Articles by Railfanning.org News Wire

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Amtrak

Amtrak Encourages Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises to Seek Contracts for Stimulus Funded Projects

June 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – Small and disadvantaged business enterprises (SB/DBE) are encouraged to seek direct contracting or subcontracting opportunities for the hundreds of construction projects Amtrak intends to put out for bid this summer as part of $1.3 billion in stimulus-related funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). “Amtrak has a tremendous amount of work to do and will need the help of small businesses across the country to get it done right, on time, and on budget,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman, noting that the passenger railroad is moving fast to put contracts in place
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CSX

CSX: ATVs on South Carolina Train Tracks Cost Money and Lives

June 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With the summer fast approaching, CSX Transportation (CSXT) asks you to stay safe and keep ATVs (all terrain vehicles) off railroad tracks. That means ride your ATV somewhere other than railroad tracks and rights-of-way (approximately, 50 feet in each direction from the center of the tracks.) Help prevent needless accidents on railroad property, where hundreds of people are killed or injured nationwide each year. “Train tracks and railroad rights-of-way are not safe places to ride ATVs for recreation or to get to favorite fishing and hunting spots,” said Nelson High, CSXT community affairs and safety officer. “It’s
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CSX

CSX Transportation Congratulates New York City on High Line Opening

June 9, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation congratulated the City of New York and Friends of the High Line on the opening of the High Line, an urban park that the City has created on an elevated Manhattan rail line donated by CSX Transportation in 2005. When all sections are complete, the High Line would be a 1.5-mile park 30 feet above the city surface and running through the trendy West Side neighborhoods of the Meat Packing District and surrounding areas. The High Line opened in 1934 to New York Central trains, and later became part of CSX Transportation when the company
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Commuter Rail

Biden, LaHood Meet with Governors on Future of U.S. High-Speed Rail

June 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood challenged governors to think boldly when designing high-speed rail plans during a roundtable discussion at the White House. The session was a unique opportunity for state leaders to share their ideas with the Obama Administration about the future of high-speed trains in America.In April, President Obama released a strategic plan outlining his vision for high-speed rail. The plan identifies $13 billion in federal funds — $8 billion in the Recovery Act and $5 billion requested in the President’s budget — to jump-start a potential world-class passenger rail system and
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Amtrak

Amtrak Signs Agreement with Virginia to Provide New Passenger Rail Service

June 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – With a new agreement signed with Virginia, Amtrak is now the choice of 15 states to operate their state-funded passenger rail service and is uniquely positioned to develop partnerships with other states, said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman. “Amtrak is excited to establish new passenger rail service for Virginia and is seeking opportunities to partner with other states to provide additional rail transportation options,” Boardman stated, highlighting the national reach of the railroad’s extensive network of stations and mechanical and operational facilities as well as its equipment fleet and reservations system. Boardman stressed that a primary objective
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Kansas City Southern

Russ, Chunko to Lead Operating Regions at Genesee & Wyoming Inc.

June 1, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
GREENWICH, Conn. — Genesee & Wyoming Inc. announced the promotion of Ronald G. Russ and Andrew T. Chunko to senior vice president. Russ will lead GWI’s Oregon Region, which includes the Portland & Western and Willamette & Pacific railroads. He joined GWI in March 2009 as deputy general manager of the Oregon Region and has more than 30 years of railroad and financial management experience. He was previously executive vice president and chief financial officer with Kansas City Southern. Prior to that, he was a founder, treasurer, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Wisconsin Central Transportation Corp. Chunko
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FRA

Disaster Assistance Grants Awarded to States to Cover Costs of Railroad Emergency Repairs Following Natural Disasters

May 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo announced the award of $15 million to nine states for emergency repairs to damaged railroad infrastructure resulting from natural disasters.Funding from the Federal Railroad Administrations (FRA) Railroad Rehabilitation and Repair Program (RRRP) will go to state Departments of Transportation to reimburse short line and regional railroads for the cost of repairs. “Freight railroads are critical to local economies and we are committed to helping them restore rail service after a major disruption,” said Szabo. “This funding will help the carriers defray repair costs and keep the trains running.” Funds awarded under the
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FRA

UP: Special Train Focuses on Rail Safety Enforcement

May 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
PHOENIX — There is no such thing as luck when it comes to trying to beat a train. Federal Railroad Administration statistics attribute 2,373 crashes every year to driver behavior, which often involves trying to beat a train. That is why Union Pacific is partnering with Arizona Operation Lifesaver to host an “Officer on the Train” event May 22.A special passenger train will allow community leaders, law enforcement officers and education officials to learn about highway-railroad grade crossing safety and the consequences of trespassing on railroad property. “We want to offer community leaders the opportunity to see first-hand the risks
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STB

STB to Hold Hearing on ‘Rail Banking’

May 21, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced it will hold a public hearing July 8 to examine the impact, effectiveness, and future of rail banking under the National Trails System Act (Trails Act). Rail banking is the preservation of railroad corridors for possible future rail use.  In 1983, Congress amended the Trails Act to create a program to allow rail banking to permit rail corridors that otherwise would be abandoned to be used as recreational trails on an interim basis. Such trails are subject to restoration as rail corridors at any point in time. The Trails Act and the Board’s