Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 305

New Rail Competition Study Rejects Reregulation

December 19, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – A new study for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on competition in the freight railroad industry says that “both railroads and their customers benefited” from the partial rail deregulation introduced by the Staggers Rail Act of 1980. The study also rejected the principal proposals for reregulation of the railroad industry, saying they could harm the industry or would otherwise be inappropriate. “We’re pleased that this independent study has affirmed key economic principles on which the STB has relied for many years in its regulation of the railroad industry,” said Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and CEO Edward

CN, Schererville, Ind., Agree on Mitigation Plan for EJ&E Transaction

December 19, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — CN announced an agreement with the Town of Schererville, Ind., located 28 miles south of Chicago, that would mitigate the impact on the community of CN’s proposed acquisition of the principal lines of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E). Under the agreement, CN will assist in the creation and maintenance of quiet zones in Schererville, and take various steps to improve train operations, communications, and emergency preparedness in the municipality. The agreement is contingent upon regulatory approval of CN’s proposed acquisition of the EJ&E. The transaction is being reviewed by the Surface Transportation Board (STB), which

CN, Village of Mundelein, Ill., Reach Agreement on Mitigation Plan for EJ&E transaction

December 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — CN and the Village of Mundelein, Ill., located northwest of Chicago, today jointly announced a voluntary mitigation agreement addressing the municipality’s concerns regarding CN’s proposed acquisition of the principal lines of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E). Under the agreement, CN will assist in the maintenance of quiet zones, and take various steps to increase the fluidity of train movements through Mundelein, as well as improve safety, communications, emergency preparedness, and Metra access. The agreement is contingent upon regulatory approval of CN’s proposed acquisition of the EJ&E. The transaction is being reviewed by the Surface Transportation

Amtrak and KDOT Agree on Scope of Study

December 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Amtrak have agreed on the scope of the Amtrak Expansion Feasibility Study. KDOT has budgeted $200,000 for the study. The study will identify capital requirements and operating costs needed to provide state-sponsored passenger rail service between Kansas City, Oklahoma City and Fort Worth. The study will consider factors such as potential schedules, railcar and locomotive availability and capital needs for rail improvements to accommodate passenger service. As part of the study, BNSF Railway will analyze the capacity of the route because a passenger rail service would have to share the tracks

CN, Chicago Heights, Ill., Reach Mitigation Agreement for EJ&E transaction

December 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. — CN announced an agreement with the City of Chicago Heights, Ill., located 26 miles south of downtown Chicago and six miles from the Indiana border, that addresses municipal concerns about CN’s proposed acquisition of the principal lines of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E). Under the agreement, CN will assist in the creation and maintenance of quiet zones and take various steps to improve operations, safety, fencing and emergency preparedness and promote economic development in Chicago Heights. The agreement is contingent upon regulatory approval of CN’s proposed acquisition of the EJ&E. The transaction is

Pa. Gov. Supports National Gateway

December 5, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — At a National Gateway coalition event hosted by CSX Chairman and CEO Michael Ward, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced his support for the National Gateway’s goal of creating a state-of-the-art, double-stack transportation corridor connecting manufacturing centers in the Midwest with deepwater ports on the East Coast. The event was held at a CSX Intermodal Terminal in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, that serves as a key transportation link connecting shippers with both truck and rail service. “This terminal is a prime example of the kind of economic growth that comes from investing in our infrastructure,” said Governor Rendell. “I

STB Issues Final EIS for CN Acquisition

December 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced that its Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) has issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the proposed acquisition by the Canadian National Railway and Grand Trunk Corporation of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E). Issuance of the Final EIS completes SEA’s environmental review process. Upon reviewing and considering the Final EIS, and the extensive transportation related and environmental record developed in this case, the Board will independently issue a final decision either denying, approving, or approving with conditions the pending merger. Completion of SEA’s Final EIS should not be interpreted

CSX: Veterans Welcome

December 2, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation (NYSE:CSX) is one of the best places for the nation’s veterans to work following their military careers, according to G.I. Jobs magazine. CSX Transportation ranked 8th on the annual list of the nations most military-friendly employers. This marks the third straight year the company has made the list, rising from number 45 in 2006 to its current position. In selecting companies for recognition, the magazine considers the resources dedicated to military hiring, Reserve/Guard policies, percentage of new hires who are veterans, veteran training programs and previous rankings. Only 2 percent of the 2,500 eligible companies

Canadian Pacific to Review Federal Court Grain Hopper Car Maintenance Decision

December 2, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific recently said it responded to the recent decision by the Federal Court of Appeal dismissing the appeal filed by CP regarding the adjustment to the maximum revenue entitlement under the Canada Transportation Act. CP said it will review the court’s decision and available legal recourse. The court upheld the retroactive adjustment made by the CTA on February 19 resulting in a decrease of $23M in what CP was entitled to earn for the movement of grain for a portion of the 2007/2008 crop year. CP said it will review its products and pricing as it relates

BNSF Honors Three Shortline Railroads for Partnership Excellence

December 2, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Columbia Basin Railroad (CBRW), Louisiana & Delta Railroad (L&D) and the Texas Northwestern Railway (TXNW) each received a BNSF Shortline Achievement Award at this year’s 13th Annual Shortline Conference. “BNSF is pleased to honor these shortline railroads for their ability to provide intense customer focus, resourcefulness, operational flexibility, and a local presence in their communities,” said Pete Rickershauser, BNSF vice president, Network Development. “These shortlines have gone beyond our expectations to build new business for our railroads and new service products for our shared customers. We see their roles expanding in the future as they