The Cross-Tie Archives – Page 2

Good News, Changes for Amtrak

February 1, 2006 The Cross-Tie

Following the successful introduction of revenue management on many of its Northeast Corridor trains last year, Amtrak will expand the practice in the Northeast to Acela Express and Metroliner service, beginning with trains departing Feb. 6.

William Huskisson and the Dubious Railroad Distinction

January 7, 2006 The Cross-Tie

Had the events of Sept. 15, 1830, turned out a little differently, William Huskisson probably would be remembered for his political career, not for his dubious railroad connection. But as it turns out, Huskisson’s name is forever preserved in the annals of railroad’s history books, not for his career as a politician but for his taking a bad step — into the path of an on-coming train and becoming the world’s first ever railroad fatality. Born in 1770, Huskisson’s political resume included a stint in British Parliament. Huskisson served as the first commissioner of Woods and Forests from 1814 until

Taking a Look Back at 2005 for Railroads

January 6, 2006 The Cross-Tie

ATHENS, Ga. — For better or worse, 2005 began and ended with the railroad industry in the headlines. On Jan. 6, two Norfolk Southern trains collided in Graniteville, S.C. The National Transportation Board later ruled the crew of a Norfolk Southern train failed to return a main line switch to the normal position after the crew completed work at an industry track. Fast forward 12 months. In December, the subway drivers in New York City went on strike, an illegal strike at that. It was eventually resolved, with the union coming out of the deal with what it wanted. But

Buttrey Selected as Temporary Chairman of STB

January 1, 2006 The Cross-Tie

The Surface Transportation Board announced Dec. 20 that it has voted to elect Board Member W. Douglas Buttrey to serve as the agency’s Chairman, until President George W. Bush designates a Chairman for the agency.

Cross-Tie Completes Three Years of Publishing

December 10, 2005 The Cross-Tie

Railfanning.org’s Cross-Tie publication, a monthly e-zine distributed freely to subscribers, has completed three years of publication.

Success Story? Twenty-Five Years Ago, Railroads Changed Forever, But the Debate Continues Over Whether the Staggers Act is a Success

November 1, 2005 The Cross-Tie

On Oct. 14, 1980, the fate of American railroads changed. Congress passed the Staggers Act, legislation that deregulated the industry. But a quarter of a century later, the debate over the law rages on.

Railroads Return to Service After Hurricanes Pound Gulf Coast

October 1, 2005 The Cross-Tie

Major railroads worked to return service after a pair of hurricanes pounded the Gulf Coast, left thousands homeless and destroyed much of the region’s infrastructure.

A Brewing Battle: Poor Management Leads to Millions in Losses

September 15, 2005 The Cross-Tie

WASHINGTON — Poor management controls of Amtrak’s food and beverage service lead to millions in losses annually, reports reveal. The Amtrak Inspector General (IG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), at a recent Congressional hearing, outlined their separate reviews of Amtrak’s food and beverage service and the substantial losses incurred by Amtrak due to poor management. According to the IG’s review, Amtrak’s food and beverage operations lose up to $150 million each year. The IG figures do not incorporate losses resulting from theft, which were discussed in the hearing as being significant. The GAO review found that for every dollar

Department of Homeland Security Lowers Threat Level for Mass Transit Network

September 1, 2005 The Cross-Tie

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced Aug. 12 that the national threat level for mass transit is being reduced from Code Orange to Code Yellow. Mass Transit lines, however, vowed to remain vigilant.

Hurricane Katrina Causes Rail Disruptions in La., Miss.

September 1, 2005 The Cross-Tie

Due to Hurricane Katrina and severe damage across the Southeast, Amtrak had little choice but to implement a revised service plan for three trains that pass through New Orleans.