Railfanning.org News Wire

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World

CSC Signs Multi-Year IT Outsourcing Contract With Network Rail in United Kingdom

August 14, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Computer Sciences Corporation announced that it has signed an information technology (IT) services contract with Network Rail, owner and operator of the UK’s railway infrastructure. The agreement, which has a five-year base period and one three-year option, coincides with a significant infrastructure investment by Network Rail essential to providing the UK with a safe, reliable and efficient railway. Under the terms of the contract, CSC will provide midrange services and Oracle ERP support. The midrange work includes server maintenance and management, data center hosting, security, disaster recovery planning and storage area network management. Approximately 70 members

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Miscellaneous

Global Rail Systems Names Ellison Sales Director

August 14, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

MARLIN, Texas — Global Rail Systems Inc., a railroad automation company, said today that Brian Ellison has joined the customer service and sales team as director of sales, reporting to Ron Martin, VP Sales and Marketing. He has more than 20 years experience in the electronics/sales field working with wireless control and communication systems. Prior to joining Global Rail, Brian served as national sales manager in the locomotive rebuilding industry. Tom Schlosser, Global Rail’s chief executive officer, said, “Brian’s experience and ability to build relationships based on trust, integrity and ongoing customer support will serve the needs of Global Rail

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Miscellaneous

Wabtec Unit Signs $40 Million Contract to Maintain Locomotives for HSBC Rail

August 14, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILMERDING, Pa. — Wabtec Rail, a UK-based unit of Wabtec Corporation, has signed a $40 million, five-year contract to maintain 31 high-speed locomotives for HSBC Rail, a leading lessor of rail equipment in the UK. The Class 91 electric locomotives run on the UK’s East Coast Main Line at speeds of up to 125 mph. Wabtec Rail will be responsible for all maintenance and running repairs, and for improving equipment reliability. “For Wabtec, this contract is another example of the expansion of our aftermarket business globally,” said Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec’s president and chief executive officer. “In addition, the project

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Commuter Rail

Storms Wreak Havoc on NYC Trains

August 9, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Commuter rail and subways were closed after a tornado touched down and heavy rainstorms flooded portions of New York City, authorities said. The tornado had sustained winds topping 110 mph, authorities said. The twister tore a roughly two-mile swath in Brooklyn. At least one person was killed in the storm. Metropolitan Transit Authority were forced to close because the rain fell too fast, according to authorities. City officials were using pumps to remove the water and reopen any lines that closed. — Railfanning.org News Wire

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Norfolk Southern

Pa. Attorney General Charges Norfolk Southern In Wreck

July 27, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The state of Pennsylvania has filed environmental-related charges against Norfolk Southern Corp. and a former engineer who was driving a Norfolk Southern train when it derailed in June 2006.The derailment spilled 42,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide waste into the soil, wetlands and waters of two counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania causing millions of dollars in damage and killing thousands of fish, authorities said. The engineer — Michael J. Seifert, 46, of West Seneca, N.Y. –was charged in March 2007 with two counts of risking a catastrophe and one count of reckless endangerment by the McKean County District Attorney’s

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Miscellaneous

Company to Build $350 Million Freight Rail Car Facility in Alabama

July 21, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

HAMILTON, Ontario — National Alabama Corp. will build a new manufacturing facility in The Shoals Region of northwest Alabama. National Alabama Corp. is a newly formed subsidiary of National Steel Car Limited (NSC). National Steel Car Limited and National Alabama Corporation are wholly owned subsidiaries of National Industries Inc. Construction of the manufacturing unit is scheduled to begin over the next few months with startup expected in early 2009. “Together with National Steel Car’s Hamilton facility, our new Alabama manufacturing facility will further reinforce our position as one of the largest and most modern manufacturers in the North American railcar

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Short Line/Regional

Red River Valley & Western Railroad Celebrates 20th Anniversary

July 20, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WAHPETON, N.D. — The 514-mile Red River Valley & Western Railroad celebrated its 20th anniversary July 19. Since 1987, when freight operations began in southeastern and central North Dakota over mostly branch-line track acquired from Burlington Northern, now BNSF Railway, RRV&W has handled more than one-half million carloads of grain, corn sweetener, sugar, machinery and other products. Meanwhile, the railroad’s freight volume has increased 133 per cent and last year totaled 53,600 carloads. Employment has risen from 46 to nearly 100 today. Many new businesses have located or expanded along the line. Included are six high-volume grain elevators capable of

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CSX

CSX Transportation Announces Rail Security Partnership with New York and New Jersey

July 20, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has entered into a rail security partnership with the states of New York and New Jersey. The agreement represents a model CSXT hopes to use with other states on its system, officials say. The agreement was ratified on July 17. The partnership, unique in the rail industry, formalizes and enhances CSXT’s ongoing commitment to both states to share information, resources, and strategies in order to better protect the communities in which CSXT operates. “We’re pleased to be the first railroad and among the first private industries to formalize security partnerships with the states in order