Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak Unveils ‘My Track To Success’ Testimonial Campaign Targeting Multicultural Consumers in the Northeast Corridor

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak and its multicultural agency IMAGES USA unveiled a new Acela Express advertising campaign targeted to African American and Hispanic consumers entitled, “My Track to Success.” The print and online campaign features African American and Hispanic business leaders, community leaders, and entrepreneurs including sports commentator James Brown; former Washington, D.C., Mayor Sharon Pratt; celebrity photographer Johnny Nunez; and Ballet Hispanico director Tina Ramirez. The testimonial-style campaign features images of African American and Hispanic business travelers who are also loyal Acela Express passengers. Via personal testimonials, they share their thoughts about the experience and benefits of traveling on Acela.

First ARC Contracts to be Advertised

March 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — The ARC Mass Transit Tunnel is taking an important step toward boosting the New Jersey and regional economy this week with the advertisement of the project’s first contracts — including an underpass to be constructed beneath Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen. The Tonnelle Avenue underpass contract, which will be released for bids on Friday, will be the first location to go to construction in New Jersey. The underpass will be adjacent to where the $8.7 billion project goes underground, allowing the MTT’s two new rail tracks to begin their descent under the Palisades Mountain. That contract is

NJT: Customers Can Double Their Savings on Transportation Costs

March 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit customers can now nearly double their savings on annual transportation costs by participating in workplace programs that allow pre-tax wages to be set aside for transit. The recently enacted federal stimulus bill immediately increases the amount of pre-tax wages that can be set aside for transit purchases to $230 per month, up from the former $120 limit. “This provides immediate and significant benefits to our customers,” said N.J. Transit Board Member Ken Pringle. “I applaud President Obama and Congress on this provision of the stimulus bill which encourages more commuters to take advantage of transit

Rail Freight Traffic Down During First Week of March

March 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads during the first week of March remained down in comparison with a year ago, the Association of American Railroads reported. U.S. carload freight totaled 275,105 cars, down 15.0 percent from the comparison week in 2008, with loadings down 11.9 percent in the West and 19.5 percent in the East. Intermodal volume of 180,047 trailers or containers was off 12.7 percent from last year, with container volume falling 6.0 percent and trailer volume dropping 34.0 percent. Total volume was estimated at 29.2 billion ton-miles, off 13.9 percent from 2008. All nineteen carload commodity groups

CN Reaches Voluntary Mitigation Agreement with Richton Park, Ill., on EJ&E Acquisition

March 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — CN announced a voluntary mitigation agreement with the Village of Richton Park, Ill., located southwest of Chicago, addressing the municipality’s concerns with CN’s acquisition of the principal lines of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E). CN completed its EJ&E acquisition on Jan. 31. The agreement will see CN assist in the creation and maintenance of quiet zones, fund safety fencing, and provide emergency response personnel training and emergency communication improvements. “Our pact with Richton Park marks the twelfth voluntary mitigation agreement signed by CN with communities affected by the EJ&E acquisition,” said Gordon Trafton, CN senior

N.J. Transit Looking for a Bailout

March 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N. J. — Key N.J. Transit projects in southern New Jersey totaling $82 million are being accelerated as a result of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. The funds will generate and preserve jobs in the near-term and create assets that will benefit residents for years to come, including a new intermodal transfer station linking the River LINE with the Atlantic City Rail Line, and signal upgrades on the River LINE that enables more frequent service as well as lays the groundwork for a positive train control system. “This investment plan complies with the strict federal requirements for

$87M Rail Investment Coming to Upstate New York, New England

March 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — The STB’s approval of Pan Am Railways’ (PAR) and Norfolk Southern’s proposed Pan Am Southern joint venture clears the way for more than $87 million in rail infrastructure investment designed to significantly enhance the service capabilities and commercial offerings that NS and PAR provide in upstate New York and New England, the railroads said. “Pan Am Southern will bring immediate benefits to shippers doing business in upstate New York and New England,” said David Fink, Pan Am Railways’ president. “The Patriot Corridor will revitalize freight rail in the region, reducing highway congestion and improving air quality.” “Both

STB: Pan Am Southern Ownership OK

March 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board approved the joint control and ownership of Pan Am Southern LLC, a new railroad carrier, by the Norfolk Southern Railway, Pan Am Railways Inc. (PARI), and two of PARI’s rail subsidiaries, the Boston and Maine Corp. and the Springfield Terminal Railway Co. The ownership is subject to Board-imposed conditions. In reaching its decision, the Board found that the control transaction, along with its related operational agreements, should produce substantial transportation benefits to the New England region of the United States. PAS will operate approximately 437 miles of track, including an east-west section called the

STB Seeking Public Comment on UP Request for Declaratory Order

March 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has instituted a proceeding and invites public comment on a Union Pacific petition for a declaratory order. In its petition, UP requests that the Board determine the extent of the common carrier obligation to quote rates for new, lengthy movements of chlorine, a toxic inhalation hazard (TIH). The chlorine movements at issue would average 1,900 miles in distance and travel through two High Threat Urban Areas and several other large cities. UP declined to quote rates for these movements pending the outcome of this proceeding. UP believes the risk of potential exposure from long-distance

AAR: Rail Anti-Trust Bill Will Impose Confusing, Overlapping Regulatory Scheme

March 9, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Legislation approved that will repeal the railroads’ limited anti-trust exemptions creates an unprecedented and confusing regulatory scheme that could alter current economic oversight of the railroads, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). The legislation to eliminate the railroads’ few anti-trust exemptions was reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee. At the same time, the Senate Commerce Committee will be developing legislation that could subject railroads to still more economic regulation by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). “We face two disparate schemes that spell nothing but confusion for the railroads and those charged with enforcing the regulations,” said