Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 325

MBTA Commuter Trains Collide, One Dead

May 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWTON, Mass. — One person died and a dozen were injured after two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains collided. The only fatality was the engineer of one of the trains. The employee had worked for MBTA for less than a year, according to media reports. According to reports, one train rammed into the rear of the other train, which was waiting at a red light. The National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a Go Team to investigate the collision. NTSB Rail Investigator Wayne Workman will serve as Investigator-in-Charge and lead the 7-member team.

MBTA Commuter Trains Collide

May 28, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOSTON — Two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains collided near Newton, Mass. The National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching a Go Team to investigate the collision. NTSB Rail Investigator Wayne Workman will serve as Investigator-in-Charge and lead the 7-member team. Board Member Kitty Higgins will accompany the team and serve as spokesman for the on-scene investigation.

43 Rail Customers Earn Norfolk Southern’s Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award

May 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. has recognized the safety performance of 43 of its rail transportation customers with the Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award for 2007. The awards, given annually for 12 years, are presented to companies that ship more than 1,000 carloads of hazardous chemicals without incident. “These valued customers have set the example for safe handling of chemicals transported by rail,” said Norfolk Southern Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman. “Their record of zero incidents demonstrates their commitment to safety in the workplace and in the community. Norfolk Southern is pleased to recognize their accomplishments.” Customers earning the award

Royal Canadian Pacific named ‘Tour of a Lifetime’

May 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific’s luxury rail service, the Royal Canadian Rockies Experience has been named a “Tour of a Lifetime,” by National Geographic Traveler. “The Royal Canadian Pacific is the most spectacular way to see the Canadian Rockies,” said CP Vice-President, Strategy and External Affairs, Jane O’Hagan. “It’s wonderful to be acknowledged for our consistent effort to deliver the most spectacular experiences.” The Royal Canadian Rockies Experience is a five night/six day luxury rail excursion operated by Royal Canadian Pacific. Nominated in the “Classic Tours” category, the Royal Canadian Rockies Experience was chosen for it’s ability to restore and reinvent

Public Private Partnership Brings New GenSet Ultra-Low Emission Locomotives to CSX Transportation

May 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

DEARBORN, Mich. — CSX Transportation, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) have announced the introduction of two ultra-low emission GenSet locomotives at CSXT’s Rougemere Yard in Dearborn, Mich. GenSet locomotives reduce nitrous oxide and particulate matter emissions by 80 percent and can create carbon dioxide emissions savings of approximately 50 percent by monitoring engine idling and switching to a “sleep” mode after a period of inactivity. The technology for these locomotives was purchased through a public-private partnership with the state of Michigan. The locomotives are the first low-emission locomotives to be deployed

Rep.: High Gas Prices Help Rail Travel

May 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Higher gas prices and congestion on the nation’s highways are helping to make railroads a more viable travel alternative, a congresswoman says. “Amtrak’s improved physical state and recent focus on customer service, along with increasing highway and airport congestion and rising gas prices, have made intercity passenger rail more popular and necessary than ever,” said Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Congress’ Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a bill to reauthorize Amtrak and improve intercity passenger rail. HR 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, authorizes

Bill to Reauthorize Amtrak, Improve Intercity Passenger Rail Moves Out of Committee

May 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A bill to reauthorize Amtrak and improve intercity passenger rail was approved and reported out by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. HR 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, authorizes $14.4 billion for Amtrak capital and operating grants, state intercity passenger grants, and high-speed rail over the next five years. “Today’s markup is a historic milestone, because the legislation we approved today is a truly significant and long overdue investment in the nation’s passenger rail system,” said Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the committee. “We can address many of the nation’s most

Railroads, Customers Meet to Discuss Freight Transportation Needs, Challenges

May 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The nation’s major freight railroads and their customers met this week to discuss the many challenges ahead in freight transportation, working together to make sure America’s freight rail network continues to be the best in the world. “Freight traffic is expected to increase dramatically over the next decade,” said CSX Chief Executive Officer Michael Ward, who gave the keynote address at the recent 2008 North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS) meeting. “If we want to see more of that traffic on rail and less on our overcrowded highways, railroads and shippers need to be ready to meet that

Track Upgrade Project Causes Temporary Amtrak Schedule Changes on Chicago-St. Louis Corridor

May 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO – Amtrak schedules on the Chicago-St. Louis corridor, served by Lincoln Service trains and the Texas Eagle, will undergo changes during the next several weeks, while Union Pacific Railroad makes track improvements at Springfield, Ill., through the end of June. During the first phase of the work, Train 301, the morning Lincoln Service departure from Chicago to St. Louis; and Train 306, the evening Lincoln Service departure from St. Louis to Chicago; are both canceled. Passengers are being directed to the four other round-trips on the corridor as alternate transportation from May 23 through May 31, including Train 300,

Railroad Fuel Efficiency Sets New Record

May 21, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — What’s more fuel efficient than the newest hybrid car? A freight train. And last year, freight railroads were more fuel efficient than ever. In 2007, major freight railroads in the United States moved a ton of freight an average of 436 miles on each gallon of fuel. This represents a 3.1 percent improvement over 2006 and an astonishing 85.5 percent improvement since 1980. “That’s the equivalent of moving a ton of freight all the way from Baltimore to Boston on just a single gallon of diesel fuel,” said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger.