Railfanning.org News Wire

NY&A Railway Promotes Paul Victor to President

November 10, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — The New York & Atlantic Railway has promoted Paul Victor to president. He had been general superintendent for the 269-mile railway, which provides rail freight services throughout Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island. Joel Torres, director of Marketing, advances to chief transportation and commercial officer. Mark Westerfield, who had been serving as acting president, was appointed superintendent of Mechanical. All appointments are effective Nov. 6. Victor joined the NY&A in September 2006 following 18 years of experience managing railroads in Latin America and Africa. He directed the first major privatization of freight service in Argentina in 1989 and

Amtrak Acela Express Wrapped for The History Channel Promotion for Special ‘1968 with Tom Brokaw’

November 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK – Amtrak and The History Channel are teaming up to promote the upcoming special “1968 with Tom Brokaw” with the first-ever train wrap of an Acela Express train. Beginning Nov. 12 and continuing through Dec. 9, one Acela Express will travel along the Northeast Corridor bearing historical images from the year 1968.The promotion includes an exterior wrap of the train as well as interior signage promoting the special on The History Channel. The exterior wrap, made of vinyl, will appear on both sides of the two locomotives and six cars of the train. The wrap, while clearly visible

‘Father of Streamlining’ Born Today in 1893

November 5, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Today marks the birthday in 1893 of a man who literally changed the look of the 20th century. Raymond Loewy was known as “the father of streamlining.” His designs are part of American life, from the familiar Coca-Cola bottle to the paint scheme on Air Force One and the interior of the space shuttle. He designed the first streamlined railroad train and post-war Studebakers, the first cars in which fenders were an integral part of the body. Loewy’s philosophy was that between two products of equal quality, the best designed one will sell better. Today, styling is a

Senate Approves $11 Billion for Amtrak

November 5, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate last week passed the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007with a 70-22 vote. This Amtrak reauthorization legislation provides $11.4 billion over six years to preserve America’s national passenger rail service. The legislation institutes additional Amtrak reforms aimed at reducing its reliance on federal subsidies by at least 40 percent during the bill’s life. “Preserving national passenger rail service shouldn’t be based on partisan ideology or Amtrak’s profit margins,” Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said. “Preserving Amtrak is about ensuring that America has a complete transportation system – one that includes planes, trains, lanes and

AAR: Warner Bros urged to take action to prevent rail suicides; Hotline number should be included on movie, DVD

November 2, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

America’s freight railroads have joined with one of the nation’s leading suicide prevention groups in urging Warner Bros. to help prevent suicides on the railroad tracks. A new movie scheduled for release by the studio, “Rails and Ties,” portrays the story of a woman who dies by suicide on railroad tracks. Tragically, incidents like the one portrayed in the movie occur all too often. The leading cause of railroad accidents occurs simply because many people don’t understand the inherent dangers of being on or around railroad tracks, including the fact that it takes a freight train more than a mile

Strike Clock Ticking for Amtrak Machinists

November 2, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) says its 500 Amtrak members can strike on Dec. 1 unless President Bush intervenes and appoints a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). A 30-day countdown began when the National Mediation Board formally released the IAM and Amtrak from mediated negotiations on Oct. 31. “We expect and are prepared for a Presidential Emergency Board,” said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “Our attorneys and economists are primed to defend the fair and reasonable positions our negotiators have taken at the bargaining table.” Once empanelled, a PEB has 30 days to

D.C. Metro Sets Six Public Hearings on Fare Increases

November 1, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

Six public hearings in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia will be held on Nov. 13, 14 and 15 to receive the public’s input on proposed fare increases for Metrorail, Metrobus and parking that would take effect in January. All of the hearings will begin at 7 p.m. There will be an open-house held at 6:30 p.m. before each hearing. The hearing dates and locations are as follows: Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Bechtel Conference Center, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA (hearing number 525) Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Metro headquarters in the Jackson Graham Building, 600

N.J. Transit Previews New Pascack Valley Line

November 1, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

RIVER EDGE, N.J. — Various railroad and elected officials recently took a whistle-stop tour aboard a Pascack Valley Line (PVL) train to announce expanded service featuring 121 additional trains per week – including full weekend service for the first time in more than 60 years. “As a Bergen County resident, I know firsthand the difficulties residents face on our crowded roadways,” N.J. Transit Board Member Susan Hayes said. “The new trains mean Bergen County residents will have new travel options during the middle of the day, on weekends and late at night, creating a better match between service and demand.”

MARTA: Ridership Increases in FY07 Thanks to Improved Service and New Fare Equipment

November 1, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — MARTA experienced a significant boost in ridership in FY07 providing service for 147.5 million passenger boardings – 6.6 percent more than the previous fiscal year, officials said. Rail ridership also increased 12.2 percent with 77.7 million passenger boardings. Thanks to the additional ridership, passenger revenue was also up 3.5 percent contributing to a budget surplus for the second year in a row. “MARTA’s efforts to improve service and to take a more customer focused approach to the way we do business have successfully resulted in an increase in ridership,” said MARTA General Manager Richard McCrillis. “We are extremely

Union Pacific to Increase Train Speed Through Salt Lake City

November 1, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific Railroad will increase train speed from 10 mph to 40 mph through multiple grade crossings in Salt Lake City, Utah, beginning on Nov. 2. The crossings include 1800 North Street, 3rd North Street, 4th North Street, 6th West Street, 8th West Street, 9th West Street, 10th West Street and 2nd South Street. Recent track improvements on this section of track permit operating at higher speeds. Union Pacific has raised train speeds through several communities across its rail network over the last several years following track improvements and has found that not only do the trains