Railfanning.org News Wire

Getting America to Ride the High-Speed Rails

April 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The romance of riding the rails may be returning to America thanks to new federal funding and a public hungry for ways to save time, money, the environment, and add a measure of convenience in their hectic lives. According to a new study commissioned by HNTB Corporation, more than half of Americans (54 percent) would choose modern high-speed trains over automobile (33 percent) and air travel (13 percent) if fares and travel time were about the same. “Our country needs high-speed rail as part of a balanced transportation system,” said Peter Gertler, chair of the firm’s

Wabtec Forms Joint Venture to Manufacture Brake Equipment for Chinese Rail Market

April 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILMERDING, Pa. — Wabtec Corp. has formed a 50-50 joint venture in China to manufacture brake equipment for the Chinese rail market. The joint venture is owned by Wabtec and Shenyang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Railways Brakes Co. Ltd., the largest manufacturer of locomotive and freight car brake equipment in China. “This investment builds on our existing presence in China, the largest rail market outside of North America,” said Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec’s president and chief executive officer. “Our capabilities and technology will be valuable assets in this rapidly growing market.” The joint venture company, Shenyang CNR Wabtec Railway Brake

Minnesota Conducting Study of Future Rail Lines

April 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota is conducting a statewide study of future rail lines in Minnesota will consider all options. Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced the survey, as the state prepares an application for “federal stimulus funding” for rail projects. Pawlenty is directing Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel and the Minnesota Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation Forum to study all potential future rail lines in Minnesota. The group will advise Commissioner Sorel on the implementation of a comprehensive statewide freight and passenger rail plan and on which projects to submit for federal funding. Pawlenty and Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., have

MARTA Board of Directors Requests Meeting With State’s Governor

April 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — MARTA Board of Directors urged Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson to call a special session to “deal with” transportation and MARTA funding issues. During their 2009 General Assembly, state legislators did not to pass what MARTA officials call “critical legislation providing regional or state transportation funding and lifting restrictions on the use of MARTA’s capital reserve funds,” MARTA contends. The Georgia General Assembly ended April 3, and during this year’s legislative session, MARTA officials petitioned state lawmakers to grant the authority access to $65 million in its capital reserve account to

AAR: Rail Freight Traffic Down in March

April 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was down again during March, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported April 2. U.S. railroads originated 1,082,514 carloads of freight in March 2009, down 17.3 percent (226,279 carloads) from March 2008. U.S. intermodal rail traffic, which consists of trailers and containers on flat cars and is not included in carload figures, totaled 729,033 units in March 2009, down 14.9 percent (127,371 trailers and containers) compared to March 2008. For the first three months of 2009, total U.S. rail carloadings were down 16.3 percent (636,192 carloads) to 3,259,097 carloads, while intermodal traffic was

STB to Examine Uniform Railroad Costing System

April 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced today that it will hold a public hearing April 30 to examine issues related to the Uniform Railroad Costing System (URCS) used by the Board to determine a railroad’s variable costs in a variety of regulatory proceedings. URCS calculates system-average variable costs for each Class I railroad based on information annually reported to the Board. The Board believes it is time for a review of URCS to determine whether, and to what extent, modifications are needed to account for recent changes in agency procedures, to improve system outputs, and to further the national

Canadian Pacific Prepares for the Red River Flood

April 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

EMERSON, Alberta – Canadian Pacific has temporarily closed its rail line connecting Emerson and Winnipeg due to flooding on the Red River in southern Manitoba. Company officials will be available for comment on flood preparations in Emerson on Monday morning while flood management measures are put in place. CP has worked with emergency management officials, its customers and communities in preparation for the flood. Service on the rail line will be restored as soon as the flood threat passes, the track is inspected and it is safe to return the line to service, the railroad said.

Train Show Features Models, Memorabilia and More

April 4, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORCROSS, Ga. – The Great Train Expo hit town this weekend, offering everyone from avid railfans to first-timers the chance to peruse an assortment of railroad memorabilia, model trains and everything in between. Atlanta resident Ruth Mitcham attended her first train show. She enjoyed the show’s atmosphere, especially the model train layouts. “It’s just interesting to see this many people doing what they love,” she said as she watched a Florida East Coast locomotive pulling a mixed freight train on the Georgia Division of the Atlantic Coast S Gaugers’ layout. “Everybody seems to take such joy in it.” The Great

MTA LIRR Asks Public To Help Name Two Retired Locomotives As Part Of Its 175th Anniversary Celebration

April 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — The MTA Long Island Rail Road is launching a contest to name two retired LIRR locomotives – No. 397 and No. 398 – that are being loaned to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum as part of the yearlong celebration of the LIRR’s 175th anniversary. The two mini locomotives were used as “switching locomotives” in the LIRR’s Morris Park diesel servicing and repair yard in Richmond Hill, Queens. These diminutive locomotives (150 horsepower) were used to “switch” or move passenger and freight locomotives throughout the diesel facility – especially when locomotives were unable to operate under their own

Service Along Amtrak’s Empire Corridor to be Affected by Metro-North Track Work Beginning April 5

April 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Customers who travel along Amtrak’s Empire Corridor will soon enjoy a smoother ride as Metro-North Railroad embarks on a major track work project, beginning April 5, 2009 and continuing through the summer. The work will take place on the Metro North’s Hudson Line between Beacon and Poughkeepsie, NY and will cause service adjustments to the schedules of trains that travel through the area, but in the end will result in a more reliable service. As a result of the track work, schedules for Amtrak’s Empire, Ethan Allen Express and Maple Leaf services will be adjusted at some