Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 219

FRA Issues Safety Advisory to Railroad Workers

April 7, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Safety Advisory to remind freight railroad operators and their employees about hazards associated with switching operations.

NTSB Opens Dockets on Three WMATA Wrecks

April 6, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — As part of the NTSB’s investigations into three separate accidents that occurred on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system between November 2009 and February 2010, the NTSB opened the public accident dockets for these cases. The accidents include: — A collision that occurred on Nov. 29, 2009, at the WMATA West Falls Church station where a six-car train struck the rear of a stopped six-car train. Three employees sustained minor injuries. — An accident that occurred on Jan. 26, 2010, approximately 0.9 miles north of the Rockville station when two WMATA Metrorail automatic train control maintenance technicians were struck and fatally injured by a hi-rail vehicle. —

Union Pacific Railroad to Invest $400 Million in New Mexico Rail Facility

April 5, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad announced that New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez signed into law a bill passed by the New Mexico Legislature granting Union Pacific a locomotive fuel tax deduction. This legislation paves the way for Union Pacific to begin construction of an all new rail facility near Santa Teresa, New Mexico in June 2011.

CSX Reinforces Commitment to the Environment

April 4, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. commenced a search for the next big environmental idea with The Tomorrow Moves Project contest on Facebook.

Amtrak Issues Updated Fleet Strategy Plan

April 2, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – With its intercity passenger rail equipment nearing an average age of 26 years, Amtrak issued an updated fleet strategy plan that analyzes the company’s need to replace its existing conventional and high-speed fleet and manage capacity to meet the forecasted growth in ridership across its national network.

Illinois High-Speed Rail Trackwork Resumes

April 1, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO – Ninety-six miles of tracks and a quarter-million railroad ties for future high-speed Amtrak trains will be installed in Central Illinois starting this weekend, leading to the substitution of chartered motorcoaches for some Lincoln Service trains for several weeks and the detour of the Texas Eagle between Chicago and St. Louis.

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $1 Million Grant for West Virginia to Develop State Rail Plan

March 31, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $1 million for the State of West Virginia to develop a state rail plan that will serve as a blueprint for guiding the state’s rail investment strategies.

Metrolinx Acquires Commuter Rail Segment of CN’s Kingston Subdivision

March 30, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

TORONTO — Metrolinx has purchased a section of CN’s Kingston Subdivision rail line, used primarily for commuter and passenger rail operations in eastern Toronto, for C$299 million.

CP: Investing $100 Million in North Dakota

March 25, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

BISMARCK, N.D. — Canadian Pacific today announced the investment of $100 million in North Dakota between 2010 to 2012. The investment plan will expand network capacity and enhance rail service in order to meet increased traffic demands.

CSX CEO Cites Certainty, Balance, Investment and Education as Keys to American Competitiveness

March 24, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The chief executive of a leading transportation company in North America, CSX Corporation’s Michael J. Ward, said that America’s future competitiveness depends on balanced government fiscal and regulatory policies that minimize uncertainty for business.