Railfanning.org News Wire

DOJ Sues Union Pacific for Allegedly Failing to Prevent Use of Rail Cars to Smuggle Narcotics Across Border

March 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The government has filed two lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad Co. for allegedly failing to prevent the use of its rail cars to smuggle large quantities of narcotics into the United States, the Justice Department announced. The complaints, filed in San Diego and Houston, seek more than $37 million in monetary penalties. The government alleges the rail cars were brought across the border at the ports of entry at Calexico, Calif., and Brownsville, Texas. According to the complaints, Union Pacific Railroad, the largest provider of rail transportation services in North America, has substantial Mexico rail operations, serving

Union Pacific Announces Annual Distribution of Interest on Certain Bonds and Debentures

March 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad Co. announced that it has determined the contingent interest and sinking fund payments due in respect of Available Net Income for 2008 under the terms of certain bonds and debentures originally issued by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Co. (MPRR). Union Pacific Railroad Company is required to publicly announce such annual determination. The bonds and debentures were assumed by Union Pacific Railroad Company as a result of the merger of MPRR with and into Union Pacific Railroad Company on Jan. 1, 1997. On April 1, 2009, Union Pacific Railroad Company will pay contingent interest ($4.75

BNSF and CSX Enhance Container Service to the Southeast

March 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Co. and CSX Intermodal recently expanded their current intermodal container service to include several new locations in the Southeast. BNSF and CSXI will now serve Charleston, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Miami, Orlando and Tampa, Fla., in addition to current eastern hubs at Atlanta, Ga.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Charlotte, N.C. “BNSF and CSX expanded their original program because it proved to be very successful for both us and shippers,” said Steve Branscum, group vice president, Consumer Products. “Our combined service is competitive with highway carriers, saves shippers money and reduces fuel consumption for moving freight.

CN Reaches Mitigation Agreements for EJ&E Acquisition With Matteson and Vernon Hills, Ill.

March 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — CN announced agreements with the villages of Matteson and Vernon Hills, Ill., addressing the municipalities’ 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. Under the agreements with south suburban Matteson, CN will fund the creation of quiet zones and noise mitigation, and provide emergency response personnel training, among other items. In north suburban Vernon Hills, CN will assist in the creation and maintenance of quiet zones, install safety fencing, and provide emergency response personnel training and emergency communication improvements. “CN continues

STB’s Mulvey Appoints Attorney-Advisor

March 17, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Francis P. Mulvey announced his appointment of Anika Sanders Cooper as his attorney-advisor. Cooper joins Mulvey’s staff of Jamie P. Rennert, chief of staff; and Judith A. Leader, special assistant. Both Rennert and Leader served Mulvey during his prior positions as Board Member and Vice Chairman. Since August 2006, Cooper has served as an attorney in the Board’s Office of the General Counsel. Before joining the agency, she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia in the area of civil antitrust enforcement (2003-06).

Obama Appoints New STB Chairman

March 17, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced that Francis P. Mulvey has been designated Acting Chairman of the agency by President Barack Obama, succeeding former Board Chairman Charles D. Nottingham. The announcement follows the Board’s receipt of an official order signed by the President on March 12 and delivered to the Board the following day. “I am honored to receive this designation by President Obama, and I look forward to serving the Board and the public in this capacity,” Mulvey said. “I believe that my long record of public service, especially in the transportation area, qualifies me for the work

BNSF Crews to Replace Rail Along Southern Transcon Corridor

March 17, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Co. is replacing rail along its mainline track between Needles and Verdemont, Calif. Thirty-five BNSF employees will replace more than 14 track miles of rail at the approximate rate of one mile per day through early April. This maintenance of way project will cost about $7 million.”This section of track is part of our southern transcon corridor, BNSF’s premier route between the ports of Southern California and all points in the east, including Logistics Park – Chicago,” said Dave Freeman, BNSF vice president, Engineering. “Approximately 4 million loads moved along that line last year

Man Killed at McPherson Square Metrorail Station Identified

March 15, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A man who was struck and killed March 13 by a Blue Line train at the McPherson Square Metrorail station has been identified as Kurtland Johnson, 42, of Washington, D.C. Eyewitnesses reported that Johnson intentionally stepped in front of the train. Johnson, a Metrobus operator since September 2008, was on administrative leave pending the results of an internal investigation into a bus accident that occurred on March 6. It is standard procedure for Metro to conduct internal investigations after accidents or incidents involving Metro vehicles. On March 6, Johnson was driving Metrobus 3719 on the N8 route to the

N.J. Transit to Invest Federal ‘Stimulus’ Funds Statewide

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — A little-known benefit for transit riders was promoted by N.J. Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles during his testimony before the Assembly Transportation Committee. The new federal stimulus law allows riders to double their savings on annual transportation costs by participating in workplace programs in which pre-tax wages are set aside to reimburse transit costs. Sarles also testified on an array of transit projects being accelerated with an estimated $424 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. Under the wage-withholding program for transit purchases, commuters can now have up to $230 per month withheld from their

Improved Train Flow, Enhanced Safety and Reduced Environmental Footprint Highlight Metra Union Pacific West Line Improvements

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Improved passenger and freight train flow, an enhanced safety design, and a reduced environmental footprint are among the benefits of the Metra Union Pacific west line improvement project. Work at the stations is scheduled to begin in March and conclude near the end of 2010. Metra service will not be disrupted while the project is under way. “These improvements will help create a more fluid railroad operation, decrease commuter and freight delays, and reduce motorist wait time at grade crossings,” said Phil Pagano, Metra executive director. “These upgrades address today’s west line rail traffic congestion issues and