Railfanning.org News Wire

Eastman Chemical Recognizes Norfolk Southern With Innovation Award

June 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Eastman Chemical Company has awarded Norfolk Southern Corporation its 2007 Global Logistics Supplier Innovation Award. The award recognizes Norfolk Southern for the development and implementation of a new process for delivering coal to Eastman’s Kingsport, Tenn., chemical manufacturing plant. Norfolk Southern’s creative redesign of its service plan for the plant resulted in significant improvements in delivery schedules, consistency of operations, and efficiency for both Eastman and Norfolk Southern. “Norfolk Southern’s work in improving our coal handling delivery process exemplifies the purpose of the Innovation Award,” said Terry Begley, Eastman Chemical vice president, global supply chain and quality.

One Injured in CTA Derailment

June 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — One person was injured when a Chicago Transit Authority train derailed, according to published reports. The derailment on the CTA’s red line comes a week after a green line train derailed. Fourteen people were injured in the Green Line derailment. None of the four cars in today’s derailment overturned, and all of the train passengers walked to a nearby station. — Railfanning.org News Wire

Norfolk Southern Names Voyack to Government Relations Post

June 2, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Frank Voyack has been named Norfolk Southern Corp.’s government relations director. Headquartered in Washington, Voyack will be responsible for lobbying Congress, coordinating government relations programs and policies and implementing legislative strategies. He will report to Marque I. Ledoux, assistant vice president government relations — federal. Voyack started his work on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Norman Sisisky of Virginia before moving to the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, where he spent 18 years in various legislative positions. He is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and Georgetown University. “Frank’s breadth of experience

Six Killed in French Grade Crossing Collision

June 2, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

MESINGES, France — Six people were killed and dozens more injured after a train collided with a school bus that was blocking a grade crossing, authorities said. Five of the six killed were school children. “Five children were killed. Four passengers on the bus were seriously injured — it is not known if they are children or adults — and 27 children were slightly injured,” AFP news agency quoted an unnamed official as saying. The crash happened about 2 p.m. Monday, June 2, local time. More than 30 people were injured, and some of the injured may have been passengers

China to Finance Jamaican Rail Overhaul

June 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KINGSTON, Jamaica — China has agreed to finance much of a $354 million project to overhaul Jamaican railroads, officials said. Jamaica is building 18 new stations as part of what is expected to be a three-year overhaul. Once completed, railroads will connect many of the island’s major cities, including Montego Bay and Kingston. As part of the agreement, China will loan Jamaica 85 percent of the $354 million needed for the project. “The passenger and freight rail service is intended to significantly impact on the rising fuel cost, with the Government focused on getting much of the island’s freight transportation

Man Faces Trial for Fatal Calif. Derailment

June 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

LOS ANGELES — A man authorities say is responsible for a fatal January 2005 Metrolink train wreck apologized for his actions, according to media reports. Juan Manuel Alvarez is on trial for first-degree murder and other charges. His trial could continue until July. Police initially said Alvarez parked his SUV on the Metrolink tracks with the intent of killing himself, but changed his mind, left his SUV on the tracks and watched the wreck unfold. However, prosecutors are challenging whether Alvarez was trying to commit suicide when he parked his SUV on the tracks and now say he may “have

Sunbathing Teens Struck by Train

June 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

LEBANON, Maine — Two teenagers lost limbs after they were struck by a train while sunbathing on a railroad trestle, authorities said. A 13-year-old girl lost a leg below the knee and her 14-year-old friend’s foot was severed. Authorities say the teens, who were cutting class, fell asleep on the trestle while sunbathing, The Associated Press reported. Neither of the girls appeared to be drunk and are considering the episode to be accidental, according to various media reports. “Both have a long road to recovery and a follow-up interview will be done when it is suitable,” York County Sheriff’s Lt.

Bloomberg Supports Mica’s High Speed Rail Plan

June 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is supporting a Republican legislator’s plan to solicit proposals for high speed rail in the Northeast Corridor and other corridors around the nation. A plan from U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., “demonstrates the kind of ambitious, pragmatic thinking about our future,” Bloomberg said. “Investing in modern mass transportation is critical to New York’s future, and all options should be on the table. No idea should be ignored or dismissed simply because it is ambitious. That is not how America’s greatest infrastructure marvels — from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Grand

Mica: Partnership Needed to Improve Nation’s Rail Network

June 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The country needs a partnership among “freight railroads, the federal government, Amtrak and other stakeholders” in order to improve the nation’s transportation system and protect the environment, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee says. “When we look for ways to improve our nation’s transportation system and protect the environment, nothing should be a higher priority than improving our rail capacity – for freight, passenger and high speed service,” said U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla. “I am concerned that one tool we already have for improving capacity – the Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RIFF) loan program

Commerce Committee Announces NTSB Reauthorization Hearing

June 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee will hold an NTSB reauthorization hearing. The hearing will focus on the activities of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and its legislative reauthorization proposal. The NTSB’s current authorization expires on Sept. 30. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., will chair the hearing, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 5.