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BNSF

STB Releases Fall Peak Service Plans

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has released letters from Class I railroads outlining their “peak season” service plans. In June, Chairman W. Douglas Buttrey sent letters to the chief executive officers of the seven largest railroads and to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), asking the railroads to inform the STB of their plans to ascertain the demand for, and to prepare for, the provision of peak-season service; their performance goals for the remainder of 2006 and their plans for achieving those goals; and their plans to communicate their service goals and plans with customers. In

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Norfolk Southern

Flames Reported After Ala. Wreck

LINCOLN, Ala. – Two Norfolk Southern trains, including one that was carrying sodium cyanide, collided Jan. 18 near a Honda plant, causing a "massive" fire, WXIA-TV reported on its Web site. Flames as tall as 60 feet were reported after one train was rear-ended by another, according to reports. Three injuries were reported as a result of the wreck, according to the WXIA-TV report. About 500 people living within two miles of the crash were evacuated, the television station reported. Service on Norfolk Southern’s line between Birmingham, Ala., and Meridian, Miss., was restored a day earlier following a Jan. 16

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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Announces Planned 2006 Capital Spending

NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk Southern Corporation plans to spend $1.146 billion in 2006 for capital improvements to its railroad operations and subsidiaries. "Continuing strong demand for rail transportation is driving the need for additional investment in Norfolk Southern’s rail network," said CEO Wick Moorman. "Our 2006 capital program ensures that our network and assets continue to be well maintained and also provides for increased capacity in terms of infrastructure, locomotives and cars, and new technology. These investments will enable Norfolk Southern to maintain its safe and reliable operations while providing for further improvements in customer service and capacity for continuing

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Norfolk Southern

Teamsters: Graniteville Report Highlights Vulnerability of Nation’s Railways

WASHINGTON – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Nov. 29 recommended that rail companies make important operational changes, including reducing speeds in populated areas, to avoid another catastrophic accident like the crash in Graniteville, South Carolina, in January that killed nine people. The deadly accident occurred when a Norfolk Southern train crashed into a parked freight train that was carrying tank cars of chlorine gas. One of the tank cars exploded, causing a cloud of toxic gas to blanket the area. Eight residents of Graniteville and the locomotive engineer operating the train died after inhaling the gas. "Rail companies

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Norfolk Southern

NTSB: NS Train Crew Failed to Reline Switch

WASHINGTON — The crew of a Norfolk Southern train failed to return a main line switch to the normal position after the crew completed work at an industry track in Graniteville, S.C., the National Transportation Safety Board has found. On Jan. 6, 2005, a northbound Norfolk Southern Railway freight train (No. 192) encountered an improperly lined switch that diverted the train from the main line onto an industry track where it struck an unoccupied, parked train (P22). The collision derailed both locomotives and 16 of the 42 freight cars of train 192 as well as the locomotive and one of

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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Reopens New Orleans Intermodal

NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk Southern Corp. on Oct. 3 reopened its intermodal terminal in New Orleans. The facility had been closed since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast Aug. 29. The terminal is now accepting inbound and outbound shipments at the gate. The yard is located at 2900 Florida Ave. in New Orleans. Due to local curfews, the terminal will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. “The restoration of intermodal service will assist with the transportation of reconstruction and relief materials to the Gulf Coast region,” said Bob Huffman, vice president intermodal operations. “We are working closely with our