Articles by Railfanning.org News Wire

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World

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
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Canadian National

CN Opens Toronto Auto Compound

September 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
TORONTO — CN opened a new Toronto Automotive Compound at MacMillan yard north of Toronto. The new facility’s track layout will accommodate the unloading of 60 auto-carrying rail cars at once, compared with 27 unloading spots at the former compound at Mac Yard, and will have room to park up to 4,500 vehicles. A planned phase two expansion of the compound will provide parking for 6,000 cars and/or trucks. “Our Toronto Automotive Compound is a key facility in our vehicle distribution network in Ontario, the largest auto market in Canada,” said James Foote, executive vice-president, Sales and Marketing for CN.
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Short Line/Regional

Patriot Rail, Temple, Texas, Announce Rail Partnership

September 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
TEMPLE, Texas — Patriot Rail Corp., a short line and regional freight railroad holding company, and the city of Temple Texas announced that Patriot’s newly-formed rail subsidiary, Temple & Central Texas Railway, has been awarded an exclusive long-term license agreement to provide rail switching and other services to customers at Central Pointe Rail Park located in Temple, Texas. Central Pointe Rail Park, owned by the City of Temple, is a 3,500-acre industrial park with more than 50 tenants. Located in central Texas midway between Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, the Park has rail service, utilities, developed streets and its own
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World

GE Transportation: Evolution Series Locomotive Ready for Russia, 1520-Area Market

September 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
MOSCOW — GE Transportation said its Evolution Series locomotive is on display at Russia’s Expo 1520 and ready for the Russian and 1520-area markets. The Evolution Series locomotive represents a $400 million investment by GE over eight years. The innovative locomotive is equipped with a 12-cylinder diesel engine that produces the same 4,400 horsepower as its 16-cylinder predecessor.

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Commuter Rail

Wamp: DOT Awards $14.2M for High-Speed Magnetic Levitation

September 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., said the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will award $14.2 million to accelerate an environmental impact statement for a high-speed magnetic levitation, or maglev, train between Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville. The majority of the grant will be used for the studies required in the National Environmental Policy Act identifying the corridor routes and the station locations for this proposed project. “This funding is a game changer for the prospect of high-speed rail in the southeast and dramatically increases our chances of success in the years ahead. A high-speed rail connection between Atlanta, Chattanooga
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Commuter Rail

Washington Metro: Blue and Orange Lines About to Get a Major Overhaul

September 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON –Washington Metro’s Board Planning, Development and Real Estate committee on Sept. 10 gave preliminarily approval to the transit agency’s second system infrastructure and rehabilitation program designed to cover all aspects of maintenance repairs throughout the Metrorail system. This program is scheduled for overhauling the Blue and Orange lines between the Stadium-Armory and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Metrorail stations. The $380 million maintenance project will encompass 24 miles of mainline track and 20 Metrorail stations. “This type of work is vital to maintaining the rail system and keeping the system operating as safely as possible,” said Metro General Manager
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Commuter Rail

Overhaul Planned for Six West-of-Hudson Locomotives

September 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
NEW YORK — MTA Metro-North Railroad has approved a $7.9 million contract to overhaul six 3,000-horsepower F40 locomotives in use on its West of Hudson service. The overhaul will include new, larger fuel tanks for more efficient operations. This overhaul program will help improve train operations and provide more reliable service for Port Jervis and Pascack Valley line customers, officials said.

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Commuter Rail

MTA Metro-North Railroad Renews Study of Access to Pennsylvania Station

September 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
NEW YORK — MTA Metro-North Railroad is streamlining its study of how best to provide direct train service from its New Haven and Hudson lines into Penn Station, New York via the east Bronx and Manhattan’s West Side, officials said. An environmental review began a decade ago with the intent of developing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a “Preferred Alternative” pursuant to the National Environmental Protection Act. Through two screening processes, an initial list of 22 service alternatives was narrowed to four “Build” alternatives; two alternatives for Hudson Line service to Penn Station and two alternatives for New Haven