Railfanning.org News Wire

Union Pacific Invests Nearly $11 Million for Track Improvements to Its Hiawatha-to-Upland, Kan., Line

August 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Trains will run more efficiently and motorists will spend less time at crossings as a result of nearly $11 million in track improvements made by Union Pacific Railroad to its Hiawatha-to-Upland, Kan., line, the company said in a news release. When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed more than 72,000 ties, spread more than 30,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed, renewed road surfaces at 123 crossings and replaced rail in various curves on the line. Work began on the project today and is scheduled to be completed by the

Amtrak and Student Conservation Association Partner to Preserve Yosemite National Park

August 26, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND, Calif. — Amtrak’s partnership this summer with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) is enabling high school and college age students from around the country to gain real, hands-on experience preserving Yosemite National Park, one of Amtrak’s most popular destinations. “Amtrak is a great way to travel to help preserve the environment and it is important to us to support efforts like SCA to help keep Yosemite National Park in top condition,” said Carol Shannon, Amtrak Director of West Marketing, adding each year thousands of visitors take the Amtrak San Joaquin trains to Yosemite via connecting motor coach service from

UP, Operation Lifesaver Campaign Urges Pedestrians to Use Common Sense Around Railroad Tracks

August 26, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Look both ways before crossing! Many of us heard this warning as children and common sense says to heed it when crossing streets.That same warning applies when crossing railroad tracks, where not looking can have deadly consequences. Union Pacific Railroad and Operation Lifesaver have joined forces in San Antonio to launch a bilingual awareness campaign aimed at promoting safety around railroad tracks. The campaign, which runs through September, reminds Alamo City residents to use common sense when approaching railroad tracks. The Common Sense Campaign is specifically aimed at 18- to 34-year-olds, the group most likely to

BNSF Provides Customers More Flexibility with 68 Intermodal Service Enhancements to Date in 2009

August 25, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — Since the beginning of 2009, BNSF Railway Co. has created 23 new intermodal services and established improved performance transit times on 45 different lanes. These enhancements were developed in direct response to feedback solicited from customers, providing customers with even more reliable freight transportation service and overall value. BNSF leads the industry in velocity with service that is approximately 20 percent faster than any other carrier and an on-time performance record of better than 94 percent. Its expansive network and state-of-the-art intermodal facilities help customers take advantage of the cost and time savings, as well as

Canadian Pacific Disclosure Practices Recognized

August 25, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited announced it has been awarded the Governance Gavel Award for Director Disclosure by the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG). The award recognizes excellence in shareholder communications, particularly through the annual proxy circular. A company’s disclosure is judged against best practices as defined by the CCGG. “This award recognizes our ongoing efforts to ensure the timeliness, clarity and transparency of communications with our shareholders,” said Kathryn McQuade, CP’s Chief Financial Officer. “At Canadian Pacific, we continually strive to improve our governance and disclosure procedures through review and comparison with best practices. We are pleased

Amtrak Extends Fare Promotion on Northeast Regional Service

August 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak continues to make travel in the Northeast affordable by extending through December 16 its fare promotion which offers up to 25 percent off the lowest published coach fare on Northeast Regional service between Washington, New York and Boston. Sample one-way fares include $49 between either Washington and New York or New York and Boston. “Customer response to these new, low fares has been strong,” says Emmett Fremaux, Amtrak’s Vice President of Marketing and Product Management. “Amtrak is pleased to be able to extend this exceptional offer to continue to make travel in the northeast more affordable.” In

Hart Designated Vice Chairman of NTSB

August 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has designated National Transportation Safety Board Member Christopher A. Hart as the agency’s Vice Chairman. Hart was sworn in as a Member of the NTSB on August 12 to a term that ends December 31, 2012. His term as Vice Chairman will run for two years. Vice Chairman Hart comes to the Board after a long career in transportation safety, including a previous term as a Member of the NTSB during the 1990s. He most recently was Deputy Director for Air Traffic Safety Oversight at the Federal Aviation Administration. He is an aerospace engineer, attorney,

Metro Transit Police Arrest Man for Making Bomb Threats

August 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

Union Pacific Railroad Increasing Train Speed On Line in Kennewick, Wash.

August 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad will increase the speed of its trains from 10 mph to 20 mph on nearly 12 miles of its rail line located in Kennewick, Wash. The rail line generally parallels state highway SR 240 through Kennewick. The increased train speed will take effect September 1, 2009. Trains currently operate through the area at 10 mph due to track and operating constraints. Recent track improvements will permit the higher speed. Union Pacific invested $2.8 million this year on track improvements in Kennewick. Crews recently completed the installation of approximately 23,500 new cross ties and 700

BNSF Logistics Selected to Top Ten List

August 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — BNSF Logistics, LLC has been named one of the top logistics providers for the sixth consecutive year by readers of Inbound Logistics magazine in its annual “Top 10 3PL Excellence” awards. More than 6,000 votes were cast in this year’s survey, for over 400 unique third-party logistics providers. “Inbound Logistics readers say great 3PL relationships are built not just on cost savings but on consistent customer service. Strategic supply chain vision is also a key measurement of 3PL excellence,” noted Felecia Stratton, Editor of Inbound Logistics. “Inbound Logistics readers were effusive in their praise of BNSF Logistics,