Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 361

Morning Red Line Service Disrupted Because of Suspicious Package

August 10, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – A suspicious package discovered around 9 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 9) on the tracks near the New York Avenue-Florida Avenue- Gallaudet U Metrorail station disrupted Red Line service for three hours just after the morning peak period. Normal Red Line service resumed at 12:10 p.m. Throughout the police investigation, Metro suspended train service between the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood and Judiciary Square Metrorail stations, and established free shuttle bus service. More than 40 Metrobuses stopped at Rhode Island Avenue, New York Avenue, Union Station and Judiciary Square stations. Metro Transit Police, along with other law enforcement were called to investigate

Alaska Railroad to Issue Tax-Exempt Bonds

August 7, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC) will issue tax-exempt bonds in this month to finance rail transportation projects. During the last legislative session, the Alaska Legislature voted unanimously to allow ARRC to issue up to $165 million in tax-exempt bonds backed by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) formula funds that the Corporation receives annually. ARRC is moving forward with its first issuance of approximately $76 million in tax-exempt bonds in 2006 with the remaining debt to be issued in future years. “This is a historic moment for the Alaska Railroad and Alaskans,” said Governor Bill Sheffield, Chairman ARRC Board

Miami-Dade Transit to Receive Funding For Metrorail Expansion

August 7, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

MIAMI – Federal money will help pay for a Metrorail expansion from the Broward County line south and west to the Florida Turnpike and the FIU South Campus. The money – $2 million in the Senate Appropriations bill of the Fiscal Year 2007 and $1 million in the House bill – is earmarked for the “Orange Line” Metrorail expansion. “The Orange Line is critical to alleviating traffic congestion in Miami-Dade County,” said Transit Director Roosevelt Bradley. “Thanks to the efforts of Federal legislators we are one step closer to accomplishing this major project.” Miami-Dade County and Transit officials have

7/11 Blasts Suspect Held in Kashmir

August 7, 2006 Wikinews

An alleged member of the Kashmiri militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba has been arrested by Indian police in connection with the July 11 train bombings in Bombay which killed 200 commuters on the city’s commuter rail network.

Appalachian and Ohio Rail Workers Approve First Contract as BMWED Teamsters

August 7, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Track maintenance employees of the Appalachian and Ohio Railroad have unanimously approved their first contract as members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED) of the Teamsters Union. This is the first union contract on the short line railroad since being sold by Watco Companies. “This contract will provide an immediate increase in wages,” said Randall Brassell, General Chairman of the BMWED’s Eastern Federation. “The contract language standardizes pay rates and gives employees access to a 401(k) plan. This is a good first contract.” The contract ratification vote took place Aug. 3 in Buckhannon, W.Va.

FRA Grant Supports Continued Development of Positive Train Control Technology

August 5, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration has given a $679,000 grant to the D.C.-based Railroad Research Foundation. The grant means an advanced train control system that can prevent train collisions, reduce the probability of speed-related derailments and protect on-track railroad workers is one step closer to being, the FRA said. The technology being developed will allow passenger trains to safely operate at 110 mph between Chicago and St. Louis in the same rail corridor as slower freight trains. The funding supports the ongoing activities of the North American Joint Positive Train Control Project, a collaborative effort between the FRA, the

MBTA Opens Rhode Island Layover Facility

August 4, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – MBTA this week opened its Pawtucket Layover Facility in Rhode Island, which officials say will improve rail service. The facility was a joint venture between MBTA and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and boasts a six-track commuter rail yard for the purpose of overnight storage of commuter rail equipment. “This state of the art facility is capable of housing more equipment, which means more service for our customers,” MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas said. “Our mission is to preserve our customer base, while at the same time attract more customers.” Prior to opening the new

N.J. Transit to Begin Portal Bridge Replacement

August 4, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. – Plans to eliminate a major chokepoint and source of delays on the Northeast Corridor are underway thanks to action taken this week by the N.J. Transit Board of Directors to conduct environmental and related engineering work to rehabilitate or expand the 96-year-old Amtrak Portal Bridge. The Board awarded a $3.3 million contract to New York-based AKRF Inc. to determine how best to increase rail capacity at the two-track swing bridge, which carries the Northeast Corridor (NEC) over the Hackensack River just west of Secaucus Junction. “Today’s action is another example of this Board’s commitment to take meaningful

Trinity Industries Sells European Rail Business

August 4, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

DALLAS – Trinity Industries Inc. has completed the sale of the company’s European Rail business to International Railway Systems S.A. The European Rail business was sold for $30 million plus working capital as defined in the sale agreement and the assumption of leases with obligations totaling approximately $6 million. The financial impact of the transaction will be recorded in the company’s third quarter ending Sept. 30, 2006. The company does not expect a material financial impact to be recorded as a result of the transaction. Trinity Industries, headquartered in Dallas, is one of the nation’s leading diversified industrial companies. Trinity

Acela Express Cafe Cars Introduce Wireless Processing of Credit Cards

August 4, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Enjoying a quick bite to eat on the train is now even more convenient as Amtrak has introduced wireless electronic credit card processing terminals to complete credit card transactions in all Acela Express café cars. Using the new devices, service attendants are now able to get instant authorizations from credit card companies. Previously, attendants needed to hand write ticket and passenger information on paper forms for credit card acceptance. The processing terminals accept all major credit cards, and there are no minimum purchase requirements. For purchases under $25, receipts are issued only when requested by the customer. Currently,