Miscellaneous

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Miscellaneous

Freight Railroads Seek to Allow Risk Sharing as Condition for Transport

August 16, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Calling the safety of the American public of paramount importance, the nation’s freight railroads today urged the country’s shippers of highly hazardous materials or toxic inhalation hazards (TIH) to become full partners with the railroads in safely transporting those dangerous commodities. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our employees and the communities through which we operate,” said Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) during a hearing at the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on the railroad industry’s common carrier obligation as it relates to hazardous materials. “It’s only reasonable that

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FRA

Alaska Railroad Receives FRA Grant for Rail/Highway Bridge to Military Training Area

August 2, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding $44.2 million to the Alaska Railroad for a dual use railroad/highway bridge over the Tanana River to the U.S. military’s Joint Tanana Training Complex. The bridge, which is part of the Northern Rail Extension project, is part of the new 80-mile rail line from North Pole to Delta Junction. The grant funds are to be used to advance existing designs to contract-ready engineering documents; complete filings for all necessary permits; obtain required rights-of-way; build construction staging areas; and begin construction of the bridge and connecting roadways. However, no funds may be

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Miscellaneous

Portec Rail Products, Inc. Reports 2008 Second Quarter and Six Month Operating Results

August 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

PITTSBURGH — Portec Rail Products Inc. announced record unaudited net income of $2,403,000 or $0.25 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a 27 percent increase over second quarter 2007 net income of $1,887,000 or $0.20 per share. Average basic and diluted shares outstanding were 9.6 million for both periods. Net sales for the second quarter 2008 totaled $30.2 million, a 4 percent increase over second quarter 2007 net sales of $29.1 million. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 grew to $3,747,000 or $0.39 per share, a 21 percent increase over net income

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Miscellaneous

STB Denies Nev.’s Request to Halt DOE Project

June 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has denied a request by the State of Nevada to reject the application of the United States Department of Energy for authority to construct and operate an approximately 300-mile railroad line in Nevada, in the Board proceeding entitled United States Department of Energy — Rail Construction and Operation — Caliente Rail Line in Lincoln, Nye, and Esmeralda counties. The Board found that DOE’s application was sufficiently complete for this stage of the proceeding. The proposed rail line, to be known as the Caliente Line, would connect an existing line near Caliente, Nev., to a

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Miscellaneous

Freight Railroads Using Technology to Boost Environmental Performance

June 18, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

The nation’s freight railroads, already the most environmentally friendly form of ground transportation, are using innovative “green” technologies to further reduce their environmental footprint. New technologies such as hybrid-powered locomotives and on-board computers that read route terrains are helping railroads lower emissions by as much as 80 percent and reduce fuel consumption by 16 percent.

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FRA

STB to Hold Hazardous Materials Hearing

June 4, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public hearing next month to discuss “issues related to the common carrier obligation of railroads—the duty of railroads to provide transportation or service on reasonable request—with respect to the transportation of hazardous materials.” The hearing follows one held in April on the general topic of the common carrier obligation of railroads. The July 16 hearing “will provide a forum for a more detailed discussion of issues specifically pertaining to the railroads’ common carrier obligation regarding the movement of toxic by inhalation hazards and other hazardous materials,” the STB said in a

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Miscellaneous

RailWorks Appoints Holt President of National Transit Division

June 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — RailWorks Corp. has appointed Michael P. Holt as president of the National Transit division of its transit systems subsidiary, L.K. Comstock & Company Inc. Holt comes to L.K. Comstock with more than 30 years of construction experience in the public and private sectors, focusing on heavy civil, building, and water and wastewater treatment facility projects. He most recently served as vice president and East Coast regional manager for MWH Constructors Inc., an international program management, consulting and construction services firm. Prior to that he held leadership positions at a range of respected construction companies, including Holt &

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Miscellaneous

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.

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Miscellaneous

Toronto Transit Commission Orders Composite Ties

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — The Toronto Transit Commission ordered specialty-engineered composite railroad switch ties from Axion International, the company said. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), a public transport authority, operates buses, streetcars, subways and advanced light rapid transit in Toronto, Ontario. Axion, in conjunction with Rutgers University, has developed plastics technology that uses almost 100 percent recycled plastic. Axion’s structural products have the distinct advantage of being environmentally friendly as well as providing superior products to customers, officials say. Officials tout that the company’s products address the increasing worldwide environmental concerns for deforestation coupled with the specific goals for recycling,