Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — MARTA said that the Authority has achieved an operating budget surplus for the second year in a row – recording $12.1 million in additional revenues for FY07. This marks only the second time in 20 years that MARTA has recorded an operating budget surplus for two consecutive fiscal years. MARTA also ended FY07 with $117.4 million in capital reserves. The capital program funds additions and improvements to infrastructure and supports the Authority’s bonding capacity. “Thanks to a strict fiscal management plan, strategic cost containment measures and improved financial performance in recent years, MARTA has achieved this significant accomplishment,”

CANTON, Ohio –The Timken Company recently supplied Norwegian mining company Rana Gruber AS with cartridge bearings that significantly increased the load capacity of freight cars transporting iron ore. Rana Gruber is Timken’s first rail customer in Norway, where extensive upgrading of rail freight operations is expected within the coming years. Rana Gruber’s goal was to modernize its fleet and increase load capacity. This involved installing new axles and wheels, and Timken proposed a solution that included Timken® AP-2 Class K cartridge bearings set in adapters that permit simpler assembly and easier maintenance. The adapter solution is common in North American

LAS VEGAS –The Las Vegas Monorail Company announced today a partnership with Google Transit – a Google product that allows online users to enter the specifics of a destination and utilizes available public transportation options to plot out the most efficient possible step-by-step route and itinerary. The Las Vegas Monorail joined forces with Google Transit to provide data regarding Monorail transportation on the busy and popular Las Vegas Strip. Google Transit, which has been in operation since December 2005, and has recently been integrated into Google Earth, currently offers public transit information for the following major metropolitan areas: Burbank, Orange