Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 319

Fitch Upgrades Kansas City Southern de Mexico to ‘BB-‘

February 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Fitch Ratings has upgraded the foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) of Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) to ‘BB-‘from ‘B+’. The Rating Outlook is Stable. Fitch has also upgraded to ‘BB-‘ from ‘B+’ the following senior unsecured obligations of KCSM: –US$165 million 7.375% senior notes due 2014: –US$460 million 9.375% senior notes due 2012; –US$175 million 7.625% senior notes due 2013. These rating actions reflect KCSM’s improving operating profile, increased financial flexibility and stronger liquidity over the past two years. Operating EBITDAR, defined as operating EBITDA plus KCSM’s locomotive and railcar

Norfolk Southern Names Newell Baker to Lead Industrial Development; Collingwood Retires

February 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Newell M. Baker has been named assistant vice president industrial development for Norfolk Southern Corp. effective March 1, in Atlanta. He will report to Robert E. Martinez, vice president business development. Baker joined Norfolk Southern as a management trainee in the engineering department in 1973. He was named director industrial development, his current position, in 1993. Baker earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University. In his new position, Baker will assume the responsibilities held by Larry R. Collingwood, who will retire March 1 after a 36-year railroad career. Collingwood joined Norfolk Southern

Ferromex Joins the TTX Railcar Pool

February 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — TTX, one of the nation’s leading railcar providers, today announced the expansion of its railcar pool with the addition of Mexican railway Ferrocarril Mexicano S.A. de C.V. (Ferromex). Ferromex becomes the first new owner of TTX in 43 years. Its addition to the TTX family is expected to enhance the utilization of energy efficient rail transportation for international movements. “This is an important step for our company,” said TTX President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew F. Reardon. “With Ferromex, we will extend the benefits of TTX’s time-tested business model to an important and growing participant in the North

30th Street Station Celebrates Black History Month

February 25, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak 30th Street Station in Philadelphia will celebrate Black History Month on February 29, in the North Arcade reception area at the station. The celebration will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The day will feature an array of talented African American entertainers showcasing poetry, spoken word, dramatic presentations, instrumental performances, individual singers, chorale lyricists and interpretive dancers. There will also be motivational and inspirational speakers throughout the day. A diverse group of individuals will be represented with participants ranging from ages 6-60. Local politicians have been invited to speak or participate in the celebration. In

Amtrak Extends Coast Starlight Service

February 20, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND – Amtrak is adding Thruway motorcoach service on a portion of the disrupted Los Angeles-Seattle Coast Starlight route, beginning Feb. 29. The Thruway motorcoach service will connect the Coast Starlight route segment between Sacramento and Portland, Ore., making connections with the Coast Starlight train at Sacramento and other Amtrak train service at Portland. The Thruway motorcoach will connect with the Chicago-Portland Empire Builder at Portland. Train service on the Coast Starlight route was suspended between Los Angeles and Seattle on Jan. 19, due to massive mudslides over the railroad north of Chemult, Ore. Union Pacific Railroad, the owner of

RMI Acquires Optimization Alternatives

February 20, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — RMI has acquired Optimization Alternatives (OA), an Austin, Texas-based provider of transportation control systems for intermodal terminals. OA will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of RMI. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Since 1986, OA has been recognized as a provider of real-time control and decision support systems throughout North America. Its flagship product, OASIS, is a comprehensive decision support system that provides intelligent automation of intermodal terminal operations. It uses state-of-the-art algorithms for solving logistical problems that arise in intermodal railyards. OASIS is used at more than 120 intermodal terminals throughout North America. Founded in

New Grant Program Provides First-Ever Federal-State Funding Partnership to Improve and Expand Intercity Passenger Rail Service

February 19, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — For the first time ever, states will be directly eligible for federal funding to support intercity passenger rail service under a new grant program, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters said. “We want to encourage and support the kind of state investments that are making a difference for passenger rail services,” Peters said, noting that between 1996 and 2006, ridership on state-supported intercity routes grew by a robust 88 percent, vastly outpacing the 17 percent increase on all other routes combined. Peters explained that the $30 million capital grant program is designed to support state efforts to

Amtrak Launches New Security Procedures

February 19, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak today announced the deployment of its new specialized Amtrak Mobile Security Team to patrol stations and trains and randomly inspect passenger baggage. The Mobile Security Team supplements ongoing patrols already in place by Amtrak to enhance the safety and security of passenger rail travel. The deployment of the Mobile Security Team and the launch of random baggage inspection are further steps in Amtrak’s ongoing efforts to strengthen rail security as a means to minimize the risk of terrorist threats. The Mobile Security Teams will ultimately be deployed nationwide. “Keeping our customers and employees safe remains our priority,”

Union Pacific’s Diane Duren Named One of PINK Magazine’s Top Women in Business for 2008

February 16, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Diane Duren, Union Pacific Railroad’s vice president and general manager – Chemicals, is being honored as one of the Top 15 Women in Business by PINK magazine, the national magazine for professional women. PINK’s exclusive list in the March/April issue profiles the most influential women driving innovation and revenue in corporate America. “We scoured the upper echelons of corporate America to find the most significant women driving innovation in the U.S. – and adding major dollars to the bottom line in the process,” says Cynthia Good, founding editor of PINK. “These 15 women will soon claim the

California High-Speed Rail Authority to Study Zero Greenhouse Gas Emission

February 10, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board has authorized a study to determine the feasibility of achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions for the power needs of the 700-mile electric high-speed train system. The study, timed to be completed by June of this year, will focus on costs, potential location of facilities and partnerships with utilities for on-site production of clean energy sources. “The proposed route of the system intersects with many of the state’s best location for wind, solar and geothermal facilities,” said Quentin Kopp, chairman of the Authority. “High-speed trains will help California meet the goals set