Railfanning.org News Wire

CP Plans to Invest $950M on 2011 Capital Projects

January 12, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway unveiled plans to invest between $950 million and $1.05 billion for capital projects in 2011. “CP is focused on continuously improving service reliability, asset velocity, and productivity. With strong demand projected in many of our commodity based businesses, this capital plan will enable us to meet our customer’s needs and continue to lower our operating ratio to create a stronger franchise for the future,” said CP Chief Financial Officer, Kathryn McQuade. The 2011 Capital Plan will focus on: – Making strategic and targeted capacity investments to ensure that the efficiencies gained through our long train strategy, repair

STB Plans Hearing on Competition

January 11, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Surface Transportation Board announced today a public hearing on May 3 to explore the current state of competition in the railroad industry and possible policy initiatives to promote more rail-to-rail competition. “I said last year that it was time for the Board to revisit the current rail regulatory framework and that is what we are doing,” said Board Chairman Daniel R. Elliott III. “We need to strike a balance between providing access to competitive rail transportation for shippers while maintaining the rail industry’s impressive economic renaissance.” The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m., in the Surface Transportation Board Hearing Room,

Railroad: Customers Locate on CSXT to Grow, Create Jobs

January 10, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Leveraging the economic and environmental benefits of rail, customers committed to 130 new or expanded facilities on CSX Transportation (CSXT) lines in 2010, the company said. Upon completion, these projects will create as many as 5,200 new jobs.

FTA, Houston Officials Looking at U.S. 90A Corridor Improvements

January 10, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

HOUSTON — The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County are planning to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) examining proposed transit improvements to the U.S. 90A/Southwest Rail corridor in the Houston metropolitan area.

Union Pacific Railroad Announces ShipCarsNow to Relocate to Omaha

January 10, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad said it will relocate its ShipCarsNow subsidiaryfrom Auburn Hills, Mich., to the company’s headquarters building in Omaha, Neb. The move will take place this month.

CN to Launch EcoRide in April

January 10, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

TORONTO — CN said it will launch EcoRide, a new container chassis expected to reduce fuel consumption in CN’s trucking of containers to and from its intermodal terminals by eight to 10 percent. EcoRide is expected to launch in April 2011.

FRA Develops Model State Legislation to Improve Safety at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

January 8, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), together with states, developed model state legislation for use in developing bills to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings without gates or barriers.

Patriot Rail Corp. Completes Acquisition of Weyerhaeuser Company’s Railroads

January 8, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Patriot Rail Corp. has completed the acquisition of the six Weyerhaeuser Co. short line railroads, effective Dec. 30.

Amtrak: Schedule Change for Amtrak Crescent Service

January 8, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Improvements to the track used by the Amtrak Crescent (New York – New Orleans) service will result in a temporary schedule change from Jan. 10 – Feb. 17 with trains not operating between Atlanta and New Orleans Monday through Thursday of each week.

MTA Announces F and G Culver Viaduct Rehabilitation Project

January 4, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — MTA New York City Transit is making repairs and improvements to Brooklyn’s Culver Line including the rebuilding of the Viaduct structure and the renewal of its tracks, signals and switches.