Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak

Amtrak Continuting to Make Upgrades to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station

August 25, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

PHILADELPHIA – Amtrak will continue work this summer and fall on several upgrades at Philadelphia 30th Street Station to improve the passenger experience, tend to the long-term infrastructure needs of the nearly 100year-old building and improve pedestrian mobility in and around the facility. The projects represent about a $35 million investment. “30th Street Station is an iconic fixture in Philadelphia,” said Stephen Gardner, Amtrak vice president of Northeast Corridor infrastructure and investment development. “As stewards of this national historic landmark we are committed to maintaining its status as a first-class facility for passengers and further integrating the station into the

MARTA Moving Forward with Transit-Oriented Development

August 14, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — MARTA recently release a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a master development partner to help create a new Transit-Oriented Development at the King Memorial rail station in Downtown Atlanta. The RFQ is the initial phase of a two-step process wherein potential development partners will be asked to respond to MARTA’s qualification criteria for its TOD program. A short list of firms who satisfy the criteria will subsequently be invited to submit formal bids on the project as part of a future Request for Proposals (RFP). MARTA selected King Memorial Station as the first of five transit-oriented developments

SEPTA Sets Record for Regional Rail Ridership

August 14, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA set a new Regional Rail ridership record, with 36,023,000 trips taken by customers during Fiscal Year 2013, the Authority announced last month. Fiscal Year 2013 was the 12-month period from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Ridership on SEPTA’s 13 Regional Rail lines increased by 2.2 percent over the course of the year. System-wide, SEPTA recorded 337.3 million trips during the year on its trains, buses and trolleys. While total ridership was down slightly from the 339.3 million trips in Fiscal Year 2012, the numbers for FY 2013 were impacted by a two-day shutdown due to

R Montague tubes close for 14 months of Sandy-related repairs

August 14, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

MTA New York City Transit has started so-called “Fix&Fortify” work to the R Subway Line Icon Montague Tubes. The work, which began Aug. 2, will last for 14 months. The MTA is well into the most extensive and wide-ranging reconstruction effort in its history after Superstorm Sandy decimated the subway system last fall. The Greenpoint and Montague Tubes suffered extensive damage during the storm, when they were flooded with salt water along with seven other interborough subway tubes. The work amounts to a near rebuilding of the link which connects Downtown Brooklyn with Lower Manhattan. The work will be completed

Commuter Rail

N.J. Transit approves FY 2014 budget with no fare increase

August 14, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — The N.J. Transit Board of Directors last month approved a Fiscal Year 2014 operating budget that calls for no fare increase for the fourth consecutive fiscal year. The budget also includes a capital program to supports continued investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and improve the overall customer experience. “This budget will enable us to maintain and enhance New Jersey’s robust transportation system while responding to the needs of the customers who rely on our service to conduct life’s daily business,” N.J. Transit Executive Director James Weinstein said

Amtrak: New Locomotives Advancing in Testing Program

July 29, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

PUEBLO, Colo. – The new Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS-64) electric locomotives are now in a comprehensive and rigorous testing program, and are being put through the paces before entering Northeast service this fall. Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo and Siemens Rail Systems President Michael Cahill traveled to the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Technology Center (TTC) facility in Pueblo, Colo., to get an update on the testing program and to observe a testing demonstration. “These locomotives are the new workhorses of the Amtrak fleet in the Northeast and they must meet our performance-based

Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4014

July 29, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad reached an agreement with the Southern California Chapter – Railway & Locomotive Historical Society in Pomona, Calif., to transfer ownership of one of the world’s largest steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014, back to Union Pacific. Union Pacific plans to relocate No. 4014 to Cheyenne, Wyo., where Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet Operations team will work to restore it to operating condition. Details regarding those efforts will be made public at a later date. Union Pacific donated No. 4014 to the historical society December 7, 1961. The locomotive arrived January 8, 1962, at its current

Southern Museum Wraps Up Successful Railroad Rendezvous

July 28, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

KENNESAW, Ga. — More than 600 people turned out Saturday for the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History’s first ever Railroad Rendezvous event. During the event, museum visitors were able to participate in games such as sack races and a bean bag toss, learn about railroads and safety precautions to take around them, and even de-code hobo symbols and learn about living life on the rails. “We want thank each and every person who came out to support us to help make our first ever Railroad Rendezvous a tremendous success,” said Valerie Serra, events coordinator for the Southern

Norfolk Southern Reports Second Quarter 2013 Earnings

July 24, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — For the second quarter of 2013, Norfolk Southern reported net income of $465 million, 11 percent lower than $524 million for second-quarter 2012. Diluted earnings per share were $1.46, down 9 percent compared with $1.60 per diluted share in the same period last year. “In the second quarter, Norfolk Southern delivered solid results, supported by growth in our chemicals, intermodal, and automotive businesses, despite continuing weakness in the coal markets,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “We continue to focus on service efficiency and velocity, which is enabling us to control operating expenses and deliver superior performance to our

CSX Reminds Communities: Enjoy the Summer, But Use Caution Around Railroad Tracks

July 3, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With summer activities in full swing and the Fourth of July holiday approaching, CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) reminds everyone to stay away from railroad tracks and motorists to use caution at grade crossings. “We hope our community neighbors enjoy their picnics, fireworks and time with family and friends, but never underestimate the dangers of trespassing or playing on railroad property,” said Terry Ludban, director – community affairs and safety. “Always be alert and remember to play it safe near railroad tracks.” Tracks are private property. Walking or riding on tracks or other railroad property without the permission