Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 328

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

Norfolk Southern Names McFadden Corporate Secretary; Martin Retires

February 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Howard D. McFadden has been named corporate secretary for Norfolk Southern Corp., effective March 1, with headquarters in Norfolk. He will report to James A. Hixon, executive vice president law and corporate relations. McFadden joined Norfolk Southern as a tax department attorney in 2001. He was named general tax attorney, his current position, in 2005. McFadden earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in education, both from the College of William & Mary, an accounting degree from Georgia State University, and a law degree from the University of Virginia. In his new position, McFadden

Norfolk Southern Names Dimino VP Audit and Compliance; Carter Retires

January 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Joseph C. Dimino has been named vice president audit and compliance for Norfolk Southern Corp., effective Feb. 1, with headquarters in Norfolk. He will report to Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman. Dimino joined Norfolk Southern in 1976 as an attorney and was promoted to senior general counsel in 2002 and vice president and corporate counsel in 2006. He was named vice president compliance in 2007 and will keep that responsibility. Dimino earned a political science degree from the University of Rochester and a law degree from the University of Virginia. In his new position, Dimino assumes the

More Than 150,000 Rail Passengers in Southern China Stranded

January 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BEIJING — Thousands of Chinese railway passengers were stranded following heavy snow in southern China. More than 150,000 passengers were stranded at the Guangzhou railway station. The station is on the southern end of a the rail line that connects Beijing. Many of the passengers were heading home for Lunar New Year holiday. An additional 450,000 passengers were expected to be stranded in the coming days. It isn’t clear when rail service might be restored. Several major highways and airports were also been closed because of the heavy snows and freezing rains. — Railfanning.org News Wire

Nine Killed in Turkish Derailment

January 27, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KUTAHYA, Turkey — Nine people were killed and at least 14 injured when a passenger train derailed Jan. 27 in western Turkey. The train was carrying more than 400 people when two of its cars derailed near Kutahya. The train left Istanbul and was heading for Denizli at the time of the derailment. Investigators are probing whether speed or ice on the tracks played a role in the crash. — Railfanning.org News Wire

Norfolk Southern Reports Fourth-Quarter and 2007 Results

January 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. reported record fourth- quarter 2007 net income of $399 million, an increase of 4 percent, compared with $385 million for fourth-quarter 2006. Diluted earnings per share were $1.02, up 7 percent, compared with the $0.95 per diluted share earned in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net income for 2007 was $1.5 billion, down 1 percent, compared with record net income for 2006. Diluted earnings per share increased 3 percent, or 11 cents, to $3.68. “I am pleased to report that Norfolk Southern delivered a strong financial performance in the fourth quarter in the face

CSX Reports Strong Double Digit Earnings Growth in Fourth Quarter

January 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. reported fourth quarter 2007 net earnings of $365 million, or 86 cents per share, including a penny per share from insurance gains. In the fourth quarter of last year, the company reported earnings of $347 million, or 75 cents per share, including 18 cents per share from insurance gains, a gain on Conrail property and the resolution of certain tax matters. On a reported basis, earnings per share increased 15% percent on a year-over- year basis. “Once again, CSX delivered outstanding financial gains for our shareholders through strong improvements in safety, service and productivity,” said