Railfanning.org News Wire

Last Steam Locomotive Built For Union Pacific Visits North Platte During Railroad Celebration

September 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Thousands descended on North Platte, Neb., to take in the sights and sounds of Union Pacific Railroad’s No. 844, the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific, and UP’s Bailey Yard during the area’s RailFest celebration. “The crowds along the route have been tremendous and we sincerely appreciate those who have taken the time to come and experience a part of Union Pacific’s heritage,” said Steve Lee, Union Pacific’s manager – operating practices and one of No. 844’s engineers. “Union Pacific’s historical ties run deep in North Platte so it is only fitting that we display

DOT Presents MARTA With $10.8 Million for Solar Canopies

September 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded MARTA with a $10.8 million grant under the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Grant Program. The grant will be used to install energy-efficient solar panels at the Laredo Bus Maintenance Facility in Decatur, Ga., resulting in considerable cost-savings for MARTA and creating much-needed economic opportunities for metro Atlanta, officials said. The TIGGER award represents “a timely and substantial contribution” to MARTA’s sustainability initiatives and continuing commitment to be innovative and cost-effective, MARTA said in a news release. The turnkey project will provide for shade structures with integrated, grid-tied

NTSB Identifies Signal Failure in DC Crash

September 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued nine safety recommendations, six of which are urgent, as part of its investigation into the collision between two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) trains on June 22, 2009. The trains crashed on the Red Line near the Fort Totten station in Washington. The NTSB’s recommendations address concerns about the safety of train control systems that use audio frequency track circuits, authorities said. As part of its investigation, the NTSB said it discovered that a failure occurred in which a spurious signal generated by a track circuit module transmitter mimicked

Feds: Transit Systems Should be Alert

September 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Federal authorities sent warnings to transit systems, hotels and stadiums nationwide that Islamic terrorists might target them. Law enforcement continued to search for suspects in “a possible al-Qaida plot to set off hydrogen-peroxide bombs hidden in backpacks,” The Associated Press reported. The DHS and the FBI “have no information regarding the timing, location or target of any planned attack, we believe it is prudent to raise the security awareness of our local law enforcement partners regarding the targets and tactics of previous terrorist activity,” the groups said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. “The MTA

Amtrak’s ‘Great Dome’ Car Returning to Adirondack Service During Fall Foliage Season

September 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Passengers riding Amtrak’s Adirondack train will once again have the unique opportunity to experience the spectacular view of New York State’s fall foliage season when the historic “Great Dome” rail car makes a special six-week return appearance from October 1 through November 10. With its partners the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the National Park Service Trails & Rails program, Amtrak worked cooperatively to bring its only dome car back to upstate New York. The car features an upper level with windows on all sides as well as overhead to provide passengers with panoramic

WMATA: Person Fatally Struck by Train

September 17, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A person was fatally struck by a six-car Yellow Line train as it pulled into the Columbia Heights Metrorail station today at 1:55 p.m., WMATA said. The train was headed downtown. The preliminary indication leads investigators to believe that the individual intentionally placed himself/herself (gender not yet confirmed) in the path of the train.

Norfolk Southern Thanks State Partners in Crescent Corridor Stimulus Application

September 15, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern commended its partners in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee for their leadership in supporting the Crescent Corridor program to increase rail freight transportation capacity and improve mobility and the environment. “On behalf of Norfolk Southern, I thank our partners for their farsighted support of the Crescent Corridor,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “The Crescent Corridor is a tremendous economic advantage for the states and the nation. It will stimulate jobs, tax revenue, and business growth, while delivering substantial public benefits for communities and customers. Governors Ed Rendell, Tim Kaine, Bob Riley, Haley Barbour, and Phil

Norfolk Southern’s Sustainability Report Highlights Carbon Footprint, Improved Fuel Economy

September 15, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. has issued its second annual sustainability report, including the company’s first-ever calculation of its carbon footprint and highlighting achievements in responsible economic, environmental and social performance. “We have made good progress,” notes CEO Wick Moorman in a letter introducing the 62-page report. Norfolk Southern’s carbon footprint is a measurement of greenhouse gases produced by the company’s business operations. The largest single component, about 90 percent, is carbon dioxide emissions from diesel-burning locomotives. Other sources include emissions from production of electricity for rail facilities and fuel consumption by everything from company vehicles to boilers. Putting

Man Dies After Being Struck by WMATA Train

September 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A man was struck and killed by a six-car Red Line train headed in the direction of Shady Grove at 7:58 a.m. this morning, Sept. 13. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the man, a customer, placed himself in the path of the train. Customers can expect major delays on the Red Line throughout the remainder of the morning while police conduct an investigation. Shuttle buses are moving customers between Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place and Judiciary Square Metrorail stations. Sunday is the least traveled day on the Metrorail system. The Red Line at Metro Center and Gallery Place-Chinatown

Dutch High Speed Line Opens

September 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

AMSTERDAM — Dutch Government representatives on Sept. 6 officially opened the high speed line connecting Amsterdam Central Station-Schiphol Airport-Rotterdam Central Station, operated by NS Hispeed — the Netherlands Railways’ high-speed operations brand name. The first trains to run on the line are being hauled by BOMBARDIER TRAXX locomotives, which shorten the travel time between Amsterdam and Rotterdam to 43 minutes. The TRAXX multisystem locomotives operating on the line are leased from Angel Trains Cargo, the locomotives leasing division of Angel Trains International, one of Europe’s leading rolling stock leasing companies. The TRAXX The TRAXX platform of locomotives consists of three