Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 331

China Ministry of Railways Chooses Verint IP Video Solution to Enhance Security of Beijing-Tianjin High-Speed Rail System

March 11, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

MELVILLE, N.Y. — The People’s Republic of China Ministry of Railways has selected Verint System Inc.’s Nextiva Critical Infrastructure IP video solution with integrated analytics to enhance the security of certain portions of the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed passenger rail system. The first high-speed rail system built in mainland China, the Beijing-Tianjin circuit will feature trains reaching speeds in excess of 300 kilometers per hour. The 74.6-mile rail system will connect the cities of Beijing and Tianjin and is scheduled to be fully operational by August of 2008 to support passenger transit at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. “Verint is pleased

KCS Realigns Operations Team, Promotes Two

March 7, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern and its U.S. subsidiary, The Kansas City Southern Railway Co., announced the promotions of two employees and the realignment of its transportation divisions and leadership team. David R. Ebbrecht was promoted from assistant vice president network operations to vice president transportation, reporting to Scott E. Arvidson, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Jeff M. Crandall has moved from vice president transportation to vice president engineering, reporting to Jerry W. Heavin, senior vice president international engineering. Mitchell S. Whitmire was promoted from general director materials logistics to general manager locomotive operations, reporting to

FreightCar America Announces Stay of Preliminary Injunction in Pension Case

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has stayed the preliminary injunction issued by a lower court in an ongoing lawsuit concerning the FreightCar America Inc.’s pension obligations at its Johnstown, Pa., manufacturing facility, the company said. The preliminary injunction had directed the Company to reinstate certain laid-off employees for pension purposes pending further proceedings in the lawsuit. The order of the Court of Appeals grants a stay of the preliminary injunction and directs the Company to take no action during the pendency of its appeal of the injunction, including closing the Johnstown facility, which would

KCS Announces the Appointment of Michael W. Upchurch as Senior Vice President Financial Management & Purchasing

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern announced the appointment of Michael W. Upchurch as senior vice president financial management and purchasing. Upchurch will direct The Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) and advise Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) on all long-range planning, purchasing and internal audit matters. He will report to executive vice president and chief financial officer Patrick J. Ottensmeyer. “In addition to an extensive background in managing a broad array of financial functions for a major, international telecommunications company, Mike brings an impressive track record of change management, driving for results and leadership,”

Class I Railroad Awards Duos Technologies Contract to Secure Critical Rail Yard

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A leading rail carrier has awarded a contract in excess of $500,000 to Duos Technologies, Inc. to secure a key rail yard in the western United States, safeguarding property and assets at the facility. Duos-developed intelligent video security and sensor technology will be used to establish a “virtual perimeter,” providing continuous, active monitoring of the yard and rail cars. The system is designed to function as an intrusion detector to identify a perimeter breach, assess threat risk, and promptly alert security personnel. Authorized rail security personnel can view both real-time, streaming video and video archives, both locally

Ohio Gov Asks Amtrak to Review 3-C Corridor for Possible Passenger Service

March 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Saying his administration is “committed to providing Ohio’s urban areas with the tools they need to create jobs and attract investments to make their communities vibrant centers of commerce,” Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has written a letter to Amtrak President & CEO Alex Kummant asking the nation’s passenger rail corporation to identify what is needed to initiate rail passenger service in the “3-C” (Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati) corridor. Governor Strickland asked that the analysis be done in two parts: Cleveland to Columbus and Columbus to Cincinnati (via Springfield and Dayton). The Governor called the 3-C the “backbone of the Ohio

Rosenker Stresses the Need for Sleep During Sleep Awareness Week

March 5, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark V. Rosenker said the occasion of National Sleep Awareness Week (March 3-9) should remind operators of vehicles in all modes of transportation about the inherent dangers of fatigue. “The Safety Board is very concerned about reducing accidents and incidents caused by human fatigue,” Rosenker said. “We have seen numerous accidents where human fatigue was the probable cause or a contributing factor.” Fatigue has been on the Board’s Most Wanted List of safety improvements since the list’s inception in 1990. Throughout its 41-year history, the NTSB has seen the issue of fatigue reoccur

Union Pacific Listed among the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Corporate Responsibility Officer Magazine

March 4, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has been named one of the “100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2008” by CRO (Corporate Responsibility Officer) magazine. Large-cap companies in the Russell 1000 Index were ranked based on their efforts and performance in these areas: climate change, employee relations, environment, financial, governance, human rights, lobbying and philanthropy. Union Pacific ranked highest among companies listed in the railtrack industry subgroup in the employee relations and financial categories and was among the highest in the categories of governance, philanthropy and climate change. “Being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens is truly an honor,” said

KCS Announces the Appointment of Brian H. Bowers as Senior Vice President Intermodal & Automotive

March 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern announced the appointment of Brian H. Bowers as senior vice president intermodal and automotive. Bowers will direct The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) and advise Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) on the sales and marketing of these business units. Bowers will report to executive vice president sales and marketing Daniel W. Avramovich. “KCS has a vast number of opportunities for business growth, especially in the NAFTA corridor and International Intermodal Corridor,” Avramovich said. “With 32 years of transportation leadership experience, Brian will play a critical role in helping

Amtrak to Celebrate National Train Day

March 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – To raise awareness of the vital role rail plays in our nation’s transportation system, Amtrak announced that it will celebrate its first annual National Train Day during six weeks of celebrations culminating on May 10. “With ridership growing to record levels, we continue to see a strong demand for rail travel as a link between growing communities,” said Alex Kummant, President and CEO of Amtrak. “Passenger and freight service is on the rise, and there’s never been a better time to celebrate the railroad industry and passenger rail service in the U.S.” Amtrak’s celebration of National Train Day