Articles by Railfanning.org News Wire

No Picture
Canadian National

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
No Picture
Canadian Pacific

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.
No Picture
Amtrak

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
No Picture
Amtrak

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.
No Picture
Amtrak

Boardman: Amtrak ‘provided a high return on the limited Federal investment’

September 23, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Amtrak “has provided a high return on the limited Federal investment we’ve received,” Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told Congress. “[P]assenger rail has received only a tiny portion of the annual Federal transportation budget,” Boardman said in his written testimony. “To give just one example, in the past four years the Federal government has appropriated $53.3 billion from the General Fund of the Treasury to bail out the Highway Trust Fund. That’s almost 30% more than the total Federal expenditure on Amtrak since 1971 [$39.3 billion]. “Federal expenditures on Amtrak during the past 41 years pale next
No Picture
Amtrak

Feds: $26.5 Million to Improve Reliability and Reduce Delays on North Carolina Passenger Trains

September 23, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – The feds have awarded $26.5 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to improve reliability and reduce delays on Amtrak service in eastern North Carolina. The resulting improvements are centered in the area between Rocky Mount, N.C. and Petersburg, Va., and will improve service for both the Amtrak Carolinian line, which runs between New York City and Charlotte, N.C., and the Amtrak long distance trains that run between New York City and Florida, federal officials said. “This project will not only bring jobs to the region, but will also reduce delays between New York, Washington, Raleigh, and
No Picture
Amtrak

Amtrak Virginia to Norfolk to Start Dec. 12

September 22, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
RICHMOND, Va. – Amtrak Virginia’s Northeast Regional service extension to and from Norfolk will start Dec. 12, providing a same-seat trip from Norfolk to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York City and as far north as Boston. Tickets are now available for purchase. “The partnership between the Commonwealth and Amtrak to bring an Amtrak Virginia station to the city of Norfolk reflects my administration’s commitment to continue to make progress in improving our transportation networks for the state,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said. “By providing the citizens of Virginia an alternative way to get to and from Southside Hampton Roads, it takes
No Picture
Canadian Pacific

Michael Redeker Appointed CIO at Canadian Pacific

September 22, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
CALGARY — Michael Redeker has been appointed Canadian Pacific’s Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the railway. The appointment is effective October 15, 2012. Redeker was most recently Chief Information Officer at ATB Financial. As CIO, Redeker will be responsible for re-defining CP’s future strategic information technology (IT) roadmap, improving asset utilization, market growth, shipment management, and employee productivity. He will report directly to President and CEO E. Hunter Harrison. “I welcome Mike to our leadership team and look forward to working with him on delivering strategic IT activities that will translate into operational efficiencies,” said Harrison. “Our
No Picture
Amtrak

Feds Award More than $74 Million to Further Development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor in Virginia

September 20, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – The federal government has awarded more than $74.8 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor. The funding will help improve passenger and freight rail service between Virginia and Washington, D.C. and reduce delays on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) commuter service, according to the feds. “The Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor between Charlotte and Washington D.C. serves one of the fastest growing regions in the country, which is why it is critical to eliminate congestion points so that intercity passenger, freight and commuter rail can all run smoothly without delays,” U.S.