World – Page 16 – Railfanning.org

Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council Names Union Pacific 2009 Corporation of the Year

December 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — The Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council has named Union Pacific as its 2009 Corporation of the Year. The award recognizes Union Pacific for its many efforts to increase and improve its minority supplier business relations as well as assist other companies and their key suppliers to recognize the value of supplier diversity. Union Pacific provides financial support for many of the Great Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (GPMSDC) events and functions, and dedicated employees demonstrate the railroad’s commitment to minority business development. In the past year, Union Pacific hosted the GPMSDC’s second quarter meeting and an interactive business fair at Union Pacific Center that attracted more

GE Transportation to Provide 300 Locomotive Assemblies to CSR Qishuyan in China

November 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

BEIJING — GE Transportation announced it has reached an agreement with CSR Qishuyan Locomotive Co., Ltd. to provide 300 locomotive assemblies for China HXN5 Mainline locomotives produced by CSR Qishuyan with Evolution Series diesel engines. The agreement helps to sustain close to 1,200 high-tech jobs in the U.S. The announcement was made as part of “GE’s Clean Technology Week in China” activities, the company said. The agreement follows an order of 300 Evolution Series China Mainline Locomotives originally placed in 2005. According to the agreement, GE Transportation will supply 300 locomotive assemblies that will be manufactured in Erie and Grove City, Pennsylvania, USA and shipped to China. The assemblies contain

GE and China MOR Sign Strategic MOU to Advance High-Speed Rail Opportunities in the U.S.

November 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ERIE, Pa. — GE and China’s Ministry of Railways announced that they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly advance high-speed rail (HSR) opportunities in the United States. This collaboration will allow GE Transportation to be the first U.S. locomotive manufacturer to more effectively compete for high-speed rail projects against global competitors, the companies said. In addition, the partnership would accelerate GE’s passenger rail technologies and create in the near future up to 150 high technology jobs in the U.S. The announcement was made as part of “GE’s Clean Technology Week in China” activities, GE said. “China is a vital partner to GE Transportation’s future growth, and we find

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, Tim Shakerley, Engineering Director, Freightliner Group Ltd said: “I am

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 electric variants (multi-system, alternating and direct current) and one diesel-electric

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.

AAR: Rail Traffic Declines Continue to Slow in August

September 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported that while U.S. freight rail carloads declined in August, down 16.4 percent (at 1,116,182 carloads) compared with the same month last year, the percentage decline for the month was the lowest since February.

AAR Reports Recent Rail Traffic Gains Slow In Week Preceding Holiday

September 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Association of American Railroads reported that recent rail traffic gains have slowed in the week preceding the Labor Day Holiday. For the week ended Sept. 5, 2009, U.S. railroads reported originating 284,715 cars, down 6.7 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 7.1 percent in the West and 6.0 percent in the East.

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 volume fell 9.4 percent and trailer volume dropped 38.7 percent.

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 will give us a chance to encourage travelers to take