Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 234

Amtrak Joins DHS Rail Security Initiative

July 3, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano launched the first phase of DHS’ nationwide “See Something, Say Something” campaign and announced a new national information-sharing partnership with Amtrak as part of the Department’s nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) initiative during a whistlestop train tour—highlighting the public’s role in keeping our country safe and the Obama administration’s commitment to bolstering surface transportation security. “Implementing a national suspicious activity reporting partnership with Amtrak and expanding the ‘See Something, Say Something,’ campaign strengthens our ability to guard against terrorism and crime,” said Secretary Napolitano. “These initiatives enable us to provide frontline security

Amtrak Announces Actions Implemented to Put MARC Passengers First

July 2, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – At a special “Meet the Managers” event today at Washington Union Station, Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman directly informed MARC passengers of some of the actions the railroad is implementing to put passengers first and take care of their needs in the event of a MARC commuter train breakdown. “Amtrak is in the business of moving people and we must never forget that,” Boardman said. “Passengers come first and the equipment comes second.” Amtrak is taking the following actions now and will continue to work with MARC to identify additional measures to improve customer service: Water Supply

CSX Reminds Travelers of Importance of Rail Safety During Holiday Weekend

July 1, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the July 4th holiday approaches, CSX Corp. is reminding people to use common sense and extreme caution around railroad tracks and crossings. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, injuries and fatalities associated with trespassing on railroad property are significant, with nearly 1,800 fatalities in the past ten years. The rail safety education group Operation Lifesaver reports that a motorist is almost 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving another motor vehicle. The chance of serious accidents increases during the summer, as children are out of school

Pamela L. Carter Elected to CSX Corporation Board of Directors

June 30, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced that Pamela L. Carter has been appointed to the company’s board of directors, effective June 29, 2010. Carter will serve on the company’s Governance Committee and Operations and Public Affairs Committee. Carter is President of Cummins Distribution, a $1.8 billion division of Cummins Inc., a position she has held since 2008. She joined Cummins in 1997 and has held a variety of leadership positions in the company. Prior to her career with Cummins, Carter served in several capacities with the State of Indiana. She was the first African-American woman elected to the office of

Plans Call for Steam to Ride the Norfolk Southern Rails Again, Through Display and Excursion Program with TVRM

June 30, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Norfolk Southern Corp. is in negotiations with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum with regard to the operation of a limited schedule of steam locomotive event appearances and passenger excursions beginning later this year. “21st Century Steam” would highlight milestones in rail history and provide an opportunity for audiences to learn about today’s safe and service-oriented freight railroads. The program would feature three venerable coal-powered steam locomotives: — Southern Railway 4501: Built in 1911 by Baldwin Locomotive Works, 4501 served Southern Railway in freight service in Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, before being sold to a short line railroad.

Canadian Pacific Alberta Mainline Reopens After Floods

June 29, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific said the section of the CP main line east of Medicine Hat, AB that has been closed since June 18 is now open to traffic. This follows the reopening of the southern line between Lethbridge, AB and Swift Current, SK. The one in 100 year rainfall event (one in 500 year event in some locations) that washed out portions of the CP main line in Southeastern Alberta and Southwestern Saskatchewan caused widespread flooding and resulted in the closure of the TransCanada Highway and the declaration of states of emergency in nine municipal jurisdictions. During the 11

L.B. Foster Announces Dissolution of Preliminary Injunction on Proposed Acquisition of Portec Rail Products

June 29, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

PITTSBURGH — On Feb. 16, L.B. Foster Co. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Foster Thomas Company, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Portec Rail Products, Inc. Pursuant to the merger agreement, L.B. Foster, through its subsidiary, commenced a tender offer for all of Portec’s common stock at a price of $11.71 per share. The tender offer currently is set to expire on July 30 and is subject to all necessary antitrust clearances under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. L.B. Foster on June 28 announced that the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Penn., has

New Amtrak Board Members Recognize America’s Railroad is Key to Future of Passenger Rail

June 29, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The three newest members of the Amtrak board of directors recognize that Amtrak, and its national network of high-speed and intercity passenger trains, are key to the future of passenger rail transportation in America. Anthony R. Coscia, Bert DiClemente and Jeff Moreland were nominated by President Obama and recently confirmed by the United States Senate. They are expected to soon assume their new responsibilities guiding and overseeing America’s railroad. “We welcome our newest board members with confidence they will contribute their considerable knowledge and experience to advance Amtrak’s growth strategy and efforts to make the nation’s railroad safer,

BNSF Announces Changes to Marketing Leadership

June 27, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Co. has announced changes to its Marketing leadership. George Duggan will be joining the Coal Marketing Team as vice president, succeeding Sami Shalah, who is retiring in August. Duggan will report to Steve Bobb, group vice president, Coal. Duggan joined Burlington Northern, a BNSF predecessor, in 1990 as a grain specialist. During his career, he has held various assignments with progressive leadership responsibility in customer support, marketing and sales. Since 2005, Duggan has served as vice president, Domestic Intermodal. He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (1990) and

Amtrak Inspector General Announces Sentencing in Fraud Case

June 26, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak Inspector General Ted Alves, in conjunction with United States Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, announced today the sentencing of George Susini, a former Amtrak contractor. Susini was sentenced as a result of his receipt of stolen Amtrak refund credits which had been illegally posted to his personal credit cards. During his sentencing, he admitted to having received the credits which he spent to maintain a lifestyle that he could not afford. Susini was sentenced to five years probation, a fine of $3,000, and the payment of restitution in the amount of $72,487