Railfanning.org News Wire

STB Lowers Filing Fees

February 15, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Surface Transportation Board said it has moved to significantly reduce filing fees for shipper complaints to $350. Currently, shippers are charged as much as $20,600 to file a complaint. The proposed rulemaking, approved by the STB, would implement a new fee schedule that would charge shippers $350 to file a rate or unreasonable practice complaint. The fee to file an expedited small rate case would remain $150. “Charging a small business more than $20,000 to bring a complaint is not right,’’ said STB Chairman Daniel R. Elliott III. “I am afraid that some meritorious cases were discouraged by the high filing fees.” Elliott said that while the new

Union Pacific Railroad Invests $6.9 Million for Track Improvements to Its Line from Yuma to Wellton

February 14, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Union Pacific Railroad will continue improving Arizona’s transportation infrastructure with a $6.9 million investment to enhance the rail line that runs from Yuma to Wellton. The 30-mile project includes removing and installing new rail and more than 47,000 railroad ties along this premium railroad corridor through southern Arizona. Crews will spread 18,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed. Union Pacific plans to spend approximately $3.2 billion in 2011 to support America’s current and future freight transportation needs and enhance the safety and efficiency of the railroad’s 32,000-mile network. Improved and additional rail capacity benefits

CN, CAW Ratify New Agreement

February 14, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — CN said that members of the Canadian Auto Workers union have ratified four-year collective agreements with the company and CNTL, a subsidiary of CN. The agreements, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2011, provide wage and benefit increases to CAW members. In addition, the settlements contain progressive provisions to help CN retain and attract skilled employees critical to its workforce in the years ahead. The CAW represents approximately 3,400 workers in three distinct bargaining units at CN – mechanical, clerical/intermodal and excavator operators; and one bargaining unit covering approximately 575 owner-operator truck drivers at CNTL. CN and CNTL reached tentative agreements

Amtrak Now at Temporary Denver Station

February 10, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

DENVER — Amtrak has temporarily relocated from the historic Denver Union Station to 1800 21st St., at the intersection of 21st St. and Wewatta St., near Coors Field in Downtown Denver’s Prospect Neighborhood. The temporary station is completely accessible to passengers with disabilities, offers Quik-Trak self-serve ticketing kiosks, free Wi-Fi and vending machines with snacks and beverages. Amtrak passengers are encouraged to plan to be picked up and dropped off at the temporary location. Approximately 15 short-term parking spaces are available at the lot on the east side of the station for passenger pick-up and drop-off. The temporary station is served by a RTD bus stop just steps from the

CN Announces 2011 Capital Investments to Maintain, Improve Network

February 9, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — CN said it plans to invest C$1.7 billion in 2011 to maintain a safe and fluid railway network, to grow the business efficiently and to continue to provide customers with a high level of service. Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer, said: “CN is focused on running a safe, sustainable railway and growing our business profitably at low incremental cost. We are pursuing this agenda through infrastructure investments, strengthening ties with our customers, and innovative service improvements. Our service innovations include ‘first-mile/last-mile’ initiatives that respond to customer needs at origin and destination, and supply chain collaboration that emphasizes

BNSF Announces $3.5 Billion Capital Commitment Program

February 8, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Co. announced a planned 2011 capital commitment program of $3.5 billion. The largest component of the capital plan is spending $2 billion on BNSF’s core network and related assets. BNSF also said it plans to spend about $450 million to acquire 227 locomotives and approximately $350 million on freight car and other equipment acquisitions. The program also includes about $300 million for federally mandated positive train control (PTC) and $300 million for terminal, line and intermodal expansion and efficiency projects. BNSF’s expansion and efficiency projects will be primarily focused on the mid-continent and coal

CSXT Boosts Spending with Minority Suppliers to Record Level

February 7, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation Inc. significantly increased its spending on products and services with minority providers in 2010, setting a new record, the company said. The company spent nearly $105 million with firms owned by minorities and women. The products and services range from signals to technology. “Encouraging business with minority and women-owned suppliers diversifies and strengthens our supplier base, and creates good jobs for our economy,” said Fran Chinnici, vice president-purchasing. “Good business fundamentals include diversity in all aspects of what we do. We recognize the value of expanding our base of qualified suppliers in a competitive marketplace.” Despite some

CAW, CP Reach Tentative Contract Settlement

February 5, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — The Canadian Autoworkers (CAW), representing mechanical services employees, and Canadian Pacific reached a tentative contract settlement. The Memorandum of Settlement will be sent to the union membership for ratification, which is expected to conclude within three weeks. Details of the tentative agreement will be released following ratification by union members.

CN Announces Plan to Buy Back Shares

February 4, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — CN said it intends to purchase for cancellation up to three million of its common shares pursuant to private agreements between CN and an arm’s-length third-party seller. The purchases will form part of CN’s 16.5-million share-repurchase program announced on Jan. 25, 2011. Such purchases will be made pursuant to an issuer bid exemption order issued by the Ontario Securities Commission and will take place before the end of March 2011. The price that CN will pay for any common shares purchased by it under such agreements will be negotiated by CN and the seller and will be at a discount

Union Pacific Announces Operating Department Appointments

February 4, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

SPRING, Texas — Union Pacific Railroad has announced the following appointments, effective February 1. Brian McGavock has been appointed general superintendent – Harriman Dispatching Center, based in Omaha, Nebraska. He succeeds Mark Payne, who is retiring after 32 years of service. In his new role, McGavock is responsible for train dispatching over Union Pacific’s 5,500-mile Southern Region in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. McGavock joined Union Pacific in 1998. He has held operating positions in Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois and Louisiana; most recently serving as general superintendent – transportation services for the Houston Service Unit. He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois