Miscellaneous – Page 35 – Railfanning.org

49 Railroad Cars on the Auction Block

December 10, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Government Liquidation LLC is auctioning off 49 railroad cars equaling more than 2.1 million pounds of unprepared heavy melting iron. The railroad cars, which are located in Hooks, Texas, consist of steel tankers, steel box cars and steel flat beds. Online bidding opens at 12 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Dec. 13 on the official online clearinghouse for government surplus www.govliquidation.com. All the rail cars are on wheels and can be rolled out for removal during this one-time event. The steel flat beds and steel box cars have wooden floors, and old style journal bearings. Some are equipped

National Railway Equipment Sees Superior Results in Test of New Locomotive

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

MT. VERNON, Ill. — In a two week test of an N-ViroMotive “GenSet locomotive” from National Railway Equipment Co., Indiana Rail Road Co. experienced significant fuel savings, low emissions and excellent tractive effort in normal switch operations, officials said. During the October test, Indiana Rail Road found that the single N-ViroMotive 2100 HP GenSet locomotive performed the same work as two SW 1500 locomotives in an MU consist, totaling 3000 HP. Fuel savings during the test were measured at 67 percent. “We were pleasantly surprised that this extremely fuel efficient locomotive also pulls as well as our two existing units,

FreightCar America Announces Major Organizational Changes in Its Sales and Marketing Group

November 21, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — FreightCar America is making several changes in its sales and marketing organization, involving people in Chicago; Johnstown, Penn.; and Plano, Texas. Ted Baun, who has been serving as vice president, sales — western region, has been promoted to the position of vice president, sales. In this new role he will lead FreightCar America’s nationwide sales effort, reporting to Ed Whalen, senior vice president, marketing and sales. Jay Hatfield, formerly manager, coal, emissions and railcar purchasing, with Luminant Energy, has joined FreightCar America to replace Baun as vice president, sales — western region. Hatfield has a B.A. in marketing

‘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

History Comes to Life in South Dakota’s Black Hills

October 10, 2007 Voice of America

A ride on Hill City’s 1880s train is always like a step back in time. But during the Western Heritage Festival, the entire town seems to be in a “time-warp” mode with cowboys, miners, a horse-drawn wagon rumbling down Main Street, even a robbery at the local bank!

Committee Republican Leaders Oppose Re-Regulation of Rail Industry

September 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Republican Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee warned that re-regulation of the nation’s successful railroad industry could spell a return to a highly inefficient “Soviet-style” rail system that eliminates private investment and relies primarily on government subsidies. The Committee conducted a hearing Sept. 25 on rail competition and service. “Thirty years ago, our nation’s rail system was literally falling apart,” said U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader. “Twenty-five percent of the system had to be operated at reduced speed due to dangerous track conditions. More rail lines were bankrupt than in the

Landmark Study Puts Rail Infrastructure Needs at $148 Billion

September 22, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — About $148 billion must be invested to expand the nation’s freight rail infrastructure over the next three decades to make sure that adequate rail capacity exists to meet future demand, according to the results of a first-of-its-kind study to measure rail capacity needs. Released Sept. 20, the National Rail Freight Infrastructure Capacity and Investment Study explores the long-term capacity expansion needs of the continental U.S. freight railroads. “These investments will help the freight rail industry ease highway congestion, reduce stress on highways and bridges, significantly lower transportation-related energy consumption and emissions, and maintain existing capacity for Amtrak and

RailAmerica Announces New Assistant Vice President, Regional Chief Engineer

August 29, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOCA RATON, Fla. — RailAmerica, Inc., a leading operator of regional and short line roads, announced that Josh Putterman was named Assistant Vice President and Darryl Gabriel was named Regional Chief Engineer effective August 27. “With their railroad experience and wealth of knowledge being in the business for as long as they have,” said John Giles, RailAmerica CEO. “I am extremely enthusiastic to have these exceptional leaders join our team.” Josh Putterman joins RailAmerica from CSX where he served for 16 years. He began his career in economic analysis and held numerous positions in Regional Finance, Operations Improvement and Locomotive

Timken Wins New Rail Customer in Norway

August 28, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

CANTON, Ohio –The Timken Company recently supplied Norwegian mining company Rana Gruber AS with cartridge bearings that significantly increased the load capacity of freight cars transporting iron ore. Rana Gruber is Timken’s first rail customer in Norway, where extensive upgrading of rail freight operations is expected within the coming years. Rana Gruber’s goal was to modernize its fleet and increase load capacity. This involved installing new axles and wheels, and Timken proposed a solution that included Timken® AP-2 Class K cartridge bearings set in adapters that permit simpler assembly and easier maintenance. The adapter solution is common in North American

Las Vegas Monorail Part of Google Transit’s Newly Expanded Route Planning Service

August 23, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

LAS VEGAS –The Las Vegas Monorail Company announced today a partnership with Google Transit – a Google product that allows online users to enter the specifics of a destination and utilizes available public transportation options to plot out the most efficient possible step-by-step route and itinerary. The Las Vegas Monorail joined forces with Google Transit to provide data regarding Monorail transportation on the busy and popular Las Vegas Strip. Google Transit, which has been in operation since December 2005, and has recently been integrated into Google Earth, currently offers public transit information for the following major metropolitan areas: Burbank, Orange