Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 313

FRA Joins Norfolk Southern in Research of Battery Powered Electric Locomotives

September 12, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding a $50,000 grant to Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) to support the railroad’s effort to design a prototype battery powered electric locomotive which can reduce emissions and lower fuel costs. The grant funds will be used to design the lead-acid battery packaging system and perform Failure Modes and Effects Analysis to address potential safety risks associated with the high voltages and electric current arising from large numbers of batteries cabled together. The technology is being developed for locomotives used in rail yard switching operations. In addition, NS is providing $65,000 toward this

Union Pacific and Progress Rail Services Sign Agreement to Initiate First Testing of Green Technology in Intermediate-Haul Locomotives

September 12, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad has signed an agreement with Progress Rail Services, a Caterpillar company, to test five SD40-2 locomotives originally built in the 1970’s that have been remanufactured with 3,005-horsepower low-emission diesel engines. These locomotives will meet Tier 2 emissions standards, incorporate new emission control technologies, and will be the first ever tested for intermediate-haul routes. The prototypes are powered by Caterpillar model 3516, 3005- horsepower diesel engines. They have more power than the typical 2000- horsepower 4-axle Genset “switch” locomotive used around terminals, but are less powerful than the 4400- horsepower 6-axle “line haul” locomotives used

Norfolk Southern Whistle-Stop Train Delivers Safety Training to Emergency Responders in Georgia, Carolinas and Virginia

September 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — A special train will travel to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia Sept. 15-19 to provide emergency preparedness training to first responders as part of the 2008 Norfolk Southern TRANSCAER Whistle-Stop Tour. TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) is a nationwide program that assists communities in preparing for and responding to a possible hazardous material transportation incident. “The Whistle-Stop Tour brings emergency preparedness training to response organizations and educates communities near major rail routes about rail equipment, chemical transportation, and the importance of planning for potential hazardous material transportation emergencies,” said Chuck Wehrmeister, Norfolk Southern’s

Union Pacific Surpasses Own Records for Moving Loaded Coal Trains Out of Wyoming

September 8, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific said it has surpassed its own monthly record for delivering coal out of Wyoming’s Southern Powder River Basin (SPRB) not only once, but twice. In August, the railroad moved 1,190 loaded coal trains out of the SPRB, making it the best month on record and surpassing the previous record of 1,174 loaded trains set in July 2008. “Our investments in the Joint Line and throughout our coal network are paying dividends in terms of our coal train velocity and throughput,” said Doug Glass, vice president and general manager – energy. UP also announced the following

BNSF to Replace Almost 20 Track Miles of Rail in North Dakota

September 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

FORT WORTH, TExas — BNSF Railway Company will replace almost 20 track miles of rail at several locations between Beaver Hill, Mont., and Mandan, N.D., beginning Sept. 2. The project is expected to cost an estimated $8 million and is scheduled to conclude Oct. 16, 2008. Two rail replacement production crews of 33 employees each will utilize equipment such as cranes, welders and ballast tampers to replace rail at an estimated combined rate of one mile a day for 34 days. To allow the two BNSF crews time to replace the rail, sections of track will be closed 6-hours a

MARTA Ridership Jumps 13.2 Percent in July

September 5, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — MARTA provided service for over 14 million passengers during July – a 13.2 percent jump in ridership over July of last year. Ridership increased across the board for all modes of transportation including increases of 12.9 percent (7.8 million boardings) for rail, 13.6 percent (6.2 million boardings) for bus, and 18.2 percent (37,000) for MARTA’s mobility paratransit service for seniors and disabled customers. “Thanks to rising gas prices, we’ve had a great opportunity to introduce new customers to the system, and we are extremely pleased that more people are taking advantage of the affordable cost and convenience of

Tempe Events Celebrate First Arizona Light Rail Opening

September 5, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

TEMPE, Ariz. — The City of Tempe is celebrating the opening of Arizona’s first light rail system with special events from Dec. 27-31. The cities of Phoenix and Mesa will also have parties along the line, creating a 20-mile celebration. Tempe is the only Arizona city to have a light rail system that runs from one city border to the other. The $1.4 billion, 20-mile line joins Tempe with Mesa and Phoenix to create an integrated transportation system connecting rail, buses and bicycles. Downtown Tempe is minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport and Tempe is surrounded by freeways, creating a

North Georgia Live Steamers at the GIHP

September 5, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CONYERS, Ga. — A new railroad will soon be laying track at the Georgia International Horse Park, the new home of the North Georgia Live Steamers. Formed in 1977, the North Georgia Live Steamers is a club composed of individuals interested in promoting the live steam hobby and assisting others interested in the construction of scale steam engines, diesel locomotives and railroad equipment. The group previously constructed and conducted “open run” weekends where the public was invited to ride on the 7.5 inch gauge, 1.5 inch scale railroad at their former location at the Southeastern Rail and Transportation Museum in

Japan’s Shinkansen Loses Power After Lightning Strike

September 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

TOKYO — A Shinkansen lost power following a lighting strike, according to media reports. The power blackout was temporary and authorities found a small hole on the roof of one of the Shinkansen’s cars. Authorities believe lightning may have caused the hole. Also, the train’s engineer said he heard sound before the power failure. The East Japan Railway Co. train — No. 263 — was pulling in at Oyama Station in Tochigi Prefecture at the time of the blackout.

Service Alert: Amtrak Prepares for Hurricane Hanna

September 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

In preparation for Hurricane Hanna, which is expected to make landfall in Florida later this week, Amtrak has cancelled some service in Florida, beginning Sept. 3, 2008. Silver Star Train 91, the Silver Star, scheduled to depart from New York Thursday morning, September 4, will terminate in Tampa on Friday with no alternate transportation between Tampa and Miami. Silver Meteor Train 97, the Silver Meteor, scheduled to depart New York Thursday afternoon, September 4, will terminate in Orlando on Friday with no alternate transportation between Orlando and Miami. Affected passengers with confirmed reservations are currently being contacted. Amtrak will continue