Railfanning.org News Wire

6 Line Customers Grade Their Service a ‘C’ in 2nd Annual Rider Report Card Survey

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — MTA New York City Transit released the results from the 2nd Annual Rider Report Card Survey on the 6 line which was done in early January. The 6 line again received an overall grade of “C,” unchanged from 2007. However, the customer satisfaction index of 92 percent was slightly lower than 2007’s 93 percent. Customers sent in 5,392 Rider Report Cards by mail and 177 via the internet, totaling 5,569 responses, to gauge customer satisfaction on the line. Twenty-one separate service attributes were graded on the 6 line, which runs from Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx

Norfolk Southern Names Manion COO; Vice Chairman Tobias Retires

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Mark D. Manion, a 34-year veteran of railroad operations, has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer for Norfolk Southern Corporation, with headquarters in Norfolk, effective April 1. He succeeds Stephen C. Tobias, who retires March 31 as vice chairman and chief operating officer. “As Norfolk Southern’s chief operating officer, Steve has earned an unparalleled legacy for employee safety and operational efficiency. Our company today is a clear reflection of his vision and constancy,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “Mark and his team are positioned to build on these successes, and I am confident that NS

Norfolk Southern Names Stewart and Allison to Key Finance Positions; Romig Retires

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Marta R. Stewart has been named vice president and treasurer, and C.H. “Jake” Allison, Jr. has been named vice president and controller for Norfolk Southern Corporation, with headquarters in Norfolk, effective April 1. Stewart succeeds William J. Romig, who retires March 31 after a 32-year career at Norfolk Southern. Stewart joined NS in 1983 as assistant manager of accounting systems and served as manager financial reporting, director corporate accounting, and assistant vice president corporate accounting before being named vice president and controller in 2003. She holds an accounting degree from The College of William & Mary and

Wabtec Receives Orders Worth About $75 Million For Components For NYCT R-160 Subway Cars

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILMERDING, Penn. – Wabtec Corp. announced that it has received additional option orders worth about $75 million to supply components for New York City subway cars being purchased under the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s R-160 program. The orders represent components for the second option order of 382 cars, which are to be delivered over the next two years. Under the R-160 program, New York City has now ordered 1,662 cars, which are being built by ALSTOM Transportation and Kawasaki. Wabtec has been supplying components for the previous cars and will now provide the same components for the 382 option cars, as

GE Transportation Signs Agreement with Trenitalia

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FLORENCE, Italy — GE Transportation announced that it has signed a contract valued at more than $60 million with Trenitalia for the design, supply and installation of 400 on board Sistema di Supporto alla Condotta — SSC train protection systems for diesel locomotives in Trenitalia’s passenger and cargo fleet. SSC is a new generation of automatic train protection solutions that increase the safety and performance of train operations. It continuously monitors the actual speed of the train thereby guaranteeing that the maximum speed limit is not violated. In cases where action is required, the system can enforce the train’s braking

Billions in Taxpayers’ Money to Fund Railroad Projects

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Taxpayers’ money is flowing toward a number of rail-related projects nationwide, thanks to a massive spending plan from President Obama’s administration. The Department of Transportation plans to direct $8 billion toward the develop of high speed passenger rail corridors. Officials contend the newer and faster trains, which can travel up to 200 m.p.h., will ease congestion on the nation’s highways and at airports. The government is also giving Amtrak, $1.3 billion for infrastructure upgrades and expanding passenger rail capacity. “We subsidize our highways and airports more than we subsidize Amtrak,” said Vice President Joe Biden. “So let’s get

UP: Rail Cars at Border Crossings Are in Government Control

March 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — The federal government, not a private railroad, is responsible for rail cars entering the country from Mexico, Union Pacific said in response to a lawsuit the federal government filed. “As Union Pacific explained in its lawsuit filed against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in July 2008, it is Customs and Border Protection (CBP), not Union Pacific that takes initial control over rail cars entering the U.S. from Mexico,” the railroad said in a statement. “Union Pacific believes DHS is punishing Union Pacific for drug smuggling when it has no control over what occurs in Mexico. Union

Amtrak Cascades Celebrates 10 Years of Passenger Rail Service in Pacific Northwest

March 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Amtrak and the Oregon Department of Transportation are celebrating 10 years of Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service in the Pacific Northwest (Eugene, Ore. to Vancouver, B.C.). Amtrak Cascades is commemorating its 10th anniversary May 9 with a special celebration during the National Train Day event on at Seattle’s King Street Station. “Amtrak Cascades has proven to be a valuable transportation option for Washington travelers,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “Whether people are exploring unique Northwest towns and attractions or making an important business connection in urban centers, this rail

Amtrak: Discover the Rail Way on National Train Day

March 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak will celebrate America’s love for rail travel with events across the country at its second annual National Train Day, May 9, 2009. Marking 140 years of connecting travelers from coast to coast, National Train Day commemorates the day the first transcontinental railroad was created and looks toward the future of rail travel with large scale events in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles, and many more locally organized events in communities nationwide. “Train travel is deeply rooted in American culture and it shows great promise to become a growing part of our country’s transportation future,” said

Kansas Officials Learn About Crossing and Pedestrian Safety Onboard Special Train

March 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

A special passenger train is making stops this week in several Kansas communities over Union Pacific Railroad lines to promote highway-railroad crossing and pedestrian safety through a program called Operation Lifesaver.”Operation Lifesaver” is the nationwide, non-profit public safety education and outreach program designed to eliminate collisions, deaths and injuries where streets and roads cross railroad tracks at grade and on railroad rights-of-way. Hundreds of community leaders, law enforcement officers and education officials are learning about highway-railroad grade crossing safety and the consequences of trespassing on railroad property. “This special train is just one way we can work to educate and