Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 319

Martinez, California Detective Named Amtrak Police Officer of the Year 2007

May 13, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND – Det. John Mumford has been selected as the Amtrak Police Department’s Officer of the Year 2007. Mumford has been chosen to receive this prestigious award in recognition of his many contributions to the safety and security of the Amtrak community. Mumford has displayed exemplary dedication in the performance of his duties, Amtrak officials said. Mumford began his career with the Amtrak Police Department in 1999, based out of San Jose. He has served in California for nine years. “Mumford was chosen Officer of the Year for his untiring efforts at making people feel safe and secure while riding the rails,” said John J. O’Connor, Amtrak Police Department Chief of

NTSB: Inadequate Rail Inspection to Blame for 2006 NS Derailment

May 13, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern Railroad’s inadequate rail inspection and maintenance program resulted in a rail fracture from an undetected internal defect, which is to blame for an October 2006 derailment. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Railroad Administration’s inadequate oversight of the internal rail inspection process and its insufficient requirements for internal rail inspection. On Oct. 20, 2006, a Norfolk Southern freight train (68QB119), en route from the Chicago area to Sewaren, N.J., derailed while crossing the Beaver River railroad bridge in New Brighton, P.a. The train consisted of a three-unit locomotive pulling three empty freight cars and 83 tank cars loaded with 660,952 gallons of denatured ethanol. Twenty-three of

Amtrak Celebrates National Train Day

May 10, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — To raise awareness of the vital role rail plays in our nation’s transportation system, Amtrak is celebrating its first annual National Train Day, Saturday, May 10, 2008. The date of National Train Day, May 10, holds special meaning as it is the anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah in 1869. At Promontory Summit, the east coast and west coast were connected for the first time by rail. Amtrak is hosting events at four of its largest stations — Washington, DC, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Events will include train equipment displays, live entertainment, model train displays, book signings and sweepstakes

Amtrak Celebrates National Train Day with Ceremony Honoring Pullman Porters in Chicago

May 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO – Amtrak, in partnership with the Chicago-based A. Philip Randolph Museum, will host a ceremony during National Train Day this Saturday (May 10, 2008) to honor the contributions of the legendary Pullman Porters to the nation’s railroads. Amtrak employees will gather to give heartfelt thanks in person to six porters who proudly served as far back as the mid-1940s. Honored are Eugene Bowser of Chicago, Linus J. Scott of Gary, Ind., William Turner of Cincinnati and three men from Omaha, Neb.: Terry Edwards, Johnny Newsome and Raymond Willis (biographical information attached). “The celebration is an opportunity for Amtrak’s current employees to express their gratitude and recognize the dedication and

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited Declares Dividend

May 9, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — The Board of Directors of Canadian Pacific Railway have declared a quarterly dividend of twenty four and three quarter cents ($0.2475) Canadian per share on the outstanding Common Shares. The dividend is payable on July 28 to holders of record at the close of business on June 27 and is an eligible dividend pursuant to the Income Tax Act. — PRNewswire-FirstCall

Balanced Traffic Mix Drives Success, Moorman Tells Stockholders at Annual Meeting

May 8, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — A balanced mix of traffic has enabled Norfolk Southern to post solid financial and operating performance in spite of softness in the housing and automotive markets, said Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman during the company’s 26th annual stockholders meeting, held in Norfolk, Va. “Our results speak volumes for something that we talk about all the time – the strength of our balanced portfolio of business,” Moorman said. “We’re really seeing two different economies out there in that a large component of our business is very healthy. Our agricultural business and anything having to do with commodities are very strong, along with coal, steel, metals, and some other

KCS Announces Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation

May 8, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Southern Railway Co. has commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of its $200 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/2 percent Senior Notes due 2008 and a consent solicitation to amend the related Notes and indenture. The terms and conditions are set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated May 8. — PRNewswire-FirstCall

STB Makes Rail Revenue Adequacy Determination for 2006

May 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON –Three Class I railroads, the BNSF Railway Co., the Norfolk Southern Railway Co., and the Soo Line Railroad Co. (a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Railway Co., were revenue adequate for 2006. All other Class I freight railroads were found to be revenue inadequate for that year. The Surface Transportation Board made its determinations of revenue adequacy for the seven Class I freight railroads (the Nation’s largest) for 2006. A railroad is considered to be revenue adequate if it achieves a rate of return on net investment (ROI) equal to at least the current cost of capital (i.e., the cost of borrowing) for that railroad. Congress directed the Board to

CSXT and Brewton First Responders to Hold Safety Blitz and Safety Class

May 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BREWTON, Ala. — CSX Transportation will hold several railroad safety awareness activities on May 6 in conjunction with the Brewton Police Department, the Brewton Fire Department as well as Alabama Operation Lifesaver Volunteers. A safety blitz will take place at the CSXT railroad crossing at Mildred and Deer Streets from 9-11 a.m. Drivers in that area will be greeted by CSXT employees, Operation Lifesaver volunteers and area first responders, who will distribute safety flyers to drivers while they are stopped at the red lights on either side of the street approaching the crossing. In addition, CSXT will conduct a Railroad Safety Emergency Responder class from 6-10 p.m. at the Brewton

Metrorail Extension to Tyson’s Corner, Dulles International Airport Moving Forward

May 5, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has substantially improved its proposal to extend Metrorail, responding various concerns the Department of Transportation raised in January, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced. “Consequently, we have sent the required 10-day notification to Congress that we intend to move the project into the Final Design stage of FTA’s New Starts Process,” Federal Transit Administrator James S. Simpson said in a statement. “FTA will commit $158.7 million to use toward completion of a financial plan, construction plans, detailed engineering specifications and cost estimates, and other technical requirements. “However, there are still hurdles facing this project and we will not commit any federal funds