Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 321

President’s Spending Plan Recommends $1.62 Billion for Transit Construction, Including New Projects in Nine Cities Across the U.S.

February 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — President Bush has recommended a $1.62 billion funding package for Fiscal Year 2009 that includes new projects in nine cities across the nation. This New Starts amount is part of a total public transportation budget proposal of $10.1 billion, a 6.8 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2008. “Well planned, cost-effective transit is crucial to relieving congestion, protecting the environment and reducing dependence on foreign oil,” said Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters. The budget proposes $200 million in funding for nine new projects in the “Small Starts” program, and four existing small starts projects. The spending plan also recommends

Feds Give ARC Tunnel Rating Boost

February 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has boosted its rating for the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) Tunnel project to “medium high,” improving the project’s rating and positioning for federal funding. In its New Starts ratings report dated Feb. 5, the FTA noted that the ARC Tunnel project has “put together an experienced design team and performed thorough analysis of project requirements.” The report also indicated that a final Record of Decision to advance the project is expected this year. “This rating recognizes ARC nationally as a critical transportation project and demonstrates why it is important to

Wabtec Receives Orders Worth $31 Million for MPXpress Commuter Locomotives

February 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILMERDING, Pa. — Wabtec Corp.’s MotivePower subsidiary has received an order for 10 MPXpress commuter locomotives from the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). In addition, UTA awarded MotivePower a four-year contract to maintain 11 other MPXpress locomotives, which have already been delivered. The total value of the locomotive order and the maintenance contract is about $31 million. “The MPXpress continues to be the locomotive of choice for commuter rail agencies in North America,” said Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec’s president and chief executive officer. “We’re also pleased to be selected to provide maintenance services for the units, which demonstrate another way for

Norfolk Southern Names Mobley VP Labor Relations; Macmahon Retires

February 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Harold R. Mobley has been named vice president labor relations for Norfolk Southern Corp., effective March 1, with headquarters in Norfolk. He will report to John P. Rathbone, executive vice president administration. Mobley joined Norfolk Southern as a management trainee in 1971. He served in a number of positions in the engineering, transportation and labor relations departments and was named assistant vice president labor relations in 2000. Mobley earned a bachelor’s degree in history and English from Valparaiso University. In his new position, Mobley will assume the responsibilities held by Mark R. MacMahon, who will retire March

FreightCar America, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

February 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — FreightCar America Inc. reported financial results for the three months ended Dec. 31. For the fourth quarter of 2007, sales were $137.1 million and net loss was $16.6 million, or $1.42 per diluted share. These results include special pre-tax charges of $37.2 million, primarily associated with the Company’s decision in December 2007 to end production activities at the Johnstown manufacturing facility, which accounted for $30.8 million of the special charges. Also included in the special charges were costs related to supply chain activities, and charges for a customer claim. On an after tax basis, the special charges was

Revenue Growth, Operating Ratio Improvement and Record Operating Income Highlight Kansas City Southern’s Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Earnings

February 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern reported record fourth quarter 2007 revenues of $460.3 million, a 4.0 percent increase over the corresponding 2006 period. Revenue growth was primarily the result of a continued strong pricing environment as well as volume growth in some key commodity segments, the railroad said. For the quarter, new business was a significant contributor to a 12.0 percent revenue increase in chemical & petroleum. Led by increased volumes in Mexico, intermodal revenues grew by 11.6 percent. Also reflecting a strengthening Mexican base, automotive revenues grew by 6.2 percent. Coal revenues improved by 2.4 percent over

Japanese Bullet Train Returns to San Francisco

February 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN FRANCISCO — Californians are showing increasing interest and support for high-speed trains in advance of a November ballot measure, proponents of high-speed rail say. On Feb. 1, officials held a seminar in San Francisco to discuss “Shinkansen,” Japan’s High-Speed Train System. Retired San Mateo Superior Court Judge Quentin Kopp offered opening remarks to a crowd of public officials, policy makers and California resident about the economic and environmental benefits of high-speed trains. “The sincerity and commitment expressed here today, reflects the strong bonds between our countries,” Kopp said. “This is a critical year for high-speed rail in California, and

Union Pacific Announces 2008 Capital Plan

February 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corp.’s Board of Directors has approved plans to invest a total of $3.1 billion for capital projects during 2008. The Company’s capital programs are designed to enhance safety, improve customer service, increase operating productivity and add network capacity to handle our customers’ growth. Major investment categories include: $1.6 billion to maintain and strengthen the track infrastructure, $840 million to increase network and terminal capacity, $490 million to upgrade our locomotive and freight car fleet, including the acquisition of 175 high-horsepower locomotives and new covered hoppers, and $170 million primarily to upgrade information technology systems, including

California Zephyr Route Restored by Union Pacific Railroad

February 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

Union Pacific Railroad has reopened the route through the Sierra Mountains used by the daily California Zephyr (Trains 5 & 6) between the San Francisco Bay and Chicago. The tracks were blocked on Feb. 1 in a mishap involving UP snow-removal equipment. Westbound Train 5, originating from Chicago on Jan. 30 Amtrak managers responded to the Placer County location where the westbound California Zephyr was stopped. Later, a decision was made to reverse the train to Reno, Nevada, where about 160 passengers were housed and fed at Amtrak expense in area hotels, awaiting alternate transportation that was provided today. At

Amtrak Restoring Partial Coast Starlight Service

February 2, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND – Amtrak is restoring service on a portion of the route of the Coast Starlight, beginning Feb. 6. Following discussions with the Union Pacific Railroad, service on the route was suspended between Los Angeles and Seattle on Jan. 19, due to massive mudslides over the railroad north of Chemult, Ore. All railroad traffic through that area has been suspended and is not expected to resume for many weeks. The first northbound departure of this version of the Coast Starlight, Train 14, will leave Los Angeles on Feb. 6 at 10:15 a.m., making all regularly-scheduled stops and arriving in Sacramento