Railfanning.org News Wire

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Commuter Rail

WMATA: Track Circuits to be Inspected, Trains Operate in Manual Mode

June 25, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — An estimated 3,000 signaling circuits in the Metro system are being inspected in the wake of Monday’s deadly Red Line collision, Metro general manager John Catoe told board members at their monthly meeting (June 25). “We do not know if the circuits had anything to do with this accident, but we won’t just sit back and wait for someone to tell us,” said Catoe. “We’re going to be proactive and get out there to test all of them.” Metro safety and operations officials are working hand-in-hand with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to investigate the cause of
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Commuter Rail

Washington Metro: Two Red Line Trains Collide, Fatalities Reported

June 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Two six-car Red Line trains collided at 5 p.m. Monday, June 22, leaving four people dead, including a female train operator. In addition, there were a number of injuries reported, many serious. According to authorities, one train rear-ended the other. The operator who was killed in the crash was on the trailing train. “We are extremely saddened that there are fatalities as a result of this accident, which has touched our Metro family. We hope to have more details about the casualties later today. Our safety officials are investigating, and will continue to investigate until we determine why
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Commuter Rail

LaHood Announces Guidelines for Receiving Economic Recovery Funds for High-Speed Rail

June 17, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — The Department of Transportation moved another step closer to realizing President Obama’s vision for high-speed rail in America today, publishing guidelines for states and regions to apply for federal funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “The time has finally come for the United States to get serious about building a national network of high-speed rail corridors we can all be proud of,” Secretary Ray LaHood said. “High-speed rail can reduce traffic congestion and link up with light rail, subways and buses to make travel more convenient and our communities more livable.” The historic commitment
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Short Line/Regional

Genesee & Wyoming to Discontinue Operations of Huron Central Railway

June 15, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
GREENWICH, Conn. — Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) announced that its subsidiary Huron Central Railway Inc. (HCRY) intends to discontinue operations. The downturn in the economy has caused the Huron Central’s traffic to decline substantially over the last 12 months, to the point that the railroad is not economically viable to operate for the long term, officials said. HCRY has operated the 173-mile railroad from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, under a lease agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway since 1997. The companies are working closely together and with customers to effect an orderly cessation of operations. HCRY will cease
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Amtrak

Amtrak Heartland Flyer 10th Anniversary

June 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
FORT WORTH – Communities along the Oklahoma City-Fort Worth route of the state-supported Amtrak Heartland Flyer will celebrate the 10th anniversary of daily passenger rail service on June 12 and 13 and Amtrak is offering a special anniversary fare promotion. “The Heartland Flyer achieves its high marks in ridership due to the public’s love for the train and the continued support from Governor Brad Henry, the Oklahoma legislature and our partners in Texas and at Amtrak,” said Gary Ridley, Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation. “TxDOT considers it a privilege to be connected to such an important element of the country’s rail
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Amtrak

Amtrak Encourages Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises to Seek Contracts for Stimulus Funded Projects

June 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – Small and disadvantaged business enterprises (SB/DBE) are encouraged to seek direct contracting or subcontracting opportunities for the hundreds of construction projects Amtrak intends to put out for bid this summer as part of $1.3 billion in stimulus-related funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). “Amtrak has a tremendous amount of work to do and will need the help of small businesses across the country to get it done right, on time, and on budget,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman, noting that the passenger railroad is moving fast to put contracts in place
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CSX

CSX: ATVs on South Carolina Train Tracks Cost Money and Lives

June 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With the summer fast approaching, CSX Transportation (CSXT) asks you to stay safe and keep ATVs (all terrain vehicles) off railroad tracks. That means ride your ATV somewhere other than railroad tracks and rights-of-way (approximately, 50 feet in each direction from the center of the tracks.) Help prevent needless accidents on railroad property, where hundreds of people are killed or injured nationwide each year. “Train tracks and railroad rights-of-way are not safe places to ride ATVs for recreation or to get to favorite fishing and hunting spots,” said Nelson High, CSXT community affairs and safety officer. “It’s
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CSX

CSX Transportation Congratulates New York City on High Line Opening

June 9, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation congratulated the City of New York and Friends of the High Line on the opening of the High Line, an urban park that the City has created on an elevated Manhattan rail line donated by CSX Transportation in 2005. When all sections are complete, the High Line would be a 1.5-mile park 30 feet above the city surface and running through the trendy West Side neighborhoods of the Meat Packing District and surrounding areas. The High Line opened in 1934 to New York Central trains, and later became part of CSX Transportation when the company