Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
The Travel Trolley Launches 2010 Travel Outlook Survey
ATLANTA – The Travel Trolley has launched a trends survey to gauge travel plans for 2010. “There has been a lot of discussion in the media about how the economy is affecting everything from shopping to financial investments to travel plans,” said Todd DeFeo, editor of The Travel Trolley. “Rather than speculate on what role the economy is playing in people’s plans, I decided to find out firsthand about the 2010 travel outlook.” The brief survey should take no longer than five minutes to complete and asks 10 questions ranging from the number of leisure trips planned for 2010 to
BNSF
BNSF
AAR: Rail Carload Freight Reaches Highest Level in More Than a Year
WASHINGTON — Carload freight volume on U.S. railroads reached its highest level in more than a year during the week ended Feb. 27, the Association of American Railroads reported. U.S. railroads originated 290,261 carloads during the week ended Feb. 27, up 2.6 percent from the comparable week in 2009 and the highest level reported since the week ended Dec. 6, 2008. However, the total was still down 13.5 percent from comparison week in 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009
Miscellaneous
Three on Trestle Killed When Struck by Train
MELBOURNE, Fla. — Three teenage girls were killed after they were struck by a freight train. Authorities said they were crossing a railroad trestle when they were struck by a Florida East Coast Train.
Miscellaneous
American Railcar Industries Announces Formation of U.S. Railcar Joint Venture
ST. CHARLES, Mo. — American Railcar Industries and Ohio-based U.S. Railcar announced the formation of a joint venture to be named U.S. Railcar Co. The joint venture is being formed to design, manufacture and sell Diesel Multiple Units, which are self-propelled passenger railcars in both single- and bi-level configurations. ARI is majority owned by Icahn Enterprises. “ARI is excited to participate in this opportunity to join USR and bring ARI’s freight rolling stock manufacturing heritage to the passenger equipment sector,” said ARI President and CEO James Cowan. “Our commitment to expand and diversify ARI’s manufacturing program results from ARI’s desire
Miscellaneous
FreightCar America Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results
CHICAGO — FreightCar America Inc. reported results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 with sales of $49.4 million and a net loss of $5.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share. Sales for the quarter were down 10 percent from third quarter 2009 sales of $55.1 million and down significantly over fourth quarter 2008 sales of $271.9 million. Railcar deliveries totaled 697 units in the quarter, compared to 695 units delivered in the third quarter of 2009 and 3,624 units delivered in the fourth quarter of 2008. The gross margin rate for the fourth quarter was 6.8 percent, compared to
Legislation
National Gateway Receives Federal Stimulus Funds through TIGER Program
WASHINGTON — The National Gateway has been awarded $98 million in funding from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant program, part of the so-called American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The federal funds invested in this project will immediately be put to work alongside state and private funds to drive direct and long-lasting benefits in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina — as well as the rest of the nation, officials said. “This grant is a validation of the benefits of freight rail and the prominent role that railroads play in growing our economy and