Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak: New Surface Transporation Bill Needs to be ‘Revolutionary’

April 21, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Stressing that the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill should be “revolutionary, not evolutionary” when it comes to federal investment in intercity passenger rail, Amtrak testified before a Congressional field hearing in Chicago that “[t]he need for reliable, multiyear funding is our biggest policy challenge.”

Amtrak Heartland Flyer Tests Cleaner, Renewable Fuel for Passenger Trains

April 21, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH – Amtrak and the Oklahoma and Texas state transportation departments today announced the nation’s first-ever test of a cleaner and renewable biodiesel fuel blend to power a daily interstate passenger train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of foreign oil. Amtrak received a $274,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to carry out the research project in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (Okla. DOT) on the daily Heartland Flyer train operated by Amtrak with state support from both Oklahoma and Texas. The biodiesel blend includes

Amtrak Missouri River Runner Schedule Changes Due to Union Pacific Track Work

April 20, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

JEFFERSON CITY – Leaving a little earlier in the morning or a little later in the afternoon will help ensure a punctual, uninterrupted ride for Amtrak Missouri River Runner passengers through the middle of June. Maintenance work on the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near Sedalia is causing Amtrak to temporarily adjust its schedules from April 25 to June 16.

CSX Intermodal Wins Landstar Honor

April 19, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Intermodal (CSXI) has received the 2009 Intermodal Carrier of the Year award from Landstar System Inc.

CSX Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

April 16, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. said it is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with a week-long celebration around its network which includes rail yard clean sweeps, employee engagement and education activities, and local beautification projects.

Norfolk Southern Goes Social: The Thoroughbred is on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr

April 15, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. has expanded its communications with online audiences, distributing information, video, and photos on popular social media Web sites. News media, customers, shareholders, bloggers, and other opinion leaders now can keep up to date on Norfolk Southern news and information through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr. “A 180-year-old company that traces its roots to the earliest days of railroading in America now connects with digital-age audiences who get their news through online networking,” said Frank Brown, AVP corporate communications. “Our expanded presence on the Internet serves the growing number of people who receive information about

CSX Announces 22% Increase in First Quarter Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations

April 13, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced first quarter earnings per share from continuing operations of $306 million, or 78 cents per share, versus $254 million, or 64 cents per share, in the same period last year. This represents a 22 percent year-over-year improvement in earnings per share from continuing operations. “CSX drove strong efficiencies in its operations and produced outstanding results as the economy continued to recover,” said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We are particularly proud of our excellent safety performance in the quarter, as our employees achieved record results in one of America’s safest

STB Sets Hearing on Maine Proposed Maine Abandonment

April 10, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The federal Surface Transportation Board announced it will hold a public hearing in Presque Isle, Maine, on May 10 to allow citizens and stakeholders to provide testimony on the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway’s application to abandon 233 miles of rail line in Aroostook and Penobscot counties. The hearing will be held at the District Courthouse located at 27 Riverside Drive in Presque Isle. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. The courthouse will open at 8 a.m. All speakers and attendees must present valid government-issued identification and pass security screening to gain entry to the hearing.

Proposed Maine Abandonment Would Force More Trucks Onto Roads

April 9, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Section of Environmental Analysis at the Surface Transportation Board issued a draft environmental assessment on the proposed abandonment of 233 miles of rail line in the northern Maine counties of Aroostook and Penobscot. The draft review found that the abandonment of this line could divert onto Maine’s highways as many as an additional 73,344 truck trips per year, consuming an additional 3.3 million gallons of fuel per year. However, the draft review, which estimated it would take four trucks to replace every rail car, found that the diversion of rail traffic onto trucks would appear to be

Canadian Pacific announces Ed Harris as Chief Operations Officer

April 9, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited announced the appointment of Edmond (Ed) L. Harris to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. Reporting to CP President and Chief Executive Officer Fred Green, Harris will join the Company with responsibility for all aspects of railroad operations, safety, customer service, engineering and mechanical services in both Canada and the US. “Ed is a proven railroader and industry leader, widely recognized for his focus on service reliability, asset utilization, and productivity,” said Green. “We welcome his expertise and look forward to him joining the team.” Harris has over 30 years