Railfanning.org News Wire

Kummant Resigns as Amtrak’s CEO

November 14, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak President and CEO Alex Kummant has resigned his post. Earlier this year, President Bush signed into law the Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. Officials said the law will increase funding for Amtrak over the next five years. The legislation, which allocates $12.9 billion over five years for Amtrak, creates for the first time a “federal funding partnership which places rail passenger service on a more equal footing with other modes,” Kummant said previously. “The work on this authorization bill spanned nearly three congresses and does change the existing conditions for Amtrak, the rail industry and the

STB Issues EA for Pan Am Southern

November 14, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced that its Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) has issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) for public review and comment. The EA related to a proposal by the Norfolk Southern Railway Co., Pan Am Railways Inc. (a noncarrier holding company), and two of Pan Am’s railroad subsidiaries, the Boston and Maine Corp. and the Springfield Terminal Railway Co., to acquire and to jointly control and own, Pan Am Southern LLC, a new railroad to be formed. Earlier this year, Pan Am Railways and Norfolk Southern Railway announced that they agreed to create an improved rail route between Albany, N.Y., and the greater Boston, Mass., area

Norfolk Southern Named One of Top 50 Military-Friendly Employers

November 14, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. has been named one of the nation’s best employers for people with military experience. G.I. Jobs magazine ranked Norfolk Southern among the top 50 military-friendly companies for 2008. The annual list recognizes companies that have made the greatest effort and had the greatest success in hiring military veterans, and that have the best policies for Reserve and Guard members called to active duty. This is the third time Norfolk Southern has earned a spot on the list. Norfolk Southern actively recruits people with military backgrounds for careers in railroad operations and management. During 2008, NS has recruited more than 400 veterans as new hires,

CSX Announces Key Appointment, Retirement

November 14, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced the appointment of Lisa Mancini as senior vice president — human resources and labor relations. Mancini will report to Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and CEO. She succeeds Robert J. Haulter, who is retiring on December 31, 2008, after a distinguished 35-year career. “Bob Haulter has been a major contributor to the vision, values and success of our company over the past several years,” said Ward. “We are fortunate to have an experienced leader who can continue that progress.” Mancini has served as the chief operating officer of the San Francisco Municipal Railway, deputy executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, and

Canadian Pacific Drives for Greater Efficiency

November 13, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — In advance of its Investor Conference in Toronto, Canadian Pacific said it is aiming for “greater efficiency.” “Canadian Pacific is driving greater efficiency into all aspects of the business,” said Fred Green, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are accelerating our efficiency efforts and will continue with our disciplined approach to pricing and yield to deliver value to our shareholders despite the uncertainty of the economic climate.” “Canadian Pacific plans capital investment in 2009 consistent with the current economic conditions,” said Kathryn McQuade, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “We are pacing our capital investments to match the needs of our customers, and this will result in

Name the Train Contest Announced for Amtrak St. Louis to Kansas City Service

November 10, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

ST. LOUIS – A celebration of 30 years of state-supported passenger rail across Missouri, as well as major service improvements in the works, are the reasons the Missouri Department of Transportation and Amtrak are pleased to announce a contest to give the trains a brand-new name. The “Name the Train” contest will rely on train fans everywhere to first suggest and then select the best “brand-name” for the service between St. Louis and Kansas City.There will be three phases to the contest. First, submit your favorite name between Nov. 10 and Dec. 10. Contest entries may be submitted online at www.morail.org; mailed to MoDOT, Name the Train Contest, P.O. Box

DM&E Joins CP Holiday Train in a Decade of Giving

November 10, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

MINNEAPOLIS — Food banks in more than 100 North American communities will be front and center when Canadian Pacific’s tenth annual Holiday Train gets underway. A brightly decorated CP train will collect food and money for local food banks, raise awareness in the fight against hunger and, help communities across CP’s newly expanded network celebrate the holiday season. “The Holiday Train is North America’s largest rolling fundraiser and a cherished tradition for our employees and the communities where we operate,” said CP President and CEO Fred Green. “We’re especially pleased to welcome employees and communities throughout our newly acquired DM&E territory, helping us feed the celebration.” Bringing holiday cheer and

STB to Discuss CN’s Proposed Takeover of EJ&E

November 7, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public meeting on Nov. 18 concerning the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to Canadian National Railway’s proposed acquisition of the principal lines of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co. During the public meeting, STB members will be briefed by, and will discuss the EIS with, staff of the agency’s Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA). The meeting will be open for public observation, but not public participation. On Oct. 30, 2007, Canadian National and Grand Trunk Corp. (collectively known as CN) filed an application with the STB seeking the agency’s approval to acquire control of the EJ&E West Company, a wholly

Amtrak Adds Northbound Weekday Frequency at Aberdeen

November 7, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – In response to growing demand for rail service, Amtrak has increased by one the number of trains making a stop at its Aberdeen, Md. station. Northeast Regional train 130, which operates between Washington, DC and New York, will now make a morning stop at Aberdeen at 7:39 am each weekday. This brings the total number of trains stopping at Aberdeen to 12 each weekday, 13 each Saturday, and 12 each Sunday. The schedule for train 130 is ideal for business travelers heading north out of Aberdeen with stops at Wilmington at 8:06 am and Philadelphia at 8:30 am. Following New Jersey stops at Trenton, Metropark, Newark International Airport,

Amtrak Downeaster and Empire Service Show Dramatic Increases in Ridership and Revenue

November 7, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK – As Amtrak ridership across the country grew last fiscal year, some of the largest increases were seen in routes that travel through New England. The Downeaster, operating daily between Portland, Maine and Boston, Mass., showed a dramatic 31 percent increase in comparison to passenger counts for the same time period a year ago. Downeaster trains carried 474,492 passengers during Fiscal Year 2008, which ended Sept. 30, 2008. Ticket revenue climbed by over 36 percent to over $6.5 million during the same period compared to Fiscal Year 2007. “Our continued ridership growth is certainly impacted by the global economy and a growing awareness about the benefits of public