Railfanning.org News Wire

UTA Adds Commuter Rail Service by Adding Train Shuttles on Weekdays

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OGDEN, Utah — The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is increasing FrontRunner service to its Pleasant View station by adding shuttle trains and buses between Ogden and Pleasant View starting Jan. 26. Patrons can connect to three Salt Lake City-bound trains from Pleasant View Station. Additionally, patrons can access four evening Pleasant View-bound trains from Salt Lake Central Station. UTA shares the five-mile track from Ogden to Pleasant View with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). UTA opened limited FrontRunner service to Pleasant View on Sept. 27, 2008 with one morning and one evening train. At that time, UTA committed to work with the UPRR to add more FrontRunner service to Pleasant

Federal Transit Administration Signs Agreement to Provide $428.3 Million to Fund Mid-Jordan Extension of TRAX Light Rail System

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

MIDVALE, Utah — Residents in the growing cities of Murray, Midvale, West Jordan and South Jordan will soon have more options for traveling to and from downtown Salt Lake, thanks to $428.3 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration. Acting FTA Administrator Sherry Little was joined by Utah Transit Authority (UTA) officials and local leaders this morning to sign the “full funding grant agreement” which commits the federal funds toward the project. “The Mid-Jordan extension is the latest federal down payment to support Utah’s visionary and ambitious effort to develop a world-class public transportation ‘backbone’ by 2015,” Little said. “This investment helps ensure that Utah, as the ‘crossroads of the

CN Closes Transaction to Acquire Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway

February 1, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — CN has completed its acquisition of the principal lines of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E). The closing follows the Jan. 23, 2009, effective date of the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Dec. 24, 2008, decision approving the transaction. CN will now begin a measured, step-by-step integration of the acquired EJ&E lines to ensure a safe, efficient combination of the two rail operations. EJ&E operates over 198 main line miles of track encircling the City of Chicago from Waukegan, Ill., on the north, to Joliet, Ill., on the west, to Gary, Ind., on the southeast, and then to South Chicago. The Transtar subsidiary of United States Steel

Looking for a bailout: Amtrak stands to receive $1 billion

January 31, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — As part of Congress’ bailout bill, Amtrak could receive $1 billion. The bill is still in the discussion phase. Opponents point to the fact that Amtrak hasn’t made a profit since its inception 35 years ago.

Union Pacific Railroad Invests More Than $6 Million for Track Improvements from Kansas City to Jefferson City

January 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Motorists will spend less time at crossings waiting for trains to pass as a result of more than $6 million in track improvements made by Union Pacific Railroad to its Kansas City to Jefferson City line. The track improvements will allow trains to operate more efficiently on the route. When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed more than 10 miles of rail in various curves between Kansas City and Jefferson City. Work will begin on these projects Feb. 1 and is scheduled to be completed by April 8. The Kansas City to St. Louis rail corridor has experienced such a steady growth in

RMI Announces Fourth Annual Fast Track Award Recipients

January 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — RMI, the market leader and largest independent provider of accurate, reliable, comprehensive, and secure rail information services to the transportation industry, has announced its 2009 Fast Track Award winners. Now in its fourth year, the Fast Track Award program honors RMI customers who exemplify RMI’s goal to streamline processes and improve procedures in the rail industry. This year’s award recipients will be recognized in the 2009 Fast Track calendar. The Fast Track award is designed to recognize RMI’s RailConnect and ShipperConnect “power users,” those organizations that maximize the value of RMI’s services by implementing procedures resulting in more comprehensive automation of manual processes, improved information capture and reporting,

BNSF Announces $2.7 Billion Capital Commitment Program

January 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Co. announced a planned 2009 capital commitment program of $2.7 billion, which is expected to be approximately $150 million lower than 2008. BNSF currently expects to spend $1.9 billion to refresh track, signal systems, structures, and freight cars, and to upgrade technologies. The Company also anticipates acquiring approximately 350 locomotives at a cost of about $675 million. These locomotives are about 15 percent more fuel efficient than the locomotives they will replace. “Our 2009 capital program reflects a continued focus on ensuring our infrastructure remains strong and improving the efficiency of our operations,” said Matthew K. Rose, BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Union Pacific Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings Growth Driven By Productivity and Lower Energy Costs

January 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corp. reported 2008 fourth quarter net income of $661 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, a 35 percent increase compared to $491 million, or $0.93 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2007. The company posted quarterly operating revenues of $4.3 billion in 2008 versus $4.2 billion in the fourth quarter 2007. Union Pacific posted solid earnings for the quarter and the year, despite numerous challenges,” said Jim Young, Union Pacific chairman and chief executive officer. “We increased profitability by operating a safe and efficient railroad that delivered excellent service and value for our customers. In the fourth quarter, our operating ratio improved significantly

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reports Fourth Quarter/Full Year 2008 Results

January 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. reported quarterly earnings of $1.79 per diluted share, an increase of 23 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2007 earnings of $1.46 per share. “During 2008, BNSF earned $6.08 per share, an increase of 19 percent compared with 2007, and had its best on-time performance in more than five years despite significant weather disruptions,” said Matthew K. Rose, BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The second half of the fourth quarter saw a significant downshift in economic activity related to the global recession. Given the current economic uncertainty, we are focused on effectively managing our resources and driving continued productivity throughout our

Norfolk Southern To Host Investor Day

January 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. will host an investor day on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, in Atlanta for active, sell-side analysts and the company’s largest shareholders of record. The day-long meeting will provide Norfolk Southern an opportunity to present a comprehensive overview of marketing strategies and business growth opportunities, operating efficiency initiatives, service delivery enhancements, and development initiatives. Event details (including simultaneous webcast details for interested investors) and registration information will be provided at a later date. Meeting registration is open to active, sell-side analysts as well as NS’ largest shareholders of record. Norfolk Southern’s intent is to accommodate everyone who wants to attend the conference; however, attendance will