World

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World

GE PowerHaul Locomotives for Freightliner Arrive in UK

November 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWPORT, Wales — Freightliner Group Ltd. and GE Transportation said that Freightliner have taken delivery of the first PowerHaul locomotives – introducing state-of-the-art technology to the UK’s rail freight market. Representing GE Transportation’s entry to the UK and European marketplace, the PowerHaul locomotives were manufactured in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA where comprehensive testing was completed. The locomotives were shipped from Virginia on 23 October. Providing greater hauling capacity and significant improvements in fuel economy, the PowerHaul locomotives will now undergo commissioning before entering service and complementing Freightliner’s existing fleet of more than 160 locomotives. During an unveiling ceremony at Newport Docks,

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World

Dutch High Speed Line Opens

September 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

AMSTERDAM — Dutch Government representatives on Sept. 6 officially opened the high speed line connecting Amsterdam Central Station-Schiphol Airport-Rotterdam Central Station, operated by NS Hispeed — the Netherlands Railways’ high-speed operations brand name. The first trains to run on the line are being hauled by BOMBARDIER TRAXX locomotives, which shorten the travel time between Amsterdam and Rotterdam to 43 minutes. The TRAXX multisystem locomotives operating on the line are leased from Angel Trains Cargo, the locomotives leasing division of Angel Trains International, one of Europe’s leading rolling stock leasing companies. The TRAXX The TRAXX platform of locomotives consists of three

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World

GE Transportation: Evolution Series Locomotive Ready for Russia, 1520-Area Market

September 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

MOSCOW — GE Transportation said its Evolution Series locomotive is on display at Russia’s Expo 1520 and ready for the Russian and 1520-area markets. The Evolution Series locomotive represents a $400 million investment by GE over eight years. The innovative locomotive is equipped with a 12-cylinder diesel engine that produces the same 4,400 horsepower as its 16-cylinder predecessor.

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BNSF

AAR Reports Rail Traffic Continues to Register Gains

September 4, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported that rail traffic continues to register incremental gains on a week-to-week basis, but remains down year over year. Rail carloadings were at their highest level since the week ended Dec. 13, 2008. For the week ended Aug. 29, 2009, U.S. railroads reported originating 285,580 cars, down 16.2 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 16 percent in the West and 16.6 percent in the East. Intermodal traffic of 202,553 trailers or containers on U.S. railroads was down 15.6 percent from the same week last year. Container

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Amtrak

Second Amtrak Cascades Train between Seattle and Vancouver to Begin Service Aug. 19

August 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Province of British Columbia, and Amtrak announced that the long awaited second daily Amtrak Cascades train between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. will begin service on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. The second train is an extension of the existing service between Bellingham and Vancouver, B.C. “Amtrak typically needs 90 days to start up service, so getting the second roundtrip train to BC going so quickly is a major accomplishment for everyone involved,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “The August launch of the new service