Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 249

State Rail Coalition Asks Congress to Provide Strong Support for Passenger Rail in 2011

May 18, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Saying the states are ready to move forward aggressively to improve the nation’s rail system, the States for Passenger Rail Coalition is calling on Congress to fund passenger rail projects and programs generously in 2011.

Bombardier Will Supply 11 Electric TRAXX Locomotives to Polish Operator Koleje Mazowieckie

May 18, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

BERLIN — Bombardier Transportation and “Koleje Mazowieckie – KM” Sp. z o.o. have signed an agreement for the delivery of eleven TRAXX electric locomotives.

FRA Issues Proposed Rulemaking on Vehicle/Track Interaction Safety

May 18, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has announced proposed rules to amend the Track Safety Standards and Passenger Equipment Safety Standards for high-speed and high cant deficiency train operations to promote safer rail vehicle and track interaction.

CN Announces Plan to Buy Back Shares Through Private Agreements

May 17, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — CN said it intends to purchase for cancellation up to three million of its common shares pursuant to private agreements between CN and an arm’s-length third-party seller.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Announces Proposed Regulations to Prevent Railroad Crew Distractions While Operating Trains

May 17, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood continued his campaign to stop distracted driving by announcing a proposed rule to prohibit the improper use of distracting electronic devices by on-duty railroad operating employees.

Federal Transportation Officials Seek Public Input on First Ever National Rail Plan

May 17, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Dates and locations of public outreach meetings to solicit input toward the development of the nation’s first National Rail Plan were announced by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Kurt Laird Named General Superintendent of Amtrak’s Pacific Northwest Division

May 15, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND – Amtrak has announced the appointment of District Superintendent Kurt Laird as General Superintendent of the Pacific Northwest Division.

Prospects for Rail Remain Bright, Norfolk Southern CEO Tells Stockholders

May 13, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK — Norfolk Southern Corp. performed well through the recession and has positive momentum for continuing success in 2010 and beyond, said Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman during the company’s 28th annual stockholders meeting, held in Williamsburg, Va.

CN: Modal Shift Protocol to Help British Columbia Meet Emissions Targets

May 12, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — CN has pioneered a modal shift protocol that will create new carbon offset project opportunities for British Columbia’s transportation sector, CN President and Chief Executive Officer Claude Mongeau announced. Pacific Carbon Trust (PCT), a Crown corporation and leading provider of offsets in British Columbia (B.C.), has agreed to recognize the protocol for modal shift offset projects in B.C. The modal shift protocol allows companies to generate carbon offsets by shifting freight shipments to rail from truck. An offset protocol is a detailed, specific set of instructions on how to carry out an offset project. A protocol may include

CN’s Canada-Based Rail Traffic Controllers Ratify New Collective Agreement

May 10, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

MONTREAL — CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference/Rail Canada Traffic Controllers (TCRC/RCTC) have ratified a new three-year labor agreement. The union represents approximately 200 Rail Traffic Controllers at CN across Canada. The contract, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009, provides for wage increases of 1.8 per cent for 2009, 2.4 per cent for 2010 and 2.6 per cent for 2011, as well as dental plan benefit improvements that come into effect on June 1, 2010.