Railfanning.org News Wire

No Picture
FRA

Federal Railroad Administration Awards $1 Million Rail Safety Grant to Operation Lifesaver

August 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo announced a $1,015,000 grant for Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), providing the Alexandria, Va.-based nonprofit organization support to continue its wide-ranging public education outreach efforts to raise awareness about the potential hazards at grade crossings and the dangers of illegal trespassing on railroad property.In 2008, there were 2,395 grade crossing incidents resulting in 287 deaths, as well as 453 deaths due to rail trespassing, slightly fewer than similar incidents in 2007. “Despite decreases in the number of train-vehicle collisions, promoting railroad safety is as important as ever,” Administrator Szabo said. “Through this sustained public-private
No Picture
Amtrak

Amtrak Pere Marquette 25th Anniversary

August 5, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
HOLLAND, Mich. – Michigan communities along the Grand Rapids – Chicago route of the state-supported Amtrak Pere Marquette train will celebrate the 25th anniversary of passenger rail service on Aug. 5 and Amtrak is offering a special anniversary fare promotion this week to recognize the Silver Anniversary of the service. To commemorate the milestone, Amtrak is promoting the event with the special use of Superliner train equipment, including a double-decker lounge car and coaches. Every westbound passenger on Aug. 5 will receive a gift bag containing West Michigan products. In addition, ceremonies organized with the Michigan Department of Transportation and
No Picture
Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific Announces Sale of Windsor Station to Cadillac Fairview

August 4, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway announced the sale of Windsor Station and significant other related real estate assets to The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited for $86 million. As part of the transaction, Canadian Pacific has entered into a long term lease with Cadillac Fairview, and will remain the principal tenant of Windsor Station, reflecting its close connection to the building and its long-term presence in Montreal. The transaction has received the necessary regulatory approvals, including federal government approval.
No Picture
Amtrak

Amtrak and First Class Motorcycle Tours Team Up for Two Auto Train Vacation Packages

July 31, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Amtrak and First Class Motorcycle Tours have teamed up to offer two new vacation packages which include first-class accommodations on Amtrak’s Auto Train that allows motorcycle riders to travel with their bikes on board the train between Lorton, Va., south of Washington, DC and Sanford, Fla., just outside of Orlando. The motorcycles are secured in specially-designed carriers and travel in the train’s auto carriers while tour participants travel on the train in private roomette sleeping accommodations. All meals on board the train are included in the price of the tour. Both the northbound and southbound Auto Trains depart
No Picture
Amtrak

Amtrak to Report Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Independent Review to Assess Carbon Footprint

July 31, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – Furthering its commitment to be a transportation leader on environmental issues, Amtrak is joining efforts to voluntarily and publicly report its greenhouse gas emissions and undergo an independent assessment of its programs to reduce its carbon footprint. “Putting our emissions data out in the open for all to see and getting an outside review of our environmental programs will help make Amtrak a greener railroad,” said Amtrak president and CEO Joseph Boardman. Boardman announced that Amtrak is a new member of The Climate Registry, a non-profit organization founded to set consistent and transparent standards for businesses and governments
No Picture
Commuter Rail

NTSB Releases Wreck Site Back to WMATA

July 31, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board released the site of the Ft. Totten accident back to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The site, located on the Red Line between Ft. Totten and Takoma stations in Washington, D.C., was the scene of the fatal collision of two WMATA trains on June 22, 2009. The NTSB’s Signal and Train Control Group has completed its examination and testing of train control equipment at the scene of the accident.  Therefore, the accident site, including the track, has been released back to WMATA. As part of the ongoing investigation, the NTSB is
No Picture
Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific Announces Second-Quarter 2009 Results

July 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway announced second-quarter net income of $157 million, an increase of two per cent from $155 million in 2008. The impact on net income from a decline in freight volumes was offset by a net gain after tax on the sale of a portion of CP’s interest in the Detroit River Tunnel Partnership of $69 million. Diluted earnings per share were $0.93, a decrease of seven per cent from $1.00 in second-quarter 2008. “The recession continues to have a significant impact on our business and although freight volumes appear to have stabilized, we have not yet
No Picture
Commuter Rail

Washington Metro Conducting Comprehensive Review of Employee Disciplinary Actions

July 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Washington Metro is conducting a comprehensive review of its disciplinary procedures for employees and plans to stiffen penalties in the coming weeks to ensure that employees follow Metro rules and standard operating procedures. “Metro has more than 10,000 employees, and the vast majority of them do their job well,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe. “Bad behavior on the part of just a few individuals reflects on the entire Metro workforce. Our new approach to procedures and penalties will deter bad behavior and reduce the damage a few people can cause to our relationship with riders.” On Monday,
No Picture
Commuter Rail

NTSB Updates WMATA Investigation

July 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to make progress in its investigation of the June 22, 2009, collision of two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) trains on the Red Line in Washington, D.C. The Board has developed the following factual information: — To date, significant work has been done to determine why the presence of train 214 was not identified on the train control circuit that allowed train 112 to crash into it. The NTSB’s accident investigation is continuing, and more work is needed to fully understand why the train control system did not perform as designed. — Most