Articles by Railfanning.org News Wire

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Commuter Rail

Metro Takes Delivery of State-of-the-Art Track Geometry Vehicle

July 5, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
Metro has accepted delivery of its first track geometry vehicle (TGV), a specialized railcar equipped with advanced technology to analyze the condition of rail and track infrastructure, and to alert Metro to potential defects. The TGV, built by Falls Church, VA-based Ensco, Inc., gives Metro in-house capability to inspect track with greater speed and efficiency, and to detect track anomalies before they have an impact on service. “Ultrasonic and geometry testing can be performed to assist in managing maintenance needs and advance identification of ‘trouble spots’ to improve reliability of service and limit disruptions,” said Tom Robinson, Metro’s Deputy Chief
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CSX

CSX names John W. Kelsey Business, Technology Park ‘Select Site’

June 7, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced the selection of the John W. Kelsey Business and Technology Park in Greenville, Ill., as one of its first certified CSX Select Sites. CSX has introduced CSX Select Sites to offer customers an easy way to access certified, rail-ready properties for a variety of industrial uses. “These sites represent many of the best manufacturing properties along CSX’s rail network in the eastern U.S.,” explained Clark Robertson, CSX Assistant Vice President – Regional Development. “The Select Site designation promotes shorter decision timelines, increased speed to market, and lower up-front development risk for companies seeking industrial
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CSX

CSX Announces Record First Quarter Results Inbox

April 22, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced first quarter net earnings of $449 million, or $0.43 per share, versus $395 million, or $0.35 per share, in the same period last year. This represents a 23 percent year-over-year improvement in earnings per share. “CSX is off to a fast start in a year that will be dynamic and challenging,” said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer of CSX. “A significant majority of our transportation markets are performing very well and our operations are delivering excellent results.” Revenue in the quarter improved 6 percent from the prior year to nearly
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Miscellaneous

The Andrews Raid: A Timeline of Events

April 12, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
KENNESAW, Ga. – April 12, 1862. It was the one-year anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and the morning passenger train – pulled by the locomotive General – arrived in town. A band of Union spies led by James J. Andrews, the men planned to steal the locomotive and then destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a vital link between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., in the heart of the Confederacy. The Andrews Raid, also known as The Great Locomotive Chase, ultimately failed. More than an “astounding adventure,” the raid was near genius. Thursday marks the 150th anniversary of
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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern’s ‘Train Your Brain’ Safety Campaign Heads to Alabama

April 11, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
NORFOLK, Va. — Alabama, known for college sports, beaches, and space camp, among other things, will never be the same once Brainy, a giant, wide-eyed pink walking brain, arrives this week. Brainy, a hapless brain in need of training, is Norfolk Southern’s (NYSE: NSC) public safety mascot. Brainy is part of Norfolk Southern’s “Train Your Brain” public railroad safety program, now in its sixth year. Brainy reminds people to be smart and alert around highway-rail grade crossings and to avoid trespassing on railroad property. Alabama was selected as a target for the Train Your Brain campaign because it is a
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Union Pacific

State-Of-The-Art Traveling Museum to Be Part of Many Union Pacific Railroad 150th Anniversary Celebrations

April 1, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is taking its Building America exhibit on the road, or at least out on the rails. The Promontory, a Union Pacific Railroad 1962-vintage baggage car, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art traveling museum. Complete with 13 large, dramatic graphics and the latest in interactive touch video screen technology, the Promontory will immerse visitors in Union Pacific’s 150-year history. The traveling exhibit is a smaller version of the Building America exhibit that will open at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on May 12, 2012. Traveling exhibit visitors will
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Amtrak

Amtrak Niantic River Bridge Replacement Project Reaches Significant Milestone

March 27, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
NEW YORK— Amtrak is reaching a significant milestone in its efforts to replace the existing 104-year old Niantic River Bridge in East Lyme, Conn., with the float-in of the new bascule lift span to the new alignment south of the existing bridge. After the float-in of the new bridge span is completed later today, crews will begin the process of connecting it to the new pivot girders located on the land side of the marine channel. As a result, access to the channel beneath the structure will be closed to the maritime community beginning March 26, through March 30 to
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Canadian National

CN Sells Greater Toronto Area Rail Lines to Metrolinx for GO Transit Services

March 27, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
TORONTO — CN has sold two rail line segments in the Greater Toronto Area to Metrolinx for $310.5 million Canadian. GO Transit’s Richmond Hill commuter rail service operates over a portion of CN’s Bala Subdivision. Metrolinx is acquiring a segment of the subdivision from approximately Rosedale Valley Road north through the Don Valley to CN’s main east-west freight line north of Steeles Avenue near the Toronto-York Region border. Metrolinx is also acquiring a segment of CN’s Oakville Subdivision from a point near 30th Street in the Etobicoke area of Toronto and terminating just west of the Fourth Line in Oakville,
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Amtrak

Amtrak to More Than Triple the Number of Track-Miles Equipped with Positive Train Control

March 25, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – By the end of 2012, Amtrak expects to more than triple the number of track-miles on its own railroad where Positive Train Control (PTC) safety technology is installed as part of an aggressive program begun more than two years ago. “PTC is the most important rail safety advancement of our time and Amtrak is strongly committed to its expanded use to enhance safety for our passengers, employees and others with whom we share the tracks across our national network,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman. PTC technology can control train movements to prevent train-to-train collisions, derailments caused by