.

Feds Give $2.4 million Rail Line Relocation Grant to Penn. Communities

December 31, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded the county of Lycoming, Penn., a $2.4 million Rail Line Relocation grant to build a new bridge spanning the Loyalsock Creek in Loyalsock Township and Montoursville Borough.

Feds Sign $1.55 Billion Federal Funding Agreement to Build First Rail Transit System in Hawaii

December 31, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Dec. 19 signed an agreement to provide $1.55 billion in taxpayer money to the city and county of Honolulu on the island of Oahu to build Hawaii’s first-ever rail transit system.

CN Completes Merger of Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Into Wisconsin Central Subsidiary

December 31, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

CN said today it will complete the merger of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E) into its Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WC) subsidiary. The move is effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Amtrak Employee Pleads to Theft, Sentenced to Probation, Community Service

December 31, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

An unnamed Amtrak employee pleaded guilty to theft, the railroad’s inspector general announced earlier this month.

Amtrak IG: Railroad Could Save Money if ‘Conventional’ Fleet Improved to Acela Level

December 30, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak could improve its service and save money “if the availability of the conventional fleets were improved to the level of the Acela equipment,” the railroad’s inspector general told Congress recently.

Amtrak Names Matt Hardison as Chief Marketing and Sales Officer

December 29, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

Matt Hardison has been named the new Amtrak chief marketing and sales officer (CMSO) following the retirement of Emmett Fremaux and will report directly to President and CEO Joe Boardman.

Amtrak Names David Nichols as New Chief Transportation Officer

December 29, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak has named David Nichols as its new chief transportation officer (CTO) who will be responsible for setting, managing and maintaining operating rules and policies to ensure that all train operations meet federal rail safety requirements and the company’s business needs.

Amtrak: Private dollars will follow taxpayer funding

December 18, 2012 Todd DeFeo

As Amtrak looks to upgrade its operations in the Northeast Corridor, the railroad made it clear public money will be needed to jump start the project.