Canadian National
Railfanning.org News Wire
Miscellaneous
Climb aboard the General during Southern Museum’s ‘Museum Night’
The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History is celebrating its 10th birthday with an evening of family-friendly activities aimed at offering visitors a unique look at the museum and its exhibits. The inaugural Museum Night: Trains, Planes and Cars, scheduled for 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, will feature an evening of family- and history-centered activities in addition to providing visitors an up-close look at museum artifacts. The museum will be closing at 3 p.m. on March 23. During the event, guests will have the rare opportunity to climb aboard the General locomotive made famous during the Civil
Norfolk Southern
‘The Future Looks Good,’ Norfolk Southern CEO Says in Annual Report
NORFOLK, Va. — Coming off its second-best year ever for revenue, operating income, net income, and earnings per share, Norfolk Southern Corp. is positioned well for growth, and “the future looks good,” CEO Wick Moorman tells stockholders in the 2012 annual report, posted today on the company’s website at www.nscorp.com. “Despite significant challenges in our coal business, we delivered solid results for our shareholders,” Moorman says. “From an operations perspective, the railroad ran extremely well, setting all-time highs for most of our service and velocity metrics. We also continued our strong record of reinvesting in the company, with more than
Amtrak
Anthony R. Coscia Elected as Chairman, Amtrak Board of Directors
WASHINGTON – The Amtrak Board of Directors has elected Anthony R. Coscia to be its next chairman to help guide the future of America’s Railroad® and carry out initiatives to increase ridership and improve operational and financial performance. In addition, the Amtrak board elected Jeffrey R. Moreland as vice-chairman. An Amtrak board member since June 2010, and current chairman of its Audit and Finance committee, Coscia succeeds departing board chairman Thomas C. Carper whose term on the board expires this month. “During my five years on the board of directors, Amtrak has made undeniable progress and all board members have
Transit
MARTA Pursues New Revenues with Website Advertising Pilot Program
ATLANTA — MARTA’s website has made its debut in the advertising world. The Authority has launched a 12-month advertising pilot program on www.itsmarta.com to explore a new source of revenue for the transit system. The pilot is estimated to generate around $1,000 to $5,000 per month for MARTA at no cost to the Authority. “The website advertising pilot project provides a great opportunity for us to tap into a new revenue stream,” said MARTA General Manager/CEO Keith T. Parker. “This program is just one of the many ways we are working to develop a more sustainable business model for MARTA
Amtrak
Commuter Rail
Feds Allocates $390 Million to Reimburse Transit Agencies in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Recovering from Hurricane Sandy
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the allocation of nearly $390 million in FY 2013 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act funds to reimburse the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH). The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) received a smaller reimbursement for expenses incurred while preparing for and recovering from Hurricane Sandy. The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act authorized a total of $10.9 billion, which is now reduced by 5 percent, or $545 million, because of the mandatory budget cuts known as sequestration that took effect on March 1. “When Hurricane Sandy devastated public transportation systems
Transit
Atlanta Streetcar Project Reaches Major Milestone with Track Delivery
The Atlanta Streetcar project reached a key milestone this week with the delivery of the first section of track on Edgewood Avenue. Crews lowered seven sections of rail into the track bed near the intersection of Bell Street and Edgewood Avenue and will continue the installation east along Edgewood Avenue towards Jackson Street. This is the first time in more than 60 years that Atlanta has had streetcar tracks. “Today’s construction activity signifies an important step forward for the Atlanta Streetcar project and underscores the city’s commitment to build a new, world-class transit system that will benefit residents, businesses and
Miscellaneous
Huge Turnout for Southern Museum’s Trains, Trains, Trains
KENNESAW, Ga. — More than 2,200 people turned out Saturday for the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History’s third annual Trains, Trains, Trains event. Museum visitors explored model train layouts, vendors selling train-themed wares and various activities geared toward families. “This event is so much fun because kids have the opportunity to get up and close with trains,” said Dr. Richard Banz, the museum’s executive director. “We’re grateful to everyone who came out, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at our future events, including next year’s Trains, Trains, Trains.” The museum’s next major event, “Museum Night,” is
Amtrak
Senate Confirms Two Amtrak Board Appointments
The U.S. Senate this week confirmed two new appointments to Amtrak’s Board of Directors. Christopher R. Beall and Yvonne B. Burke were confirmed as directors on the Amtrak Board of Directors. As part of its vote, the Senate also confirmed Michael P. Huerta as the next Federal Aviation Administration administrator.