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Hot News! Edited by Carl G. Perelman |
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MAJOR UPGRADES SET FOR EAST AND WEST COAST AMTRAK MAINTENANCE FACILITIES: Amtrak announced today it is awarding two contracts with a combined value of $49.5 million for major upgrades of its maintenance facilities located in Los Angeles, Calif., and in Hialeah, Fla., near Miami. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act economic stimulus program is funding both projects. “Amtrak is committed to making the investments needed to keep our equipment clean and in good working order for our passengers and state partners,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman, noting each upgraded facility will be modern, efficient and capable of handling the current work levels as well as projected future service expansions. The contract for the $24.5 million Los Angeles project is awarded to Kemp Bros. Construction Co. of Santa Fe Springs, Calif. The contract for the $25 million Hialeah project is awarded to Dana B. Kenyon Company of Jacksonville, Fla. Both projects will be under construction beginning this spring, will be completed in February 2011 and are expected to generate good paying local and regional jobs. The upgrades to both the east and west coast facilities will dramatically improve the capacity, efficiency and working conditions of the shops that perform inspections and maintenance of passenger rail equipment used in long-distance and state-supported corridor services. Both projects involve the construction of a new building structure to cover work currently performed completely outdoors and will include administrative offices and employee locker rooms. Additionally, Amtrak intends to award a contract this spring for major upgrades to its Seattle maintenance facility that supports long-distance and state-supported corridor operations as well as a maintenance agreement for commuter rail equipment in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle project is funded by Amtrak’s annual capital program. (Amtrak- posted 2/08) AMTRAK’S COAST STARLIGHT RE-INTRODUCES REAL CHINA AND TABLE LINENS: Beginning today, real china, table linens and glassware are returning to Amtrak’s popular Coast Starlight long-distance train to provide an elegant dining experience for passengers and is the latest service change aimed at further improving customer satisfaction on the west coast route between Los Angeles and Seattle. The re-introduction of full china service —and the move away from disposable plastic dinnerware— is one result of a comprehensive Route Performance Improvement (RPI) analysis undertaken by Amtrak to enhance Coast Starlight customer service, product quality and market performance. “Amtrak listened to what passengers were telling us when they said ‘a premium train service deserves a premium place setting for meals—not throwaway plastic’,” said Brian Rosenwald Chief of Product Development. “We are committed to customer satisfaction and in favor of eliminating plastic in favor of ‘green’ alternatives wherever possible.” Fiscal year 2009 was one of the most successful ridership years for the Coast Starlight, welcoming over 432,000 passengers, a 22.3 percent increase over the previous year. Customer satisfaction scores during the year also showed improvement, with 83 percent of customers ranking Coast Starlight service as excellent, up from 79 percent in fiscal year 2008. The RPI analysis has resulted in Amtrak making other changes to Coast Starlight service. For example, sleeping car passengers may experience the Pacific Parlour Car, a lounge venue featuring alternative meal service, specialty coffees, a daily wine tasting, and private movie theater. In addition, Amtrak upgraded sleeping cars, enhanced room service, and re-trained employees to focus on high-level customer service delivery. Other Amtrak trains that feature full china service include the Empire Builder (Chicago – Seattle/Portland), and Auto Train (Lorton, VA. – Sanford, FL). In addition, this year Amtrak is performing an in-depth evaluation of other long-distance routes to identify and implement changes where possible to improve key measures such as customer service, ridership, and financial performance. The five routes being analyzed are the Sunset Limited (Los Angeles – New Orleans), Cardinal (New York – Cincinnati - Chicago), Texas Eagle (Chicago – San Antonio), Capitol Limited (Chicago – Washington, D.C.), and California Zephyr (Chicago – Emeryville/San Francisco).(Amtrak- posted 2/08) CSXT WINTER WEATHER AND DERAILMENT UPDATE: CSX train and yard operations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are being affected by the severe winter weather that the area has experienced over the last several days. Another storm system is moving into the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic later this week, bringing more snow and high winds to these areas. Trains are being held throughout the Northeast, including the Baltimore Division where only critical service is being provided due to the heavy accumulations of snow and unsafe conditions. Customers with traffic moving throughout the Northern, Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian regions should expect delays of at least 24 to 48 hours. Adding to the difficulty in the Northeast, a train derailment on Saturday morning near Cumberland, Md., has forced the reroute of trains around that area. We expect to have the tracks operational within the next 36 hours. Customers with traffic moving between the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic states of Maryland and Pennsylvania are advised to expect additional delays throughout the week due to the congestion resulting from these re-routes and the adverse weather conditions. (CSX - posted 2/08) WINTER STORM IMPACTING NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S MID-ATLANTIC OPERATIONS: A winter storm is bringing heavy snow and wind, to many areas in the Mid-Atlantic region and is moving into the Northeast impacting service in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New jersey and New York. Customers with shipments moving through these areas should expect delays of up to 48 hours. Local service will also be affected in some of the heaviest hit areas. (Norfolk Southern - - posted 2/05) FIRST GE LOCOMOTIVES ARRIVE IN NIGERIA: The Nigerian Ministry of Transport and GE Transportation announced today that the Nigerian Railway Corporation has taken delivery of the first five C25 diesel locomotives – introducing new technology to Nigeria’s rail system. The locomotives will be used for both freight and passenger service. The remaining 20 locomotives will be delivered in the second half of 2010. The Model C25 six-axle locomotives were built by GE Transportation South America, GE Transportation’s affiliate facility located in Brazil. The locomotives feature GE’s reliable 7FDL 12-cylinder, 2,500 horsepower engine that was supplied by GE Transportation’s diesel engine manufacturing plant in Grove City, USA. The locomotives were designed specifically to accommodate Nigeria’s weight per axle and clearance characteristics. GE Transportation South America has built GE diesel electric locomotives including AC44, Dash 9 and the C Series in Brazil since 1967, and has produced more than 1,000 locomotives, operating in over 15 countries around the world. Locomotives similar to the C25 are already successfully hauling freight in South Africa. Approximately 17,000 GE locomotives are in use in more than 50 countries around the world. Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation, said: “We are excited today with the arrival of the first locomotives as this represents an important step in GE Transportation’s entry into the Nigerian market place. GE experts performed an extensive analysis on Nigeria’s narrow-gauge railway network, haulage requirements and traffic patterns to determine the best-fit locomotive. We are honored to support the country’s rail infrastructure growth and are looking forward to working with our Nigerian partners.” (GE - posted 2/05) MONTREAL, MAINE & ATLANTIC RAILWAY FILES ABANDONMENT NOTICE: Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway (MMA) said today that it has filed a "Notice of Intent " with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to abandon certain of its lines. This notice is required by the STB as a preliminary step in the abandonment process. MMA continues to provide regular rail service and is continuing to work with Maine DOT in order to find a solution that would permit continued rail operations on these lines. MMA seeks to discontinue service and remove 233 miles of track in Aroostook and Penobscot counties in the state of Maine. The possibility of an abandonment was originally announced in August 2009. Affected lines include track serving Houlton, Presque Isle, Caribou and Fort Kent. MMA lines between Millinocket and Montreal, Brownville and Searsport, and Madawaska to Van Buren are not included in this application. MMA anticipates that the actual Application will be filed in late February and that the proceedings at the STB will take approximately 3 months to complete. MMA said it has suffered substantial operating losses on these lines in the last three years due to low shipping volume and high operating costs. MMA continues to meet with representatives of Maine in an effort to find an alternate solution that will preserve rail service in the area. Robert C. Grindrod, president of MMA, said, "We have been working closely with Maine DOT since the possibility of abandonment was first discussed. We are seeking an alternative solution and consider abandonment the last resort in a process that offers several options short of abandonment." "We will continue to seek solutions," Grindrod said, "but we must stop the cash drain that has already and continues to undermine the financial health of the entire company. However, I want to assure our shippers that service will continue during this process, and we are hopeful that an acceptable solution can be found." Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway began operations in 2003 and currently operates 754 route miles of track in Maine, New Brunswick, Quebec and Vermont. . (Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway - posted 2/04) AAR REPORTS MIXED WEEKLY RAIL TRAFFIC RESULTS: The Association of American Railroads today reported that freight traffic continues to show some improvement compared with 2009, though down sharply compared with the same week in 2008. For the week ending Jan. 30, 2010, U.S. railroads originated 278,438 carloads, up 7.0 percent compared with the same week in 2009, but down 12.7 percent from 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 203,952 trailers and containers, up 7.5 percent from a year ago, but down 9.7 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 11.2 percent and trailer volume fell 9.3 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume decreased 2.2 percent and trailer volume dropped 36.5 percent. In the Western U.S., carloads were down 2.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 9.0 percent compared with 2008. In the Eastern U.S., carloads were up 1.7 percent compared with 2009, and down 17.8 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Thirteen of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were up in comparison with the same week last year, with nonmetallic minerals up considerably at 105.4 percent. Other notable increases were registered in the motor vehicles and equipment category, up 45.7 percent, as well as the grain category, up 41.9 percent. Year-over-year weekly commodity declines from 2009 were slight, with the exception of the "all other carloads" category, down 10.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Jan. 30, 2010 was estimated at 30.3 billion ton-miles, up 7.8 percent from the same week last year and down 9.8 percent from 2008. For the first 4 weeks of 2010, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,056,684 carloads, down 0.7 percent from 2009 and 17.7 percent from 2008; 803,275 trailers or containers, up 2.5 percent from 2009, but down 11.2 percent from 2008, and total volume of an estimated 114.7 billion ton-miles, flat compared with the same week in 2009 and down 14.9 percent from 2008. Canadian railroads reported volume of 69,023 cars for the week, down 8.0 percent from last year, and 42,940 trailers or containers, up 1.5 percent from 2009. For the first 4 weeks of 2010, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 283,104 carloads, up 16.2 percent from last year, and 174,536 trailers or containers, up 3.7 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 13,503 cars, up 20.8 percent from the same week last year, and 6,505 trailers or containers, up 54.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 4 weeks of 2010 was reported as 53,703 carloads, up 25.7 percent from last year; and 26,125 trailers or containers, up 45.2 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 4 weeks of 2010 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 1,393,491 carloads, up 3.2 percent from last year, and 1,003,936 trailers and containers, up 3.5 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 2/04) PRESIDENT'S BUDGET INCLUDES $1.82 BILLION FOR 27 MAJOR TRANSIT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ACROSS THE NATION: On Monday, President Obama proposed $1.82 billion in funding for 27 major transit construction projects that will create jobs and increase transportation options throughout the United States. A complete list of projects – which are located in metropolitan areas across the nation -- is available here. “These projects, planned and developed at the state and local level, are crucial investments that will boost economic vitality in cities and towns across the country,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “From New York City to Honolulu and areas in between, these projects will create jobs, diversify local transit options for consumers, and stimulate economic activity at a critical juncture in our continuing recovery.” The spending plan included in President Obama’s Budget submitted to Congress yesterday announces recommendations to invest $834.6 million in 19 new transit construction projects — 10 of which are new funding recommendations in FY 2011, and 9 of which have been recommended for funding in previous years, but still await construction grant agreements. The plan also provides $924.6 million for the continued funding of eight projects already under construction in New York, Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Northern Virginia. “Projects like these are at the very heart of President Obama’s agenda to clean up our environment, reduce our dependence on oil from overseas, and put people back to work” said Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff. “They will give our citizens a way out of punishing traffic jams and improve their quality of life.” (US DOT - posted 2/03) POCAHONTAS, WEST VIRGINA RAIL SEGMENT COULD REOPEN WITH A FEDERAL GRANT: The State of West Virginia Rail Authority has applied for a federal grant that will allow for the reopening of train service to Slatyfork in Pocahontas County on state-owned tracks operated by the West Virginia Central Railroad has been approved. Potential freight customers include Waco Oil & Gas limestone quarry at Linwood, between Slatyfork and Snowshoe. The State will know later this week if it will be the recepient of this grant. If so, it would include $22.5 million to repair 13 miles of railroad between Slatyfork and Big Cut, a railroad excavation found at the highest point east of the Mississippi reached by mainline tracks. The Slatyfork-Big Cut section has been out of service for more than a decade. This would allow the West Virginia Central to move frieght traffic between the CSX interchange at Tygart Junction and Slatyfork. The funding, being sought through a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant, would include money to strengthen bridges between Big Cut and Elkins to accommodate freight traffic. Relatively light excursion trains, the Tygart Flyer and the Cheat Mountain Salamander, now use the Big Cut-Elkins section of the railroad. The state bought the 140-mile section of track between Tygart Junction and Bergoo in Webster County from CSX in 1997. (West Virginia Gazette via Alexander D. Mitchell IV - posted 2/02) AMTRAK TO PERFORM HIGH-SPEED RAIL IMPROVEMENT STUDY IN MICHIGAN: Stressing the importance of its intercity passenger rail service in Michigan, Amtrak today announced it will perform a high-speed rail improvement study that will focus on determining what infrastructure upgrades are needed to provide 110 mph train service on the Norfolk Southern-owned rail corridor between Kalamazoo and Detroit. “Amtrak believes 110 mph train service across Michigan is critical for the future and we’re committed to understanding what it will take to get there,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman, noting that Amtrak’s Wolverine service provides three daily roundtrips between Chicago and Pontiac via Detroit over the corridor. Boardman explained that Amtrak trains currently operate at 79 mph over the Norfolk Southern line between Kalamazoo and Dearborn, just west of Detroit. Amtrak will pay for and perform the high-speed improvement study with the assistance of Norfolk Southern and intends to complete its review by the end of May. The study will examine all infrastructure needs and costs required to allow for 110 mph train service along the corridor including any upgrade of tracks, bridges, signal systems, highway-rail grade crossing warning devices and stations as well as analyze freight and passenger train operations. Importantly, the information gathered can support applications for future rounds of funding from federal intercity and high-speed rail capital improvement grant programs. In addition, Boardman said Amtrak owns the rail line west of Kalamazoo to Porter, Ind., and recently increased speeds from 79 mph to 95 mph and is on target to further increase speeds to 110 mph by mid-2010. Two of the three Amtrak routes serving Michigan—Wolverine (Chicago-Pontiac) and Blue Water (Chicago-Port Huron),—operate over this section of track and each will soon reach 110 mph. (Amtrak - posted 2/01) CSXT, UTU SOUTHERN REGION EMPLOYEES REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT: CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT) and the United Transportation Union (UTU) have reached a tentative agreement on a five-year combined wage and performance bonus package. The agreement covers conductors and yard employees on CSXT predecessor railroads AWP, C&O, L&N, NC&StL and SCL. In addition to wage increases, employees will be eligible for payments from a Performance Bonus Plan that links that portion of their compensation to company financial performance. Affected employees will also be eligible for a stock-based Individual Performance Award program. Upon approval by the International UTU, the agreement will be subject to ratification by the affected UTU membership. "This is an important agreement that consolidates five former agreements into a single Southern Region UTU agreement that directly aligns the interests of our more than 4,000 United Transportation Union employees in this area with company goals to meet the expectations of our customers and shareholders," said Lisa Mancini, senior vice president-human resources. "We applaud the vision of the UTU in reaching a new agreement that rewards their membership when the company meets its financial and strategic goals." CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT - posted 1/29) PRESIDENT OBAMA, VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN TO ANNOUNCE $8 BILLION FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY: President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will today announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is awarding $8 billion to states across the country to develop America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), these dollars represent an historic investment in the country’s transportation infrastructure, which will help create jobs and transform travel in America. The announcement is one of a number of job initiatives the President will lay out in the coming weeks that follow up on the continued commitment to job creation he discussed in last night’s State of the Union Address. “Through the Recovery Act, we are making the largest investment in infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System was created, putting Americans to work rebuilding our roads, bridges, and waterways for the future,” said President Obama. “That investment is how we can break ground across the country, putting people to work building high-speed rail lines, because there’s no reason why Europe or China should have the fastest trains when we can build them right here in America.” “By investing in high speed rail, we’re doing so many good things for our country at the same time,” said Vice President Biden. We’re creating good construction and manufacturing jobs in the near-term; we’re spurring economic development in the future; we’re making our communities more livable—and we’re doing it all while decreasing America’s environmental impact and increasing America’s ability to compete in the world.” Today’s awards will serve as a down-payment on developing or laying the groundwork for 13 new, large-scale high-speed rail corridors across the country. The major corridors are part of a total of 31 states receiving investments, including smaller projects and planning work that will help lay the groundwork for future high-speed intercity rail service. The grants are not only expected to have an up-front job and economic impact, but help spur economic growth in communities across the country, provide faster and more energy-efficient means of travel, and establish a new industry in the U.S. that provides stable, well-paid jobs. This historic $8 billion investment is expected to create or save tens of thousands of jobs over time in areas like track-laying, manufacturing, planning and engineering, and rail maintenance and operations. Over 30 rail manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, have agreed to establish or expand their base of operations in the United States if they are hired to build America’s next generation high-speed rail lines – a commitment the Administration secured to help ensure new jobs are created here at home. “The President’s bold vision for high-speed rail is a game changer,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “It’s not only going to create good jobs and reinvigorate our manufacturing base, it’s also going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help create livable communities. I have no doubt that building the next generation of rail service in this country will help change our society for the better.” The majority of the dollars announced today will go toward developing new, large-scale high-speed rail programs. This includes projects in Florida, which is receiving up to $1.25 billion to develop a new high-speed rail corridor between Tampa and Orlando with trains running up to 168 miles per hour, and in California, which is receiving up to $2.25 billion for its planned project to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco and points in between with trains running up to 220 miles per hour. In April 2009, the Administration released a long-term plan for high speed rail in America. In addition to the $8 billion awarded today, the plan also included $1 billion a year for five years in the federal budget as a down payment to jump-start the program. Applicants submitted over $55 billion in project proposals for the initial $8 billion in funds awarded today. Obama Administration officials are traveling across the country this week to announce funding for the high speed rail projects and discuss how this investment will create local jobs and rebuild the economy. Today, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will travel to Durham, North Carolina, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will visit Columbus, Ohio and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan will be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will hold an event in Washington, DC, Executive Director of the White House Council on Auto Communities and Workers Ed Montgomery will visit St. Louis, Missouri and Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On Friday, a senior Department of Transportation official will travel to California and FRA Administrator Szabo will hold an event in Chicago, Illinois. Proposed high speed rail corridor projects include:
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY APPLAUDS PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL INVESTMENT IN MARYLAND Governor Martin O’Malley applauded today’s announcement by President Barack Obama that Maryland will receive nearly $70 million in federal recovery funds for key projects aimed at improving high speed rail connections in Maryland and the Baltimore region. The funding comes from President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). It will be used to complete engineering work and environmental studies for both the replacement of the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel in Baltimore and the replacement of the station building and track upgrades at the BWI MARC/Amtrak Station near BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport in Anne Arundel County. “President Obama continues to lead our country toward economic recovery by investing in the important infrastructure needs of Maryland and the rest of our nation,” said Governor O’Malley. “The replacement of the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel in Baltimore and the upgrade of the BWI MARC/Amtrak Station are critical components of our MARC Growth and Investment Plan. Both will increase our ability to move people more efficiently by rail and reduce our dependence on the automobile. This funding allows us to complete the engineering and environmental work necessary to get these vital projects ready for construction. We also appreciate the efforts of Congressman Cummings and the Maryland Congressional Delegation in laying the groundwork for this funding by securing authorization for the $60 million in the 2008 Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act.” Governor O’Malley was informed of the new rail funding for Maryland during a phone call yesterday with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Details of the two rail projects are as follows.
VIRGINIA RECEIVES FEDERAL RAIL STIMULUS FUNDS: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today recognized Virginia’s role in advancing high speed rail in the U.S. with a grant award for $75 million to support rail improvements in the Richmond-Washington, DC corridor. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) applied for federal funds to support rail improvements in this corridor, which is the highest priority for high speed rail expansion in Virginia. “Virginia is strategically positioned at the junction of the Northeast and Southeast high speed rail corridors,” said DRPT Director Thelma Drake. “Washington, DC to Richmond is the next step in expanding high speed rail on the East Coast. We look forward to working with the FRA to quickly advance these rail improvements and bring high speed rail to Virginia as soon as possible.” The $75 million grant supports Virginia’s top shovel ready project, and is part of an incremental approach to improving passenger rail service in Virginia. The federal program received $102 billion in funding applications, which underscores the need for dedicated federal rail funding. Federal funding will be an important component of future Virginia rail projects, and funding needs include both capital funds for infrastructure improvements and passenger rail operating funds. Future projects in the federally designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor are currently under development as part of Virginia’s strategic rail corridor program, including the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project. This project is currently in the federal planning process, and a decision is anticipated soon regarding the alternative that will be eligible for federal funding. Once this decision has been reached, DRPT will apply for federal funds to advance the selected alternative. DRPT will quickly prepare to begin construction on the selected project, and is currently finalizing the construction plan based on the grant award received. Additional details regarding the construction schedule will be available soon. (DRPT - posted 1/28) AMTRAK NATIONAL ROUTE NETWORK BENEFITS FROM NEW FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN PASSENGER RAIL: The Amtrak national route network is a significant beneficiary of President Obama’s historic federal investment in intercity passenger rail as approximately $4.5 billion of the $8 billion awarded in grants are for state projects that support improvements to current or future Amtrak routes. “Amtrak is a major part of the future of intercity passenger rail in America,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman. “We are eager to work with our state partners to move these projects forward as quickly as possible.” The federal investments in state projects will mean higher speeds, reduced trip times, additional frequencies, improved facilities, and greater reliability for Amtrak services around the country, impacting at least 13 current Amtrak routes. In addition, the Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor (NEC), North America’s only current high speed route with trains that operate at 150 mph every day, will benefit from nearly $500 million in state-led improvements funded by these grants. Coupled with the nearly $700 million Amtrak is currently investing in the NEC, Amtrak and the states are supporting the largest program of upgrades on the NEC in over a decade. Further, these grants will help fund new services or service extensions that may be operated by Amtrak, including an extension of Amtrak’s Downeaster Service to Brunswick, Maine, and the development of the Ohio “3-C” corridor, connecting Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. Amtrak also applauds the Administration’s decision to provide $3.5 billion in grants to California and Florida for the development of new, dedicated high speed rail systems. These new systems will showcase the tremendous value that intercity passenger rail service can bring to America’s transportation system. We look forward to opportunities to work with those states on the development of these systems and the integration of these systems into the national network of intercity passenger trains. (Amtrak - posted 1/28) NORFOLK SOUTHERN REPORTS 2009 FOURTH-QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR RESULTS: Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported fourth-quarter 2009 net income of $307 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared with $452 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, for the same quarter of 2008. Net income for 2009 was $1.0 billion, or $2.76 per diluted share, compared with $1.7 billion, or $4.52 per diluted share, for 2008. “Our fourth-quarter results demonstrate a continuation of the momentum we have generated since the second quarter of 2009,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “The results reflect a high level of performance throughout Norfolk Southern, and showcase the strength and flexibility of our franchise, our industry-leading safety and service performance, and continuing strong cost discipline.” “We expect to build upon the sequential volume gains we experienced in the third and fourth quarters driven by anticipated improvement in economic conditions combined with project growth. We plan to invest about $1.4 billion, slightly higher than our 2009 capital spending, in our rail network in 2010, including leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency and service, and support the business growth we expect in future years.” Fourth-quarter railway operating revenues were $2.1 billion, down 16 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. For 2009, railway operating revenues were $8.0 billion, down 25 percent compared with 2008. General merchandise revenues were $1.1 billion, down 9 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2008. For 2009, general merchandise revenues were $4.2 billion, down 24 percent compared with 2008. General merchandise traffic volume declined 2 percent in the quarter and 21 percent for the year compared with the same periods of 2008. Coal revenues in the fourth quarter were $580 million, down 27 percent compared with the same period last year. For 2009, coal revenues were $2.3 billion, 27 percent lower compared with 2008. Coal traffic volume declined 19 percent in the quarter and 20 percent for the year compared with the same periods of 2008. Intermodal revenues were $407 million, down 15 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2008. For the full year, intermodal revenues were $1.5 billion, down 26 percent compared with 2008. Intermodal traffic volume was down 9 percent in the quarter and 16 percent for 2009 compared with the same periods of 2008. Railway operating expenses were $1.6 billion for the quarter, 8 percent lower compared with fourth-quarter 2008. For 2009, railway operating expenses declined 21 percent to $6.0 billion, compared with 2008, primarily due to lower fuel costs. Income from railway operations for the fourth quarter was $549 million, down 32 percent, compared with fourth-quarter 2008 and $2.0 billion for the year, 36 percent lower, compared with 2008. The fourth-quarter operating ratio was 73.9 percent compared with 67.5 percent in the same period last year. For the year, the operating ratio was 75.4 percent vs.71.1 percent for 2008. (Norfolk Southern Corporation - posted 1/27) LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD PROPOSES DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICE BETWEEN RONKONKOMA AND GREENPORT: In a statement released on Monday, January 25, the MTA announced a proposal that would terminate nearly all Long Island Rail Road service between Ronkonkoma and Greenport starting in September. If the plan is advanced, the MTA would continue to offer service to the North Fork only on weekends during the summer. As per the proposal, train service otherwise would be eliminated for all stations along the Greenport line, including stations in Medford, Yaphank, Riverhead, Mattituck and Southold. The MTA plan will eliminate the two westbound and two eastbound trains that travel between Ronkonkoma and Greenport each weekday and carry about 190 daily commuters, according to the MTA. The four westbound and four eastbound trains that serve the North Fork on weekends will also stop running, except during the summer months, as part of the cutback (The East Hampton Press via Alex Mayes - posted 1/27) GRADE CROSSING CLEARANCE SAFETY ADVISORY: FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2009–03 to address Safety Recommendations H–96–01, H–96–02, and H–96–04, issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that relate to vertical roadway profile conditions at highway-rail grade crossings. This safety advisory reminds States of their responsibility to identify and document in the U.S. DOT National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Inventory (‘‘DOT Crossing Inventory’’) highwayrail crossings where ‘‘Low Ground Clearance’’ signs have been installed. This safety advisory also recommends that States implement policies and procedures to identify public highwayrail grade crossings that do not satisfy the standard for vertical profile conditions set forth in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (‘‘AASHTO Green Book’’) and recommends that corrective action be taken to bring them into compliance (FRA - posted 1/26) GENERAL ELECTRIC RECEIVES LOCOMOTIVE ORDER FROM BRAZIL'S COSAN: GE Transportation announced today it has signed an agreement with Cosan to deliver 50 new AC44i locomotives for freight transport starting in 2010 through Rumo, Cosan’s subsidiary for logistics operations. Cosan is the leading grower and processor of sugar cane and one of the largest ethanol and sugar producers in the world. Cosan will use the new locomotives to haul sugar from its processing plants to port on the rail infrastructure provided by its partner America Latina Logistica (ALL (GE - posted 1/25) CSXT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS DRIVE JOB CREATION: Placing a substantial vote of confidence in rail transportation, customers committed to 92 new or expanded facilities on CSX Transportation (CSXT) lines in 2009. Upon completion, these projects will create nearly 1,400 new jobs. Located in 18 states and across markets that include energy, consumer goods and manufacturing, the projects ultimately will contribute $138 million in revenue, said Fredrik Eliasson, vice president-emerging markets. The facilities will be built on both CSXT lines and on some of the more than 230 short lines and regional railroads that connect to CSXT. "These projects collectively represent more than $3.2 billion in customer investments in new and expanded businesses on our network," Eliasson said. "These outstanding results are a vote of confidence in CSX as a vital link in economic recovery and one of the most environmentally friendly transportation modes." In addition, 73 customers who had committed to new or increased rail traffic in 2009 and prior years began moving goods and commodities that at full production will result in more than $210 million in revenue. (CSXT, Randy Kotuby - posted 1/25) NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S CRESCENT CORRIDOR ENDORSED BY RETAIL INDUSTRY LEADERS ASSOCIATION: Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight Project has received the endorsement of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). As noted in a letter dated December 16, 2009, from Katherine Lugar, RILA’s Executive Vice President, Public Affairs to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood: “I believe this project is an effective and efficient use of public and private funds. It is a bold example of our nation’s potential that exists if we set our sights on a more balanced approach to funding our nation’s transportation needs. As you are aware, existing transportation resources are proving inadequate. This project will provide a new intermodal corridor with the ultimate potential to remove over 1 million trucks a year from our already strained national interstate highway system in the South and Northeast. Most importantly, these improvements can be completed within an 18 month timeframe.” RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and operate more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad. A complete copy of RILA’s letter of support can be found at: http://www.nscorp.com/nscorphtml/pdf/letter.pdf. RILA joins a broad spectrum of supporters for Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor, including 60 U.S. senators and representatives, the leading business associations for Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia, along with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, A Greener Gulf Coast, the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Mississippi Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. “The fact that our Crescent Corridor project is currently supported by more than 200 federal, state and local government officials, major companies, metropolitan planning organizations, and trade and environmental associations is a testament to its importance for our economy, environment, and national transportation network,” said NS CEO Wick Moorman. “We are extremely grateful for the widespread support the project has received to date, and we look forward to working with the U.S. Dept. of Transportation to maximize the opportunities the Crescent Corridor will deliver to the nation.” The Crescent Corridor is an existing 2,500-mile rail network supporting the supply chain from Memphis and New Orleans to New Jersey designed to handle more rail freight traffic faster and more reliably, creating or benefiting some 73,000 green jobs by 2030. This past September, lead state Pennsylvania, joined by Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia, applied for federal stimulus money under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program. The application seeks $300 million in support of new independent intermodal facilities at Memphis, Birmingham, and Franklin County, Pa.; and the expansion of intermodal terminals in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Track improvements in the five partner states will include 10 passing tracks, 557 individual speed improvements, and 393 miles of track improved with upgraded rail. For more information about the Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight Project, visit www.thefutureneedsus.com. (Norfolk Southern Corporation - posted 1/22) CSX ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS: CSX Corporation today announced fourth quarter earnings from continuing operations of $305 million, or 77 cents a share, versus $361 million, or 92 cents a share, in the same period last year. Fourth quarter revenue of $2.3 billion was 13 percent down from the prior year. This was driven by a 7 percent overall decline in volume as growth in the intermodal and automotive sectors was more than offset by declines in coal and merchandise. In addition, lower fuel prices led to decreased fuel surcharge recovery. Despite these factors, core pricing remained strong, reflecting high service levels and the overall value of freight rail transportation. Total operating expense for the quarter was $1.7 billion, down 12 percent from the prior year. These savings, driven primarily by strong safety, service and productivity, contributed to operating income of $583 million for the quarter. "The economy continued to show modest, sequential improvement in the quarter," said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "CSX worked aggressively on gaining operating leverage and further strengthening the fundamentals of our business for the future." CSX also announced full year 2009 earnings from continuing operations of $1.14 billion, or $2.87 a share, versus $1.5 billion, or $3.66 a share, for 2008. The company continued to improve its network efficiency and safety in 2009, while reducing full-year operating costs by 20 percent compared to 2008. As a result, CSX posted a record annual operating ratio of 74.7 percent. "In 2009, CSX put forth a decisive and effective response to the challenging economy while simultaneously building for the future," said Ward. "Our performance is a clear demonstration of the resolve of our organization and the talents of our people." (CSX Corporation - posted 1/21) AAR REPORTS FREIGHT TRAFFIC REMAINS DOWN ON U.S. RAILROADS: The Association of American Railroads today reported that freight traffic remains down in comparison with 2009 and 2008. For the week ending Jan. 16, 2010, U.S. railroads originated 264,030 carloads, down .8 percent compared with the same week in 2009 and down 18.5 percent from the same week in 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2010 weekly rail traffic with year-over-year comparisons for both 2009 and 2008. In the Western U.S., carloads were down .8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 13.8 percent compared with 2008. In the East, carloads were down .9 percent compared with 2009, and down 25 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 201,728 trailers and containers, up 1.3 percent from a year ago, but down 12.6 percent from 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 3.6 percent and trailer volume fell 9.2 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume fell 7 percent and trailer volume dropped 33.7 percent. Twelve of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were up in comparison with the same week last year, 8 of those posting double digit increases. Increases in commodity groups ranged from .3 percent for coke to 83.2 percent for motor vehicles and equipment. Declines in commodity groups ranged from 14.5 percent for coal to 1.3 percent for the catch-all category labeled "all other carloads." Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Jan. 16, 2009 was estimated at 28.7 billion ton-miles, comparable with the same week last year and down 15.6 percent from 2007. For the first 2 weeks of 2010, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 500,826 carloads, down 6.7 percent from 2009 and 23.3 percent from 2008; 398,516 trailers or containers, down 1.2 percent from 2009 and 15 percent from 2008, and total volume of an estimated 54.2 billion ton-miles, down 6.2 percent from 2009 and 20.8 percent from 2008. Canadian railroads reported volume of 73,394 cars for the week, up 24.1 percent from last year, and 44,268 trailers or containers, up 5.7 percent from 2009. For the first 2 weeks of 2010, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 140,727 carloads, up 22.3 percent from last year, and 87,301 trailers or containers, up 2.9 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 13,210 cars, up 21 percent from the same week last year, and 6,938 trailers or containers, up 41.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 2 weeks of 2010 was reported as 25,333 carloads, up 26 percent from last year; and 12,660 trailers or containers, up 42.9 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 2 weeks of 2010 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 666,886 carloads, down .8 percent from last year, and 498,477 trailers and containers, up .3 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 1/21) TRAIN PHOTOGRAPHY PARANOIA IN CHICAGO: Tourists, put your cameras away. The CTA is declaring them a threat to our safety. One of the features that defines Chicago, for better or worse, is the 'El' train. It's an icon of sorts and a object of much photography. A quick search online shows that locals and visitors alike enjoy snapping pictures of our trains from every angle. But signs recently posted by the CTA encourage commuters to report "excessive photography/filming" to authorities. In fact, the signs suggest that photographers are just as much of a threat to safety as "unattended packages" and "noxious smells or smoke." Could your next snapshot result in a call to 911? This isn't the first time the CTA and photographers have butted heads. Numerous camera-wielders have reported confrontations with CTA employees, who obviously didn't know the CTA's official policy: "The general public is permitted to use hand-held cameras to take photographs, capture digital images, and videotape within public areas of CTA stations and transit vehicles for personal, non-commercial use," a statement reads. And while the CTA clearly spells out what equipment is and isn't allowed on the transit system, it never specifies what constitutes "excessive photography." Five pictures? 10? 20? And who's counting? Last month, hundreds of pictures were taken of the CTA Holiday Train. Were those all a threat to safety? The fact is, photography is not a crime, and the CTA needs to stop treating it as such. They are not enforcing safety; they're instilling fear. (NBCChicago.com via Alexander D. Mitchell IV - posted 1/20) METROLINK ACCIDENT COMMENTS: The engineer's use of a cell phone has been widely publicized in connection with the head on collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth, Calif., in September 2008. Jim Hall, who served as Chairman of the NTSB from 1994 to 2001, expressed concern that focusing too much attention on the cell phone issue may detract from the real lesson to be learned from the Chatsworth collision. Hall believes that positive train control, a system of monitoring and controlling train movements that NTSB identified over three decades ago as the most effective way to avoid train-to-train collisions, could have prevented the Chatsworth accident regardless of other factors. Prior to the Chatsworth collision, the NTSB found that the lack of a positive train control system was a contributing factor in a 2002 Metrolink accident in Placentia, Calif.(1) Positive train control systems were not required by law, but several railroads had taken steps to implement them because of lessons learned in past accidents -- not Metrolink. "It is sad and unfortunate that the need for positive train control was so clearly pointed out by the NTSB after Placentia, yet almost six years later Metrolink had made no effort toward implementing a system that would have prevented this collision," said Hall, who issued numerous recommendations to rail authorities and operators calling for the safety technology. Hall added that Metrolink's failure to implement positive train control after Placentia, in the face of clear direction from the NTSB, was "irresponsible," and "was a major factor in the Chatsworth collision Hall also pointed out that the use of a cell phone by the Metrolink engineer did not violate any law or regulation at the time of the Chatsworth accident. This has changed. He said, "To the extent that cell phone use contributed to the accident, this issue has now been addressed voluntarily by the FRA following the Chatsworth collision." Hall stated that the FRA issued Emergency Order 26 in October 2008, a month after Chatsworth, which restricts cell phone use by on-duty railroad operating employees. While Connex Railroad, the operator of the Metrolink train, had its own policies and oversight to restrict cell phone use, "there is no doubt that regulations with the force of law are more effective than procedures and policies alone," said Hall. In fact, documents which have been publicly released by the NTSB show that the crew of the Union Pacific train were also violating operating rules by using a cell phone to send a text message in the minutes leading up to the fatal collision. Nevertheless, Hall remains doubtful that cell phone use can be blamed for the Chatsworth collision. Hall pointed out that the Metrolink engineer was attentive to his duties and operated the train as if he had seen a green signal during a significant period of time in which there was no evidence of cell phone use. Four other witnesses who saw the signal when the train left the Chatsworth station also told the NTSB that they were certain it was green. No one has come forward who claims to have seen a red signal. The consistent eyewitness reports that the signal was green bring Hall back to the critical importance of positive train control, which can use GPS systems to automatically stop trains that are heading toward each other on the same track regardless of the reason. "Whether the signal at Chatsworth was green or red, whether the trains were on the same track due to signal malfunction or human error, it is almost certain that the right kind of positive train control would have altogether avoided this catastrophe. This accident put an exclamation point on the need for positive train control and the importance of redundancy to safety, and it is my sincere hope that this vital lesson will not again be lost on Metrolink." (Hall and Associates LLC - posted 1/20) TOMPKINSVILLE FARE COLLECTION BEGINS ON THE STATEN ISLAND RAILWAY: MTA NYC Transit announces that effective Wednesday, January 20, 2010, MTA Staten Island Railway will begin fare collection at the newly constructed Tompkinsville Stationhouse. The $6.9 million Tompkinsville Fare Collection Project included the construction of a station house entrance, the installation of turnstiles, cameras, fare vending and communications equipment. With the introduction of MetroCards on the SIR in 1997, onboard fare collection was eliminated. All fare collection was handled at the St. George Ferry Terminal. As local ridership has grown, the overall system revenue loss is now estimated at about $3.4 million annually. As a result of a comprehensive analysis, a low turnstile, remotely monitored and controlled system was recommended for the Tompkinsville Station. As part of this project, the Hannah Street entrance/exit will be closed. The installation of turnstiles and cameras at one of the busiest stations on the line is expected to bring in about $702,000 in annual revenue which represents a 15% increase in total SIR fare revenue. The new stationhouse will also provide a much needed sheltered waiting area for customers. There is a closed circuit television system (CCTV) and customer assistance intercoms (CAI) to monitor the turnstile area and provide an extra level of security for customers. The intercoms enable customers to communicate with SIR employees who can assist them. The MetroCard Automated Fare Collection (AFC) software has been modified so that customers boarding and paying at Tompkinsville can ride the one stop to St. George and swipe out, but they will still have their free transfer to use on a subway or bus when they reach Manhattan All morning and evening peak period local trains will now stop at Stapleton and Tompkinsville stations thus increasing service to these stations. New train schedules are available at the St. George Terminal and on line at www.mta.info. (MTA - posted 1/19) PATH TRAIN CAPACITY WILL INCREASE: A Siemens-led consortium signed a contract with the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) to modernize and automate the rail system connecting New York and New Jersey. This project will increase the passenger capacity from 240,000 passengers to 290,000 passengers per day. By implementing a new Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) to the PATH rail system the intervals between the trains will be reduced and more trains can use the same track. The total contract volume is EUR 224 million (USD $321 million) and the project is due to be completed in 2017. The PATH rail system is over one hundred years old, running from both Newark and Hoboken in New Jersey to the World Trade Center and Herald Square in Manhattan. Upgrading the system to CBTC will shorten the distance between operating trains, enabling more trains to move into and out of New York City on the basis of the existing infrastructure. The implementation of the new CBTC will also enhance the system's throughput to meet future peak time demands, in addition to increasing safety and reliability while reducing ongoing maintenance costs. In addition to this increase in capacity, a new Siemens-provided train supervision system will help PATH operate more efficiently and know exactly where each train is located in the rail network. The consortium, led by the Siemens Mobility Division includes Invensys Rail Corporation (Formerly Safetran Systems) and D/A Builders, LLC, a joint venture between Daidone Electric of Newark, New Jersey and Aldridge Electric of Libertyville, Illinois. Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) is an automated train control system based on the communication of data between rail vehicles and trackside equipment by radio (WLAN - Wireless LAN). (Randall C. Kotuby - posted 1/19) CN DONATES C$100,000 TO RED CROSS TO SUPPORT HUMANITARIAN RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI AND WILL MATCH EMPLOYEE DONATIONS: CN announced today it will make an initial donation of C$100,000 to the Red Cross in support of the agency's relief efforts in Haiti. In addition, CN is launching a program for employee donations to the Red Cross and will match employee contributions dollar-for-dollar. A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010, caused widespread structural damage and buildings to collapse in Haiti, killing and injuring thousands and trapping many others in rubble. Earthquake victims desperately need medical care, water, food and shelter. Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of CN, said: “The devastating impact of the earthquake on Haiti stuns and saddens us all. We are reaching out – and encouraging our employees -- to help the Red Cross address some of the immense human suffering caused by this natural disaster.” (CN - posted 1/18) BURKE CENTRE NOW AN AMTRAK STOP: Beginning January 18, Amtrak Virginia passengers have one more option when traveling on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional service from Lynchburg as the Burke Centre station becomes an Amtrak stop. Previously the station only provided connecting service for Virginia Railway Express passengers. With this new designation, passengers may now book travel to and from Burke Centre on Amtrak.com. “By adding Burke Centre to the Amtrak system, the rail travel possibilities from central Virginia are significantly enhanced,” said Jay McArthur of Amtrak’s Policy and Development Department, noting that passengers may now book travel to and from Burke Centre to any of the more than 500 stations Amtrak serves. “With this new stop in Fairfax County, we’re providing better access to Amtrak service in one of the most densely populated counties in Virginia,” said Charles M. Badger, Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The Northeast Regional service between Lynchburg and the Northeast Corridor now has Virginia stops in Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Burke Centre and Alexandria. The stop at L’Enfant Plaza will continue to provide connecting service for Virginia Railway Express passengers. With the new rail service, which began October, 1, 2009, a passenger can now travel directly from Lynchburg to destinations as far north as Boston and never have to change trains. In addition, passengers who book now through March 17, 2010 may take advantage of a fare promotion which offers up to 25 percent off the lowest published coach fare on Northeast Regional service. Sample one-way fares include $66 between Lynchburg and New York and $71 between Lynchburg and Boston. See amtrakvirginia.com/hotdeals.aspx for details. Reservations are required for travel and must be made at least 14 days in advance of travel. Some restrictions apply. Tickets may be purchased at Amtrak.com or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. (Amtrak - posted 1/15) TRESTLE FIRE UPDATE: The Norfolk Southern mainline between Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama, disrupted by the trestle fire at Jackson, AL., has been restored to service the early morning of January 15. The railroad is currently working to move the backlog of traffic resulting from this disruption and restore operations to normal as quickly as possible. (NS - posted 1/15) AAR REPORT RAIL TRAFFIC OFF TO SLOW START IN 2010: The Association of American Railroads today reported that freight rail traffic is off to a slow start in 2010 with U.S. railroads originating 236,796 carloads for the week ending Jan. 9, 2010, down 12.4 percent compared with the same week in 2009 and down 28 percent from the same week in 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2010 weekly rail traffic with year-over-year comparisons for both 2009 and 2008. In the Western U.S., carloads were down 12.7 percent compared with the same week last year, and 20.3 percent compared with 2008. In the East, carloads were down 12 percent compared with 2009, and down 11.9 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 196,788 trailers and containers, down 3.6 percent from a year ago, but down 17.4 percent from 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume fell 2.3 percent and trailer volume dropped 9.8 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume fell 11.9 percent and trailer volume dropped 38.2 percent. Eleven of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were up in comparison with the same week last year, 6 of those posting double digit increases. Increases in commodity groups ranged from 5.5 percent for lumber and wood products to 94 percent for metallic ores. Declines in commodity groups ranged from 36.6 percent for crushed sand, stone and gravel to .1 percent for the catch-all category labeled "all other carloads." Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Jan. 9, 2009 was estimated at 25.5 billion ton-miles, down 12.4 percent compared with the same week last year and down 25.9 percent from 2008. Canadian railroads reported a weekly and cumulative volume of 67,333 cars for the first week of the year, up 20.4 percent from last year, and 43,033 trailers or containers, up .2 percent from 2009. Mexican railroads reported a weekly and cumulative volume of 12,123 cars for the first week of the year, up 32.1 percent from the same week last year, and 5,722 trailers or containers, up 44.4 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first week of 2010 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 316,252 carloads, down 5.8 percent from last year, and 245,543 trailers and containers, down 2.2 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 1/14) SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL SCHEDULES TO CHANGE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 17: SEPTA Regional Rail routes will operate with new schedules beginning Sunday, January 17. Highlights for the upcoming changes include:
AMTRAK SET TO REPLACE NIANTIC RIVER BRIDGE: Amtrak announced today it has awarded a $104.7 million contract to Cianbro/Middlesex VII of Littleton, Mass., for the replacement of the 102-year old movable bridge over the Niantic River in East Lyme, Conn. The three year project is set to begin in April, 2010. It is being funded by $47.1 million from Amtrak’s annual capital program and $57.6 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It is anticipated that this project will result in good paying jobs locally and in the region. The project involves construction of a new two-track bridge south of its present alignment. Additional work includes expanding the navigation channel beneath the bridge used by water traffic, realigning the east and west track approaches to the bridge, and relocating the Niantic Bay Overlook, including beach restoration. The existing bridge will remain in operation until the new bridge is built and the river will remain open to water traffic throughout construction. (Amtrak - posted 1/13) TRESTLE FIRE ON NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S MOBILE LINE: A trestle fire between Jackson and Suggsville, Alabama (north of Mobile) has disrupted Norfolk Southern mainline operations between Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama. We are currently working to assess damage and restore operations as quickly as possible, including possible reroutes. (NS - posted 1/13) NEW RAILROAD SAFETY STANDARDS: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Joseph Szabo today announced historic safety regulations requiring that Positive Train Control (PTC) technology be installed on the nation’s major rail lines as well as commuter and intercity passenger rail routes. PTC is an integrated set of technologies that will help avert train-to-train collisions, derailments caused by excessive speed, accidents caused by human error or misaligned switches, and harm to roadway workers. “Safety is our highest priority, and we believe the installation of this equipment will make our nation’s railroads safer,” said Secretary LaHood. PTC sends and receives a continuous stream of data transmitted by wireless signals about the location, speed, and direction of trains. PTC systems utilize advanced technologies including digital radio links, global positioning systems and wayside computer control systems that aid dispatchers and train crews in safely managing train movements. “We believe this final rule, as mandated by Congress, is a giant step forward toward ensuring the safety and reliability of our freight, commuter and intercity passenger rail routes,” said FRA Administrator Szabo. The final rule will also allow railroads to immediately begin finalizing their PTC Implementation Plans, which are required by statute to be submitted to FRA by April 16, 2010. The final rule issued today is the result of over a decade of work by FRA and its stakeholders, carried out in partnership through the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC). The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 mandates that interoperable PTC systems must be fully instituted by the end of 2015. Train control systems such as PTC are now mandatory for most passenger rail operations and for trains hauling certain hazardous materials, but they are not required for closed passenger rail systems such as light rail, rapid transit and subways. Unrelated to any deadlines contained in this final rule, FRA is seeking additional comments on a few specific provisions of this final rule as to whether clarity can be improved and whether further opportunities for cost savings, consistent with safety, are available. (FRA - posted 1/12) NEW GRAND CENTRAL ENTRANCE: A new street entrance to the underground corridors serving Grand Central Terminal is being built on the south side of 47th Street midway between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue. The new entrance will include a reversible escalator connecting the street level to the 47th Street cross passageway as well as a staircase from the street to the platform between Tracks 11 and 13 and from the platform down into the cross passageway. Currently the east end of the 47th Street cross passageway has no outlet. The work is part of MTA Long Island Rail Road's East Side Access project, which will bring LIRR commuters from Long Island and Eastern Queens to the east side of Manhattan in a new concourse being built under Grand Central Terminal. "This new entrance will be a tremendous benefit to both current Metro-North customers and future LIRR customers by providing a fifth northern means of ingress and egress to the trains," said Metro-North President Howard Permut. The 47th Street cross passage runs directly below street level from Lexington Avenue to Madison Avenue and has staircases that lead to every train platform on the upper level of Grand Central. (From the 47th Street cross passage, people also can use two north-south walkways to reach the 45th Street cross passage, which connects to all lower level platforms.) People who work north of Grand Central use the north end exits to save up to 15 minutes walking time to and from their offices. "This entrance is an example of how construction can be staged so that customers can enjoy incremental benefits as each element of a project is completed," said MTA Capital Construction President Dr. Michael Horodniceanu. Work will also take place at the south end of the platform where Track 13 will be extended to the south due to the loss of some space at the north end of the platform for the staircases and escalator. The purpose is to maintain a 10-car-length platform. The work, which will cost $14 million and take 20 months to complete, begins today. During construction, this platform will be out of service. When LIRR's East Side Access project is complete in December 2016, there also will be a connection between the new LIRR Concourse and the west end of the 47th Street cross passage to allow LIRR commuters the benefit of a shortcut in a weather-protected environment. The new entrance comes up inside the lobby of 245 Park Avenue, which occupies the block between 46th and 47th streets between Park and Lexington avenues. The entrance, which will open in September 2011, will be a glass storefront on the south side of 47th Street mid-block. Brookfield Properties made this entrance possible by donating the easement needed to establish this new entrance. The construction, part of LIRR's East Side Access project, is being done by Yonkers Contracting Company, Inc. (MTA- posted 1/12) AMTRAK READY WITH BIG PLANS FOR 2010: Amtrak is ready for an exciting 2010 with major projects and new initiatives that will benefit passengers, increase service, rebuild infrastructure, and put America’s railroad at the center of intercity and high-speed passenger rail development and expansion. “Amtrak enters 2010 with a strong sense of optimism, enthusiasm and purpose,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman. “We have an aggressive game plan to modernize, renew, and grow America’s passenger railroad,” he said, noting increasing ridership from 21.6 million in FY 2002 to 27.2 million in FY 2009, with an all-time record of 28.7 million in FY 2008. He explained that numerous projects and initiatives being undertaken in 2010 support goals established in Amtrak’s new Strategic Guidance including becoming safer, greener and healthier and improving financial performance, customer service, and meeting national needs. In particular, Amtrak is playing a major role in the development and expansion of intercity and high-speed passenger rail. As America’s provider of intercity passenger rail service and its only high-speed rail operator—operating trains at speeds up to 150 mph every day— Amtrak has unmatched knowledge, experience and expertise in the U.S. rail environment. Boardman added that Amtrak is partnering with 25 states in support of more than 100 projects submitted for funding from the $8 billion made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for intercity and high-speed rail capital improvement grants. An announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation on which projects have been selected is expected this winter. During 2010, Amtrak also will undertake track and bridge construction projects, safety and security enhancements, and will release a plan to replace and expand its locomotive and passenger railcar fleet, among many other projects and initiatives. Following are highlights of major activities Amtrak will begin, continue or complete during the coming year
READING & NORTHERN EXPANDS RAIL OPERATIONS TO TOWANDA AND MONROETON: Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad announced that is has acquired a short-line between Towanda and Monroeton, in northeastern Pennsylvania. RBMN, which currently operates over 300 miles of railroad in Eastern Pennsylvania, purchased the assets of the approximately six-mile Towanda-Monroeton Shippers Lifeline Railroad Inc. from former owner, Joseph Zadrusky of Scranton, on Dec. 30, 2009. The line is approximately 40 miles north of RBMN’s current terminus in Mehoopany, Pa. RBMN will be able to connect its two properties by working with Lehigh Railway L.L.C., which leases a Norfolk Southern Railway line that connects to the Towanda-Monroeton line in Towanda. The line will become part of the RBMN system. Andrew M. Muller Jr., CEO of Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad, said the acquisition is a big step in growing rail operations in the area. “We see this acquisition as an opportunity to offer more service options to customers working in the Marcellus Shale region,” Muller said. “With our assets and market reach, we will be able to grow the business on the line substantially.” (R&N posted 1/08) STEWARTSTOWN RAILROAD UPDATE: The Board of Directors of the Stewartstown Railroad Company is seeking proposals from individuals or entities interested in purchasing the Stewartstown Railroad for the purpose of preservation and operation. It is not the intent of the Board of Directors or the Shareholders of the Company to scrap the railroad or to abandon it. After much consideration, the Board has decided that it may be in the best interest of the shareholders and of the railroad itself to put the railroad into the hands of an individual or entity with sufficient resources to restore the railroad to operation on a prompt time frame. The sale would include the railroad’s real properties and track from New Freedom, PA to Stewartstown, PA, locomotives #9 and #10, structures including two stations and enginehouse, and all tools, equipment, maintenance parts, tie, rail and track material inventories on hand. At the present time, the corporate archives and records, and the corporation itself, are not for sale. We are also not considering the sale of individual assets or the donation of the railroad at this time. Individuals or entities wishing further details or to submit a written proposal should contact: Ms. Renee Bitten, Corporate Secretary Stewartstown Railroad Company P.O. Box 155 Stewartstown, PA 17363. or e-mail Ms. Bitten at: ken@classicrail.com (posted 1/08) MP36PH-3C BEGINS REVENUE TESTS ON MARC: The MPI MP36PH-3C units, which arrived on the property last spring, are finally beginning to operate MARC commuter trains. On Dec. 31 unit #12 began “revenue testing” over CSXT’s Brunswick and Camden lines. While testing, another unit is coupled to the scheduled train just in case the new unit is shut down. An observer sighted #12 leading GP40WH-2 #58 on Camden Line train #845 on Jan. 6. MP36PH-3C’s #10 and #11 are also on the property and may begin revenue tests once #12 is placed in service (Andy Kirk - posted 1/07) MASSACHUSETTS MBTA EXCERCISES OPTION WITH MBCR FOR COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE: The MBTA today announced that it will begin a procurement process in 2012 for a new contract to operate commuter rail services, and, in the interim has exercised the final option on the contract with MBCR to operate the system until July 1, 2013. In exercising the option, the MBTA ensured that commuter rail riders will continue to see improvements in service, reliability and safety. The MBTA also announced a series of immediate customer-focused improvements targeted at enhancing the riding experience for the tens of thousands of commuter rail users who depend on the trains every day. "We are at the beginning of new era of customer-focused transportation in Massachusetts," said MassDOT Secretary Jeffrey Mullan. "The people who rely on the commuter rail everyday will see that our number one focus in on implementing immediate improvements to their riding experience." The customer improvements begin tomorrow morning when a new real-time passenger information system is launched on the Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Middleboro/Lakeville Lines. For the first time ever, customers on the train platforms will be provided with ‘real time’ arrival information. Displayed in a countdown format on easy-to-read electronic message boards, the information will provide minute-accurate train arrival times to customers waiting for their trains. Made possible by recently installed Global Positioning Satellite equipment on each train, the new passenger information system will be introduced next week on the Worcester/Framingham and Lowell lines. By the middle of February, customers on all thirteen commuter rail lines will be provided with the ‘next train’ arrival information. “In the past year, we have seen long-awaited improvements in on-time performance, air conditioning and other important changes to enhance our customers’ experience – but we can and must do more,” said MBTA Acting General Manager William Mitchell. “We will continue to focus squarely on strengthening our commitment to customer service and making additional improvements for commuter rail riders.” MassDOT and the MBTA also announced that by the end of the summer the commuter rail system’s very popular WiFi service will be expanded to every train on every line, making the MBTA the only commuter rail operator in the country to offer WiFi service on every passenger coach of every train. The installation work begins this spring, and before the end of the summer, all 410 coaches in the commuter rail fleet will offer WiFi service. In conjunction with the ‘next train’ countdown, the MBTA is preparing to launch a communications system that will allow commuter rail customers to get the same real-time information on their radios. By tuning to a specific frequency on a radio’s AM band, customers in the parking lots can stay in their automobiles until the train’s arrival is nearing. In some cases, the radio information will also be available to motorists approaching certain stations. Before the end of the January, this new customer service initiative will be available at the busy Anderson Regional Transportation Center on I-93 in Woburn. In the following weeks, the radio system will be installed at all commuter rail stations that offer fifty or more parking spaces. For transportation news and updates visit the MassDOT website at www.mass.gov/massdot, the MassDOT blog at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot. (MBTA- posted 1/07) MTA LIRR SETS ON-TIME PERFORMANCE RECORD FOR 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR: For the third year in a row, MTA Long Island Rail Road set a new On-Time Performance (OTP) record, achieving a best ever 95.21% in 2009. The 95.21% overall OTP is the best since modern record keeping began in 1979 and included 81 rush hour periods when on time performance reached 100 percent. The LIRR achieved this milestone last year while operating 244,937 trains. LIRR President Helena E. Williams attributed the improvement in the Railroad's on time performance to investments in the LIRR's fleet, better maintenance practices, a robust track work program, better vegetation management along the LIRR Right of Way and, most importantly, the effort of some 6,800 employees across the LIRR who keep customer service and safety as their top priorities all year long. "We couldn't achieve these new records each year without the dedication of our workforce," Williams said. "They make it all happen, in all kinds of weather, day in and day out." In customer surveys, On Time Performance repeatedly has been identified as the No. 1 priority of LIRR customers. "Trends indicating improvement are always welcome," said Maureen Michaels, chair of the Long Island Rail Road Commuters Council. The previous OTP record of 95.14% was set in 2008. In 2007, OTP reached 94.07%. Last year also saw a record AM peak on-time performance of 95.72%, compared to 95.43% in 2008. The number of off-peak trains operating on-time in 2009 also set a new record of 95.40%, edging out the previous record of 95.32%, set in 2008. Helping to account for a record OTP year were seven months that set individual best ever on-time records. They were achieved in April, May, June, August, September, October and November. The LIRR also tied a record last year that was set in 1993 for the highest number of 100 percent rush hour periods (81). The previous record was set when the LIRR was operating six percent fewer trains than in 2009. LIRR On Time Performance in diesel territory, meanwhile, continued to lag behind overall performance with a 93.32% total. Diesel service OTP did improve in 2009 over the previous year, going to 93.32% in 2009 from 92.84% in 2008. The LIRR is continuing to work to address reliability issues that have hampered the performance of its diesel fleet since it was first acquired by the LIRR in 1998. The LIRR last year celebrated its 175th Anniversary of service to Long Island and to the New York metropolitan region, providing in excess of 80 million customer trips as the busiest commuter railroad in the country. Last year, the LIRR also provided extra service to the U.S. Open during the weeklong event that drew visitors and media from across the nation to Long Island's Bethpage Black course. The LIRR provided transportation to nearly a third of all visitors to the U.S. Open, despite often challenging weather conditions. In addition, last year the LIRR continued its modernization efforts, completing a major signal and switch upgrade in the Valley Stream area. Note: A train is considered on time if it reaches its final destination within 5 minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled arrival time. The standard measure, used throughout the commuter rail industry, was adopted by the LIRR in 1979. That year the LIRR posted an OTP of 83.42% and began an upward climb of improved performance through the decades (MTA- posted 1/07) AAR REPORTS MIXED WEEKLY FREIGHT RAIL TRAFFIC RESULTS: The Association of American Railroads today reported that freight rail traffic posted mixed results for the holiday week ending Jan. 2, 2010 with intermodal volume showing an increase, but carloadings remaining down in comparison to 2008. U.S. railroads reported originating 227,327 carloads, down 1.5 percent compared with the same week in 2008 and down 17.9 percent from the same week in 2007. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2009 weekly rail traffic with year over year comparisons for both 2008 and 2007. In the Western U.S., carloads were down 5.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 18.9 percent compared with 2007. In the East, carloads were up 6.8 percent compared with 2008, and down 16.3 percent compared with the same week in 2007. Intermodal traffic totaled 149,128 trailers and containers, up 1.8 percent from a year ago, but down 9 percent from 2007. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume rose 8.4 percent and trailer volume dropped 25.4 percent. Compared with the same week in 2007, container volume fell 1.8 percent and trailer volume dropped 36.6 percent. Thirteen of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were up in comparison with the same week last year. Increases in commodity groups ranged from 2.5 percent for grain to 53.3 percent for motor vehicles and equipment. Declines in commodity groups ranged from 24.9 percent for the catch-all category labeled "all other carloads" to .5 percent for primary forest products. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Jan. 2, 2009 was estimated at 25.5 billion ton-miles, down 1.2 percent compared with the same week last year and down 25.9 percent from 2007. For the first 52 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 13,812,989 carloads, down 16.1 percent from 2008 and 18.2 percent from 2007; 9,880,602 trailers or containers, down 14.1 percent from 2008 and 17.7 percent from 2007, and total volume of an estimated 1.49 trillion ton-miles, down 15.1 percent from 2008 and 15.1 percent from 2007. Canadian railroads reported volume of 56,608 cars for the week, up 16.9 percent from last year, and 31,466 trailers or containers, up 7.4 percent from 2008. For the first 52 weeks of 2009, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 3,248,935 carloads, down 17.7 percent from last year, and 2,115,517 trailers or containers, down 14 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 7,907 cars, up 17.1 percent from the same week last year, and 3,702 trailers or containers, up 23.3 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 52 weeks of 2009 was reported as 601,610 carloads, down 9.3 percent from last year; and 288,076 trailers or containers, down 12.5 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 52 weeks of 2009 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 17,663,534 carloads, down 16.2 percent from last year, and 12,284,195 trailers and containers, down 14 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 1/07) NICHOLSON HERITAGE ASSOCIATION'S CAMPAIGN FOR COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP: The Nicholson Heritage Association (Association) is spearheading an effort to request the United States Postal Service (USPS) to issue a commemorative stamp for the 100th anniversary of the Nicholson Bridge, and is calling for support from the community and the region. The Nicholson Bridge, also known as the Tunkhannock Viaduct, was built by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad (D.L.&W.) in 1912 and was completed, dedicated and ready for use on November 6, 1915.This massive reinforced concrete bridge will celebrate its centennial in November 2015. The Heritage Association would love to signify the historic centennial anniversary of one the greatest engineering marvels of the modern world. said Marion Sweet, Chair of the Nicholson Heritage Association. The Association is collecting letters of support to be sent to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, and is asking support of those interested in submitting a letter. A sample letter can be downloaded from the association's newly created web site www.nicholsonheritage.org, which can be hand-signed directly or use as a template for writing your own letter of support. Once completed, dated and signed, send letter to the Nicholson Heritage Association at P.O. Box 496, Nicholson, PA 18446. (ELHS- posted 1/06) LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD'S ATLANTIC TERMINAL PAVILION OPENS TO THE PUBLIC: Brooklyn's historic transit hub at Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues – where MTA Long Island Rail Road customers can transfer for connections with 10 subway lines – has a new, $108 million home starting today with the opening of the Atlantic Terminal Pavilion. The three-story limestone, granite and glass structure features a soaring atrium that allows natural light to reach the below ground LIRR concourse and subway station. Two sweeping staircases provide direct access from the street to the concourse below. The Terminal building is linked internally to an office building and retail complex. While the interior of the new entry pavilion provides customers with open spaces and an impressive overlook of the terminal, the arced vessel shaped exterior restores a "civic presence" to the Flatbush Avenue site, according to Brooklyn native John di Domenico, the architect of di Domenico & Partners, LLP who led the design of the Entry Pavilion. "This new terminal means improved interconnectivity between the Long Island Rail Road and New York City Transit's subways and buses - with better information and a more spacious, comfortable and accessible facility," said Jay H. Walder, Chairman and CEO of the MTA. "The glory of the original 1907 Flatbush Avenue Terminal has been restored in modern form." "This grand new entry pavilion will benefit our customers for generations to come as well as become a landmark for Brooklyn," said LIRR President Helena Williams. "The sunlit atrium and three-story exterior evoke the transit terminals of past eras that properly greeted travelers at such a busy hub." Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said: "The spectacular Atlantic Terminal Pavilion will not only serve as a 21st century transportation hub for tens of thousands of daily LIRR, subway and bus riders, but this magnificent facility will let visitors to our borough know—in dramatic fashion—that they have arrived in Brooklyn, USA and our vibrant Downtown. And what a pleasure it will be for our neighbors in Nassau County (aka Brooklyn Near East) and Suffolk (aka Brooklyn Far East) to enjoy visiting us more often. Bravo to the MTA Long Island Rail Road and the Federal Transit Administration for making this project a reality and helping to keep Brooklyn moving—and growing." The renewed facility serves approximately 25,500 LIRR customers each day as well as approximately 31,650 NYC Transit subway customers. LIRR customers can transfer to the 2,3,4,5, B, D, M, N, Q & R lines as well as five bus routes. Work on the project, begun in 2002, was done in two phases in order to coordinate improvements with MTA New York City Transit work on their subway facilities and a private developer, Forest City Ratner. The new Pavilion includes a new ticket office, public rest rooms, grand stairs, customer waiting area, police and employee facilities, granite floor tiles, Arts for Transit installation, information signage, lighting and a new HVAC system. The hours of operation for the Entry Pavilion are 5 AM to 10 PM and the Atlantic Terminal Ticket Office is open from 6 AM to 10 PM. Train service to the terminal, ticket machines and elevator are available 24/7. Earlier work completed during the first and early second phases of the work included a temporary ticket office and entrance, new platform lighting, platform seating, signage and public address system, granite floor tiles for platforms, finished ceiling and stainless steel platform column cladding. The pavilion is an architecturally distinct work. Architect John di Domenico, of di Domenico Partners, LLP, Parsons Brinckerhoff Engineers, and artists Allan and Ellen Wexler, commissioned by MTA Arts for Transit, collaborated to incorporate the artwork called "Overlook" into the Pavilion's design. From street entry level, customers can observe the busy Terminal platform below. The Pavilion also has "green" environmental pluses. The large high performance glazed curtain wall and skylight allow abundant natural light to reach the LIRR concourse and the 2, 3, 4 and 5 subway station. Also, shading "fins" on the exterior glass wall and skylights prevent excess heat gain during the warmer months. John di Domenico, the architect, was raised in Brooklyn and attended Brooklyn Technical High School before going on to the City College of New York and Harvard University. He also was a Fulbright Scholar in Rome, Italy. His firm is based in Long Island City. The budget for the Atlantic Terminal improvements was $108.1 million with funding provided by the Federal Transit Administration and the MTA Long Island Rail Road Capital Program. LIRR service between Jamaica and Brooklyn dates back to the earliest days of the railroad in the 1830's. The earlier LIRR Brooklyn terminal building, located at approximately the location of the present structure, opened in 1907 as part of the Atlantic Avenue Improvement Project. That project also included construction of two tunnels and two elevated sections with electrified tracks for the LIRR between Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn and Jamaica. The new Atlantic Terminal building marks an early milestone in the overall effort to transform this area of Brooklyn. A recent court decision cleared the way for a new sports center that is to be the new home of the Nets basketball team. Additional residential and commercial buildings also are planned nearby. (MTA - posted 1/06) NJ TRANSIT MARKS COMPLETION OF SOUTH AMBOY STATION IMPROVEMENTS NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles joined Assemblyman John Wisniewski, South Amboy Mayor John O’Leary and other officials today to mark the completion of a newly reconstructed South Amboy Station. A new center-island, high-level platform makes the station accessible to customers with disabilities, and climate-controlled waiting shelters enhance comfort and convenience for all customers. “The newly reconstructed South Amboy Station will encourage more area residents to take advantage of public transportation and leave their cars behind,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. “I am proud to have worked to secure federal funding for a project that enhances commuter safety, accessibility and convenience.” "The completed South Amboy Station project provides a true gateway for the residents of South Amboy, Sayreville and Middlesex County," said Assemblyman John Wisniewski. "The new platform and station improvements, together with the pedestrian overpass and new grade crossing that were previously completed, provide a safe, comfortable commuting environment for all who use the station." The $46 million reconstruction project was built with a combination of federal and state funding sources. The new South Amboy platform features a canopy, climate-controlled waiting shelters, a ticket office, restrooms, elevator and stairs. Other improvements include closed-circuit security cameras and modern customer communication systems including variable message signs and a public address system. The platform connects to a surface parking lot via a pedestrian overpass. The overpass, which opened in 2005, links the station to downtown South Amboy. “The improvements at South Amboy Station benefit commuters and residents alike, ensuring safe rail access for everyone and augmenting the value of our city’s downtown,” said South Amboy Mayor John T. O’Leary. “The completed project ensures that the station will remain a focal point of our community for generations to come.” “The South Amboy high-level platform project represents our commitment to making New Jersey’s rail system a safe and convenient travel option for all residents,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Stephen Dilts. “This project complements the other capital investments we have made in recent years to improve pedestrian and customer safety at this station.” “The new South Amboy Station ensures full accessibility for customers with disabilities and enhances comfort and convenience for everyone who uses it,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. “With the winter weather upon us, customers can now take advantage of the climate-controlled shelters as they wait for their trains.” South Amboy Station—which serves approximately 1,200 customers on a typical weekday—is one of nine stations along the North Jersey Coast Line to receive high-level platforms as part of NJ TRANSIT’s Commuter Rail Accessibility Plan. The new center-island high-level platform improves the overall safety and functionality of the station. The project follows other recent capital investments aimed at improving pedestrian and customer safety, including the pedestrian overpass, a new grade crossing at John T. O’Leary Boulevard that opened in 2006, and the closure of the Augusta Street grade crossing. In January 2007, work began on the relocation of overhead power and signal structures and the realignment of tracks to accommodate the new center island high-level platform. Construction of the platform broke ground in August 2008. (NJ Transit - posted 1/05) CEREMONY MARKING THE OPENING OF THE LONG ISLAND'S NEW ATLANTIC TERMINAL PAVILION: On Tuesday, January 5, at 11:30 a.m., MTA Chairman and CEO Jay Walder and LIRR President Helena Williams will be joined by local elected officials in a ceremony to open the LIRR's new Atlantic Terminal Pavilion. Also on hand to herald the opening will be the drum line from the renowned Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band. The new Atlantic Terminal Pavilion is a three-story limestone, granite and glass structure featuring a soaring atrium that allows natural light to reach the below ground LIRR concourse and subway station. The Pavilion includes a new ticket office, public rest rooms, grand stairs, customer waiting area, police and employee facilities, among other new customer amenities. The LIRR Atlantic Terminal is a major Brooklyn transit hub where the LIRR connects with ten MTA NYC Transit subway lines and five bus lines. The LIRR Atlantic Terminal Pavilion is located at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Hanson Place in Brooklyn. The LIRR Atlantic Terminal (Flatbush Avenue) stop or the Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street stops of the following subway lines: B, D, M, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, and 5. (MTA - posted 1/05) MIXED REPORT FOR U.S. RAIL FREIGHT DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK: Intermodal volume was up but both carload freight and total volume as measured in ton-miles slipped from year-ago levels during the week ended December 26, the Association of American Railroads reported today. The AAR also reported that volume during the most recent week remained sharply below levels reported during the comparable 2007 week. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2009 weekly rail traffic with year over year comparisons for both 2008 and 2007. Comparison weeks from all three years included the Christmas holiday. Intermodal traffic totaled 141,699 trailers and containers, up 14.2 percent from a year ago but down 10.7 percent from 2007. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume rose 21.6 percent and trailer volume dropped 14.5 percent. Compared with the same week in 2007, container volume fell 4.5 percent and trailer volume dropped 34.4 percent. Carload freight totaled 197,754 cars, down 1.1 percent from 2008 and 22.3 percent from 2007. In the Eastern U.S., carloads were up 1.3 percent compared with the same week last year, but off 25.2 percent compared with 2007. In the West, carloads were down 2.3 percent compared with 2008, and 20.7 percent compared with the same week in 2007. Carload volume was down largely because of a more-than 21,000 carload (19.1 percent) drop in coal loadings. Seventeen of the other 18 carload freight commodity groups were up compared with the same week last year, with fourteen reporting double digit increases, including motor vehicles (52.1 percent); lumber and wood products (44.8 percent); grain (31.1 percent); metals (31.7 percent) and chemicals (18.7 percent). Total volume was estimated at 22.1 billion ton-miles, down 0.9 percent from the comparable 2008 week, and down 17.5 percent from the comparable 2007 week. For the first 51 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 13,585,290 carloads, down 16.3 percent from 2008 and 18.2 percent from 2007; 9,731,474 trailers or containers, down 14.3 percent from 2008 and 17.8 percent from 2007, and total volume of an estimated 1.47 trillion ton-miles, down 15.4 percent from 2008 and 16.3 percent from 2007. Canadian railroads reported volume of 55,572 cars for the week, up 33.5 percent from last year, and 30,653 trailers or containers, up 49 percent from 2008. For the first 51 weeks of 2009, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 3,192,327 carloads, down 18.2 percent from last year, and 2,084,051 trailers or containers, down 14.2 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 10,718 cars, up 37.7 percent from the same week last year, and 5,462 trailers or containers, up 53.3 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 51 weeks of 2009 was reported as 594,083 carloads, down 9.5 percent from last year; and 284,211 trailers or containers, down 12.9 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 51 weeks of 2009 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 17,371,700 carloads, down 16.4 percent from last year, and 12,099,736 trailers and containers, down 14.2 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 12/30) AMTRAK ETHAN ALLEN EXPRESS TO PROVIDE SERVICE AT RENOVATED CASTLETON, VERMONT DEPOT As the result of growing and anticipated demand for passenger rail service to Castleton State College and Lake Bomoseen, Amtrak and the Vermont Agency of Transportation announced today that state-supported Ethan Allen Express trains will make twice daily stops at the recently renovated Castleton, Vt. station beginning January 2, 2010. The southbound Ethan Allen Express, train #292 scheduled to arrive Saturday at 11:02 a.m., will be the first train to officially stop at the station. The historically refurbished Castleton Depot, originally built in 1850, is replacing the small outdoor Fair Haven stop which will continue to accept passengers through January 9, 2010. “The new station is beautifully remodeled and will offer Amtrak passengers first-class accommodations,” said Vermont Agency of Transportation Secretary David Dill. “Castleton is a perfect location for a train stop as the college is right down the street and picturesque Lake Bomoseen is just a stone’s throw from the village.” The Castleton Depot is privately owned by Mary Ann and Val Jakubowski whose family purchased the property from the Delaware and Hudson Railroad in 1966 and began renovations in 2005. The rehabilitated station offers passengers an indoor waiting room, complimentary parking and meets accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, it provides convenient access to the downtown area and will be open one hour prior to scheduled arrivals and departures of Ethan Allen Express trains that operate between Rutland, Vt. and New York, N.Y. via Albany, N.Y. The Green Mountain Country Depot deli, bakery, and coffee shop also is located in the building. Amtrak and the Vermont Agency of Transportation will be working to enhance station parking capacity and upgrade the existing platforms at the renovated facility. “Amtrak is delighted to have a new station stop in Castleton that provides area residents direct access to rail transportation and visitors a connection to area attractions, ” said Michael DeCataldo, Amtrak General Superintendent Northeast Division.(Amtrak - posted 12/29) NJ TRANSIT CUTS RIBBON ON NEW PARKING LOT AT EDISON STATION: Senator Robert Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone joined NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles and other officials today at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new 477-space parking lot that more than doubles parking capacity at Edison Station on the Northeast Corridor rail line. The lot opens to customers January 1. The event marked the first of NJ TRANSIT’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects reaching completion, and was finished within budget and ahead of schedule. Petillo Inc. of Flanders, New Jersey, was awarded a $4.7 million construction contract in April. “The completion of this federal Recovery Act project will increase access to one of New Jersey's busiest rail stations and reduce congestion on our roadways,” said Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. “I am pleased that Recovery Act projects like this are benefiting our economy and further strengthening New Jersey's mass transit network.” “In the midst of the toughest times our nation and state have seen in generations, we set out with President Obama to pass a bold reinvestment and recovery plan to create jobs. We did so, putting people to work on projects like this one to get our economic wheels turning again,” said Senator Menendez. “Less than eleven months later, we are cutting the ribbon on a model recovery project that made the holiday season brighter for the families of all those who worked on it and that will help create economic security long into the future.” "The best thing about this project is that it put people to work in good jobs. This lot will help support transportation needs and is also good for the environment," said Congressman Pallone. "But our immediate need is the economy—when this lot opens we need to look for more ways to put money to work with jobs and economic stimulus." “This project demonstrates how NJ TRANSIT is putting federal stimulus funds to good use, creating jobs for workers now by investing in improvements that will benefit our customers for years to come,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Chairman Stephen Dilts. “NJ TRANSIT was pleased to accelerate this project because we understand that adequate parking helps residents choose public transportation, which saves our customers money and benefits the environment,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. “That’s why we have worked independently and with private developers and local governments to add more than 14,000 parking spaces throughout the state over the past several years.” "The Edison community is thrilled to have expanded parking options for our residents as we begin the new year,” said Edison Mayor Jun Choi. “This project demonstrates what is possible when partnerships are established across federal, state and local governments. We thank Richard Sarles and NJ TRANSIT for their hard work and commitment to improving public transportation services throughout the State. We thank our Congressional representatives and the Obama administration for securing the ARRA funds required to cross the finish line." The new lot, located off Kilmer Road near the outbound platform, offers 120 daily spaces and 357 permit parking spaces. A walkway connects the lot to Plainfield Avenue, from which customers can access the Edison Station building and the inbound and outbound platforms. With the opening of the new lot, commuters will have access to 816 parking spaces, including 339 in the reconfigured existing lots between Central Avenue and the inbound boarding platform. The lot closest to the station building was repaved as part of the project, and a small outdoor plaza with tables and benches was installed just south of the station building. The inbound lots primarily will be for permit-holders, although any spaces in the lot adjacent to the station building that remain unoccupied after 10 a.m. will be made available to daily parking customers. Park America, which operates the existing lots on the inbound side, will operate the new lot as well. Rates are $4 per day or $55 per month. Permits are sold on a quarterly basis. Edison Station is the 11th busiest of the 165 stations and terminals served by NJ TRANSIT, serving approximately 6,500 customers each weekday with direct service to Newark, Secaucus Junction and Penn Station New York, among other destinations. ( NJ Transit - posted 12/29) STATEMENT FROM AMTRAK ON IMPASSE TO REACH FINAL OPERATING CONTRACT FOR SKI TRAIN TO WINTER PARK, COLORADO: “Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC (IPH) does not have an agreement with Amtrak to begin operation of the ski train service between Denver and Winter Park, Colo., on December 27, 2009. “Amtrak was first asked in August to consider operating the train for IPH. Although since that time Amtrak has engaged in negotiations with IPH to supply the locomotive engineers and conductors to operate the train equipment provided by IPH over tracks owned by Union Pacific Railroad, no final contract has been reached due to unresolved issues related to staffing requirements, passenger railcar equipment, and liability. “Additionally, Amtrak has not received notice that IPH has achieved compliance with all applicable federal rail safety regulations. “It is unfortunate that IPH marketed and sold tickets for the ski train without first making certain it was able to provide the service.” (Amtrak - posted 12/25) MTA NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT TESTING REAL-TIME TRAIN ARRIVAL INFORMATION: Real-time train arrival messages are now available in five stations along the Pelham 6 Line in the Bronx. Though still in the initial testing phase, this marks an important milestone in the effort to provide MTA New York City Transit's subway customers with up-to-date travel information employing 21st Century technology. This is a major component of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's effort to substantially upgrade customer communications across its entire network. Designed to take the guesswork out of waiting for a train, the Public Address Customer Information Screen (PA/CIS) provides train arrival messages in audio and video. The messages indicate when the next two trains are due to arrive at the station and their destinations. "Based on information provided by the subway's electronic monitoring system, these signs are extremely flexible and customer friendly," explained NYC Transit President Thomas F. Prendergast. "Our customers have long been accustomed to having to guess when the next train will arrive and, of course, we are well aware of the complaints about poor quality public address systems in the subway. With this system we are taking a quantum leap forward in customer communications and the information we are offering." Aside from train arrivals, the system also allows NYC Transit to provide both audio and visual messages to customers, keeping them fully informed about service delays or emergency situations. The system will be rolled out incrementally throughout the next year with 152 stations on the numbered lines operational by the first quarter of 2011. PA/CIS was first introduced along the Canarsie L line in January 2007. The information distributed through the PA/CIS system originates from NYC Transit's Rail Control Center (RCC). From the RCC, Customer Service Agents provide subway customers with service status and other information either as audio only, visual only, or as synchronized audio and visual information. The messaging equipment is now operational in the Brook Avenue, Cypress Avenue, E.143rd Street-St. Mary's Street, E. 149th Street and Longwood Avenue Stations. The system includes signs and speakers which are located on the platforms and in the fare control areas prior to entering the station. (MTA - posted 12/25) VIA RAUK AND GOOD SAMARITANS TO BRING FRED THE DOG FROM VANCOUVER TO HIS MONTREAL FAMILY: VIA Rail Canada is happy to be contributing to the repatriation to Montreal of Fred the dog. Found November 30 in British Columbia, at the side of his deceased owner, Fred was much featured in the press during the month of December. VIA will provide the train ticket from Vancouver for Fred and two accompanying adults, residents of the Montreal region who have volunteered to take care of the dog during the four day journey starting January 1st. The dog will be united with the family of his deceased owner upon arrival in Montreal. On December 8, a Montreal daily, The Gazette, ran an article on Fred, a rugged aboriginal Malamute (Kugsha). Many animal lovers were moved by this story, including some VIA Rail employees. The latter were moved to ask VIA to put the dog on the train, while volunteering to take care of him during the trip. But VIA could not jeopardize the quality of customer service to passengers by assigning train employees to take care of the animal. The solution, as explained by Steve Del Bosco, Chief Customer Officer at VIA, was suggested by a resident of Beaconsfield, Frank Palumbo. "This bighearted person decided to pay the Montreal-Vancouver airfare for his wife, Mélanie Pellerin, and one of her friends, so they could bring Fred by train to his new Montreal home. With these two taking care of Fred during the trip, the train ride became possible, so we offered them free tickets for the trip. VIA accepts pets on its trains as long as passengers onboard can take care of them", explained Mr. Del Bosco. Ms. Pellerin said she was very moved by VIA's offer. "I am really happy to see that such a large corporation could be so sensitive to our request. The management and employees displayed generosity and kindness!" For her part, Lynda Roy, sister of Fred's deceased owner, Cyril Roy, warmly thanked all involved: "Thanks to VIA Rail, Mr. Palumbo, the media, and all the staff at the animal shelter in Nanaimo (BC), including Stephanie Walker. My family and I will be reunited with a precious piece of my brother. I am really looking forward to seeing Fred. It will help ease our sorrow. My brothers and sister, Karen, Yanic, Ann, Stephen and Fred himself will be forever grateful for everything that people have done for us!" About Fred: On November 30, Cyril Roy, 58, was found dead in his trailer, near Nainamo. His dog, Fred, who stayed by his side, was taken to a kennel, and then to an animal shelter. The family of Mr. Roy, in Montreal, tried to recover Fred, but ran into difficulties because of the dog's imposing size and the complexity of a winter trip. Subsequently, Max Harrold, a journalist at The Gazette, wrote an article on Fred's uncertain fate, eliciting dozens of offers by caring individuals wishing to transport the dog. But nothing concrete was achieved until the interventions of VIA and Frank Palumbo. (VIA Rail Canada - posted 12/25) U.S. RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC UP SLIGHTLY IN CURRENT WEEK: Total freight volume on U.S. railroads edged ahead of 2008 levels for the week ended December 19, the Association of American Railroads reported today. However, volume remained sharply below levels reported during the comparable 2007 week. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2009 weekly rail traffic with year over year comparisons for both 2008 and 2007. Total volume was estimated at 30.4 billion ton-miles, up 0.3 percent from the comparable 2008 week, but down 11.6 percent from the comparable 2007 week. Intermodal traffic totaled 209,759 trailers and containers, up 9.4 percent from a year ago but down 8.7 percent from 2007. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume rose 18.6 percent and trailer volume dropped 20.1 percent. Compared with the same week in 2007, container volume slipped 1.4 percent and trailer volume dropped 32.4 percent. Carload freight totaled 271,819 cars, down 0.1 percent from 2008 and 16.7 percent from 2007. In the Western U.S., carloads were up 3.5 percent compared with the same week last year, but down 13.1 percent compared with 2007. In the East, carloads were down 5.1 percent compared with 2008, and 21.6 percent compared with the same week in 2007. Eleven of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were up compared with the same week last year, with double-digit increases seen in metallic ores (50.9 percent), motor vehicles and equipment (28.1 percent), grain (22.8 percent), grain mill products (21.4 percent), chemicals (13.9 percent), metals (13.1 percent) and nonmetallic minerals (12.7 percent). Declines in commodity groups ranged from .1 percent for petroleum products to 31.6 percent for the miscellaneous category of all other carloads. For the first 50 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 13,389,380 carloads, down 16.5 percent from 2008 and 18.1 percent from 2007; 9,589,775 trailers or containers, down 14.6 percent from 2008 and 17.9 percent from 2007, and total volume of an estimated 1.44 trillion ton-miles, down 15.5 percent from 2008 and 16.3 percent from 2007. Canadian railroads reported volume of 65,815 cars for the week, up 6.5 percent from last year, and 41,952 trailers or containers, up 2.3 percent from 2008. For the first 50 weeks of 2009, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 3,136,755 carloads, down 18.7 percent from last year, and 2,053,398 trailers or containers, down 14.8 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 15,061 cars, up 24.8 percent from the same week last year, and 6,785 trailers or containers, up 34.9 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 50 weeks of 2009 was reported as 583,365 carloads, down 10.1 percent from last year; and 278,749 trailers or containers, down 13.6 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 50 weeks of 2009 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 17,109,500 carloads, down 16.7 percent from last year, and 11,921,922 trailers and containers, down 14.6 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 12/23) PUBLIC HEARINGS TO BE HELD CONCERNING RICHMOND-HAMPTON ROAD RAIL IMPROVEMENTS: –The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) today announced public hearing dates for the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project Tier I Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Hearings will be held January 26, 27 and 28, 2010. DRPT and FRA are evaluating options to improve passenger rail service between Richmond and Hampton Roads. The draft document provides an overview and comparison of the alternatives under consideration, with information on the cost, ridership, environmental impacts and infrastructure improvements associated with each option. Public comments will help determine the best alternative to advance into the next phase of federal review. The draft document is available online at www.rich2hrrail.info and in paper copy at local libraries, planning district commissions and the DRPT Richmond office. (DRPT - posted 12/23) NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF GREAT NOTCH STATION: NJ TRANSIT today announced that Great Notch Station, located in Little Falls on the Montclair-Boonton Line, will close January 16, 2010, due to low ridership. Last year, NJ TRANSIT conducted a public hearing on September 3, at the Little Falls Township Municipal Building, to gather public input regarding consideration being given to the possibility of closing the station. In response to community requests, NJ TRANSIT increased train service at Great Notch Station in April 2009 and began a trial period to build better ridership at the station. Throughout the trial period, NJ TRANSIT monitored ridership at the station, with the goal of encouraging 75 average weekday riders by the end of six months, and 100 over a year of the trial. However, ridership counts at the station remained anemic, with fewer than 10 customers boarding from Great Notch on a typical weekday. Since Montclair State University Station opened in 2004, demand at Great Notch Station has steadily declined. In Fiscal Year 2009, there were nine average weekday boardings at Great Notch Station, compared to 203 and 597 at the nearby Little Falls and Montclair State University stations, respectively. Great Notch Station customers are encouraged to visit njtransit.com for station and schedule information for Montclair State University Station, located about one mile away from Great Notch, and Little Falls Station, which is less than two miles away. (NJ Transit - posted 12/21) MTA AND MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF FIRST PHASE OF NO. 7 SUBWAY EXTENSION: New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder today announced the completion of the first phase of the Number 7 subway extension at the Hudson Yards in Manhattan. The second of two tunnel boring machines has reached the southern wall of the 34th Street Station cavern after mining a combined 2,900 feet from their starting point at 26th Street under 11th Avenue. The $2.1 billion project, funded by the City and managed by the MTA, will help transform the Hudson Yards vicinity into a vibrant 24-hour neighborhood, containing a mix of commercial, residential, retail, open space and recreational uses. In January of 2005, the City Council approved the Bloomberg Administration's plan for re-zoning the Hudson Yards area, including the Eastern Rail Yards. Today, the City Council will vote on the plan for the Western Rail Yards, which would complete the public approvals process for the development of the area. "It's been a half century since City government expanded its subway system, but that drought will soon be at an end," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Too often, government falls victim to the temptation to abandon long-term infrastructure projects amidst short-term downturns, and that's why big things never get done. The redevelopment of the Hudson Yards has been talked about for decades, but with the expansion of the number 7 line, its potential will finally be realized." "This week's milestone is a clear indicator that the MTA is delivering on a major expansion project that will increase capacity within our transit system and generate economic growth in a vastly underserved area," said MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder. "Much like our joint efforts to improve bus service throughout the city, this partnership between the city and MTA will benefit New Yorkers for generations to come." "With one of the largest development projects in recent decades on the horizon, the completion of the first phase of the Number 7 Line extension is an important step in making sure that our infrastructure keeps up with the pace of our city," said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. "Extending the 7 Line to 34 Street and 11th Avenue will not just open up the Hudson Yards, it will bring New York's next great commercial and cultural center to life and make our sure that our City will continue to thrive." "Today's announcement of the completion of the first phase of the Number 7 Line extension is a major milestone in the expansion of New York's aged infrastructure," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler. "For too long we have not made the necessary investments to update our transportation network. This project, which will open the economic potential of the Far West Side, is one of many such projects we need to do to prepare New York for continued growth. I look forward to the successful completion of this project and future investments in our infrastructure." "Committing to the expansion of our mass transportation system is only more important to the success of our city in these tough economic times," said Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer. "Development projects like the 7 line expansion and the larger Hudson Yards Redevelopment will bring jobs to New York with real, tangible benefits for our residents. I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg and the MTA for making possible this milestone on the road to a new and vibrant West Side." The tunnel boring machines were launched last summer from the underground assembly chamber located at 26th Street. The first 300 feet of tunneling was complicated by a section of soft ground between 27th and 28th Streets that required a technique called "ground freeze" to reinforce the ground, allowing the machines to pass through as if it were solid rock. As the tunnel boring machines mine, they place pre-cast concrete lining rings along the excavated tunnel, making up the permanent liner of the finished tunnel. While the new service will terminate at the new 34th Street station, the tunnels continue to 25th Street to allow for the storage of trains. One tunnel boring machine has already started mining north of the station cavern toward 42nd Street while the other is being pulled through the cavern and will begin mining in a few weeks. Tunneling north from 34th Street also presents unique challenges, as track will run under the 8th Avenue Subway, Amtrak/NJ TRANSIT tunnels, tunnels to the former New York Central Line, the Lincoln Tunnel and the Port Authority Bus Terminal and ramps. Excavation and underpinning of the 8th Avenue Subway line is underway to allow the new tunnels to tie into the existing 7 Line tail tracks at Times Square. Tunneling will be completed in the Spring of 2010, when work will commence on station entrances and finishes, as well as support facilities such as ventilation and traction power substations. The new service will open in December in 2013 as scheduled. Construction of the tunnels and the 34th Street Station cavern is being done by S3II Tunnel Constructors, a joint venture of J.F. Shea Construction, Inc., SKANSKA USA Civil Northeast, Inc., and Schiavone Construction Co., Inc. "The S3II joint venture is very proud to be part of this important project for the MTA and the City," said Jim Marquardt, Project Director for S3II. The $1.14 billion contract for this work was awarded to S3II in December 2007. The 7 Line Extension will introduce subway service to an emerging mixed-use community in Midtown West, fostering transit oriented development in one of Manhattan's most underserved and underdeveloped areas. The City created two local development corporations, the Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corporation, which is contributing $2.1 billion to the project, and the Hudson Yards Development Corporation, which oversees planning and development in the Hudson Yards on behalf of the City. (MTA - posted 12/21) RAILAMERICA, INC. ANNOUNCES EARLY TERMINATION OF OTTAWA VALLEY RAILWAY LEASE WITH CANADIAN PACIFIC: RailAmerica, Inc. today reported that its subsidiary RaiLink Canada Ltd. has closed on a transaction with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) to terminate its lease of the Ottawa Valley Railway (OVR) line. Under the terms of the agreement, RailAmerica, Inc. received C$73 million in gross proceeds. The Company estimates net cash proceeds after taxes and transaction related expenses of C$69 to C$70 million. RailAmerica's subsidiary will terminate its lease of the CP-owned OVR rail line between Smiths Falls and Camspur, near Petawawa ON, effective upon clearance of the remaining cars from the line. Under the Canada Transportation Act, CP has 60 days to decide if train service will be restored on the line. RailAmerica's subsidiary will continue to maintain and operate the CP-owned rail lines between Sudbury and Mattawa, ON, Mattawa and Temiscaming, PQ, and Mattawa and Camspur until dates in 2010 to be determined by CP. The OVR operation consists of 342 mainline miles of track and primarily transports bridge traffic, chemicals, and pulp and paper products. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, total revenue for OVR was C$13.3 million, operating income was C$4.6 million, depreciation/amortization expense was C$0.4 million and capital expenditures were C$0.7 million. The Company will record the income or loss from these operations in discontinued operations beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009. (RailAmerica, Inc - posted 12/18) GE TRANSPORTATION TO SUPPLY 100 LOCOMOTIVES TO TRANSNET LIMITED IN SOUTH AFRICA: GE South African Technologies (GESAT), GE Transportation’s entity in South Africa, announced today that it has signed a landmark contract with Transnet Limited to supply Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) with 100 locomotives. TFR is South Africa's state-owned rail freight logistics utility; Transnet Limited is its parent company. Ten of the locomotives will be manufactured in Erie and Grove City, USA and 90 will be manufactured locally at Transnet Rail Engineering’s site in South Africa with kits provided by GE Transportation. “We are pleased that GE is helping drive South Africa towards a lead manufacturing economy by localizing the production of locomotives in South Africa. We look forward to sharing some of our global success with Transnet and thus jointly expanding our regional footprint,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation. “GE’s extensive knowledge in localizing locomotive assembly can be witnessed in some of the world’s leading developing economies such as China, Brazil and Kazakhstan. Each of our global manufacturing sites has been specifically customized in line with customer and country requirements and capabilities. We worked closely with Transnet Rail Engineering to develop a comprehensive localization plan that complements local strengths and transfers world-class skills and technology where applicable.” In December 2008, GE Transportation signed an agreement with one of South Africa’s foremost Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) companies, Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC), to establish the subsidiary GE South Africa Technologies (Pty) Limited (GESAT), allowing the company to more actively participate in South Africa's social and economic transformation in the rail industry. Commenting on the announcement of this contract, Tshidi Madima, Executive Director of the MIC stated, “We are delighted that GESAT has been successful in winning this Transnet Freight Rail contract as this is an excellent example of the type of participation in the South African economy that was anticipated in the creation of GESAT 12 months ago.” GE’s model C30ACi, the first AC diesel electric locomotive to be introduced to sub-Saharan Africa, will have an engine that delivers 3,300 Gross HorsePower (GHP) using an electronic fuel-injection system that automatically supplies the exact amount of fuel needed for optimal engine efficiency. The locomotives will also feature GE’s unique AC propulsion technology and dynamic braking. The addition of these new locomotives, which will be used to haul freight and coal, will decrease life-cycle costs, improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The first locomotives and kits are scheduled to be delivered in early 2011; locomotive assembly in country, with kits from Erie and engines from Grove City, should begin at the end of 2010. (GE - posted 12/18) GE TRANSPORTATION MOVES CLOSER TO SECURING NEW AMTRAK PASSENGER LOCOMOTIVE ORDER: With today’s passage of the Jobs for Main Street Act by the U.S. House of Representatives, GE Transportation has moved a major step closer to a potential order for the next generation, higher-speed passenger locomotives from Amtrak. The Act provides $800 million for Amtrak fleet modernization, including the purchase of new “fuel efficient locomotives.” Amtrak has previously expressed interest in upgrading their aging passenger locomotive fleet. Once the critical funding for Amtrak to modernize its fleet is enacted into law, GE remains confident it can provide a superior proposal to Amtrak for the new locomotives. “We greatly appreciate the support U.S. Representative Kathy Dahlkemper has provided to ensure this Act included specific funding for new passenger locomotives,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation. “This House legislation paves the way to help sustain well-paying manufacturing jobs and to provide the public with greener, more efficient transportation.” Added Simonelli: "As the bill moves to the Senate, we will work with Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, who have been active supporters, to ensure this funding is included." For the past several months GE Transportation and its employees, GE’s largest local union and suppliers to the business have petitioned for federal support to help fund this higher-speed locomotive that could help sustain 1,900 GE and supplier jobs. Any order for passenger locomotives would represent the engineering resources and labor required to produce approximately three times as many freight locomotives. GE Transportation in Erie and Grove City, Penn could build new locomotives for Amtrak following a competitive bidding process. In addition to helping sustain jobs, the new locomotives from GE would also reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The next generation passenger locomotives would be capable of reaching speeds of up to 124 mph. (GE - posted 12/17) AAR REPORTS WEEKLY U.S. RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REMAINS DOWN: The Association of American Railroads today reported that freight rail traffic remains down for the week ending Dec. 12, 2009. U.S. railroads reported originating 261,933 carloads, down 10.2 percent compared with the same week in 2008 and down 18.5 percent from the same week in 2007. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2009 weekly rail traffic with year over year comparisons for both 2008 and 2007. In the Western U.S., carloads were down 13.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 16.4 percent compared with 2007. In the East, carloads were down 5.4 percent compared with 2008, and 21.4 percent compared with the same week in 2007. Intermodal traffic totaled 204,950 trailers and containers, down 3 percent from a year ago and 14.3 percent from 2007. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume rose 3.6 percent and trailer volume dropped 24.5 percent. Compared with the same week in 2007, container volume fell 7.7 percent and trailer volume dropped 35.2 percent. While 12 of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were down compared with the same week last year, increases were seen in grain mill products (16.1 percent), chemicals (14.8 percent), metallic ores (14.7 percent), motor vehicles and equipment (11.2 percent), grain (8.1 percent), waste and scrap metal (6 percent) and nonmetallic minerals (2.2 percent). Declines in commodity groups ranged from .7 percent for farm products excluding grain to 24.9 percent for crushed stone, sand and gravel. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Dec. 12, 2009 was estimated at 29.3 billion ton-miles, down 9.8 percent compared with the same week last year and down 13.3 percent from 2007. For the first 49 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 13,117,561 carloads, down 16.8 percent from 2008 and 18.1 percent from 2007; 9,380,016 trailers or containers, down 15 percent from 2008 and 18.1 percent from 2007, and total volume of an estimated 1.41 trillion ton-miles, down 15.8 percent from 2008 and 16.4 percent from 2007. Canadian railroads reported volume of 66,894 cars for the week, up 1.9 percent from last year, and 38,441 trailers or containers, down 7.4 percent from 2008. For the first 49 weeks of 2009, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 3,070,940 carloads, down 19.1 percent from last year, and 2,011,446 trailers or containers, down 15.1 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 12,583 cars, up 2 percent from the same week last year, and 6,768 trailers or containers, up 13.6 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 49 weeks of 2009 was reported as 568,304 carloads, down 10.8 percent from last year; and 271,964 trailers or containers, down 14.4 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 49 weeks of 2009 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 16,756,805 carloads, down 17 percent from last year, and 11,663,426 trailers and containers, down 15 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 12/17) DRIVER MULTITASKING NEAR TRAIN TRACKS FACE DISASTER... OPERATION LIFESAVER RELEASES PSAs ADDRESSING DISTRACTED DRIVING: Addressing growing national concerns about distracted driving, Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (www.oli.org) is promoting awareness of rail safety for motorists with two new video public service announcements (PSAs) targeted to younger drivers. The 30-second spots illustrate how distraction leads to danger as multitasking drivers fail to notice that they are approaching highway-rail grade crossings. (View a distracted driving PSA on the Operation Lifesaver homepage at www.oli.org) "Cell phones, texting and other distractions can cause people to pay inadequate attention to the road and at highway-rail intersections," noted Operation Lifesaver, Inc. President Helen M. Sramek. "Our new PSAs remind drivers to stay focused, especially near train tracks. These days, drivers face multiple sources of distraction both inside their vehicles -- like satellite radios, DVD players and navigation systems -- as well as outsideAll can have deadly consequences, because there is no second chance if you meet a train at a crossing." Last year there were more than 2,400 vehicle-train collisions nationwide at highway-rail grade crossings, resulting in more than 1,200 deaths or injuries. Federal statistics also show that inattentive drivers contribute to approximately three percent of all vehicle-train crashes at highway-rail grade crossings; another 20 percent of grade crossing collisions involve motor vehicles striking trains at a crossing. (OLI, Randy Kotuby - posted 12/16) METROLINX ACQUIRES FULL OWNERSHIP OF TORONTO-BARRIE RAIL COMMUTER CORRIDOR IN TRANSACTION WITH CN: Metrolinx today purchased from CN the lower portion of the Newmarket Subdivision in central-north Toronto for C$68 million. The transaction gives Metrolinx end-to-end ownership of the 60-mile-long Barrie-Bradford GO Train corridor between downtown Toronto and Barrie, Ont. – a first for the government transit agency. Please visit www.cn.ca/newmarket for a map of the Lower Newmarket Subdivision and CN and GO Transit rail networks in the Toronto area. Metrolinx is the Ontario government Crown corporation responsible for delivering an integrated, multi-modal transportation network in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), from York and Durham through Toronto, Peel Halton and Hamilton. GO Transit, the operating division of Metrolinx, provides commuter rail and bus services in the GTA. The Metrolinx line acquisition fills the rail gap between the agency’s east-west Union Station Rail Corridor in downtown Toronto, its Weston Subdivision in west-central Toronto, and the northern segment of its commuter rail-line reaching Barrie. Metrolinx President and Chief Executive Officer J. Robert S. Prichard said: “This transaction marks a milestone for the agency, giving us – for the first time – end-to-end ownership of a GO Transit rail line. This transaction with CN – an important partner of ours -- will permit improvements to service between Toronto and Barrie and points in between. Improved commuter rail and mass transit are vital to easing traffic congestion and air pollution in the GTA, while improving the productivity and economic competitiveness of the region.” Claude Mongeau, CN executive vice-president and incoming president and chief executive officer, said: “CN is pleased to have reached this sales agreement with Metrolinx. We have close ties with GO – most of its services in the Greater Toronto Area operate over CN’s network – and we see our partnership with GO and Metrolinx continuing to drive the environmental benefits of rail in the Toronto region. In addition, this line sale will generate additional value for the company.” The line acquired by Metrolinx branches off its Weston Subdivision, acquired from CN earlier this year, in west Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood and runs north past York University to connect with the agency’s existing commuter line to Barrie. That line starts immediately north of CN’s main east-west freight corridor that parallels Steeles Avenue between Keele and Dufferin streets. GO currently runs eight commuter trains daily, Monday to Friday, between Toronto and Barrie over the Newmarket Subdivision, which also accommodates a daily CN freight train and VIA Rail Canada Inc.’s transcontinental passenger train three times a week. Under its sales agreement with Metrolinx, CN will continue to serve five freight customers on the lower Newmarket Subdivision between Highway 401 and CN’s main east-west freight corridor. Rail has a benign environmental footprint, and CN is the green, energy-efficient choice for shippers. Rail has been shown to be up to six times more energy-efficient than heavy trucks, because rail consumes a fraction of the fuel to transport one tonne of freight one kilometre. In fact, we can move one tonne of freight almost 200 kilometres on just one litre of fuel. The company’s innovative Precision Railroading model, and partnership agreements with other railroads to share assets and deliver interchange traffic at the most efficient gateways, have also reduced fuel consumption and emissions. GO Transit recognizes the decisions we make today will have a major impact on the world we live in tomorrow. Changing attitudes and shifting mindsets are putting the environment at the forefront of GO’s plans – both today and in the future. Transit is a clean, sustainable transportation option and GO believes the environment should be a key consideration for future growth strategies and development. Going green is just one of the many ways GO Transit is leading the way, both in the transportation industry and in the eyes of its customers. (CN - posted 12/15) AMTRAK RESTORES DINING CAR SERVICE ON LAKE SHORE LIMITED TRAINS: To meet passenger demand for a higher level of food service, Amtrak is restoring dining car service to its long-distance Lake Shore Limited route that operates from New York and Boston to Chicago. The dining car service begins today with Train 49, originating from New York. It provides an improved culinary experience for passengers with enhanced ambience and comfort, including trained chefs who will prepare freshly made meals. In addition, the 1950s era dining cars have been refurbished to meet current safety and operating standards and feature booth style seating, large picture windows and modern cooking equipment. “Putting diner cars back on the Lake Shore Limited has been a priority for Amtrak and is one of the ways we are improving this service for our passengers,” said Emmett Fremaux, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, adding that sleeping car service was restored between Boston and Chicago in March 2009. Due to a shortage of available dining cars to operate the service, modified Café Cars have operated on Lake Shore Limited since September 2007, as Amtrak worked to refurbish the Heritage Dining Cars. (Amtrak - posted 12/14) MTA RELEASES FINAL PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2010: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today released its Final Proposed Budget for 2010. The budget proposal was presented to the MTA Board's Finance Committee and will be presented to the full Board for consideration at its meeting on Wednesday. The MTA is required to pass a balanced budget by the end of the year. The budget proposal addresses a $383 million gap that had developed over the past two weeks due to several significant unfavorable developments:
PENNSY RAIL GRANTS: Thirty-nine freight rail companies and users can make upgrades and expand capacity with a $24.5 million state investment from PennDOT's Rail Freight Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance and Rail Freight Assistance Programs, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today. "Upgrading and expanding our freight rail lines helps maintain service and also opens the door to greater business opportunities," Governor Rendell said. "These investments will help meet growing demand for freight rail service and also help ease highway congestion by reducing the number of trucks on our roadways." The state will invest $15 million from the capital budget program and an additional $9.5 million from the Rail Freight Assistance Program.
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