Railfanning.org News Wire

Union Pacific Railroad’s Legendary Steam Locomotive To Be Part of Centennial Celebration

June 17, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad’s historic steam locomotive, No. 844, will travel to Milliken, Colo., from its base in Cheyenne, Wyo., to help the community celebrate its centennial and the railroad’s history and heritage. The “City of Milliken Centennial Special” will depart Cheyenne on June 25 at 5 p.m. and arrive in Milliken at 7:30 p.m. No. 844 will be on public display at the Broad St. crossing in Milliken on June 26 beginning at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., before it departs Milliken at 7 p.m., arriving back in Cheyenne at 10:30 p.m. “This will be the first

Amtrak is Working on the Railroad in Chicago

June 17, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO – Amtrak is using $115 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to improve tracks, buildings and control systems in Chicago this construction season, as part of a $1 billion construction program to fund capital projects designed to rebuild the critical infrastructure of America’s Railroad. “We are investing in our infrastructure in Chicago to improve our operations and support the growing demand to travel by Amtrak,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman. He noted America’s intercity passenger railroad posted a ridership increase of more than seven percent nationally in the last nine months, including double-digit increases

Amtrak: National Rail Plan Needs to Recognize the Value of Amtrak’s Intercity Passenger Rail Network

June 12, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is urging the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to be bold and unambiguous in its vision for the future of the national rail system, including the Amtrak network, as it develops a long-range National Rail Plan (NRP). “Amtrak’s existing national intercity passenger rail system should be recognized in the NRP as the foundation for the development of an expanded network of high-speed and conventional rail services spanning key corridors across the United States,” said Amtrak Vice President, Policy and Development Stephen Gardner. Gardner explained that Amtrak is America’s intercity passenger railroad and the only high-speed rail service provider

BNSF to Replace Burlington Bridge Approach Spans Construction of Lift Span Begins This Summer

June 12, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH — BNSF Railway Company will begin work this month on replacing seven approach spans on the Mississippi River bridge at Burlington, Iowa. Construction of the new approaches will complement a separate construction project that began last year to replace the bridge’s swing span with a new lift span over the navigation channel. Construction of the replacement approach spans will use new reinforced concrete foundations with 250-foot steel bridge spans. When combined with the replacement of the movable span over the navigation channel, the entire bridge will have been rebuilt to 21st century engineering standards. “The Burlington Bridge is

CN, TSI Terminal Systems Reach Supply Chain Collaboration Agreement

June 11, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — CN and TSI Terminal Systems Inc. (TSI) announced a supply chain collaboration agreement aiming to enhance service levels to their mutual customers and draw greater volumes of container traffic over Port Metro Vancouver. A MOU has been signed that will drive strong mutual focus on system efficiencies, improved communication, and close monitoring of their gateway performance. The CN-TSI pact is a companion to CN’s recent supply chain collaboration agreement with Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) designed to promote balanced accountability among all Port stakeholders. TSI is the largest container terminal operator in Canada, handling approximately 70 per cent of

STB to Hold Hearing on Service Denial

June 10, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public hearing on July 29 on a case that centers on whether a railroad may deny service to coal shippers who do not follow the railroad’s rules on coal dust dispersal. The case, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation—Petition for Declaratory Order, Docket No. FD 35305, raises the issues of whether BNSF Railway Co. may establish rules regarding coal dust dispersion from coal trains operating over its lines and if it can refuse to provide rail service to shippers who do not comply with its rules. The Board will decide if this constitutes

Axion Power to Work With Norfolk Southern on Battery-Driven Locomotive Project

June 9, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Axion Power International said it will launch a development program with Norfolk Southern Corp. to develop a battery management system that would allow rail locomotives to operate on battery power and recharge their batteries through regenerative braking. “Railways are the most fuel-efficient method of transporting freight, moving a ton of freight 457 miles on a single gallon of fuel,” Axion Power Chairman & CEO Thomas Granville said. “The ability to run locomotives on electricity is well-established, although the standard means of doing so to date has either been a third rail or an overhead connection –

BNSF Receives National Achievement Award for Commitment to Community Safety

June 9, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Company has been honored by TRANSCAER (National Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) for its commitment to helping communities prepare for and respond to possible hazardous materials transportation incidents. BNSF was one of eight companies to receive TRANSCAER’s 2009 National Achievement Award for supporting the TRANSCAER initiative and extending beyond the geographic boundaries of any one region. This is the 10th time the National TRANSCAER Task Group has selected BNSF for this award for continuing dedication to emergency preparedness and community outreach. In addition, Brock Lowman, BNSF, manager, HazMat Response, was recognized with the

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Signs Agreement to Acquire FreightLink; Expands Rail Operations in South Australia and the Northern Territory

June 9, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

GREENWICH, Conn. — Genesee & Wyoming Inc. said it has signed an agreement to acquire the assets of FreightLink Pty Ltd, Asia Pacific Transport Pty Ltd and related corporate entities $277.2 million, plus the assumption of debt with a carrying value of $1.4 million. In addition, GWI expects to incur transaction-related expenses of $19.1 million, principally related to the payment of stamp duty (an Australian asset transfer tax). The acquisition of FreightLink is contingent upon customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain governmental approvals. GWI expects to close the acquisition and to commence operations in the fourth quarter of

EPA Recognizes BNSF Logistics for Outstanding Environmental Performance

June 5, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized BNSF Logistics with its outstanding environmental performance designation in the SmartWay Transport Partner program. BNSF Logistics has been a SmartWay Transport Partner since 2005 and activities under its annual program objectives have generated the highest score possible — 1.25. “Our customers demand environmentally and financially sustainable solutions from their supply chain partners,” stated Eric Wolfe, BNSF Logistics vice president and general manager. “Customers are taking a long-term view of decisions they are making today and seeking partners who can present modal alternatives that benefit the environment. Our expertise in providing