Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 335

Norfolk Southern Begins Work on Heartland Corridor Tunnels

November 15, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORFOLK, Va. — Heavy machinery grinds away brick, concrete and solid rock as a railroad tunnel near Cowan, Va., gets its roof raised to accommodate taller trains. This is the beginning of a three-year engineering project to increase intermodal freight capacity by raising vertical clearances in 28 tunnels on a Norfolk Southern rail line between the port of Hampton Roads, Va., and Chicago known as the Heartland Corridor. The first phase of the tunnel work began in October. When the project is completed in early 2010, containerized freight moving in double-stack trains will be able to shave off about 200 miles and up to a day’s transit time between the

Two Koreas Say Train Service May Resume ‘By End Of Year’

November 15, 2007 Voice of America

North and South Korea have not had regular train service across their heavily armed border in more than half a century — but that may be about to change within weeks. Prime Ministers from the two Koreas say they are finalizing the details to reestablish at least one railway route before the end of the year.

France Braces for Another Major Transportation Strike

November 13, 2007 Voice of America

France is bracing for its second major transportation strike in a month, beginning Tuesday evening. From Paris, Lisa Bryant reports – although most French do not support the strike – it reflects wider discontent against reforms proposed by the country’s conservative government.

Safe Crossing Week 2007 Teaches Kids How to Behave Safely Around Trains

November 12, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — To encourage educators, parents and caregivers to teach children that trains and railroad tracks may be dangerous places, Safe Kids USA and Canadian National are launching Safe Crossing Week, which begins today and runs through Nov. 18. Each year in the United States, an average of 916 people are killed and 8,300 are seriously injured in collisions with trains in the United States. In 2005, a total of 39 children aged 15 and under were killed in an incident involving a train. According to the two safety partners, education is key to preventing these injuries. CN created the Safe Crossing Program as a one-day event in 2005 and

NY&A Railway Promotes Paul Victor to President

November 10, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — The New York & Atlantic Railway has promoted Paul Victor to president. He had been general superintendent for the 269-mile railway, which provides rail freight services throughout Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island. Joel Torres, director of Marketing, advances to chief transportation and commercial officer. Mark Westerfield, who had been serving as acting president, was appointed superintendent of Mechanical. All appointments are effective Nov. 6. Victor joined the NY&A in September 2006 following 18 years of experience managing railroads in Latin America and Africa. He directed the first major privatization of freight service in Argentina in 1989 and subsequently directed the first privatization of rail commuter service in

Amtrak Acela Express Wrapped for The History Channel Promotion for Special ‘1968 with Tom Brokaw’

November 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK – Amtrak and The History Channel are teaming up to promote the upcoming special “1968 with Tom Brokaw” with the first-ever train wrap of an Acela Express train. Beginning Nov. 12 and continuing through Dec. 9, one Acela Express will travel along the Northeast Corridor bearing historical images from the year 1968.The promotion includes an exterior wrap of the train as well as interior signage promoting the special on The History Channel. The exterior wrap, made of vinyl, will appear on both sides of the two locomotives and six cars of the train. The wrap, while clearly visible from the outside, will not impede the view out the

‘Father of Streamlining’ Born Today in 1893

November 5, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Today marks the birthday in 1893 of a man who literally changed the look of the 20th century. Raymond Loewy was known as “the father of streamlining.” His designs are part of American life, from the familiar Coca-Cola bottle to the paint scheme on Air Force One and the interior of the space shuttle. He designed the first streamlined railroad train and post-war Studebakers, the first cars in which fenders were an integral part of the body. Loewy’s philosophy was that between two products of equal quality, the best designed one will sell better. Today, styling is a key element in drawing customers to the 21,500 new car

Senate Approves $11 Billion for Amtrak

November 5, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate last week passed the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007with a 70-22 vote. This Amtrak reauthorization legislation provides $11.4 billion over six years to preserve America’s national passenger rail service. The legislation institutes additional Amtrak reforms aimed at reducing its reliance on federal subsidies by at least 40 percent during the bill’s life. “Preserving national passenger rail service shouldn’t be based on partisan ideology or Amtrak’s profit margins,” Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said. “Preserving Amtrak is about ensuring that America has a complete transportation system – one that includes planes, trains, lanes and ports.” The legislation increases Amtrak’s bonding authority, and it provides

AAR: Warner Bros urged to take action to prevent rail suicides; Hotline number should be included on movie, DVD

November 2, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

America’s freight railroads have joined with one of the nation’s leading suicide prevention groups in urging Warner Bros. to help prevent suicides on the railroad tracks. A new movie scheduled for release by the studio, “Rails and Ties,” portrays the story of a woman who dies by suicide on railroad tracks. Tragically, incidents like the one portrayed in the movie occur all too often. The leading cause of railroad accidents occurs simply because many people don’t understand the inherent dangers of being on or around railroad tracks, including the fact that it takes a freight train more than a mile to come to a complete stop. Many of these railroad

Strike Clock Ticking for Amtrak Machinists

November 2, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) says its 500 Amtrak members can strike on Dec. 1 unless President Bush intervenes and appoints a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). A 30-day countdown began when the National Mediation Board formally released the IAM and Amtrak from mediated negotiations on Oct. 31. “We expect and are prepared for a Presidential Emergency Board,” said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “Our attorneys and economists are primed to defend the fair and reasonable positions our negotiators have taken at the bargaining table.” Once empanelled, a PEB has 30 days to investigate the dispute and issue its non-binding recommendations for settlement.