Railfanning.org News Wire

NTSB: Inadequate Procedures and Safeguards Contributed to Two Fatal WMATA Accidents

January 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board is calling on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to tighten rules governing wayside worker safety following a pair of Metrorail accidents that resulted in three employee fatalities. “The safety provisions that are in place are understandably geared to the thousands of the daily Metro commuters,” said NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. “However, we also need to make sure that the same attention to safety is established for employees who service and maintain the track, signals, and railcars for the Metro system.” On May 14, 2006, a southbound WMATA Metrorail Red Line

Coast Starlight Suspended Due to Massive Mudslides

January 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHEMULT, Ore. — Following mudslides over railroad tracks north of Chemult, Ore., on Jan. 19, Amtrak Coast Starlight service will be disrupted Jan. 24 through Jan. 31. No alternate transportation is provided. Union Pacific Railroad has suspended all railroad traffic through the area. The northbound Coast Starlight (Train 14) is canceled from Los Angeles to Seattle from Jan. 24 through Jan. 31. The southbound Coast Starlight (Train 11) is canceled from Seattle to Los Angeles from Jan. 25 through Feb. 1. These dates may be extended. Although the Coast Starlight is canceled in its entirety between Los Angeles and Seattle

Amtrak and Labor Organizations Sign Tentative Agreement, Averting a Strike

January 18, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak and representatives of nine labor organizations today signed an agreement, avoiding a strike that would have brought to a halt the nation’s passenger railroad and dozens of other railroads that use Amtrak’s rail network. The nine unions were legally free to strike starting Jan. 30, 2008. The National Mediation Board had released the parties from mediation on Nov. 1, and a Presidential Emergency Board handed down recommended settlement terms Dec. 30. Details of the tentative pact were not immediately released to the public. The agreement will be sent to the affected union members for their ratification vote

NTSB to Discuss Two Fatal Subway Accidents

January 17, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 23) regarding two fatal Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail accidents. The incidents happened within six months of one another that involved wayside workers. On May 14, 2006, a southbound WMATA Metrorail Red Line subway train struck and killed a Metrorail employee as the train was about to enter the Dupont Circle station in Washington, D. C. The employee was an automatic train control system mechanic who had been working with two other mechanics at the interlocking just north of the Dupont Circle

‘World’s Top 25 Trains’ Announced by The Society of International Railway Travelers

January 12, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — What does Europe’s sophisticated “Venice Simplon-Orient-Express” have in common with India’s wheezing, narrow-gauge geezer, the 100-year-old steam “Toy Train”? They’re both members of a select group; namely, “The World’s Top 25 Trains,” as determined by The Society of International Railway Travelers. An organization of travelers who love the comfort and romance of great trains, the Society celebrates its 25th year in 2008. Some on the list are over-the-top luxury, such as the all-first-class “Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express,” Rovos Rail’s “Pride of Africa” and India’s “Deccan Odyssey.” Others offer the most stylish and comfortable way to see less-developed

FRA Announces $3 Million RRIF Loan to Columbia Basin Railroad Co.

January 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Columbia Basin Railroad Co. is receiving a $3 million loan under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program, the Federal Railroad Administration said. The CBRC will use the loan funds to purchase 73 miles of track it currently leases from the BNSF Railway between Connell and Moses Lake in eastern Washington State. The line acquisition is expected to increase efficiency and lower costs, allowing the CBRC to upgrade its track to handle heavier carloads for the benefit of its customers and the communities of McDonald, Grow, Sieler, Wheeler, Bassett Junction, Schrag, Warden, Warden Junction, Othello, Bruce, and Shano,

FreightCar America, Inc., Announces Appointment of Nicholas Matthews as Vice President–Operations

January 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — Nicholas J. Matthews is joining FreightCar America Inc. as Vice President-Operations later this month and is expected to become Senior Vice President-Operations in spring 2008. Matthews will serve as a key member of FreightCar America’s leadership team and will be based at the Company’s Chicago headquarters. Matthews is expected to succeed Ken Bridges as Senior Vice President-Operations after Bridges’ retirement. Matthews joins the Company from Trinity Industries, where he spent fourteen years serving in various technical and operations positions of expanding leadership scope. In his most recent role, he served as Trinity’s Senior Vice President-Operations for that company’s

RailWorks Announces Promotions at Track Construction Subsidiaries

January 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — RailWorks Corp. announced two promotions at its U.S.-based track construction subsidiaries: RailWorks Track Services Inc. and RailWorks Track Systems Inc. Ed Kennedy has been appointed Vice President of Operations for RailWorks Track Services. Kennedy has nearly 20 years of track construction and management experience, beginning as a track laborer and working in progressively more responsible positions. While serving as general manager of RailWorks’ track construction office in Youngstown, Ohio, for the past decade, he achieved dramatic revenue growth and successfully completed an impressive range of projects for Class I railroads Canadian Pacific Railway, CSX Transportation and Norfolk

Patriot Rail Corp. Completes Its Third Railroad Acquisition With Purchase of Utah Central Railway

January 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Patriot Rail Corp. has purchased the purchase of the Utah Central Railway, a short line freight railroad headquartered in Ogden, Utah. This is the third railroad acquisition for Patriot, which now owns and leases a total of 246 miles of rail line in Tennessee, Alabama, Montana and Utah. UCRY operates 34 miles of owned and leased rail line in and around Ogden, Utah. The railroad was established as a short line rail operator in 1995 on former Union Pacific Railroad track. UCRY, which interchanges traffic with Class I carriers Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Railroad at

RailAmerica Announces New Additions

January 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOCA RATON, Fla. — RailAmerica Inc. announced the appointment of Bill Schroeder as Director of Marketing & Sales for the Northeast Region and Douglas Low as Manager, Marketing and Sales for the New England Central Railroad. “We are extremely enthusiastic to have these exceptional leaders join our team,” said Charles Patterson, RailAmerica Vice President. “With their railroad experience and wealth of knowledge, they will be integral parts of the RailAmerica family.” Bill Schroeder joins RailAmerica with over 34 years of experience in the railroad industry. He began his career as a Car Inspector with Pacific Fruit Express Company in Philadelphia,