Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 320

CTA’s Pink Line Service Begins

June 25, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO – The Chicago Transit Authority’s new Pink Line rail service begins June 25 at 4 a.m., providing more frequent service between Cicero’s 54th/Cermak station and the Chicago Loop. More frequent service on the Forest Park branch of the Blue Line also will begin on Sunday. CTA created the rail enhancements as part of a package of service improvements focused on the West Side and near west suburbs. The Pink Line will operate seven days a week from the 54th/Cermak station in Cicero to the Loop. Pink Line hours of operation are from 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. from 54th/Cermak

BLET: Delegates Warned of Radioactive Rail Shipments

June 23, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

LAS VEGAS – Delegates attending the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s (BLET) First Quadrennial Convention were warned of the dangers of transporting spent nuclear waste and discussed ways of ensuring their safety as well as the safety of the general public. Scott Palmer, the BLET’s Oregon State Legislative Board Chairman, told delegates that rail workers do not receive proper training to handle spent nuclear fuel and do not receive the same protections that are afforded other nuclear industry workers. In addition, there are no plans to record, monitor or track rail worker exposure levels, he said. "It’s our goal

Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad Resumes Service After Bridge Fire

June 23, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (B&P) on June 22 announced that its freight rail service has resumed to three companies in Butler County, Pa., following a fire last month that destroyed a wooden railroad bridge on that line. With the cooperation of local, state and federal officials and regulatory agencies to expedite the permitting process, the B&P was able to replace the damaged bridge with new track on culverts and earthen fill in about six weeks. The branch line runs from East Butler to Bruin and was out of service since the fire on May 10, 2006.

A brush with history

June 16, 2006 Todd DeFeo

For decades, an aging relic has stood as the icon of this city’s railroad past. Now, thanks to donations from some area businesses, the 76-year-old Gainesville Midland steam engine No. 208 has a new coat of paint.

NTSB: Failure to Adhere to Track Warrant Control Led to Fatal Texas Wreck

June 13, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The probable cause of a May 19, 2004, fatal collision between two BNSF trains was caused by one crew’s failure to adhere to an after-arrival track warrant requiring them to stay in one location until the northbound train arrived, the National Transportation Safety Board has determined. Contributing to the accident was BNSF Railway Co.’s use of after-arrival track warrant authority in non-signaled territory, and the Federal Railroad Administration’s failure to prohibit the use of such authority. Also contributing to the accident was the train dispatcher’s informal communications regarding planned train meeting locations. “This accident could have been prevented

Amtrak Crescent Service to be Restored April 3

March 31, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Service by the Amtrak Crescent train will be restored to its full New York-New Orleans route, effective April 3, following the early completion of track work by the Norfolk Southern Railway. The service had not operated Monday-Thursday between Atlanta and New Orleans since March 6 due to the work. The track work, performed between Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Meridian, Miss., was originally scheduled to be finished April 12. However, NS officials have told Amtrak their work will be complete in time for full service to resume April 3. "We appreciate the great work by NS in making the track

Sale of Grand Canyon Railway Possible

March 29, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILLIAMS, Ariz. – After nearly 20 years of devotion and resources, Grand Canyon Railway’s owners, Max and Thelma Biegert, are ready to be less involved with the day-to-day operation and have set forth a new goal for the future – to preserve the Railway as their legacy. Grand Canyon Railway has signed an agreement with Peacock, Hislop, Staley and Given, Inc. (PHSG) and are currently pursuing strategic business options, including the possible sale of Grand Canyon Railway. “Max and Thelma are looking forward to enjoying the fruits of their labor during their Golden Years,” said David Chambers, president of Grand

Trolleys Return to Downtown Cleveland

March 29, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

CLEVELAND – After a 60-year absence, trolleys will roll once again on downtown streets, offering a way to experience Cleveland’s past and future at the same time. Beginning April 10, office workers and tourists will be able to hop on one of two trolley lines developed by RTA to replace Loop bus service. The E-Line trolley will link entertainment and education venues. The B- Line trolley will connect businesses. Both lines serve Public Square, and will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with 10-minute frequency. If the nostalgic green-and-gold vehicles complete with cowcatchers, wooden rails and brass bells, don’t

AP: Iran-Pakistan Rail Service Halted

March 25, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

QUETTA, Pakistan – Rail service between Iran and Pakistan has been suspended, The Associated Press reported. Trains had been running between Zahedan, Iran, and Quetta. However, a series of rocket attacks and bombings led to the halt in service, the news agency reported. The bi-weekly passenger service and the weekly freight service was the only rail service between the two counties. There have been five rocket attacks against the rail line over the past 10 days, according to The Associated Press. No word on how long service might be halted.

Commuter Rail Safety System Being Tested

March 25, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The federal government is testing new safety devices for commuter trains that are designed to better protect passengers during crashes, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced. Mineta unveiled the new safety measures and released footage of a crash test of a train equipped with them during a March 23 news conference in Glendale, Calif., site of a deadly commuter train crash in January 2005. The test, conducted earlier in the day at the Department’s rail testing facility in Pueblo, Colo., was designed to determine if the safety devices that are part of the Crash-Energy Management system will