2012 – Page 5 – Railfanning.org

NS: Rail-Delivered Sand Will Move Faster Through Upgraded Terminal

September 28, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Trains hauling sand used in extracting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation soon will have the ability to unload five times faster thanks to a $20 million upgrade at the Horseheads (N.Y.) Sand & Transloading Terminal (HOST). Owned and operated by Carriage House Partners and RLB Holdings, HOST is in the final stages of constructing a 90,000-square-foot transloading building, scheduled to be completed by Oct. 8. HOST also broke ground this month on a second 90,000-square-foot transloading facility to be opened in 2013, and both buildings are designed for the storage of

CN to Build Two Central Training Facilities in Canada and U.S.

September 28, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

WINNIPEG, Sept. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE:CNI) announced today a revitalized company-wide employee training program to meet the learning needs of CN’s current and future railroaders. The initiative will be anchored by two modern training centres to be built in Winnipeg, Man., and in suburban Chicago, Ill. “These facilities will be the centrepiece of CN’s enhanced railroader training program,” said Claude Mongeau, CN president and chief executive officer. “The centres in both Canada and the United States will include a modern training curriculum and equipment to effectively train a new generation of railroaders.” CN broke ground today

United Steelworkers, Canadian Pacific Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

September 28, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY, Sept. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE: CP) and the United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1976, have announced a tentative contract agreement. The USW represents 800 clerical and intermodal employees at CP. The current contract was due to expire December 31, 2012. The ratification process will take place over the next few weeks. Details of the contract will be disclosed following ratification.

41 Years Later: Still Debating the Pros, Cons of Amtrak

September 28, 2012 Todd DeFeo

For 41 years, policymakers and the public have debated the benefits and pitfalls of Amtrak.

First Gainesville Midland Trains Rolled Out of Athens in November 1906

September 27, 2012 Todd DeFeo

Thursday, Nov. 1, 1906, was a momentous day for the city of Athens, Ga. The first Gainesville Midland train pulled into town.

Last Narrow Gauge Train From Jefferson, Ga., Signaled New Era for City

September 27, 2012 Todd DeFeo

It was midnight when the narrow gauge locomotive and its load eased out of Jefferson, Ga.

Amtrak Launches History Website

September 27, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak certainly has an interesting history. Since its inception 41 years ago, Amtrak has ferried passengers across the country’s rail network. Its routes have ranged from cross-country hauls to speedier service between closer destinations. Amtrak, which has never turned an annual profit, this week launched a new website (history.amtrak.com) dedicated to the railroad’s history. The site includes digital copies of ads, timetables and images. “Amtrak is woven into the fabric of America, providing a vital transportation service to the nation and connecting families and communities as part of an amazing and unfolding history,” Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman said in

Electric Locomotives Helped Miners Reach Depths of Earth

September 26, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

Mine railways have long been used to help miners reach the depths of the Earth.

Flagstaff Statue Pays Homage to the Men Who Built the Railroads

September 26, 2012 Todd DeFeo

The workers who laid tracks across the country were known as Gandy Dancers. The name is sometimes attributed to a Gandy Tool Co. that manufactured the tools used to build railroads, though the existence of such a company has been debated.

Amtrak to Operate Test Trains at 165 mph

September 25, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak is testing high-speed test trains at 165 mph in four areas covering more than 100 miles of the Northeast Corridor. The tests in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts are locations that may at some future time experience regular 160 mph service, the railroad said. The tests will use high-speed Acela Express equipment and will measure the interaction between the train and the track, rider quality and other safety factors. The test runs must be performed at 5 mph above the expected maximum operating speed of 160 mph. The test areas between approximately Perryville, Md.