Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 352

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

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

Rotterdam Decides to Extend its Citadis Fleet with 53 More Tramway Train Sets from Alstom

July 20, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — RET, the public transport operator of Rotterdam in the Netherlands has selected Paris-based Alstom to supply 53 Citadis tramway train sets that will replace the current, 25-year-old fleet. The order is worth over $138 million. The contract is slated to be signed in October 2007, and delivery is scheduled for mid-2009 and will proceed at a rate of four train sets per month. The tramways will be manufactured at Alstom’s facility in La Rochelle, France. In 2000, Rotterdam was one of the first Citadis customers, ordering 60 tramway train sets for its “Tram-plus” network. The last tramway

Rarus Railway Brings Rail History to Life, Changes Name to Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railway Company

July 20, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Patriot Rail Corp., a short line and regional freight railroad holding company, has changed its name to the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railway Co. The name change has historical significance as the Rarus Railway traces its Montana heritage to the historic BA&P Railroad, which was built in the 1890’s. Patriot Rail acquired Rarus Railway in May 2007. The Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railroad was incorporated in 1892 to serve the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, which was established in 1891 by Marcus Daly, an Irish-born businessman who also founded the town of Anaconda, Montana. From the late

CSX Transportation Takes Delivery of 300th Evolution Series Locomotive From GE

July 20, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation took delivery of the 300th GE DC Evolution Series locomotive. The unit bears road number 5501. The unit features fuel-saving technologies to help CSX further reduce fuel costs while cutting down on noise and emissions. The GEVO 12 cylinder engine produces 4400 HP while achieving a fuel savings over the previous generation of GE locomotives and reduces, on average, regulated emissions by more than 40 percent. “CSX Transportation is committed to operating locomotives with new technologies that benefit our operations and the environment,” said Rich Regan, Vice President – Mechanical. “The Evolution Series fleet has

Trucker Killed in Crash with Amtrak

July 17, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

PLANT CITY, Fla. — A truck driver was killed Tuesday, July 17, after an Amtrak train crashed into his truck, the second fatal Amtrak wreck in as many days. “Witnesses tell us that it was obvious the train was coming, the train was hitting all of its whistles at the appropriate whistle marks,” The Associated Press quoted Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Larry Coggins as saying. “The truck drove onto the tracks in front of the oncoming train.” No one on board the train was hurt in the derailment, authorities said. A day earlier, four people were killed after an Amtrak

Four Killed in Florida Crash

July 16, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

LAKELAND, Fla. — Four people were killed Monday, July 16, after an Amtrak train crashed with a car whose driver circumvented crossing gates. “The car is totally demolished,” The Associated Press quoted Lakeland police spokesman Jack Gillen as saying. The train, the Silver star, travels between Miami and New York. At the time of the crash, more than 160 people were on board, authorities said.

Michigan Central Railway Will Initiate Freight Service in Michigan and Indiana

July 12, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Michigan Central Railway will initiate freight rail service over 384 route miles of rail line in Michigan and Indiana in first-quarter 2008 under a joint venture to be formed by Norfolk Southern Railway Co. and Watco Cos., the parent company of the newly formed Michigan Central. “The new Michigan Central will preserve and enhance freight rail service in southern Michigan,” said David C. Eyermann, Michigan Central’s interim president. “The company will be headquartered in Kalamazoo and will employ approximately 118 people. In the first year alone we plan to invest more than $6 million to improve

N.J. Transit Orders 45 Additional Multilevel Rail Cars

July 12, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit’s Board of Directors last month authorized the purchase of an additional 45 multilevel rail cars from Bombardier Transportation — a move that saves the company money on overhaul costs. The fleet of 279 rail cars will enable N.J. Transit to meet and anticipate ridership demand on its busiest rail lines, while providing a higher level of comfort for customers. “Purchasing additional multilevel rail cars is a smart business decision — one that will allow us to replace some of our aging fleet more cost-effectively than overhauling older rail cars,” said Transportation Commissioner and N.J. Transit

N.J. Transit Sets New Systemwide Record

July 12, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit closed Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07) with the fourth consecutive year of systemwide ridership growth, with preliminary data showing a 4.1 percent increase to a record-high 250.9 million annual trips, up from the 241.1 million trips carried on the system’s bus, rail and light rail services in Fiscal Year 2006. The Corporation’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. “Given our strong regional economy and job market and sustained higher fuel prices, more New Jersey residents than ever are relying on public transportation,” said Gov. Jon S. Corzine. “This continuing trend of record-high ridership