Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 277

FRA: First-Ever Freight Locomotive Crashworthiness Standards to Improve Protection for Train Crews

June 29, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Train crews involved in a locomotive collision will have a better chance of survival with reduced injuries as a result of the first-ever federal freight locomotive crashworthiness standards, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman said. The regulation published June 28 is intended to prevent the locomotive cab from being crushed during a head-on collision with another locomotive, or when it strikes the rear of another train, a shifted load on a train on an adjacent track, or a vehicle at a highway-rail grade crossing, Boardman said. “This regulation will give engineers and conductors a better chance to walk

New FRA Study Re-Affirms Safety of Push-Pull Passenger Rail Operations

June 27, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – A comprehensive federal study of accident data found that push-pull passenger rail service has an excellent safety record and that a train being pushed has virtually no greater likelihood of derailing after a highway-rail grade crossing collision than one with a locomotive in the lead, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced. “Preventing accidents and protecting passengers have much more to do with improving safety than whether the locomotive is in the front or rear of a train,” Boardman said of the report’s findings. The study re-affirms the conclusions of a previous report issued in July 2005 by

Amtrak: Service to Return to Normal

June 26, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak train service in the east is scheduled to return to normal operation on June 27, after heavy rains caused delays and cancellations in the Washington area. Service to and from points north of Washington resumed at 6:30 a.m. June 26 after high water caused some train cancellations, the railroad said. Most service south of Washington was canceled June 26, but is slated to resume normal operation on June 27, barring further weather-related problems. Meanwhile, Virginia Railway Express cancelled service on both lines June 26 due to flooded conditions, washouts and trees down. Service for June 27 was

CTA’s Pink Line Service Begins

June 25, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO – The Chicago Transit Authority’s new Pink Line rail service begins June 25 at 4 a.m., providing more frequent service between Cicero’s 54th/Cermak station and the Chicago Loop. More frequent service on the Forest Park branch of the Blue Line also will begin on Sunday. CTA created the rail enhancements as part of a package of service improvements focused on the West Side and near west suburbs. The Pink Line will operate seven days a week from the 54th/Cermak station in Cicero to the Loop. Pink Line hours of operation are from 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. from 54th/Cermak

BLET: Delegates Warned of Radioactive Rail Shipments

June 23, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

LAS VEGAS – Delegates attending the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s (BLET) First Quadrennial Convention were warned of the dangers of transporting spent nuclear waste and discussed ways of ensuring their safety as well as the safety of the general public. Scott Palmer, the BLET’s Oregon State Legislative Board Chairman, told delegates that rail workers do not receive proper training to handle spent nuclear fuel and do not receive the same protections that are afforded other nuclear industry workers. In addition, there are no plans to record, monitor or track rail worker exposure levels, he said. "It’s our goal

Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad Resumes Service After Bridge Fire

June 23, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (B&P) on June 22 announced that its freight rail service has resumed to three companies in Butler County, Pa., following a fire last month that destroyed a wooden railroad bridge on that line. With the cooperation of local, state and federal officials and regulatory agencies to expedite the permitting process, the B&P was able to replace the damaged bridge with new track on culverts and earthen fill in about six weeks. The branch line runs from East Butler to Bruin and was out of service since the fire on May 10, 2006.

NTSB: Failure to Adhere to Track Warrant Control Led to Fatal Texas Wreck

June 13, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The probable cause of a May 19, 2004, fatal collision between two BNSF trains was caused by one crew’s failure to adhere to an after-arrival track warrant requiring them to stay in one location until the northbound train arrived, the National Transportation Safety Board has determined. Contributing to the accident was BNSF Railway Co.’s use of after-arrival track warrant authority in non-signaled territory, and the Federal Railroad Administration’s failure to prohibit the use of such authority. Also contributing to the accident was the train dispatcher’s informal communications regarding planned train meeting locations. “This accident could have been prevented

Amtrak Crescent Service to be Restored April 3

March 31, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Service by the Amtrak Crescent train will be restored to its full New York-New Orleans route, effective April 3, following the early completion of track work by the Norfolk Southern Railway. The service had not operated Monday-Thursday between Atlanta and New Orleans since March 6 due to the work. The track work, performed between Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Meridian, Miss., was originally scheduled to be finished April 12. However, NS officials have told Amtrak their work will be complete in time for full service to resume April 3. "We appreciate the great work by NS in making the track

Sale of Grand Canyon Railway Possible

March 29, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILLIAMS, Ariz. – After nearly 20 years of devotion and resources, Grand Canyon Railway’s owners, Max and Thelma Biegert, are ready to be less involved with the day-to-day operation and have set forth a new goal for the future – to preserve the Railway as their legacy. Grand Canyon Railway has signed an agreement with Peacock, Hislop, Staley and Given, Inc. (PHSG) and are currently pursuing strategic business options, including the possible sale of Grand Canyon Railway. “Max and Thelma are looking forward to enjoying the fruits of their labor during their Golden Years,” said David Chambers, president of Grand

Trolleys Return to Downtown Cleveland

March 29, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

CLEVELAND – After a 60-year absence, trolleys will roll once again on downtown streets, offering a way to experience Cleveland’s past and future at the same time. Beginning April 10, office workers and tourists will be able to hop on one of two trolley lines developed by RTA to replace Loop bus service. The E-Line trolley will link entertainment and education venues. The B- Line trolley will connect businesses. Both lines serve Public Square, and will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with 10-minute frequency. If the nostalgic green-and-gold vehicles complete with cowcatchers, wooden rails and brass bells, don’t