Railfanning.org News Wire

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Commuter Rail

MTA LIRR Asks Public To Help Name Two Retired Locomotives As Part Of Its 175th Anniversary Celebration

April 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
NEW YORK — The MTA Long Island Rail Road is launching a contest to name two retired LIRR locomotives – No. 397 and No. 398 – that are being loaned to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum as part of the yearlong celebration of the LIRR’s 175th anniversary. The two mini locomotives were used as “switching locomotives” in the LIRR’s Morris Park diesel servicing and repair yard in Richmond Hill, Queens. These diminutive locomotives (150 horsepower) were used to “switch” or move passenger and freight locomotives throughout the diesel facility – especially when locomotives were unable to operate under their own
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Amtrak

Service Along Amtrak’s Empire Corridor to be Affected by Metro-North Track Work Beginning April 5

April 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
NEW YORK — Customers who travel along Amtrak’s Empire Corridor will soon enjoy a smoother ride as Metro-North Railroad embarks on a major track work project, beginning April 5, 2009 and continuing through the summer. The work will take place on the Metro North’s Hudson Line between Beacon and Poughkeepsie, NY and will cause service adjustments to the schedules of trains that travel through the area, but in the end will result in a more reliable service. As a result of the track work, schedules for Amtrak’s Empire, Ethan Allen Express and Maple Leaf services will be adjusted at some
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Commuter Rail

Powell Industries Receives $46 Million Contract for Phase One of the Dulles Airport Metrorail Extension

April 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
HOUSTON — Powell Industries Inc., a manufacturer of equipment and systems for the control, distribution and management of electrical and other dynamic processes, announced that it has received a $46 million contract to supply the packaged electrical power systems to distribute and control the power needs for Phase One of the Dulles Metrorail Project Silver Line extension. Federal funding for Phase One of the project was approved on Jan. 7. The total 23 mile extension will run from Northern Virginia to Dulles Airport and beyond. The first phase includes eleven new passenger stations and is approximately half of the total
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STB

April 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Acting Chairman Francis P. Mulvey announced his appointment of Rachel Danish Campbell as director of the STB’s Office of Proceedings. Campbell’s appointment is effective April 13. Since 2006, Campbell has served as Chief of Staff to former STB Chairman Charles D. Nottingham. Prior to that, Campbell served on the staff of the STB’s Office of the General Counsel, and as an attorney-advisor to then-Chairman Roger Nober. She has extensive litigation experience, and has represented the STB before U.S. Courts of Appeal and in numerous other forums and capacities. Prior to joining the agency, she was a partner at
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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Facilitates $2.2 Billion in Industrial Investment Along Rail Lines in 2008

April 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. participated in the location of 80 new industries and the expansion of 35 existing industries along its rail lines throughout 2008. New plants and expansions represented an investment of more than $2.2 billion by Norfolk Southern customers and are expected to create 3,623 jobs in the railroad’s territory and eventually generate more than 136,000 carloads of new rail traffic annually. Norfolk Southern assisted state and local government and economic development officials throughout 20 states in helping customers identify ideal locations for new and expanded facilities. “Renewable energy projects led the way across our service
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Union Pacific

Labor Department Orders Union Pacific to Reassign Worker to Former Position Following Whistleblower Investigation

April 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
OMAHA, Neb. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Union Pacific Railroad Co. to reassign a Beverly, Iowa, welder to his former position, reimburse him for travel expenses and pay compensatory damages associated with personal hardship following a whistleblower investigation. OSHA investigated the employee’s allegation that Union Pacific retaliated against him for requesting a lookout while performing work on adjacent railroad tracks and asking for tools to make the field weld process safer. The investigation found that the track maintenance manager illegally abolished the welder position in Beverly, forcing the worker to accept
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CSX

CSXT Announces 2008 Chemical Safety Excellence Award Winners

April 1, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation (CSXT) announced the winners of its annual Chemical Safety Excellence Award (CSEA) – an award that reflects each winning company’s commitment to rail car maintenance and safety as well as continuous safe tank car loading. For 2008, CSXT is recognizing 64 shippers. To be eligible for the award, each company must ship 600 or more railcars per year on CSXT and have no non-accidental releases during the entire year. Shippers include companies from the Chemicals, Fertilizer, Emerging Markets, Agriculture and Metals Merchandise commodity markets. One hundred CSX shippers are eligible to receive the award. “Throughout
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Canadian Pacific

CP, Borealis Infrastructure Announce Changes to Detroit River Tunnel Partnership

April 1, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited and Borealis Infrastructure Management Inc. announced that they have entered into a transaction that, subject to regulatory approval, will change their joint ownership of the Detroit River Tunnel Partnership (DRTP) to a majority position for Borealis. CP retains its exclusive right to operate and maintain the Detroit River tunnel; however, CP’s interest will decrease to 16.5 per cent from 50 per cent with the completion of this transaction. CP’s proceeds from the transaction will be $110 million plus additional proceeds of $22 million based on future freight volume through the tunnel. The DRTP owns
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Amtrak

Sanford Amtrak Auto Train Station to Receive Federal Support

March 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., applauded Vice President Joe Biden’s announcement that out of the $1.3 billion that Amtrak will receive from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $10.5 million will be spent on reconstruction of the Sanford Auto Train terminal. This funding will be spent immediately, with construction beginning in April and a projected completion date of October 2010. “We hope to enhance the Auto Train experience by giving Amtrak passengers a decent facility for their arrivals in and departures from Central Florida. The new 600-seat station will make up for the sparse and inadequate reception
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FTA

$36 Million to Pay for Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail

March 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Valley Metro Rail officials and local leaders announced $36 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds for the Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Project. “This light rail project has been an engine for growth in the Phoenix area,” LaHood said. “And these recovery funds will ensure that transit continues to stimulate Arizona’s economy.” The ARRA funds will help to complete the rail line and allow Valley Metro to begin work on the extension, which is expected to create 10,000 jobs over the life of the project. Funds will be used