Railfanning.org News Wire

STB Grants ARRC Permission to Build 80-Mile Extension

January 6, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced it has granted the request of the Alaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC, a state-owned railroad) to construct and operate a new, 80-mile railroad line—the Northern Rail Extension—in the State of Alaska, subject to extensive environmental-mitigation conditions. After considering the entire public record before it, including both the transportation aspects of ARRC’s proposal and potential environmental issues, the Board was satisfied that the proposed line would provide reliable, year-round freight and passenger service to the region south of North Pole, Alaska; access to training areas used by the United States military; and an alternative to

New Metro Transit Police Unit Focuses on Anti-Terrorism

January 6, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) now has a dedicated unit devoted to deterring a terrorist attack in the Metro system. The new anti-terrorism team will increase surveillance of the Metro system, conduct more frequent security sweeps of Metro facilities and tunnels, and provide greater visibility of uniformed officers. Using a $9.56 million Transit Security Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), MTPD formed the 20-member, anti-terror team in December. The team, whose mission is to deter terrorists from selecting Metro as a target, will use tactics such as increased surveillance and random, unpredictable patrols of

Mulvey Named STB’s Vice Chairman

January 5, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Daniel R. Elliott, III announced that the agency designated Board Member Francis P. Mulvey as its Vice Chairman. He succeeds former Board Chairman Charles D. Nottingham, who most recently served as Vice Chairman from March 13, 2009 to Jan. 4, and continues to serve as a Board Member. The Board’s Vice Chairmanship rotates among the Members on an annual basis. Vice Chairman Mulvey, the eighth Member since the Board’s creation in 1996, was nominated to the agency by President George W. Bush on November 17, 2003, and was confirmed by the Senate on May

Woman Dies After Being Struck by Train

January 5, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A 50-year-old woman from Kensington, Md., who was struck by a Red Line train at the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metrorail station at 11:36 p.m., on Monday, Jan. 4, died this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 5, as a result of her injuries. The Metro Transit Police continue to investigate, but preliminary information shows that the woman intentionally placed herself in the path of the train. She was hit by a six-car train traveling toward Shady Grove.

Metro Transit Police Arrest Man for Pushing a Minor into the side of a Moving Train

December 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) arrested Jarrell Thompson, Jr., on Dec. 29 and charged him with aggravated assault for pushing another young man into the side of a Red Line train at the Gallery Pl-Chinatown Metrorail station last month. Thompson, 18, from Southeast Washington, could receive up to 15 years in prison. He is in custody in the District of Columbia. The incident occurred at 3:35 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 as the train was coming into the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station. The train was headed in the direction of Shady Grove. The investigation indicated that the

Man Dies Three Days After Being Struck by Train

December 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The 48-year-old man of Rockville, Md., who fell to the tracks and was struck by a Red Line train at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station on Dec. 27, died as a result of his injuries today, Wednesday, Dec. 30. The preliminary investigation indicates that the man accidentally tumbled onto the tracks as the train pulled into the station Sunday morning. The Metro Transit Police continue to investigate the incident.

Man Struck by WMATA Train in Critical Condition

December 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A 48-year-old resident of Rockville, Md., remains in critical condition at an area hospital after he fell to the tracks and was struck by a Red Line train early this morning, Dec. 27. Metro Transit Police continue to investigate the 7:28 a.m. incident, which took place at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station. The preliminary investigation indicates that the man was standing at the edge of the platform and accidentally tumbled onto the tracks as the train pulled into the station. The train was headed in the direction of Shady Grove. The incident impacted Red Line service for about

CN Board of Directors Recognizes Outgoing President and CEO, E. Hunter Harrison

December 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — David G. A. McLean, chairman of the board of directors of CN, acknowledged the remarkable career of CN’s outgoing president and chief executive officer E. Hunter Harrison. “On behalf of CN’s board of directors, I would like to thank Hunter for the outstanding leadership and service that he has provided to this company. His innovative Precision Railroading model and tireless dedication has led to the creation of a great North American railroad and will leave this company well positioned for future success,” said McLean. “As Hunter prepares to step down from the company and from its board of

Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council Names Union Pacific 2009 Corporation of the Year

December 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — The Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council has named Union Pacific as its 2009 Corporation of the Year. The award recognizes Union Pacific for its many efforts to increase and improve its minority supplier business relations as well as assist other companies and their key suppliers to recognize the value of supplier diversity. Union Pacific provides financial support for many of the Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (GPMSDC) events and functions, and dedicated employees demonstrate the railroad’s commitment to minority business development. In the past year, Union Pacific hosted the GPMSDC’s second quarter meeting and an

Metrorail, Metrobus Back in Business

December 21, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — All 86 Metrorail stations will be open and ready to move customers on Monday morning (December 21), two days after a record-setting snowfall forced trains into underground-only mode from 1 p.m. Saturday throughout the day on Sunday. Metrobus service will also be back on the area’s streets providing significantly improved service from the skeletal service available on Sunday. MetroAccess will be operating limited service from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for individuals whose trips are associated with life-sustaining medical needs such as chemotherapy and dialysis. “I want to thank our customers for their understanding as we used Sunday