Miscellaneous – Page 33 – Railfanning.org

Rail Network Could Face Major Congestion in Coming Decades

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Congestion on the nation’s rail network is expected to increase over the next two decades and could eventually pose a major problem, members of Congress warned. Since deregulation of the freight railroad industry in 1980, Class 1 freight ton-miles have increased 93 percent, while miles of track have decreased 40 percent, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., said. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the demand for rail freight transportation will increase 88 percent by 2035, and their studies estimate that an investment of $148 billion in infrastructure expansion will be needed over the ext 28 years to

Railroads, Customers Meet to Discuss Freight Transportation Needs, Challenges

May 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The nation’s major freight railroads and their customers met this week to discuss the many challenges ahead in freight transportation, working together to make sure America’s freight rail network continues to be the best in the world. “Freight traffic is expected to increase dramatically over the next decade,” said CSX Chief Executive Officer Michael Ward, who gave the keynote address at the recent 2008 North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS) meeting. “If we want to see more of that traffic on rail and less on our overcrowded highways, railroads and shippers need to be ready to meet that

Railroad Fuel Efficiency Sets New Record

May 21, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — What’s more fuel efficient than the newest hybrid car? A freight train. And last year, freight railroads were more fuel efficient than ever. In 2007, major freight railroads in the United States moved a ton of freight an average of 436 miles on each gallon of fuel. This represents a 3.1 percent improvement over 2006 and an astonishing 85.5 percent improvement since 1980. “That’s the equivalent of moving a ton of freight all the way from Baltimore to Boston on just a single gallon of diesel fuel,” said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger.

Pacer Stacktrain Initiates Expanded Intermodal Services with BNSF Railway

April 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CONCORD, Calif. — Pacer International Inc. announced expanded intermodal services between its Pacer Stacktrain unit and BNSF Railway which allows Pacer Stacktrain to begin full service on their network effective April 1, 2008. Pacer Stacktrain will — for the first time — have access to the entire BNSF intermodal network within the United States. Interline service is available to and from Pacer-served CSX and Canadian National locations. “We are very pleased to have expanded our service with BNSF. The new Pacer Stacktrain BNSF Double Stack Service is a major milestone for our customers, providing fast and reliable ramp-to-ramp and door-to-door

Teen Killed by Freight Train in Ga.

April 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

LaGRANGE, Ga. — A teenager was killed by a freight train he likely didn’t hear, authorities said. The 19-year-old was walking along the tracks when the train approached him from behind. Police believe he didn’t hear the train because he did not turn around or acknowledge the oncoming train, the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer newspaper reported. The teenager was not wearing headphones when he was killed. His body was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for an autopsy. — Railfanning.org News Wire

Wabtec Receives Orders Worth $100 Million to Supply Components for NY Subway Cars

March 13, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILMERDING, Pa. — Wabtec Corp. said it has received orders worth about $100 million to supply components for New York City subway cars being purchased under the city’s R-160 program. The contracts represent components for the first option order of 620 cars, which are to be delivered over the next two years. Under the R-160 program, New York City has now ordered 1,280 cars and has an option to order an additional 420. The cars are being built by ALSTOM Transportation and Kawasaki. Wabtec has been supplying components for the base order of 660 cars and will now provide the

FreightCar America Announces Stay of Preliminary Injunction in Pension Case

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has stayed the preliminary injunction issued by a lower court in an ongoing lawsuit concerning the FreightCar America Inc.’s pension obligations at its Johnstown, Pa., manufacturing facility, the company said. The preliminary injunction had directed the Company to reinstate certain laid-off employees for pension purposes pending further proceedings in the lawsuit. The order of the Court of Appeals grants a stay of the preliminary injunction and directs the Company to take no action during the pendency of its appeal of the injunction, including closing the Johnstown facility, which would

Class I Railroad Awards Duos Technologies Contract to Secure Critical Rail Yard

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A leading rail carrier has awarded a contract in excess of $500,000 to Duos Technologies, Inc. to secure a key rail yard in the western United States, safeguarding property and assets at the facility. Duos-developed intelligent video security and sensor technology will be used to establish a “virtual perimeter,” providing continuous, active monitoring of the yard and rail cars. The system is designed to function as an intrusion detector to identify a perimeter breach, assess threat risk, and promptly alert security personnel. Authorized rail security personnel can view both real-time, streaming video and video archives, both locally

Duos Awarded Contract from Major Rail Company to Provide Intelligent Video Surveillance for Critical Northeast Bridge

March 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — One of the nation’s major railroad companies has selected Duos Technologies Inc. to provide an intelligent video system securing a major rail bridge along the Delaware watershed. Duos developed this solution to give its client the ability to monitor a critical lift bridge in real time. The bridge carries rail traffic over an active waterway, and its secure operation is essential. This system allows rail personnel to observe the bridge structure and waterway, and oversee the lift operation and the integrity of the rail tracks. This turnkey solution combines Duos Praesidium intelligent video platform with an array

Ferromex Joins the TTX Railcar Pool

February 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — TTX, one of the nation’s leading railcar providers, today announced the expansion of its railcar pool with the addition of Mexican railway Ferrocarril Mexicano S.A. de C.V. (Ferromex). Ferromex becomes the first new owner of TTX in 43 years. Its addition to the TTX family is expected to enhance the utilization of energy efficient rail transportation for international movements. “This is an important step for our company,” said TTX President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew F. Reardon. “With Ferromex, we will extend the benefits of TTX’s time-tested business model to an important and growing participant in the North