Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 333

DOT Grants $12.8 Million to First Responders and Emergency Workers to Improve Hazardous Materials Planning and Training

October 1, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters has announced grants to states, territories and Native American tribes totaling $12.8 million for planning and training to improve the nation’s response to hazardous materials transportation incidents. The grants help train first responders to react to incidents involving hazardous materials and to meet the challenges posed by new chemicals and alternative energy products like ethanol. “This program is a valuable tool that builds upon and enhances the foundation of emergency response capabilities,” Peters said. “The umbrella of hazardous materials safety offered from this DOT-funded specialized training is extensive.” The grants from the

UP: Michael Rock Named Vice President External Relations

October 1, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

Union Pacific announced that Michael Rock has been named vice president of External Relations effective Oct. 1. In his new position, Rock is responsible for Union Pacific’s government affairs operation in Washington, D.C. Rock replaces Mary McAuliffe, who has announced her plans to retire early next year. A 16-year veteran of Union Pacific’s Washington office, Rock first joined UP as director of Washington Affairs for Transportation. In 1998 he was named assistant vice president of External Relations. Before joining Union Pacific, Rock held a number of government positions including deputy director of Congressional Affairs under U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary

More Funding for Northstar Project

September 30, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Another piece of the federal funding puzzle for the Northstar commuter line has fallen into place, officials said. Congressman Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., announced a $5.6 million grant has been awarded to the Northstar Corridor Rail Project. The funding will help secure an easement from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad to permit the commuter trains to travel on their tracks between Minneapolis and Big Lake. “We are one step closer to making commuter rail service a reality in Minnesota,” Oberstar said. “This will ease traffic congestion on I-94 and Highway 10. Commuter rail, bus transit, and even bike

Amtrak Expands At-Seat Cart Service on Acela Express Trains

September 29, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Responding to requests for additional food cart service onboard the Amtrak high-speed premium Acela Express service, Amtrak has announced expanded food cart service on its premier Northeast Corridor trains. The cart service is featured on four additional Acela Express trains traveling daily between New York and Washington, D.C., bringing the total of Acela Express trains offering at-seat cart service to 10 Monday through Wednesday and 12 on Thursday and Friday. This highly popular service provides passengers the opportunity to enjoy snacks and beverages without ever leaving the comfort of their seats. Regular café service will continue to be

Oklahoma City Woman Honored as 500,000th Amtrak Heartland Flyer Passenger

September 27, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma City woman was surprised by TV cameras, reporters and prizes today at both ends of the Amtrak Heartland Flyer route in Oklahoma and Texas. Marilea Hoffmann was chosen by reservation number to represent the half-millionth passenger when she boarded the train at the Paul Adams Memorial Platform in Oklahoma City. A second surprise greeting occurred at the Intermodal Transportation Center in Fort Worth, where she received another round of gifts and was met by her daughter, Nancee Hoffmann of Keller, Texas. “I’ve been riding the train since the beginning,” Marilea Hoffmann told reporters in Oklahoma

Tilt Trains are Coming Back to Amtrak Cascades Service this Fall

September 27, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND – Amtrak has received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to make recommended repairs on the Talgo-manufactured railcars used in the operation of Amtrak Cascades service between Eugene, Ore. and Bellingham, Wash. As the trainsets are repaired, they will be rotated back into service one at a time starting this weekend. All trainsets will be expected to be repaired by early November. Amtrak anticipates that train schedules will return to normal in time for the busy Thanksgiving travel season. “We have determined the appropriate solution and are moving forward with the repairs,” said Nora Friend, Talgo’s spokesperson. “Once the

Committee Republican Leaders Oppose Re-Regulation of Rail Industry

September 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Republican Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee warned that re-regulation of the nation’s successful railroad industry could spell a return to a highly inefficient “Soviet-style” rail system that eliminates private investment and relies primarily on government subsidies. The Committee conducted a hearing Sept. 25 on rail competition and service. “Thirty years ago, our nation’s rail system was literally falling apart,” said U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader. “Twenty-five percent of the system had to be operated at reduced speed due to dangerous track conditions. More rail lines were bankrupt than in the

34 States Have Fewer Train Accidents During First Six Months of 2007; Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Collisions and Fatalities Show Significant Declines

September 24, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Railroad safety continued to improve significantly during the first half of 2007 as 34 states experienced fewer train derailments and collisions as compared to the same period last year, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced. A review of the preliminary statistics compiled by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for January through June 2007 reveals that railroads had 246 fewer train accidents, or a 16.8 percent reduction, when compared to the first six months of 2006, Boardman said. In addition, highway-rail grade crossing safety improved as collisions between motor vehicles and trains fell by 122, or 8.5 percent;

Oberstar, Cummings Release Findings of GAO Report: Railroad Bridges and Tunnels May Also Be at Risk

September 23, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis Aug. 1 focused attention on the condition of the nation’s highway bridges, but a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released last month warns that many of the nation’s railroad bridges and tunnels may also be at risk. While most highway bridges are built and maintained by states and local governments, railroad bridges and tunnels are the property of the railroads themselves and do not receive regular inspections by federal safety officials. Railroads own and maintain some 76,000 bridges and 800 tunnels in the United States. “We just

Rahway Station Dedicated to Tireless Passenger Advocate

September 22, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — Rahway Station has been dedicated to the late L. Richard Mariani to memorialize his leadership and dedication as an N.J. Transit employee to the mission of promoting public transportation and caring for the customer. The Rahway Center Partnership unveiled a plaque during a ceremony at Rahway Station on the Northeast Corridor rail line to honor Mariani’s enduring work on projects to renovate Rahway Station and the plaza that connects the station to the surrounding neighborhood, as well as his significant customer service contributions over the course of his distinguished 26-year career at N.J. Transit. — Special to