Railfanning.org News Wire

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

BNSF’s 2008 Economic Development Efforts Lead to $4 Billion in Investments and 4,000 New Jobs

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Co.’s 2008 economic development efforts were instrumental in the location of 127 new or expanded facilities in communities along BNSF. The development of these facilities resulted in about $4 billion in investments and the creation of more than 4,000 new jobs.For example BNSF’s economic development team assisted a local volunteer business group in Weston County, WY. To revitalize the area, the Weston County Development Board created a plan to build a regional industrial park, the Upton Regional Industrial Site. The 600-acre site is attracting new businesses to the area and will become home to

N.J. Transit Outlines Stimulus-Funded Projects

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — Funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is accelerating seven transit projects in northern and central New Jersey that will build system capacity, extend accessibility and ensure service reliability for decades to come. Pending approval by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority on Friday, N.J. Transit will target a total of $342 million in ARRA funds at northern and central New Jersey projects, enabling N.J. Transit to get shovels in the ground in the coming months. These projects will complement an array of capital projects already underway throughout the region and will create and preserve

Union Pacific’s New Davidson Yard Track Advances Progress on Southwest Parkway

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — As rail cars rolled past local officials on a newly built track at Union Pacific Railroad’s Davidson Yard, Union Pacific Chairman and CEO Jim Young announced that the railroad has accomplished the first critical milestone in paving the way for construction of the Southwest Parkway. This new, temporary-use track is a vital part of the operation of Davidson Yard because it is the track that guides rail cars to the incline, or “hump,” where the cars are separated from each other and then guided by switches into destination-specific tracks. The new track was built to enable

Fortune Names Union Pacific Most Admired Railroad

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Fortune has named Union Pacific the railroad industry’s “Most Admired” company as part of the magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” survey. Union Pacific ranked No. 1 among the railroads in each of Fortune’s nine key attributes of reputation: innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment and global competitiveness.”Our goal is to operate a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible railroad that delivers value for customers and shareholders,” said Jim Young, Union Pacific president and CEO. “I am extremely proud of the tremendous focus, dedication and effort by all our

BNSF Crews to Replace 60,000 Ties in Kansas and Missouri

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — Beginning this month, BNSF Railway Co. will begin replacing more than 60,000 railroad ties and 11.5 track miles of rail between Fort Scott, Kan., and Springfield, Mo., at an estimated cost of $9 million.”Expanding and maintaining our infrastructure not only allows us to provide customers with efficient and reliable rail service but it also benefits the overall efficiency of America’s supply chain,” said Dave Freeman, BNSF vice president, Engineering. Approximately 150 BNSF employees will work until mid-April on the Fort Scott subdivision. Crews will utilize equipment such as cranes, welders and ballast tampers to replace rail

Union Pacific Railroad Opens New San Antonio Intermodal Terminal

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Local elected officials and community leaders joined Union Pacific Chairman and CEO Jim Young in celebrating Union Pacific’s San Antonio Intermodal Terminal opening in southwest Bexar County. The facility represents a more than $100 million investment by Union Pacific. It provides efficient transportation that brings environmental and economic benefits to the south Texas region and will help Union Pacific better serve its customers. “Whether coming from a West Coast Port, a Mexican maquiladora or going to an East Coast or Midwest metropolitan area, the San Antonio Intermodal Terminal gives our customers faster, more direct intermodal rail

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