|
Hot News! Edited by Carl G. Perelman |
|
WEST OF HUDSON REGIONAL TRANSIT ACCESS STUDY: MTA Metro-North Railroad will hold an Open House in Orange County to present the latest information on the West of Hudson Regional Transit Access Alternatives Analysis Study (WHRTAS). The Study Team has completed Phase 1 of the Study and is now embarking on Phase 2. The Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, at 15 Crossroads Court, Newburgh, New York just south of Route 17K. Metro-North representatives and other members of the Study Team will present the findings from Phase 1 and the goals and objectives for Phase 2. During Phase 1, the team evaluated transit alternatives with the goal of recommending the most effective options for improving transit mobility and accessibility in the West of Hudson region. With input from stakeholders and the public, a shorter list of the most viable alternatives was recommended to be evaluated in greater detail in Phase 2. Despite changes in economic conditions and the deferment of previously planned trans-Hudson crossings, the need to improve transit access between Orange County and New York City remains. Metro-North is committed to improving transit access in the West of Hudson region in the short term by investing in improvements to the Port Jervis Line (PJL) including signaling improvements and reestablishing a second track along the PJL. After tropical storm Irene destroyed 14 miles of track between Harriman and Suffern, Metro-North demonstrated its commitment to continuous improvement to the Line by repairing it in record time. The Open House, part of the extensive outreach effort, provides an opportunity for the public to review the findings from the first phase and be briefed on the goals and objectives of the second phase. The Alternatives Analysis Phase I Screening Report, which details the findings of Phase 1, and additional information about the Study are available is available through the website: www.mta.info/mta/planning/whrtas . . Those needing additional information or wishing to comment on the project can call this toll free number: 800-897-0302. (MTA - posted 5/16) CENTRAL TERMINAL 2012 HISTORY & ARCHITECTURAL TOUR SCHEDULE: The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is pleased to announce the 2012 schedule for guided history and architectural tours of the landmark Buffalo Central Terminal. Beginning Sunday, May 20th and continuing until Sunday, October 7th, the public will have ten opportunities to experience the grandeur of this unique historic site. 2012 public guided tour dates are: May 20th , June 10th, June 24th ,July 8th, July 22nd, August 5th, August 19th , September 2nd, September 16th and October 7th (Tower Tour Day Only). When opened in 1929, Buffalo Central Terminal was one of the largest and most modern railroad terminals in the world. Known for its grand art deco architecture, towering office building and cavernous internal spaces, the last passenger train to depart the structure was in 1979. During the guided tours, visitors will access areas of the building not open during special events, gain insight into the Terminal’s colorful past and learn about ongoing plans for the restoration and development of the complex. Tours depart from the Terminal Store located in the building’s entrance lobby, 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo, New York. Unless noted, all tours begin promptly at 11a and last two hours. Cost is $10 per person. Advanced reservations for tours are recommended by emailing questions@BuffaloCentralTerminal.org. Groups of 15 or more are asked to schedule their visit in advance. All tour dates and times are subject to change. Please dress accordingly as tours take place both inside and outside the building, rain or shine. For updated information or questions call 716-810-3210. The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011 the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations. Visit www.BuffaloCentralTerminal.org for more information . (Central Terminal Restoration Corporation- posted 5/16) STB APPROVES REOPENING OF NORTH COUNTRY TRACKAGE: The Surface Transportation Board has approved the Saratoga & North Creek Railway's reopening of 29.7 miles of dormant trackage between North Creek and Newcomb (Tahawus), N.Y. The railroad's parent company Iowa Pacific Holdings had purchased the line from National Lead Company. The environmental group "Protect the Adirondacks" petitioned the STB to deny the railroad from operating over the line. The STB subsequently has ruled that the railroad can operate train service over the line. Plans are to move mine tailings from the Tahawus plant via rail. This material currently moves by truck. (Glens Falls Post-Star - posted 5/15) PENNSY HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE TO APPEAR AT NORFOLK SOUTHERN DAYS: The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will host Norfolk Southern Days on June 2 and June 3. A brand new Norfolk Southern ES44AC locomotive, No. 8102, painted in historic Pennsylvania Railroad livery, will be making a special appearance during the weekend. The stunning tuscan red and gold Pennsylvania Railroad heritage unit is one of 20 engines that Norfolk Southern is painting in color schemes that honor the company's predecessor railroads Tthe Pennsylvania Railroad heritage unit will be accompanied by a vintage F7 locomotive, sleeper/observation car No. 7 Pennsylvania and the Norfolk Southern exhibit car. In 2006, Visitors will be treated to the tradition of great music when the Norfolk Southern Lawmen perform. Employed by Norfolk Southern, these fulltime musicians often log as many as 200 performances a year. The Lawmen have appeared on national television and at the Grand Ole Opry, along with some of country music's top stars. The Norfolk Southern Lawmen will perform three, hour-long sets at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 2 at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Norfolk Southern employees will be on hand to discuss to equipment and talk about today's jobs in railroading. Operation Lifesaver will present programs on safety around trains and railroads, and a chronicle of Norfolk Southern's history and achievements will be on display in the Museum lobby. Catcher, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's mascot, will greet visitors at various times during the event. A colorful poster depicting the logos of Norfolk Southern's predecessors on railroad hats will be given free of charge to Museum visitors during Norfolk Southern Days, while supplies last. One poster per family, please. Norfolk Southern Chairman and CEO Wick Moorman will be the guest speaker at a by-invitation-only dinner held at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, June 2. Last year, Moorman was named both Business Person of the Year by Fortune magazine and Railroader of the Year by Railway Age magazine. Museum Director Charles Fox noted: "In addition to Norfolk Southern's contributions to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's 1915 street scene and cab simulator exhibits, the company and foundation have provided financial support for making the Museum's library and archival collections electronically accessible to the public and developing virtual tours, upgrades to information kiosks and a new digital signage system, as well as giving children the opportunity to benefit from the Museum's summer day camp program." For more information visit the museum's website . COMPLETION OF STATION PLATFORMS FOR DOWNEASTER LINE EXTENSION: Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo today joined in celebrating the completion of new train station platforms in Brunswick and Freeport in preparation for the expansion of Amtrak’s Downeaster line, which will begin serving both cities this fall. Administrator Szabo was joined by Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt and local business leaders. “The Obama Administration is committed to rail investment because it benefits the economy and provides the community with greater transportation options,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Brunswick and Freeport are great examples of how rail investment can provide jobs, greater economic development and greater mobility.” The Downeaster line expansion was funded by a $38.3 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the Federal Railroad Administration’s High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program. Brunswick and Freeport have not seen passenger rail service since 1959. The ripple effect of rail not only touches jobs associated directly with the project, but also jobs indirectly linked, including those associated with the people and products rail moves. According to the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, the work along the Downeaster corridor is creating business orders and sustaining and creating jobs at 53 companies in 20 states. “The Downeaster expansion is creating jobs and spurring local economic development even before the trains arrive,” said Administrator Szabo. “The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority delivered this project on time and on budget, and when the line opens in the fall it will increase tourism and mobility choices for residents from Boston to Brunswick.” The Recovery Act grant was augmented by additional funds from the State of Maine to cover the project costs, including the construction of the Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant passenger platforms in Freeport and Brunswick. The Downeaster project will improve 36 highway-rail grade crossings, upgrade numerous wayside signals, install signals on the Brunswick Branch and result in many other right of way improvements. To reduce congestion on the rail corridor and increase the reliability of the Downeaster service south of Maine, FRA has also provided the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority with a $21 million grant to improve the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) owned rail line used by the Downeaster. This project includes new mainline track and installation of a section of double track to eliminate an existing bottleneck, which will provide a safer, faster, and more reliable travel experience for riders. Work is expected to begin in summer 2012 (FRA - posted 5/14) NORFOLK SOUTHERN INVITES PUBLIC TO HELP PROTECT THE RAILROAD: Norfolk Southern (NSC) is making it easier for communities, businesses, and informed observers such as rail fans to report issues relating to public safety and security to the railroad's police force. The NS announcement is a significant expansion of the community-based rail security initiative started by BNSF Railway. Everyone with a stake in rail operations is invited to join Norfolk Southern's new "Protect the Line" reporting program, an online resource that directly connects you with NS Police. By becoming a Protect the Line member at the new www.protecttheline.com website, observers can report immediately to NS Police any suspicious activity relating to equipment maintenance, track obstructions, trespassing, vandalism, suspicious items and vehicles, and terrorism. NS' Protect the Line and BNSF's Citizens for Rail Security are part of an industry-wide initiative that works to include everyone with an interest in railroads. "Community awareness and participation are critical to keeping the railroad line safe and secure," said David Julian, NS vice president safety and environmental. "Through Protect the Line and Citizens for Rail Security, the public can work directly with us to prevent and mitigate situations that jeopardize the railroad line and those whom we serve." Mark Sinquefield, NS director of police, said, "Protect the Line members will be doing their part to safeguard America's critical commerce network by serving as responsible additional eyes and ears for railroads and our employees." "More than 10,000 citizens have joined the Citizens for Rail Security effort and are making the rail network a safer place by reporting potential trespassers, stolen equipment, and suspicious behavior near the tracks," said Duwayne Pennington, BNSF's assistance vice president of Resource Protection. Interested people can access the Protect the Line website a number of different ways: directly at www.protecttheline.com , through the Norfolk Southern website at www.nscorp.com, and through BNSF's Citizens for Rail Security website at www.citizensforrailsecurity.com. Visitors are encouraged to register by clicking Protect the Line and providing contact information. The Protect the Line website explains more about the program, including a link to BNSF's site. Citizen reports can be made to the NS Police at 800-453-2530 and nspolice@nscorp.com and to BNSF Police at 800-832-5452 and www.citizensforrailsecurity.com, either directly or through the website. Stay tuned. NS is developing an update to its smartphone app, NS Corp, that will include access to Protect the Line, with enhanced communications capabilities. The NS and BNSF police forces are charged with safeguarding people and freight shipments over the systems. They work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to protect railroads and communities. ( Norfolk Southern Corporation - posted 5/11) AMTRAK REVAMPING OPERATIONS TO IMPROVE FINANICAL PERFORMANCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE: As part of the company’s ongoing reorganization to align functions and resources with its new strategic plan, Amtrak is moving forward with revamping its Operations management structure by creating four business lines to establish clear accountability for the financial performance of individual trains and to improve customer service delivery. “Two of the most important strategies set in the strategic plan are to establish business lines and reorganize the Transportation, Mechanical and Engineering departments in order to create a single, integrated operating unit which will help us achieve our goals in safety and security, financial excellence and customer focus,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman. “Operations is not about moving trains, it’s about moving customers who pay for our services and that must always be what drives our actions,” stated Vice President of Operations DJ Stadtler. Stadtler explained the changes being made are also about an Amtrak structured to grow as its business needs and opportunities grow, and that when the reorganization is complete, there will be fewer layers of management from top to bottom so things can happen faster with less bureaucracy. He added that the plan does not include any service reductions. The initial step in the transition process will be to hire general managers to run each of the four business lines that are being established within Operations: Northeast Corridor Services, Long-Distance Services, State Supported Services and Commuter Services. These positions will report to the vice president of operations and will have full accountability for profit and loss of their respective train services. Field operations will report up to the general managers through a new integrated management structure so that each one has the ability to control costs. Also, general managers will have an effective relationship with the groups responsible for delivering revenue so they have an ability to manage the overall financial performance of their routes. In order to create integrated and improved service delivery, each major terminal will have a single manager responsible for all train and station services and who is accountable for ensuring customers arrive at clean stations with excellent ticketing and boarding services, trains depart on-time with superior customer service, and equipment is clean, comfortable and reliable. “We are creating ownership of our services within Amtrak and moving decision-making closer to the front-line, while keeping support functions centralized. This approach gives us the ability to better serve customers while maintaining efficiencies that will allow us to achieve our financial goals,” stressed Stadtler. The Operations reorganization plan will be rolled out in phases over the next 16 months with full transition to the new structure in October 2013. (Amtrak - posted 5/11) MOYNIHAN STATION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND PORT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF MOYNIHAN STATION: The Moynihan Station Development Corporation Board and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced the award of a construction contract to a nationally renowned builder to begin to transform the historic Farley Post Office Building in Manhattan into Moynihan Station. The major public-works project, a lifelong vision of the late U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, will alleviate congestion at Penn Station New York, North America’s busiest train station, located just across the street from the post office building. The Moynihan Station Development Corporation’s Board approved the award of the $147.7 million contract today to Skanska USA Civil Northeast. In October 2011, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the corporation’s operations will be consolidated into the Port Authority. The Port Authority will oversee the project, with construction management support from STA Moynihan JV, a joint venture of AECOM, STV and Tishman Construction. The first part of construction necessary to realize the late Senator Moynihan’s vision will double the width of the existing West End Concourse of Penn Station – which will be the concourse for the new train station – to serve eight additional tracks to be used by Amtrak, NJ Transit and Long Island Rail Road passengers. It also will provide new vertical circulation, including elevators, escalators and stairs to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The project will include fire safety improvements to Penn Station including new standpipes and a command center for the New York City Fire Department. In addition, the first phase of the project will provide new access through entrances in the Farley building at 31st and 33rd streets and Eighth Avenue to the West End Concourse, allowing the public to access the train platforms through that building for the first time. The total cost of Phase 1 is $267 million. Funding will be provided through an $83 million federal TIGER grant, $29.5 million from the MTA, $10 million from the Port Authority, and the remaining funds from federal grants and appropriations. Construction will begin this summer. The project will generate more than 3,000 jobs and is expected to take four years to complete. “The redevelopment of Moynihan Station has struggled for more than two decades to achieve the momentum necessary for such an important infrastructure project,” said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. “Today, we are moving faster and making more progress than ever to constructing the word-class transit center that New Yorkers deserve. I commend the Port Authority and the federal government for their commitment to this project.” “New York’s success is built around our ability to move people quickly, efficiently, and to all corners of the city and region,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. “Construction of Moynihan Station’s West End Concourse and the connection between Penn Station and the Farley post office is the beginning of a transportation renaissance, and will be a catalyst for growth in Manhattan’s far west side, which we have long fought to develop.” “This is an exciting step towards the construction of a grand, new gateway to New York City that was envisioned by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan,” U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. “I applaud Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, Secretary LaHood, Mayor Bloomberg, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and all the New York corporations and parties involved who have worked tirelessly in moving the Moynihan Station project forward. I am proud to have helped push for federal investments in the project’s first phase, which will create jobs, bring our aging infrastructure into the 21st century, improve mobility and security for millions of passengers, and spur economic growth.” “Today’s announcement of the awarding of the contract for the western concourse phase of Moynihan Station development continues the significant progress that has already been made that will transform the Farley Federal Post Office Building in Manhattan into the new Moynihan Station, a grand rail gateway into New York City,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “This project, for which I have long supported funding in Washington, will produce just the sort of infrastructure improvement and economic development that New York needs. In addition to generating thousands of good jobs, Moynihan Station will expand our capacity for passengers and make New York – and, especially, the West Side – more accessible to commuters and visitors.” “Today’s announcement is a great step forward for a project that is vital to New York City’s future,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure by building projects like Moynihan Station will keep our city competitive for the long run, and create thousands of jobs in the short term. This progress is a testament to the cooperation between various levels of government and stakeholders on this project.” “By working together and taking the time to get this right, we’ve found a way forward that will provide immediate relief to commuters and put us all one step closer to recapturing the former glory of New York’s original Penn Station,” said Deputy U.S. Transportation Secretary John Porcari. “Amtrak applauds today’s announcement of the first construction contract for Moynihan Station and congratulates MSDC and the Port Authority for their efforts to advance this phase of this vitally important project after many years of planning,” said Joe Boardman, President and CEO, Amtrak. “We will continue to support the development of Moynihan Station, with the aim of fulfilling Senator Moynihan’s vision for re-establishing a great intercity train station for New York City.” “This type of targeted investment is simply common sense for the thousands of people who take the train into Manhattan each day,” said Port Authority Vice Chairman Scott Rechler. “Coupling our resources with those from the MTA and the federal government will allow us to alleviate the crowded and inadequate facilities that exist in Penn Station, and will allow us to prepare now for future growth in rail travel.” “After 20 years of press releases followed by little progress, LIRR, NJT and Amtrak commuters will, beginning later this year, see tangible progress toward the new Moynihan Station,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. “A new West End Concourse will be the concourse for the new station accompanied by a significant increase in access to and from all the tracks.” “Today's announcement is the first step toward creating a world-class transportation hub on the west side of Manhattan,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota. “Enhancing the customer experience is critical to improving the public's mobility, and Moynihan Station will give New York the welcoming experience it deserves. The MTA congratulates MSDC and the Port Authority for reaching this critical milestone.” “My father, the late Senator Moynihan, would be so proud to see his dream come to life for the city and state he so loved,” said Maura Moynihan, daughter of the late senator. “I want to thank all of the people who worked so hard to make this happen, especially my old friend, our great Governor Andrew Cuomo, Pat Foye and Tim Gilchrist.” “Moving forward with the Moynihan Station project is important evidence to the business community that New York State will continue to invest aggressively in modernization of the transportation infrastructure that is essential to our continued economic growth,” said Kathryn Wylde, president & CEO, Partnership for New York City. “Today's announcement is a very important step in making Moynihan Station the grand gateway to New York that Senator Moynihan envisioned decades ago,” said Robert Yaro, president of the Regional Plan Association. “Beginning work on the long-awaited Moynihan Station means construction jobs, the eventual easing of congestion at Penn Station, and the fulfillment of Senator Moynihan’s vision of a great gateway to New York. We couldn’t be happier,” said Peg Breen, president of the New York Landmarks Conservancy. “We are delighted that the first construction contract has finally been awarded for Moynihan Station,” said Vin Cipolla, president of the Municipal Arts Society. “MAS has long been advocating for the revitalization of the far west side and Moynihan; this project is critical to the livability of New York City and the region. We commend the Governor on his commitment to seeing this project through.” The late Senator Moynihan’s plan for the Farley Post Office Building, which has long had the strong support of transportation advocates, was to turn the vast interior spaces and the train tracks that extend under the Farley from Penn Station into a sweeping entryway to Manhattan for the nearly 500,000 commuters and travelers who enter the transit hub every day. In 2005, the state selected a pair of developers — Stephen M. Ross of Related Companies and Steven Roth of Vornado Realty Trust — to build Moynihan Station, but that plan was never realized. In Phase 2 of the project, a new intercity train hall will be built in the Farley building for use by Amtrak. In addition, an emergency platform ventilation system will be built under the Farley building, and improvements will be made to the corridor connecting Penn Station and the West End Concourse. . (PANYNJ release date 5/09 - posted 5/11) AMTRAK MICHIGAN SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS Momentum is building for improved Amtrak service to and from Michigan with a series of positive developments for intercity rail passengers. Amtrak Wolverine Service and Blue Water passengers can now expect the return to normal travel times from Kalamazoo to near Dearborn with the completion of track and crossing improvements performed by Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) to eliminate the drastic speed restrictions imposed by NS in March. Also, Amtrak will issue schedules effective May 21 for the Pontiac-Detroit-Chicago Wolverines (Trains 350-355) and the Port Huron-East Lansing-Chicago Blue Water (Trains 364 & 365) accounting for the speed increase this year to 110 mph on the Amtrak-owned Michigan District in Michigan and Indiana. Permanent schedules changes are pending approval of NS for the Chicago to Porter, Ind., segment of the route and from CN, which owns the Blue Water route from Battle Creek to Port Huron and the Wolverine route between Pontiac and Detroit. Passenger Service Notices about new schedules will be provided at stations, shown as part of the booking process on Amtrak.com and posted at Amtrak.com/Alerts. Last week, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced a $3.2 million grant to further reduce passenger travel times between Chicago and Michigan over the congested Chicago to Porter route owned by NS and used by 12 daily Amtrak trains. The study will consider needed infrastructure improvements to allow faster and more frequent passenger train service along the entire Chicago to Detroit/Pontiac rail corridor. This week, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board announced the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) can execute its plan to acquire and improve the 135-mile NS line from Kalamazoo to near Dearborn, so Amtrak can run Wolverine Service at speeds of up to 110 mph in the future. MDOT received High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program grants from the FRA of more than $346 million for this purpose. “Amtrak looks forward to working with the FRA, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana to improve this corridor and better connect these vital cities in the Midwest with travel times far better than driving, more comfortable and productive than flying and with a smaller carbon footprint than either of those modes,” said Joe Boardman, Amtrak President and CEO. A version of this map in higher resolution is available from Amtrak or MDOT. (USDOT - posted 5/10) VIA RAIL SERVICES IN GASPE' PENINSULA TO PARTIALLY RESUME ON MAY 13TH: VIA Rail Canada wishes to inform its passengers that services provided between Montreal, Matapédia and New-Carlisle will resume with the departure of train 16 from Montreal on Sunday, May 13th (first westbound train to Montreal May 14th). The interruption in services over the last few months was caused by significant track maintenance work undertaken by the Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie (SCFG). "Having recently received engineering reports indicating that the bridges and other structures between Matapédia and New-Carlisle are now safe, we are pleased to resume operations of our trains on this leg," explained Marc Beaulieu, VIA's Regional General Manager, East, and Chief Transportation Officer. "Although this interruption in our services was beyond our control, we apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this situation may have caused." The Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie is pursuing its detailed inspections and load calculations on the portion of track between New-Carlisle and Gaspé. The train there will continue to be replaced by motor coach service until VIA receives an inspection report indicating that the infrastructure can again be used safely by its trains. « We are pleased with the collaborative work done to date with VIA's engineers, and are committed to continuing to work toward a reopening of the rail line through to Gaspé as soon as possible," said François Roussy, President of the SCFG. (VIA Rail Canada - posted 5/10) AAR REPORTS MIXED WEEKLY RAIL TRAFFIC: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending May 5, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 276,136 carloads, down 2 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 239,031 trailers and containers, up 3 percent compared with the same week last year. Fourteen of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with petroleum products, up 47 percent; motor vehicles and equipment, up 31.2 percent, and lumber and wood products, up 23.1. The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included grain, down 22.7 percent; farm products excluding grain, down 11.9 percent, and coal, down 10.1 percent. Weekly carload volume on Eastern railroads was down 1.7 percent compared with the same week last year. In the West, weekly carload volume was down 2.3 percent compared with the same week in 2011. For the first 18 weeks of 2012, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 5,068,331 carloads, down 3.2 percent from the same point last year, and 4,114,427 trailers and containers, up 2.8 percent from last year. Canadian railroads reported 81,102 carloads for the week, up 4.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 54,659 trailers and containers, up 9.4 percent compared with 2011. For the first 18 weeks of 2012, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,386,842 carloads, up 4.8 percent from the same point last year, and 898,862 trailers and containers, up 7.9 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported 13,943 carloads for the week, up 0.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 8,522 trailers and containers, up 9.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 18 weeks of 2012 is 244,534 carloads, down 4.7 percent compared with the same point last year, and 159,437 trailers and containers, up 22.5 percent from last year. Combined North American rail volume for the first 18 weeks of 2012 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 6,699,707 carloads, down 1.7 percent compared with the same point last year, and 5,172,726 trailers and containers, up 4.2 percent compared with last year. (AAR - posted 5/10) ELIMINATION OF DETROIT RAILROAD BOTTLENECK: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a final agreement of $15.8 million for the West Detroit Connection Track project that will eliminate congestion for Detroit-area Amtrak passengers by addressing a bottleneck that comes from serving both freight and passenger rail on the same tracks. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration is providing a grant for $7.9 million, which is being matched with another $7.9 million from the State of Michigan. The project is set to break ground in West Detroit later this year. “President Obama’s bold vision of investing in rail projects like the West Detroit Connection Track will create jobs and grow our economy over the long-term by moving people and goods more quickly and efficiently than ever before,” said Secretary LaHood. “In eliminating a longstanding bottleneck, we are creating capacity to handle future rail demand as our population grows, while strengthening the foundation for economic development across the region.” Currently both freight and intercity passenger trains make a connection through Bay City Junction. The West Detroit Connection Track project will provide new track to separate freight and passenger train movements. Amtrak’s “Wolverine” service, which provides three daily round trips between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac, will use the new track. West Detroit Junction is a key link between the Dearborn Station and the Detroit New Center Station. In 2009, this track moved 444,127 passengers on the Wolverine service. West Detroit Junction is a key part of the Chicago to Detroit line, which has seen nearly $400 million in federal investments in the state of Michigan under president Obama’s High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program. The line now reaches speeds of 110 mph between Porter, IN and Kalamazoo, MI and will reach 110 mph on 80 percent of the track by 2016. The Chicago to Detroit line is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Network, which is located in one of five densely populated mega-regions, areas already overwhelmed by congestion and in need of better transportation options. Bringing safe, fast, convenient, affordable high-speed rail to these areas will create jobs, increase economic opportunities and relieve congestion. “This is yet another example of how federal, state, and local governments, as well as the railroads, are working hard to eliminate rail bottlenecks and improve service for both freight and passenger rail customers,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. More than 100 million people call the Midwest region home. Using the Gross Domestic Product as a measure, the Great Lakes-Midwest economic region would be the fifth largest economy if it were its own country. The Federal Railroad Administration and its 32 state partners are making great progress on High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program-related projects across the country. With $10.1 billion in federal funding, they’re moving forward with 153 projects, laying the foundation for a 21st century passenger rail network. (USDOT - posted 5/10) NORFOLK SOUTHERN 10th HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE RELEASED: SAVANAH & ATLANTA: Today EMD's Muncie, Indiana locomotive assembly facility has released the tenth Norfolk Southern heritage unit: Savannah & Atlanta 1065 ( posted 5/09) U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAHOOD ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL REGULATION: F U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced changes to regulations governing the installation of positive train control (PTC) equipment that will give railroads additional flexibility, save money and maintain a high level of safety. “Under President Obama’s leadership, the Department of Transportation is committed to ensuring the safety of our nation’s railroads while reducing regulatory barriers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “These changes will provide significant regulatory relief, while ensuring that safety remains our highest priority.” PTC is a system of integrated technologies capable of preventing collisions, over-speed derailments and unintended train movements. Earlier this year, President Obama called for a government-wide review of regulations in order to identify those that needed to be changed or removed because they were unnecessary, out-of-date, excessively burdensome or overly costly. “As a result of this review, the revised regulations will provide greater flexibility to railroads and save hundreds of millions of dollars even as they improve rail safety,” said FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “The steps we are taking will continue the momentum achieved in implementing PTC.” Under the revisions announced today, railroads will no longer have to conduct risk analyses to obtain approval to not install PTC or take other costly risk mitigation measures on an estimated 10,000 miles of track that will not carry passenger trains or poison inhalation hazard (PIH) commodities after December 2015. Railroads are expected to save approximately $335 million over the first five years, and up to $775 million over 20 years, by utilizing safety measures other than PTC, where appropriate. The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA) mandates widespread installation of PTC systems by December 2015 on rail lines which carry at least five million gross tons of freight annually, on Class I railroads that ship PIH commodities, and on lines where intercity passenger rail and commuter service is regularly operated. (FRA - posted 5/10) NORFOLK SOUTHERN 10th HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE RELEASED: SAVANAH & ATLANTA: Today EMD's Muncie, Indiana locomotive assembly facility has released the tenth Norfolk Southern heritage unit: Savannah & Atlanta 1065 ( posted 5/09) NORFOLK SOUTHERN TO DISPLAY PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE AT NATIONAL TRAIN DAY IN CHICAGO: A vintage F7 locomotive in Southern Railway’s “tuxedo” paint scheme, a Heritage locomotive in Pennsylvania Railroad livery, and Norfolk Southern’s Exhibit Car will represent Norfolk Southern’s past, present and future at the National Train Day celebration in Chicago May 12. Norfolk Southern will participate in Amtrak’s fifth annual National Train Day by having this equipment on exhibit at Union Station from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with exhibits from other railroads and private railcar owners. In addition, Norfolk Southern employees will be on hand to discuss the equipment and talk about modern freight rail operations in general and to hand out Norfolk Southern 30th anniversary commemorative souvenir pins. In 2006, Norfolk Southern replaced the modern engines that used to haul its executive train with a set of vintage diesels, including the one to be on display in Chicago. The black-and-white paint scheme on these F units harks back to Norfolk Southern’s predecessor, Southern Railway, but incorporates the company’s distinctive Thoroughbred symbol. The Pennsylvania Railroad Heritage unit is one of 20 that Norfolk Southern is painting in schemes that honor the company’s predecessor railroads. Billing itself as the “Standard Railroad of the World,” the PRR was for many years the largest American railroad by tonnage and revenues. It eventually became part of Conrail and formed the core of the portion of Conrail that Norfolk Southern acquired in 1999. Norfolk Southern's Exhibit Car illustrates how people and technology support the company's vision to be the safest, most customer-focused and successful transportation company in the world. A restored passenger coach, the Exhibit Car has been in operation on Norfolk Southern since 1971. The car houses interactive exhibits about the history and operations of the Norfolk Southern system. A major overhaul of the Exhibit Car has just been completed, and National Train Day in Chicago will be its first public appearance with all new exhibits. National Train Day celebrates train travel and the ways trains touch the lives of people across America. May 12 will be the day where train stations and other venues across the country, host activities and exhibits that highlight the past, present and future of trains and travel. Amtrak will host major events in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles. ( Norfolk Southern Corporation - posted 5/09) TAMPA TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL TRAIN DAY: Amtrak presents the 5th Annual National Train Day, a celebration of trains and the different ways trains touch the lives of people around the country in Tampa on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The event will celebrate National Train Day and the Tampa Union Station Centennial, and include operating model train displays, entertainment, historical exhibits and tours of train equipment. National Train Day is for people who relish the journey – not just the destination. This one-of-a-kind train event will bring the ‘rail way’ to life for those in attendance, as well as those participating online and through social media. To join in the celebration of this year’s National Train Day, passengers who are inspired by their train travel experiences can share what they see and do on their train journeys by submitting photos, video and stories at NationalTrainDay.com, on facebook at facebook.com/NationalTrainDay or on Twitter at @natltrainday for a chance to win prizes. The National Train Day celebration in Tampa will feature operating model trains from the Suncoast Model Railroad Club and the H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society; displays of Amtrak equipment including an Amtrak 40th Anniversary locomotive; Amtrak Police Department K-9 demonstrations; and numerous historical and railroad exhibits. At 11:00 a.m. the event will feature a history program with Rodney Kite-Powell, Tampa Bay History Center Curator of History, providing a lecture on the history of railroads in Tampa; Fred Hearns will be speaking about Union Station’s role in Tampa’s African-American history; and the National Railway Historical Society. (Amtrak - posted 5/09) MTA STATEN ISLAND NORTH SHORE ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS: MTA New York City Transit is completing its North Shore Alternatives Analysis (NSAA) Study which has been examining ways to improve transit service on the North Shore of Staten Island. The final Open House will be held on Thursday, May 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Building P at 1000 Richmond Terrace in Staten Island. At the previous open house, held last fall, we presented a short list of transit alternatives to the public for comment. Passenger rail service on the Staten Island North Shore Branch ended in 1953. Freight service ended in 1989. The right-of-way has remained largely untouched since then. The AA study, funded by the Staten Island Borough President's Office, has been examining and evaluating potential modes of travel, including: light rail, such as Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and Bus Rapid Transit service, among others. Attendees are welcome to give suggestions and comments as Transit shares the results of this study on the potential for reactivating transit service on the former Staten Island North Shore Line. For further information on NSAA log on to www.mta.info/mta/planning/nsaa (MTA - posted 5/08) MTA STATEN ISLAND NORTH SHORE ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS: MTA New York City Transit is completing its North Shore Alternatives Analysis (NSAA) Study which has been examining ways to improve transit service on the North Shore of Staten Island. The final Open House will be held on Thursday, May 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Building P at 1000 Richmond Terrace in Staten Island. At the previous open house, held last fall, we presented a short list of transit alternatives to the public for comment. Passenger rail service on the Staten Island North Shore Branch ended in 1953. Freight service ended in 1989. The right-of-way has remained largely untouched since then. The AA study, funded by the Staten Island Borough President's Office, has been examining and evaluating potential modes of travel, including: light rail, such as Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and Bus Rapid Transit service, among others. Attendees are welcome to give suggestions and comments as Transit shares the results of this study on the potential for reactivating transit service on the former Staten Island North Shore Line. For further information on NSAA log on to www.mta.info/mta/planning/nsaa (MTA - posted 5/08) STEELRIVER REACHES AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE PATRIOT RAIL CORPORATION: SteelRiver Infrastructure Partners, an independent investment management firm focused on investment and asset management services within the infrastructure asset class in North America, and Patriot Rail Corp. ("Patriot") are pleased to announce that SteelRiver has agreed to acquire 100% of the capital stock of Patriot through its dedicated infrastructure investment vehicle SteelRiver Infrastructure Fund North America LP. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the effectiveness of the control notice of exemption filed with the Surface Transportation Board. Patriot is a leading operator of short line and regional freight railroads in the United States. The Company serves a high quality customer base with a diverse commodity mix across 13 railroads, with approximately 500 total rail miles traversing 13 U.S. states. Chris Kinney, Senior Managing Partner and CEO of SteelRiver Infrastructure Fund North America commented: "Patriot is a highly complementary asset to our existing investment portfolio; we believe that the Company's scale and operating strategy will allow SteelRiver to capitalize on additional consolidation opportunities in the short line rail industry in North America." The transition to the new ownership is expected to be seamless, with no disruption in service to customers. Kinney added: "We highly value the operating and management team at Patriot and want to ensure that they continue to serve their customers who have come to rely on quality rail service." As part of the transaction, Patriot's founder, Chairman, President and CEO, Gary O. Marino, will retire from these positions upon closing and provide consultancy services to Patriot's management and its board. Marino, who formed Patriot in 2006, was the co-founder and former Chairman, President and CEO of RailAmerica, Inc. Marino said, "I am proud of what Patriot has accomplished since we formed the Company, growing from an idea to 13 railroads in just over 5 years. Patriot's excellent management team has consistently delivered superior rail service to its customers. I am confident that Patriot will continue to demonstrate this success under SteelRiver's ownership." In conjunction with the signing of the transaction, SteelRiver is pleased to announce that John Fenton will become Patriot's new CEO upon consummation of the sale. Fenton is a career railroader and, most recently, has served as CEO of MetroLink, Southern California's commuter rail public agency that manages a 512-mile system across six counties, including Los Angeles, and operates 162 daily trains. Fenton commented: "The acquisition of Patriot by SteelRiver will enhance the growth prospects of the Company and ensure that customers and stakeholders continue to be served by a committed long-term owner." Barclays served as exclusive financial advisor to Patriot and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. provided legal advice to Patriot.(MTA (SteelRiver Instructure Partners - posted 5/08) NORFOLK SOUTHERN EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION EXCURSIONS: Norfolk Southern employees soon will enjoy opportunities to ride behind steam-powered excursion trains. NS’ “Employee Appreciation Excursions” will be operated on weekends this summer and fall in recognition of the corporation’s 30th anniversary. Each of the railroad’s 11 divisions will host several excursions. The tentative schedule is:
WHITEWATER VALLEY RAILROAD TO BE A FEATURED LOCATION IN UPCOMING REALITY SHOW: The Whitewater Valley Railroad will be hosting Lehigh Valley Coal #126 starting the weekend of May 11th, 2012 for two weekends of education and fun. Historic Metamora, Indiana is only one of many planned stops at different rail operations in the US for this newly restored piece of history. Kicking off the events at 6pm on Friday Evening May 11th is a Wild West Train to Dinner from Metamora to the Laurel Hotel. Ride along as Lehigh Valley Coal #126 pulls a special Wild West-themed Twilight Limited Train to Dinner excursion departing from Historic Downtown Metamora, IN. Come and see Bandits, Marshals, Robber Barons, Fancy and some Not So Fancy Women as you roll through the scenic countryside. The Wild West entertainment is being provided by the Circle D Rangers. This steam powered excursion will depart at 6pm from Historic Downtown Metamora. Fares are $55 per person and include the round trip train ride, the meal, tax and tip. Train operates rain or shine. Seating is limited and reservations are required for this exciting evening trip. Tickets are on sale online at www.whitewatervalleyrr.org or by calling the Whitewater Valley Railroad's Grand Central Station at (765) 825-2054. To celebrate National Train Day on May 12th, 2012, Abraham Lincoln will be visiting Historic Metamora to ride Lehigh Valley Coal Company #126. Mr. Lincoln will be available for photo’s and questions before and during each train excursion. When the train arrives back in town, Mr. Lincoln will present one of his many speeches from the viewing stand near locomotive #126 and during each trip Mr. Lincoln will be speaking about the railroads and its effects on his election. Festivities with Abraham Lincoln re-enactor Dean Dorrell will begin at 10:00 AM with four departures of Lehigh Valley Coal Co. #126 at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. Along the way, remnants of the Whitewater Canal locks, the restored Laurel Feeder Dam, and portions of the West Fork of the Whitewater River can be clearly seen. Fares for the scenic ten mile round trip excursion pulled by Lehigh Valley Coal #126 are $15 per person ages 2 and up. For information about National Train Day visit www.nationaltrainday.com . To celebrate Mother’s Day on May 13th, 2012, Bluegrass Musicians John Bowyer and Junk Box Mike will be performing aboard the train as Lehigh Valley Coal Company #126 rolls along the scenic Whitewater Valley. Steam Trains will begin operations at 10:00 AM with four departures of Lehigh Valley Coal Co. #126 at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. Along the way, remnants of the Whitewater Canal locks, the restored Laurel Feeder Dam, and portions of the West Fork of the Whitewater River can be clearly seen. Fares for the scenic ten mile round trip excursion pulled by Lehigh Valley Coal Co. #126 are $15 per person ages 2 and up. May 19th and 20th, 2012 will see four departures of Lehigh Valley Coal Co. #126 at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. Along the way, remnants of the Whitewater Canal locks, the restored Laurel Feeder Dam, and portions of the West Fork of the Whitewater River can be clearly seen. Fares for the scenic ten mile round trip excursion pulled by Lehigh Valley Coal Co. #126 are $15 per person ages 2 and up. Tickets are on sale online www.whitewatervalleyrr.org or by calling the Whitewater Valley Railroad's Grand Central Station at (765) 825-2054. DEPARTURE NOTE: Lehigh Valley Coal Company #126 will operate from Historic Metamora Indiana. Driving directions to Metamora, IN can be found by visiting www.metamoraindiana.com/driving_directions.htm In addition to #126, the regularly scheduled Valley Flyer excursions from Connersville to Metamora will be operating as normal. All trains operate rain or shine. Metamora is Indiana's treasured 1838 canal town. Nestled in southeastern Indiana's beautiful countryside, Metamora is steeped in history and famous for its preservation of Indiana's oldest and still operating water-powered grist mill. Located 60 miles east of Indianapolis and 35 miles west of Cincinnati, A must see town that retains all of its traditional charm and languid atmosphere. Shop in stores housed in buildings dated back to the early 1800s, eat and above all else... Enjoy the slow relaxing pace of the past! For more information on Historic Metamora, visit Metamora online at www.metamoraindiana.com Lehigh Valley Coal Company #126 is a 40 ton saddle tank steam locomotive built by the Vulcan Iron Works of Wilkes Barre, PA in May 1931. #126 went into service at the Lehigh Valley Coal Company in 1931 at Hazlenton, PA. Later it was sold in 1954 to the Heidelberg Coal Company at Avoca, PA. The engine was then sold to John Bauman, a scrap dealer, in Carbondale PA and stored in the Delaware & Hudson Railroad roundhouse at Carbondale until it was purchased by the Gramling Locomotive Works in the fall of 1993. For more information on #126 or Flagg Coal Company #75 visit the locomotives online at www.haveenginewilltravel.com Travel through time on Indiana’s most scenic railroad. Established in 1972, the Whitewater Valley Railroad is a nonprofit railroad history organization. It is an operating railroad museum dedicated to the preservation of a historic branch line railroad, the restoration of railroad equipment, and to the conduct of railroad educational programs. The railroad is operated by trained volunteers and all proceeds from this event will be used to further the organization’s mission. Come to Historic Downtown Metamora for this spectacular railroading event, and return to a time when the railroad moved the nation and the short line railroad was a small town’s best friend. Call (765) 825-2054 for more information and reservations. Visit the Whitewater Valley Railroad’s online at www.whitewatervalleyrr.org and you can follow us on Facebook. (Whitewater Valley Railroad - posted 5/07) ILLINOIS, INDIANA AND MICHIGAN TO MOVE FORWARD ON CRITICAL MIDWEST HIGH SPEED RAIL STUDY: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have agreed to move forward with a comprehensive study that will help determine ways to reduce rail congestion and let trains achieve higher speeds along the Chicago-to-Detroit high-speed rail corridor. The goal of the study, which will be funded through a $3.2 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration and $200,000 each from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Norfolk Southern, is to reduce passenger travel times between Chicago and Detroit and efficiently move freight through one of the nation’s busiest freight rail networks, the congested Chicago to Porter, Ind., segment. “This is an important step toward achieving higher speeds along the entire Chicago to Detroit rail corridor and improving the flow of freight to the east coast," said Secretary LaHood. “Eliminating bottlenecks will boost the economy by reducing delays and allow for the freer flow of both people and goods throughout the region.” An important focus of the study will be reducing congestion by linking a double track passenger main to the 110 mph service at Porter. The study will build on progress Michigan has already made by achieving 110 mph service from Porter to Kalamazoo. “The comprehensive study will help us establish faster passenger rail service for business and leisure travelers moving between Chicago and Detroit, as well as make freight movements more efficient,” Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said. “In Illinois, we have made high-speed rail and freight infrastructure improvement top priorities, and I am pleased to work with our neighboring states and Secretary LaHood, who understands the importance of providing significantly reduced travel times and promoting economic development through rail improvements.” “This is an important partnership in our efforts to reinvent Michigan, specifically creating an accelerated rail connection between Detroit and Chicago for both citizens and businesses,” said Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. “Relieving congestion will also help the Midwest’s freight industry by better enabling the rapid and efficient movement of manufactured and agricultural products.” The Chicago to Detroit line is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Network, which is located in one of five densely populated mega-regions, areas already overwhelmed by congestion and in need of better transportation options. Bringing safe, fast, convenient, affordable high-speed rail to these areas will create jobs, increase economic opportunities and relieve congestion. More than 100 million people call the Midwest region home, with the vast majority of residents living within 500 miles of the Chicago rail hub. Using the Gross Domestic Product as a measure, the Great Lakes-Midwest economic region would be the fifth largest economy if it were its own country. The Federal Railroad Administration and its 32 state partners are making great progress on High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail projects across the country. With $10.1 billion in federal funding, they’re moving forward with 153 projects, laying the foundation for a 21st century passenger rail network . (USDOT - posted 5/04) AMTRAK SPRING-SUMMER TIMETABLE NOW AVAILABLE: The new spring-summer Amtrak System Timetable is now available and includes changes which are effective with departures beginning Monday, May 7. Most schedule changes in the new timetable are minor or seasonal, with the exception of the Sunset Limited (New Orleans – Los Angeles) which will now operate westbound on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. While there is no change in days of operation for the eastbound train, it will depart later in the day in order to restore connections to the Coast Starlight (Seattle – Los Angeles) and make possible an attractive next morning arrival to Arizona destinations. The new publication also reflects a change in the identification of 11 more stations to “attended stations” that are served by hosts and volunteers that can assist passengers with informational needs (see attached list.) In addition, it is being released as Amtrak is on pace to set another new annual ridership record this fiscal year. The spring-summer timetable cover features the high-speed Acela Express train set in Washington Union Station, Amtrak’s second busiest station. The magazine-style booklet, printed bi-annually, is available in stations and can be ordered and viewed online at Amtrak.com. In addition, passengers can get Amtrak schedule information by calling 800-USA-RAIL or on the Amtrak mobile app. (Amtrak - posted 5/04) MONONGAHELA RAILWAY SELECTED FOR 20TH HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE: Norfolk Southern added the Monongahela Railway to the legacy railroads that the company is honoring with its 30th anniversary heritage paint schemes, bringing to 20 the number of predecessor roads to be so recognized. The Monongahela Railway was created in 1901 as a joint venture of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad to haul coal out of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, with its base of operations in Brownsville, Penn. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad acquired a one-third stake in it in 1927. It was merged into Conrail in 1993. The lines of the former Monongahela continue to serve a vital coal-producing region today. The locomotive will be a GE ES44AC equipped with electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes and dual mode distributed power, important features for hauling unit coal trains. Nine locomotives have been painted in predecessor livery thus far: Central of Georgia Railway, Conrail, Interstate Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad, Nickel Plate Road, old Norfolk Southern Railway, Norfolk and Western Railway, Pennsylvania Railroad, and Southern Railway. All 20 are expected to be delivered by the end of June, Norfolk Southern Corporation’s 30th anniversary month. These locomotives are now roaming the Norfolk Southern system in revenue freight service. (NS, Randy Kotuby, Alex Mayes - posted 5/03) HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HOST NATIONAL TRAIN DAY EVENTS ON MAY 12 Hundreds of grassroots events are being held in communities across the nation on Saturday, May 12, 2012, for the 5th Annual National Train Day, a celebration of trains and the different ways trains touch the lives of people around the country. There are National Train Day events taking place in 40 states on May 12, with more being added every day. From Tampa Union Station in Florida to Nevada Northern Railway in Ely, Nevada and San Antonio Amtrak Station in Texas, clubs, organizations and train enthusiasts are finding ways to bring the celebrations to life in their home towns. Amtrak will host signature events from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, and Union Station in Chicago and Los Angeles. To find out if there is a National Train Day event near you, visit www.NationalTrainDay.com/events . This year’s festivities will highlight the unique perspective passengers enjoy as they take in the beauty and vastness of the American landscape from the comfort of their seats when traveling by rail. Award-winning actress, writer and philanthropist, Rosario Dawson, will serve as national spokesperson, sharing her love of train travel and how it allows her to be involved in the community in a more personal way. If you have a National Train Day event already planned, or would like to host an event in your community, visit www.NationalTrainDay.com/events to register it and receive complimentary National Train Day materials to help spread the word. For more on the 5th Annual National Train Day, you can visit NationalTrainDay.com, “like” National Train Day at facebook.com/NationalTrainDay, and follow National Train Day on Twitter at @natltrainday. (NS, Randy Kotuby, Alex Mayes - posted 5/03) AAR REPORTS MIXED RAIL TRAFFIC FOR APRIL: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail carloads originated in April 2012 totaled 1,113,105, down 64,335 carloads or 5.5 percent, compared with April 2011. Intermodal volume in April 2012 was 946,951 trailers and containers, up 32,505 units or up 3.6 percent, compared with April 2011. Detailed monthly data charts and tables will be available in the AAR’s Rail Time Indicators released online tomorrow. Twelve of the 20 commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw carload gains in April 2012 compared with April 2011, including petroleum and petroleum products, up 11,376 carloads, or 43.1 percent; motor vehicle and parts, up 11,360 carloads, or 21.1 percent; crushed stone, gravel, and sand, up 6,617 carloads, or 9.3 percent, and steel and other primary metal products, up 3,297 carloads, or 8.1 percent. Commodities with carload declines in April were led by coal, down 85,719 carloads, or 16.6 percent compared with April 2011. This was coal’s biggest year-over-year percentage decline in rail traffic on record. Other commodities with declines included grain, down 16,402 carloads, or 17.2 percent; iron and steel scrap, down 1,067 carloads, or 5.3 percent, and farm products excluding grain, down 448 carloads, or 12.9 percent. Carloads excluding coal and grain were up 37,786 carloads, or 6.7 percent. “In 2011, U.S. freight railroads reinvested more than ever before in the national rail network, because they know America’s manufacturers, farmers, and resource producers need to move freight safely and cost effectively to continue to grow in the years ahead,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. “Month-to-month trends may vary, but the long-term demand for rail service will certainly rise.” Class I railroad employment in March was up by 1,295 employees from February 2012 to 160,523, its highest level since December 2008. Total Class I employment in March was up by 4,681 employees, or 3 percent, compared with March 2011. About two-thirds of the increase in rail employment in March was due to an increase in maintenance of way and structures employees. These are signalmen, track gangs, and others who build and maintain track, bridges, signal systems, etc. As of May 1, 2012, 307,957 freight cars were in storage, an increase of 8,633 from April 1, 2012, and equal to 20.1 percent of the North American fleet. Total cars in storage have increased for five straight months. AAR today also reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending April 28, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 283,080 carloads, down 4.1 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 242,365 trailers and containers, up 5.5 percent compared with the same week last year. Eleven of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with petroleum products, up 51.9 percent; motor vehicles and equipment, up 29.1 percent, and crushed stone, sand and gravel, up 24.2. The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included grain, down 18 percent; coal, down 16.2 percent, and waste and nonferrous scrap, down 10.5 percent. Weekly carload volume on Eastern railroads was down 0.8 percent compared with the same week last year. In the West, weekly carload volume was down 6.3 percent compared with the same week in 2011. For the first 17 weeks of 2012, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 4,792,195 carloads, down 3.2 percent from the same point last year, and 3,875,396 trailers and containers, up 2.8 percent from last year. Canadian railroads reported 81,118 carloads for the week, up 1.6 percent compared with the same week last year, and 53,477 trailers and containers, up 9.6 percent compared with 2011. For the first 17 weeks of 2012, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,305,740 carloads, 4.8 percent from the same point last year, and 844,203 trailers and containers, up 7.9 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported 14,960 carloads for the week, up 0.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 10,131 trailers and containers, up 31.5 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 17 weeks of 2012 is 230,591 carloads, down 4.9 percent compared with the same point last year, and 150,915 trailers and containers, up 23.3 percent from last year. Combined North American rail volume for the first 17 weeks of 2012 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 6,328,526 carloads, down 1.7 percent compared with the same point last year, and 4,870,514 trailers and containers, up 4.2 percent compared with last year (AAR - posted 5/03) NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S NEW CHARLOTTE REGIONAL INTERMODAL FACILITY: Norfolk Southern Corporation officially broke ground today on the Charlotte Regional Intermodal Facility at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The facility, which will transfer trailers and containers between trucks and trains, will be capable of 200,000 lifts per year and will replace Norfolk Southern's existing intermodal facility in downtown Charlotte. "Charlotte is a key hub on the Norfolk Southern intermodal system and on our Crescent Corridor, a new rail intermodal network under development stretching from New Jersey to Memphis and New Orleans," said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. "This facility will greatly expand our ability to handle intermodal traffic and move more freight off the nation's overburdened highway system and onto the rails. "Norfolk Southern appreciates all that the City of Charlotte, the Airport, and Mayor Foxx have done to move this project forward. We are hopeful that we can partner with the City and with the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand this project and generate more economic opportunities for Charlotte." "Today's groundbreaking is a big deal for the City of Charlotte and our community," said Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx. "Norfolk Southern Corporation and the City of Charlotte have been working on this agreement since it was envisioned 15 years ago by the Airport and Charlotte businesses. This intermodal facility is projected to bring billions in business, and places Charlotte even more in the manufacturing, distribution, transportation, and economic growth business." Because its existing 40-acre facility cannot be expanded, Norfolk Southern is building a more efficient, easily expandable, 200-acre terminal between two runways to handle the anticipated growth of intermodal traffic. A new interchange on I-485 that has just been completed will connect the facility to the region's highway system. The $92-million facility will be constructed with the assistance of $15.7 million in federal funds and some financial support from the State of North Carolina. The Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the City of Charlotte provided extensive help in planning the facility. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2013. (NS, Randy Kotuby - posted 5/02) WESTERN MARYLAND RAILWAY CEREMONY: May 27, 2012 there will be a ceremony at the Western Maryland Railway Station in Cumberland, Maryland honoring George M. Leilich and his legacy as a manager of the Western Maryland and his years of effort to make "his" road one of the very best. George's Creek Railway SD40 7471 will be dedicated to Mr. Leilich at that time. Robert Leilich will be in attendance as my guest. Concurrently, George's Creek Railway SD35 7436 will be dedicated to the memory of Donald "Red" Rush, my first human contact with the Western Maryland. Red was my next door neighbor when my family moved from Washington, D.C. to Confluence, Pennsylvania. His kindness and caring left an indelible influence upon me and the paths I have chose to pursue as an adult. He has had a very large impact upon my efforts at preserving whatever I can of the railroad that is so endearing to us all, and as is reflected in the name "WesternMarylandSurvivors". I would like to extend this invitation to those who knew and worked with George and Red on the Western Maryland Railway and to those of you, who like myself, just refuse to accept the notion that =WM= is gone. There will be updates to this message as more details of the events of May 27th unfold. Try to make it part of your Memorial Day weekend plans. (Gerald Altizer - Managing Member George's Creek Railway, LLC via Richard Jahn and Alex Mayes - posted 5/01) RAILAMERICA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF MARQUETTE RAIL: RailAmerica, Inc. announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Marquette Rail LLC for approximately $40 million. RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short-line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 45 individual railroads with approximately 7,500 miles of track in 28 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. (RailAmerica - posted 5/01) AMTRAK ISSUES UPDATED FLEET STRATEGY PLAN: With the average age of Amtrak equipment just over 28 years, the updated Amtrak Fleet Strategy Plan Version 3.1 lays out a strategic approach to replace aging locomotives and passenger rail cars with the acquisition of new equipment necessary to meet the anticipated needs of its national network of intercity and high-speed passenger rail services. “This strategy provides Amtrak with a flexible and adaptable approach to fleet management and will deliver an enhanced product to satisfy the expectations, wants and needs of our customers,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman. Boardman explained that the updated fleet plan is designed to provide a roadmap to replace and supplement the current Amtrak fleet in tiered procurements through 2023. Also, the plan is developed with input from all Amtrak departments and is in alignment with the company’s broader strategic plan and goals. Amtrak has built its fleet strategy on a thorough understanding of the intercity passenger rail business, a conservative view of its growth prospects and a clear vision to dramatically expand U.S. intercity passenger rail in collaboration with its federal and state partners on the foundation of rail’s inherent advantages as a greener and safer form of travel. Presently, Amtrak has made two major equipment contract awards. The first is for 70 new electric locomotives to replace the entire electric locomotive fleet now operating on the Northeast and Keystone Corridors. The $466 million contract was awarded to Siemens Transportation of Sacramento, Calif., which is to deliver units for service beginning in 2014. The other is for 130 new single-level long-distance cars consisting of diners, sleepers, baggage to the 1940s and 1950s. The $298 million contract was awarded to CAF USA of Elmira, N.Y., which is to deliver units beginning in the fall of 2013. The new equipment on order will improve reliability of operations, enhance financial and on-time performance, and foster a more positive and modern image of Amtrak. In addition, Amtrak is heavily involved in and committed to the work of the Next Generation Equipment Committee, a partnership between Amtrak, the states, the Federal Railroad Administration and representatives of the rail industry. This committee was established by Congress under Section 305 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, and has to date generated specifications for new corridor equipment including a multi-level car, a single-level car and a high-speed diesel locomotive. Amtrak will use these specifications in coming rounds of equipment procurement. (Amtrak - posted 4/30) NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S ENOLA LOCOMOTIVE SHOP REACHES UNPRECEDENTED SAFETY MILESTONE: Employees at Norfolk Southern’s Enola Locomotive Shop made history last month as the first in the company to surpass 2 million employee-hours without an injury. The 250 mechanics, electricians, sheet metal workers, and others maintain and repair Norfolk Southern’s fleet of diesel locomotives. They perform work that ranges from locomotive oil changes and engine repairs to maintenance of locomotive air brakes and wheels. Employees can work on as many as 15 locomotives at one time in the shop, which stretches over nearly an acre. The last reportable injury at the Enola Locomotive Shop occurred in May 2007. Since then, shop employees have logged an average of 34,800 hours per month over 58 months without injury. “This achievement is a testament to the caliber of craftsmen working at the shop and our ability to work as a team,” said Ernie McClellan, manager of the Enola Locomotive Shop. “Our employees have done an outstanding job communicating the importance of safety because, at the end of the day, we’re watching out for one another.” Don Graab, NS vice president mechanical, said Enola employees are consistent leaders in working safely to resolve technical issues that affect locomotive performance. “This means locomotives spend less time in the shop and more time on the rails,” Graab said. “Ultimately, it’s about working together to achieve success and returning home safely to our families.” ( Norfolk Southern Corporation - posted 4/30) SEPTA ROUTE 15 TROLLEY LINE SERVICE UPDATE: With the completion of the initial phase of the PennDOT demolition work for the I-95 reconstruction project, trolley service will return on the Route 15 for the portion of the line operating between 63rd & Girard and Frankford & Delaware Avenues (Northern Liberties Loop) on Sunday, April 29. (SEPTA - posted 4/27) LATEST NS HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE: Norfolk Southern has released ES44AC 8114 in the original Norfolk Southern livery The original Norfol Southern, taken over by the Southern Railroad, connected Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina with Norfolk, Virginia.. The 8114 is the ninth Heritage locomotive, all painted at either Altoona, Pa. or Chattanooga, Tennessee. The next ten Heritage locomotives will be SD70ACe units, to be assembled and painted by EMD in Muncie, Indiana. Railroad represented by the next 10 units will include: Central of New Jersey, Erie, Illinois Terminal, Lackawanna, New York Central,Reading, Wabash, Penn Central, Savannah & Atlanta,and Virginian. The first Heritage EMD is expected to be released in late May. . (posted 4/26) AMTRAK CREATES NEW EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE SECURITY DEPARTMENT: Amtrak is creating a new Emergency Management and Corporate Security department to integrate existing company-wide efforts into a single, cohesive unit to more effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters, mitigate their effects and allow for fast and efficient response and recovery. “The new team will identify opportunities to strategically coordinate, train and put into practice consistent and efficient response and recovery efforts to better ensure the safety and security of our customers and employees,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. There are eight emergency management-related functions currently located in various Amtrak departments. These functions will be integrated into the new department whose primary focus is emergency preparedness, continuity of operations and corporate security risk strategy. Combining these functions will provide a framework in which to plan for, respond to and recover from incidents while also establishing and maintaining a uniform corporate security strategy. Susan Reinertson, who currently oversees the Amtrak recovery and resiliency exercise program as well as continuity of operations planning, will lead the new department. She has a background in homeland security and emergency management consulting as well as leadership experience at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Amtrak - posted 4/26) FROM VIA RAIL TO AMT... EASIER METHOD TO PURCHASE TICKETS: VIA Rail Canada and the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) have announced that AMT commuter train tickets will now be sold by VIA Rail, thus enabling customers to purchase VIA - AMT tickets through a single transaction. The aim of this agreement is to promote public transportation, as well as the benefits of intermodality. VIA Rail and the AMT are working together to make travel planning easier for their users. "By establishing partnerships with other carriers to promote ecologically sound transportation and offer greater efficiency and ease of use to its users, VIA Rail is committed to updating train travel as a mode of transportation. I am pleased to announce today this agreement with our partner, the AMT, who obviously share this vision," said Marc Laliberté, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada. "Through its constant search for innovation aimed at providing the best possible service to its customers, the AMT is working to make public transportation attractive by developing new ticket collection systems. This partnership with VIA Rail enables us to offer even more flexibility and convenience and is in line with our desire to develop an integrated, simplified and accessible pricing strategy," said Paul Côté, the acting President and CEO of the AMT. This service applies to the AMT's Deux-Montagnes and Mont-Saint-Hilaire commuter train lines. (VIA Rail Canada - posted 4/27) AAR REPORTS MIXED WEEKLY RAIL TRAFFIC: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending April 21, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 282,262 carloads, down 3.6 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 239,276 trailers and containers, up 6 percent compared with the same week last year. Fourteen of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with petroleum products, up 48.3 percent; motor vehicles and equipment, up 32.9 percent, and primary forest products, up 22.8 percent. The groups showing a significant decrease in weekly traffic included farm products excluding grain, down 19 percent; grain, down 18 percent, and coal, down 16 percent. Weekly carload volume on Eastern railroads was up 2 percent compared with the same week last year. In the West, weekly carload volume was down 7.3 percent compared with the same week in 2011. For the first 16 weeks of 2012, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 4,509,115 carloads, down 3.2 percent from the same point last year, and 3,633,031 trailers and containers, up 2.6 percent from last year. Canadian railroads reported 82,300 carloads for the week, up 9.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 54,500 trailers and containers, up 18.4 percent compared with 2011. For the first 16 weeks of 2012, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,224,622 carloads, up 5.1 percent from the same point last year, and 790,726 trailers and containers, up 7.7 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported 14,892 carloads for the week, up 27.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 9,430 trailers and containers, up 43.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 16 weeks of 2012 is 215,631 carloads, down 5.3 percent compared with the same point last year, and 140,784 trailers and containers, up 22.7 percent from last year. Combined North American rail volume for the first 16 weeks of 2012 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 5,949,368 carloads, down 1.7 percent compared with the same point last year, and 4,564,541 trailers and containers, up 4 percent compared with last year (AAR - posted 4/27) AMTRAK EXHIBIT TRAIN NATIONAL TOUR NEXT VISITS TEXAS AND OHIO: In celebration of the Amtrak 40th anniversary, America’s Railroad® is offering the public two final chances to tour the Exhibit Train, a unique traveling display showcasing the railroad’s history. The train will stop at the Amtrak stations in Longview, Texas, and Toledo, Ohio, before ending its year-long tour next month at the 2012 National Train Day event in New York City. In Longview, the train will be open to the public on April 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., both days, at 905 Pacific Ave. The visit by the train to “The Gateway to East Texas” helps to recognize the community’s renovation of the former Texas & Pacific station acquired from the Union Pacific Railroad by the City of Longview. Ground-breaking for the creation of an intermodal facility will be held at the station on April 27. In Toledo, the train will be open to the public on May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King Plaza, 415 Emerald Ave. The visit to the station, owned by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, helps to recognize one of the largest local National Train Day events in the country, traditionally held the weekend before the nationwide National Train Day and organized by the port authority, the Toledo Metropolitan Council of Governments and All Aboard Ohio, a passenger rail advocacy group. The exhibit showcases Amtrak history over the decades, displaying memorabilia such as vintage advertising, past menus and dinnerware, and period uniforms. The display will also include train-themed kid activities at Chuggington Depot, based on the popular children’s animated television series on Disney Junior. In addition, commemorative 40th anniversary merchandise will be available for purchase onboard the train including: Amtrak: An American Story, a 144-page commemorative book that chronicles the history of the railroad with archival photographs, a historical timeline and personal narratives for each decade; Amtrak: The First 40 Years, a documentary DVD that provides an exclusive look inside America’s Railroad® with hard-to-find photographs and video footage as well as interviews with past and present leaders. For more information on the Amtrak 40th anniversary, visit the official website at Amtrak40th.com. The site provides details of the anniversary celebration and tells the Amtrak story by allowing users to explore 40 years of historic photographs and other materials in an extensive and dynamic archive. The site also hosts a blog, provides a link to an online store, and allows individuals to sign up to receive an email alert when the Exhibit Train is coming near their town. (Amtrak - posted 4/25) NORFOLK SOUTHERN FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS: For the first quarter of 2012, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported net income of $410 million ($1.23 per diluted share), 26 percent higher than $325 million ($0.90 per diluted share) for the first quarter of 2011. First-quarter 2011 results included a $58 million non-cash charge that reduced net income by $36 million, or $0.10 per diluted share. “I am pleased to report another record-breaking quarter for Norfolk Southern during which we achieved first-quarter highs in revenues, operating income, net income, and earnings per share,” said CEO Wick Moorman. “The benefits of our steady focus on service and operating efficiency are reflected in our results, and we continue to position our franchise for sustained growth through strategic investments in infrastructure.” Compared with the first quarter of 2011, in the first quarter of 2012: Railway operating revenues improved 6 percent to $2.8 billion, primarily as the result of a 5 percent increase in revenue per unit; general merchandise revenues improved 13 percent to $1.5 billion; coal revenues declined 6 percent to $766 million; and intermodal revenues improved 9 percent to $527 million. Railway operating expenses for the quarter were $2 billion, up 1 percent compared with first-quarter 2011. The increase was largely due to higher fuel prices, compensation costs, and materials expenses, offset in part by the absence of last year’s non-cash charge. Income from railway operations for the first quarter increased 24 percent to $745 million compared with the same period of 2011. The first-quarter railway operating ratio improved 5 percent to 73.3 percent compared with first-quarter 2011, and equaled our first-quarter record. (NS - posted 4/24) FIRST NYS&W SD60 UNDERGOING TESTING: The first NYSW SD60, N0. 3810, is undergoing testing on the Padacah & Louisville Railroad. The 3810 is expected to arrive on the NYS&W in mid May. JAMES STRATES CARNIVAL TRAIN ON THE MOVE: The James E. Strates carnival train has departed Orlando, Florida destined for New York State via CSXT. The train, reported passing Baltimore, Maryland, is being referred to as the P920-23. The Strates carnival is schedule to open in Orange County, N.Y. on May 4. (Fred Jones - posted 4/24) UPGRADES TO GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL TO CUT ENERGY CONSUMPTION 30% The largest energy efficiency project that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has ever undertaken with the New York Power Authority is underway in Grand Central Terminal and it will reduce annual carbon emissions by 10,000 tons. Behind-the-scenes equipment that keeps Grand Central cool in the summer, warm in the winter and flushed with fresh air all year round is being upgraded though a $22 million partnership between NYPA and MTA Metro-North Railroad. The energy efficiency project will conserve energy and save an estimated $3 million a year. Deep below the gleaming marble Concourse and high above the constellation ceiling is a myriad of pumps, chillers, fans, compressors, cooling towers, meters and miles of high-pressure steam pipes, many of them a century old. Many of these systems are being replaced throughout the 48-acre Terminal that extends seven stories above ground and 150 feet below sea level. The upfront costs of the new, energy-efficient equipment will be borne by NYPA and be repaid annually over about 11 years by Metro-North with the money it saves as the result of a reduction in energy use. Installation began this month and will be completed by the end of 2013. “Partnerships like this one between the MTA and NYPA are good for the environment, good for the state and good for the taxpayers as we continue to find ways to conserve energy and save money,” said MTA Chairman Joseph J. Lhota. “This particular project is especially good for Grand Central Terminal. As this great train station approaches its centennial, it is due for these kinds of system improvements.” “This upgrade is the latest in a series of innovative energy efficiency projects that the Power Authority and MTA have partnered on in an effort to lower utility bills and operating costs, bringing New York closer to a clean energy economy,” said Gil C. Quiniones, president and chief executive officer, NYPA. “Initiatives like the one we have spearheaded at Grand Central underscore the emphasis that Governor Cuomo is giving to energy efficiency improvements at facilities around the state.” “This is the latest and largest venture in a long partnership between our two agencies,” said MNR President Howard Permut. “It is a win-win that pays for itself and it will take Grand Central a big step closer to maximizing its energy efficiency potential and possibly even attaining LEED Certification.” Currently the Terminal is cooled by steam supplied by Con Edison through huge underground pipes. Five, steam-absorption chillers, now about two decades old, are being replaced by four new electrical centrifugal chillers, which have higher capacity and greater efficiency, thereby reducing the amount of steam that has to be purchased. (Two of the current seven steam chillers will be maintained for spare capacity in the Service Plant deep below the Terminal.) Associated hardware - pumps, cooling towers, motors, etc. - also will be upgraded in various locations from the subbasement to the roof. Grand Central has seven cooling towers on the roof, tucked behind the ornate copper and statuary, invisible from the street. Two were installed last year and the other five were installed when the Terminal was renovated in 1997-1998. Each is 10 feet square and 12 feet high. Water is pumped up from the basement and runs down the baffled sides of the towers. The water is cooled by fans and then re-circulated to cool the building. Fan motors on the five older towers will be replaced using more energy efficient motors and controls to optimize performance. The new cooling system will be controlled by a state-of-the-art Building Management System that will optimize the operation of the pumps, cooling towers and chillers using variable speed fans to control air flow based on demand and temperature fluctuations and will result in energy savings. In addition, 53 air handling units will be upgraded by replacing valves, dampers, sensors and coils as needed. Portions of the old steam pipe network will be replaced with new steel pipes to alleviate stress that is causing reoccurring leaks. Pressure reducing stations also will be replaced to deliver the proper pressures needed at each different location. Two existing air compressors will be replaced. The compressed air is used to test the air-brakes on all Metro-North trains before each and every trip. They are also used to power valves for pneumatic controls throughout the Terminal. Thousands of feet of pipes and several compressors throughout the building will be replaced with modern equipment. This project is a partnership between Metro-North and its Grand Central Terminal Department and NYPA. NYPA’s team is managing the design, implementation and commissioning. Over the past year, Metro-North undertook $1.5 million in energy efficiency improvements in Grand Central including 11 new escalator controllers that save 25-40% in electricity, 2,600 new lighting fixtures, 59 new motors of 5 horsepower or greater and a new sewage ejector. Meters also were installed on the steam, chilled water, compressed air and gateway electric feeders to collect data for the metering and verification portion of the project (MTA - posted 4/24) LEHIGH VALLEY HERITAGE: The most recent heritage locomotive released by Norfolk Southern is ES44AC 8104 in the splendid looking Lehigh Valley livery. The Cornell red locomotive was released today by the Juaniata Locomotive Shop, in Altoona, Pa. (NS - posted 4/23) U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAHOOD ATTENDS GRAND OPENING OF WICKFORD JUNCTION RAIL STATION: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today spoke at the grand opening of the Wickford Junction commuter rail station and launch of a commuter line service to T.F. Green Airport. Secretary LaHood was joined at the event by U.S. Senator Jack Reed, Governor Lincoln Chafee and local officials. “President Obama is advocating an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes bringing more sustainable public transportation choices to urban corridors like this one in Southern Rhode Island,” said Secretary LaHood. “Extending this commuter rail service will help reduce area congestion while opening the door to jobs and economic opportunity for South County’s shoreline communities.” The station received $59 million in federal funds, including $25 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts Capital Program and more than $4 million from the Recovery Act. It will be served by 10 north- and south-bound trains on weekdays and is expected to carry as many as 1,500 riders a day. Commuters will have access to an on-site garage with bike racks and 10 charging stations for electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The new commuter rail service extends the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) existing commuter rail service 20 miles to the state’s southeastern communities, including North Kingston, Wickford, and Warwick. Traveling by rail will take travelers from Wickford Junction to Providence in about 35 minutes and to Boston in less than two hours. Driving these routes at peak travel times often takes considerably longer. The project is part of the South County Commuter Rail Project, a 20-mile rail extension along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor from Providence to the South County Region. “Adding commuter rail to the mix of transportation options provides a real choice for Rhode Island commuters and is a huge win for transit riders and drivers alike,” said Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff, who attended the station groundbreaking in 2010. “For residents in Warwick, Wickford, and Kingstown, this project will reduce congestion on I-94 and Route 4 and allow commuters to spend far less money at the gas pump.” (USDOT - posted 4/23) FIRST SMARTPHONE RAIL TICKETING IN U.S.: Today, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Masabi US Ltd, the transit mobile ticketing pioneer, jointly announce that they will be bringing mobile ticketing to MBTA commuter rail riders this fall. With applications for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry, customers will be able to seamlessly purchase commuter rail tickets and passes. Once tickets are purchased, customers will be able to use and display directly via their phone screen. “MassDOT and the MBTA are striving to bring our customers convenience without added costs. We are delivering just that with this project and this technology,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “With this new and innovative approach, we are putting a ticket machine right in the palms of our customers’ hands,” said Acting MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis. Less than half of MBTA’s 140 Commuter Rail stations have fare vending machines, forcing many customers to pay for tickets on board. But that will soon change as riders will be able to purchase tickets via credit or debit cards directly from their phones. Monthly pass holders will be able to seamlessly link a plastic CharlieCard to their pass allowing them “tap-in” instead of using magnetic tickets for the MBTA subway and bus systems. The new solution will help the MBTA reduce costs by eliminating the need for additional vending machines and lowering cash handling costs. To help combat fare evasion, all mobile tickets will have barcodes allowing for validation. Throughout the pilot program, smart phone-equipped train conductors will be checking tickets to ensure their validity. Masabi will provide a comprehensive mTicketing solution including; consumer-facing applications, backend servers, payment integration and scanning/validation software for train conductors. “By placing a personalized ticket machine in the pocket of commuters, they can now buy tickets wherever they are, faster than ever before,” said Giacomo Biggiero, Director of Masabi US Ltd. “MBTA will also see significant benefits in terms of reducing costly cash handling charges and the cost of additional ticket machines. We are delighted to be working with them to launch our first mTicketing system in the U.S.” In the coming months, the MBTA will be inviting customers to participate in designing the new applications via focus groups and a small group pilot which will roll out in late summer. The full deployment to all MBTA customers is expected this fall. All transactions are secured using the award-winning encryptME security system that has been validated to U.S. Government standards (MBTA - posted 4/23) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OPENS BIDDING FOR MADE-IN-AMERICA PASSENGER RAIL CARS: Rail car manufacturers across the country will have an opportunity to submit bids to produce the first American-made, standardized passenger rail cars, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today. The $551 million Request for Proposals (RFP) to manufacture approximately 130 new bi-level passenger rail cars in America comes from a groundbreaking multi-state effort to jointly purchase standardized rail equipment to be used on Amtrak’s intercity routes in California, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, and potentially Iowa. The funding is being provided by the Federal Railroad Administration’s High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program. “President Obama has called on us to invest in transportation systems that are built to last,” said Secretary LaHood. “This important opportunity represents a win-win scenario for both workers and the traveling public by helping to create manufacturing jobs and support passenger rail.” In preparation for orders such as this, the U.S. Department of Transportation has partnered with the Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) to connect large car builders and more than 34,000 domestic suppliers, and help them retool their production capabilities to meet demand. The MEP connects suppliers with viable business opportunities that may have otherwise gone to foreign suppliers. “We’ve laid a solid foundation in bringing rail equipment manufacturers and suppliers together so we can make these cars in America and create American jobs,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “As part of the Obama Administration’s focus on revitalizing American manufacturing opportunities, building standardized rolling stock will provide an unprecedented opportunity to leverage Buy America requirements, ensuring maximum economic benefit for taxpayer-funded transportation investments.” The Buy America provision of the RFP requires that all components of the new bi-level cars are built by American workers: with American hands, and with American-produced steel, iron and manufactured goods. The federal government’s investment in passenger rail means more jobs for American workers and domestic companies. The new uniform standards will drive down lifecycle costs and allow more manufacturers and suppliers to compete, fostering a healthy competition while helping re-establish the U.S. domestic supply chain for passenger rail equipment and meet Buy America goals. The common design also makes it easier to train personnel, stock parts, and perform maintenance and repairs, which also reduces costs and increases equipment reliability. These state-of-the-art cars will be able to operate nationwide, providing a more comfortable travel experience, and are designed with improved crashworthiness and other safety features to ensure passenger safety. The cars will be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Selection of the manufacturer will occur in the Fall of 2012. The cars will be delivered starting in 2015. The effort to purchase standardized equipment is led by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act Section 305 Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee , comprised of representatives of interested states, the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, host freight railroad companies, passenger railroad equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and other passenger railroad operators. The Committee has also completed specifications for high-performance diesel locomotives that can travel up to 125 miles-per-hour and for single level passenger rail cars. (FRA - posted 4/23) DOT ISSUES GUIDANCE FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT TRAIN STATIONS: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) guidance for railroads and public transit agencies to help keep pedestrians safe near train stations. As required by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, FRA developed the document, Pedestrian Crossing Safety at or Near Passenger Stations, in consultation with rail safety partners in government, industry, and labor. It establishes strategies for railroads and state and local governments to adopt to help prevent pedestrian casualties. Among the mitigation strategies detailed are the use of: audible and visual warnings of approaching trains, such as horns and “second train coming” signs; making engineering and infrastructure improvements to stations and platforms; and installing swing gates and fences to prohibit access to railroad tracks. The guidance can be viewed here (FRA - posted 4/20) AMTRAK COMPLETES NEW HIALEAH PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FACILITY: Amtrak long-distance equipment will now receive safety inspections, servicing and maintenance in an upgraded, more efficient and environmentally designed facility in Hialeah, Fla., that will dramatically improve capacity, efficiency and working conditions. The enhanced facility is 50 feet wide by 920 feet long and includes a 600-foot in-ground pit that includes an in-floor jacking system to remove and replace the wheel trucks. It also has administrative offices, training rooms, and employee locker and lunch rooms. In addition, the facility has a number of features to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for environmentally sustainable construction. “The upgrade provides our mechanical forces a state-of-the art facility that will increase efficiency, providing a better work environment for employees and equipment for passengers,” said Tommy Farr, Amtrak master mechanic. The Amtrak Hialeah Preventative Maintenance Facility will maintain Viewliner, Amfleet II and Heritage Diner equipment used on some long-distance routes which was previously serviced in an open-air environment. The facility will centralize maintenance of the equipment, improving efficiency and reducing equipment out-of-service time. The facility was constructed by Dana B. Kenyon Co. of Jacksonville, Fla. The contract cost for the project is $32.7 million with $29.4 million funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. (Amtrak - posted 4/20) CSX CELEBRATES EARTH MONTH ACROSS ITS NETWORK: To celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month, CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX - News) is continuing its long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability by organizing a series of local events across its network and remaining focused on environmentally-friendly business practices. In addition, the company is working to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment by holding an online contest on the company's Facebook page. "We look forward to volunteering our time and resources each year to celebrate Earth Day, but our commitment to the environment is much more than a one-day event," said Skip Elliott, vice president, public safety and environment. "CSX works to make every day Earth Day by reducing the company's environmental footprint and supporting sustainable development." Throughout April, the environmental field service managers in many of CSX's field locations are hosting the company's fourth-annual city cleanups. Employees and volunteers will pick up trash and conduct other beautification efforts in Montgomery, Ala.; Waycross and Savannah, Ga.; Riverdale, Ill.; Avon, Ind.; Corbin, Ky.; Hamlet, N.C.; Selkirk, N.Y.; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Nashville, Tenn.; and Philadelphia. In addition, on Earth Day, April 22, CSX is sponsoring the Anacostia Watershed Earth Day Cleanup & Celebration in Washington, D.C., where more than 2,000 volunteers will remove trash at more than 40 sites along the watershed. That same day, in CSX's headquarters city of Jacksonville, CSX employees will staff booths at the city's Ecology Fair at the Jacksonville Landing and sponsor the City of Jacksonville's Earth Day poster contest for children. The following weekend in Charlotte, N.C., the company is partnering with customers for "The Great Charlotte Cleanup," a local cleanup effort tied to the Keep America Beautiful, Great American Clean Up. "These activities are just some of the ways in which CSX contributes to environmental stewardship throughout the year, both through volunteering efforts and operational decisions," said Tori Kaplan, assistant vice president, corporate social responsibility. Since 1980, CSX has improved its fuel efficiency by more than 90 percent, and with constant innovation, freight rail becomes more efficient every day. In the past five years, CSX has invested more than $1.75 billion to upgrade its fleet of fuel efficient locomotives. Last year, CSX introduced an updated online carbon calculator that makes it easy for customers and consumers to understand the emissions savings that freight rail can deliver. Located on CSX's website, this tool helps customers and consumers optimize supply chains and bring goods to market more sustainably than ever before. Across the network, CSX protects local ecosystems through its Trees for Tracks program, the company's pledge to plant one tree for every mile of its 21,000 mile system. To date, the company has planted nearly 17,000 trees. These new trees improve air quality, offset carbon emissions, improve wildlife habitats and add beauty to the communities CSX serves. CSX annually recognizes its customers who demonstrate continued dedication to safety in the transportation of hazardous materials through its Chemical Safety Excellence Award. This year, CSX named 61 winners, who had each shipped more than 600 carloads of hazardous materials during the year without a non-accidental release. CSX's Earth Month celebration has also moved online this year. Participants can enter the Environmental Pursuit contest by "liking" the official CSX Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX and testing their environmental knowledge through a weekly interactive quiz by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 30. In addition to the weekly prize winners, three grand prize winners will also each receive $1,000 from CSX, with a $1,000 matching donation provided to a charitable organization selected by each winner. For more information on CSX's commitment to environmental sustainability or to learn how to get involved in local Earth Day volunteer activities, visit www.csx.com. (CSX - posted 4/20) THE LATEST NS HERITAGE UNIT... INTERSTATE RAILROAD: Norfolk Southern has released the latest Heritage locomotive, NS ES44AC 8105 in the Interstate Railroad livery . The locomotive is the seventh locomotive in heritage series. (HS - posted 4/19) AMTRAK NAMES DJ STADTLER AS VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS: Amtrak announces that DJ Stadtler is the new vice president of operations overseeing the railroad’s transportation, engineering and mechanical departments, effective immediately. “DJ is a superb individual who knows Amtrak inside and out, has the skill and ability to lead Operations, and will bring improved management and focus on meeting the needs of passengers across our national network of service,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman. Stadtler will be responsible for delivery of service including the train crews, locomotives and other train equipment, stations, food and beverage, and the Amtrak-owned infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor and elsewhere. Stadtler has served as the acting vice president of operations since December 2011 and previously served as the chief financial officer at Amtrak. He has more than 20 years of experience including more than 11 years at the U.S. Department of Transportation. (Amtrak - posted 4/19) AAR REPORTS MIXED WEEKLY RAIL TRAFFIC: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending April 14, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 276,789 carloads, down 6.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 234,157 trailers and containers, up 1.6 percent compared with the same week last year. Twelve of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with petroleum products, up 39 percent; metallic ores, up 16.7 percent, and motor vehicles and equipment, up 15.3 percent. The groups showing a significant decrease in weekly traffic included farm products excluding grain, down 28.1 percent; coal, down 18.2 percent, and grain, down 16.3 percent. Weekly carload volume on Eastern railroads was down 2 percent compared with the same week last year. In the West, weekly carload volume was down 9.4 percent compared with the same week in 2011. For the first 15 weeks of 2012, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 4,226,853 carloads, down 3.1 percent from the same point last year, and 3,393,755 trailers and containers, up 2.4 percent from last year. Canadian railroads reported 80,951 carloads for the week, up 5.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 52,838 trailers and containers, up 13.8 percent compared with 2011. For the first fifteen weeks of 2012, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,142,322 carloads, up 4.8 percent from the same point last year, and 736,226 trailers and containers, up 7 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported 12,395 carloads for the week, down 14.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 9,396 trailers and containers, up 25.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 15 weeks of 2012 is 200,739 carloads, down 7.1 percent compared with the same point last year, and 131,354 trailers and containers, up 21.5 percent from last year. Combined North American rail volume for the first 15 weeks of 2012 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 5,569,914 carloads, down 1.8 percent compared with the same point last year, and 4,261,335 trailers and containers, up 3.6 percent compared with last year . (AAR - posted 4/19) PENNSY TUSCAN RED IS THE LATEST HERITAGE LIVERY: Norfolk Southern unveiled the latest heritage locomotive, Pennsylvania Railroad ES44AC 8102. The Tuscan Red locomotive was outshopped at the railroad's Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Pa. It should be noted that the railroad's heritage locomotive fleet has been assigned to mineral train service due to their AC traction. Several of the units have been noted in service on the former N&W in West Virginia. (posted 4/18) AMTRAK SECURITY PROGRAM RECOGNIZED AS GOLD STANDARD BY TSA: Amtrak is being recognized by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today for earning the federal agency’s highest rating of Gold Standard on the railroad’s most recent Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancements (BASE). This designation recognizes Amtrak’s dedication to building a strong security program. Of the areas assessed, Amtrak received high marks for its establishment of security and emergency awareness programs both internally and externally. “Amtrak is dedicated to taking all appropriate actions to become the nation’s most secure railroad by identifying and minimizing risks and maximizing passenger and employee safety,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. “As America’s Railroad, we want to provide every passenger with a safe and secure ride with constant security improvements and eternal vigilance,” said Amtrak board chairman Tom Carper. “We are able to do this thanks to the tremendous partnerships we have developed with federal, state, local and freight railroad law enforcement and commuter rail and transit agencies.” “The security of our system is our top priority and we work hard to make sure that we have the people, training, technology and the intelligence we need to keep our system safe and secure,” said John O’Connor, Amtrak Vice President and Chief of Police. The TSA BASE program is designed to establish a security standard for individual system security programs and assess progress. This voluntary comprehensive review of rail and mass transit agency security programs focuses on multiple categories identified by the rail and transit community as fundamentals for a sound security program. They include a review of topics such as an agency’s security plans, security training, drills/exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check programs. Random security measures such as VIPR Operations conducted jointly with TSA, the Operation RAILSAFE nationwide exercise to test counterterrorism and incident response capabilities along tracks and at stations used by Amtrak, passenger baggage screenings and its canine explosive detection program, which now includes 50 teams of which 19 dogs have special vapor wake training, were highlighted as leading to the success of the Amtrak security program. In addition, Amtrak’s public outreach efforts through programs such as Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security (PASS) and safety videos were also acknowledged (Amtrak - posted 4/17) METRO-NORTH HAS BEST FIRST QUARTER EVER: A continual focus on providing the best service possible, a mild winter, and an increasing number of new M-8 rail cars in service on the New Haven Line were among the many factors contributing to a first quarter system-wide On-time Performance (OTP) of 98.8%--the best quarter in Metro-North's history. The railroad also has had four 100% days so far this year on its East of Hudson service. I want to extend my congratulations and thanks to all the employees who have worked so hard to provide our customers with such excellent service. It's no wonder why our ridership continues to surge," President Howard Permut said. During the first quarter, Metro-North had only one day (January 19th) when OTP dipped below 95%, and 59 days out of 91 when it was at 99% or above. By month, system-wide on-time performance was: January—98.9%; February--98.8%, and March—98.8%. Speaking of March, the Hudson Line OTP performed at 98.8%, the Harlem at 99.2% and the New Haven at 98.6%. And weekday (all time periods) OTP was 98.86%, while on the weekends it was 98.78%. Consist compliance (reflecting the percent of trains that have the right number of seats to accommodate our customers every day) remained excellent on all three lines at 99.8%, reflecting the hard work of the many employees in the Operations Division. We will continue to strive to meet the same standard for the remaining nine months of the year," Permut noted (MTA - posted 4/16) BELLEVUE YARD EXPANSION PROJECT ANNOUNCED: Norfolk Southern this month will begin a $160 million project to expand its Bellevue rail yard in Northern Ohio, a project that will double the yard's capacity in order to meet rising demand for freight rail transportation. "Bellevue is already an important terminal for the classification and movement of freight, and this investment will expand and modernize Bellevue, contributing to the fluid movement of long-distance freight across our rail system," said Mark Manion, Norfolk Southern's chief operating officer. "This project will help us improve asset utilization and efficiency, enhance customer service, strengthen our entire 22-state system, and further confirm Ohio's importance to freight rail transportation." Some 275 new railroad jobs will be added to the 700 positions currently based in Bellevue. NS employs about 3,600 people across Ohio and plans to hire another 60 in the state by the end of 2012 to address attrition and shipper needs. Other key elements of the project include:
METRO-NORTH HAS BEST FIRST QUARTER EVER: A continual focus on providing the best service possible, a mild winter, and an increasing number of new M-8 rail cars in service on the New Haven Line were among the many factors contributing to a first quarter system-wide On-time Performance (OTP) of 98.8%--the best quarter in Metro-North's history. The railroad also has had four 100% days so far this year on its East of Hudson service. I want to extend my congratulations and thanks to all the employees who have worked so hard to provide our customers with such excellent service. It's no wonder why our ridership continues to surge," President Howard Permut said. During the first quarter, Metro-North had only one day (January 19th) when OTP dipped below 95%, and 59 days out of 91 when it was at 99% or above. By month, system-wide on-time performance was: January—98.9%; February--98.8%, and March—98.8%. Speaking of March, the Hudson Line OTP performed at 98.8%, the Harlem at 99.2% and the New Haven at 98.6%. And weekday (all time periods) OTP was 98.86%, while on the weekends it was 98.78%. Consist compliance (reflecting the percent of trains that have the right number of seats to accommodate our customers every day) remained excellent on all three lines at 99.8%, reflecting the hard work of the many employees in the Operations Division. We will continue to strive to meet the same standard for the remaining nine months of the year," Permut noted (MTA - posted 4/16) NORFOLK SOUTHERN RECEIVES ITS 12TH TRANSCAER NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Norfolk Southern Corporation has earned the TRANSCAER® (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) National Achievement Award for 2011. This is the twelfth time - and the tenth consecutive year - that Norfolk Southern has received the award that recognizes extraordinary achievement in support of efforts to prepare communities to respond to a possible hazardous materials transportation incident. In 2011, Norfolk Southern participated in numerous community outreach efforts under the TRANSCAER program, including: training nearly 5,500 local emergency responders through multiple large-scale events; participating in the first nationwide Anhydrous Ammonia Training Tour, which trained more than 60,000 emergency responders across 37 states in safe handling and distribution of anhydrous ammonia; sponsoring ethanol training with the Renewable Fuels Association; awarding scholarships to emergency responders to attend the Security and Emergency Response Training Center in Pueblo, Co.; participating in full-scale exercises and table-top drills; providing traffic flow studies to emergency planning agencies; and participating on Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs). Nine NS employees who demonstrated exceptional support of the TRANSCAER program also were recognized with awards. Mike Stiner, hazardous materials compliance officer, Atlanta, received the first TRANSCAER Torch Award in recognition of lifetime achievement. The following employees received individual achievement awards: Stiner; John Casey, engineer environmental operations, Harrisburg, Pa. (also received certificate of appreciation.); Mike Connelly, senior engineer environmental operations, Bellevue, Ohio; David Lefler, engineer environmental operations, Louisville, Ky.; John Lerner, hazardous materials compliance officer, Elkhart, Ind.; Bill Oertly, hazardous materials compliance officer, Roanoke, Va.; Joe Oliver, engineer environmental operations, Knoxville, Tenn.; Paul Williams, hazardous materials compliance officer, Roanoke; Va., and Paul Zottola, senior engineer environmental operations, Pittsburgh, Pa. “Congratulations on your teamwork and individual contributions to enhance Norfolk Southern’s emergency preparedness and the capabilities of local emergency management personnel across our rail network,” said David Julian, NS vice president safety and environmental. “Special thanks to Mike Stiner on winning the Torch Award in recognition of 21 years of work to support the TRANSCAER program.” TRANSCAER is a voluntary national outreach effort that focuses on assisting communities to prepare for and respond to a possible hazardous material transportation incident. TRANSCAER members consist of volunteer representatives from the chemical manufacturing, transportation, distributor, and emergency response industries, as well as government. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS - posted 4/13) U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAHOOD ATTENDS GROUNDBREAKING OF $196.6 MILLION TUSCON STREETCAR PROJECT: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today participated in the groundbreaking of a new 3.9-mile modern streetcar line project that will directly connect thousands of commuters with Tucson’s major downtown employers, health care facilities, the University of Arizona and regional attractions. “Tucson is joining a growing list of American cities—from Portland, Oregon, to Charlotte, North Carolina—where the modern streetcar is spurring economic development, revitalizing downtown neighborhoods, and attracting a new generation of riders,” said Secretary LaHood. “The Obama Administration is committed to investing in strong transportation choices like these as part of an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy to reduce our dependence on oil, relieve congestion and improve air quality.” The Tucson streetcar line will serve a population of more than 85,000 people who live and work within walking distance of 17 planned stops. The service also fills a gap by offering direct, high-capacity transit connections between downtown Tucson, the University of Arizona, the Arizona Health Sciences Center and points in between. Travel times between the University District and downtown are expected to improve significantly over current bus service, once the streetcar line is operational. The streetcar project is expected to create an estimated 1,200 construction-related jobs. Oregon Iron Works Inc./United Streetcar of Portland, Ore., a U.S. manufacturer of modern streetcar vehicles, has been awarded the contract to build the cars. The U.S. Department of Transportation has committed $78.7 million to the $196.6 million project thus far, including $63 million in TIGER funds awarded in 2010 and $15.7 million from other Transportation Department funding sources (USDOT - posted 4/12) AAR REPORTS MIXED WEEKLY RAIL TRAFFIC: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending April 7, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 270,974 carloads, down 7.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 231,153 trailers and containers, up 1.1 percent compared with the same week last year. Nine of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with petroleum products, up 33.3 percent; primary forest products, up 11.8 percent, and stone, clay and glass products, up 11.2 percent. The groups showing a significant decrease in weekly traffic included iron, steel and scrap, down 18.1; grain, down 16.6, and coal, down 16.1 percent. Weekly carload volume on Eastern railroads was down 5.2 percent compared with the same week last year. In the West, weekly carload volume was down 9.3 percent compared with the same week in 2011. For the first fourteen weeks of 2012, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 3,950,064 carloads, down 2.9 percent from last year, and 3,159,598 trailers and containers, up 2.4 percent from last year. Canadian railroads reported 75,089 carloads for the week, down 3.4 percent compared with the same week last year, and 50,454 trailers and containers, up 1.6 percent compared with 2011. For the first fourteen weeks of 2012, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,061,371 carloads, up 4.7 percent from the same point last year, and 683,388 trailers and containers, up 6.5 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported 11,999 carloads for the week, down 16 percent compared with the same week last year, and 7,141 trailers and containers, up 1.3 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first fourteen weeks of 2012 is 188,344 carloads, down 6.5 percent compared with last year, and 121,958 trailers and containers, up 21.2 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first fourteen weeks of 2012 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 5,199,779 carloads, down 1.6 percent compared with last year, and 3,964,944 trailers and containers, up 3.6 percent compared with last year. (AAR - posted 4/12) AMTRAK ON PACE TO SET NEW RIDERSHIP RECORD: Amtrak is on pace to set another new annual ridership record as passenger counts across its national network for the first six months of fiscal year 2012 (October 2011 – March 2012) are up 3.7 percent over the same period last year when the current record was established. A closer look at the numbers show all Amtrak business lines experienced growth in the first half of FY 2012 as compared to the same period the prior year, including the Northeast Corridor (up 5.2 percent), long-distance trains (up 3.0 percent) and state-supported and other short-distance routes (up 2.7 percent.) This ridership growth continues a long-term trend that has led to eight records in the last nine years, including 30.2 million passengers in FY 2011. “Amtrak achieving ridership records is important, but it is more critical that the right infrastructure be in place to continue this trend in the years to come and to provide safe, efficient and reliable rail transportation for all current and future passengers,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman. “To do this in the Northeast, we must advance our proposed Gateway Program, as it is essential for the future growth and economic development of the entire region.” Boardman explained the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in particular has seen strong ridership growth in recent years and demand for passenger rail service on this line is expected to significantly increase as population grows, highway and airport congestion worsen, and gas prices rise throughout the region. He added that Amtrak is preparing to meet these challenges by beginning work on a comprehensive, long-term plan to improve the NEC and expand high-speed rail service, including through its Gateway Program to build increased tunnel, track and station capacity into the heart of New York City for intercity and commuter trains. The regional highlights below (and the attached ridership chart) show both the breadth and depth of increased Amtrak ridership across the country:
DL&W DINER EN ROUTE TO SCRANTON: The Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society's former-DL&W Budd "Phoebe Snow" Dining Car #469 is currently en route from Collierville, TN to Scranton, PA where it will once again serve delicious meals on the Friendly Service Route. The car will be riding rear-end-only (with possibly one additional car carrying the FRED) on Norfolk Southern from Memphis, TN, via Chattanooga, Roanoke, and the Shenandoah Valley Line, bound for Slateford Junction, where it will be interchanged to the Delaware-Lackawanna for the final leg into Scranton. ELDCPS is looking for photos of the car in transit to use on our website and in our publications. Please contact msteinberg@eldcps.org if you are able to get a photo of the car. (John Isaksen/ Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society via Alexander D. Mitchell IV - posted 4/10) > FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATOR SZABO JOINS SENATOR CARL LEVIN, CONGRESSMAN JOHN DINGELL TO HELP REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN DEARBORN: Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo today joined Senator Carl Levin and Congressman John Dingell to break ground on a new $28.2 million federally-funded intermodal train and bus station that will help revitalize downtown Dearborn and provide greater connectivity for residents throughout the region. The project will consolidate Dearborn’s two passenger rail facilities into a pedestrian-friendly, intermodal station in the West Downtown section of the city, supporting President Obama’s vision to create livable cities by providing greater access to passenger rail service. “When we invest in transportation, we’re not only preparing our infrastructure to meet the demands of moving a growing population, but strengthening our economy as well,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The new station will serve local residents and students at the University of Michigan–Dearborn and Henry Ford Community College and also accommodate tourists via a new pedestrian overpass at the Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village, Dearborn’s largest tourist attraction with 1.7 million visitors every year. The intermodal facility will be designed for the planned Ann Arbor–Detroit commuter rail as well as future high-speed intercity passenger rail service. It will also accommodate city, regional and intercity bus systems; local and tourist shuttles; bicycle and greenway linkages; and, auto, taxi, and limousine connections to Detroit International Airport. “This new Intermodal Station will serve as Dearborn’s gateway to a modern 110 mile per hour regional passenger rail system,” said Administrator Szabo. “By 2015, nearly 80 percent of the Chicago-Detroit corridor will see sustained speeds of 110 MPH – with all new high-performance equipment – allowing travelers to check email, read or relax while speeding past cars on the interstate. This new facility will provide seamless connections from rail to other transportation options, providing a boon to tourists, students and business travelers alike.” The new Dearborn station will continue to serve Amtrak’s Wolverine passenger rail service, which provides three round trips daily between Pontiac, Mich., and Chicago, Ill. In 2010, Dearborn’s current station ranked third in Amtrak ridership in Michigan with more than 82,000 travelers. The Chicago to Detroit line is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Network, a nine state plan to connect the 40 most populated cities in the Midwest with fast, frequent and affordable passenger rail service. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and its 32 state partners are making great progress on High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program projects across the country. With $10.1 billion in federal funding, they’re moving forward with 154 projects, laying the foundation for a 21st century passenger rail network. (AAR - posted 4/10) U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAHOOD ANNOUNCES UPDATED LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a final locomotive safety rule that eliminates unnecessary regulatory burdens, facilitates the use of new technologies and incorporates existing industry and engineering best practices. The new rule is in keeping with President Obama’s directive to agencies to reduce the burdens of regulatory red tape. “Safety is our top priority,” said Secretary LaHood. “This rule will help improve safety and working conditions while also providing significant regulatory relief to the railroad industry.” The final rule modernizes and streamlines the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) safety regulatory program for locomotives by consolidating existing regulations and addressing technological advancements. Some provisions of the existing rule had not been updated in the previous 30 years, while technology, industry standards and best practices continued to evolve. The rule addresses reliability and performance criteria for the design, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, repair and record-keeping for various mechanical and electronic components, as well as certain safety appliances and control systems. Many of the requirements in the final rule are based on existing waivers that have been granted by FRA’s Safety Board to address railroad or geographic specific conditions, and the revised regulations provide efficiencies by doing away with the need to go through a waiver process. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) Locomotive Safety Standards Working Group for providing valuable input across the board and reaching consensus on several key issues,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “Ensuring that railroads operate and maintain locomotives safely is a cornerstone of federal rail safety oversight (AAR - posted 4/10) LATEST NS HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE: Norfolk Southern's Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Pa has unveiled the latest heritage locomotive, ES44AC 8103 in Norfolk & Westerb blue and yellow. (NS, John Krattinger - posted 4/09) RAILAMERICA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF MAJORITY IN WELLSBORO & CORNING RAILROAD AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE GROUP: RailAmerica, Inc announced today that it has completed its acquisition of a seventy-percent interest in the Wellsboro and Corning Railroad ("WCOR") and Industrial Waste Group ("IWG") from Myles Group for approximately $18 million. RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short-line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 44 individual railroads with approximately 7,400 miles of track in 28 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces (RailAmerica - posted 4/09) CSXT INTERMODAL TRAIN DERAILMENT: On April 8 an eastbound CSXT intermodal train derailed in Gary, Indiana blocking both mainline tracks. CSXT rerouted several trains around the blocked mainline, with crews working to clear the line by today. (CSXT - posted 4/09) IMPROVEMENTS IN MICHIGAN SET TO BEGIN APRIL 16 Following work set to begin April 16, Amtrak services for Wolverine and Blue Water passengers can expect normal travel times on Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) track in Michigan by early May. While NS crews work to eliminate the temporary "slow orders" the railroad imposed on March 15, certain trains will be cancelled, have different schedules, or have segments covered by dedicated motor coaches, to allow completion of track work on April 16, 17, 18 and 19 (see attached.) Amtrak service in mid-Michigan will continue to be delayed from 45 to 90 minutes on Pontiac-Detroit-Chicago Wolverine trains, with lesser delays to the Blue Water trains to and from Chicago and Port Huron. Train 350, the morning eastbound Wolverine from Chicago to Pontiac, will terminate at Kalamazoo. Passengers continuing east of Kalamazoo will be accommodated on a dedicated bus serving Battle Creek and Jackson, where passengers will reboard a train for the remainder of the trip to Dearborn and intermediate stations. Train 351, the morning westbound Wolverine from Pontiac, will terminate at Jackson. Passengers continuing west of Jackson will be provided with dedicated bus service to Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, where they will reboard a train for service to Chicago and intermediate stations. The Kalamazoo departure of the continuation of train 351 will be 90 minutes later, at 11:20 a.m., arriving in Chicago at 12:54 p.m. CT. The late morning Wolverine 353 from Pontiac to Chicago is cancelled. The early afternoon Wolverine 352 from Chicago to Pontiac is also cancelled. Wolverine trains 354 (Pontiac to Chicago) and Train 355 (Dearborn to Chicago) will continue to operate with delays until the track repairs are completed. Blue Water (Train 365) operating eastbound between Port Huron and Chicago, will depart Port Huron two hours earlier at 4 a.m. All intermediate stations between Port Huron and Chicago also will be served two hours earlier than the published schedule. Amtrak has posted temporary schedules for service on the Wolverine and the Blue Water (364 and 365.) The Blue Water uses NS-owned track between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. Further significant temporary changes to accommodate track work after April 19 will be announced as details become available in Passenger Service Notices at stations, shown as part of the booking process on Amtrak.com, and posted at Amtrak.com/Alerts. (Amtrak - posted 4/06) HISTORIC AMTRAK DOME CAR FEATURED ON MISSOURI RIVER RUNNER IN EARLY APRIL: Passengers on Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains are in for a treat April 7-12 as the historic Amtrak “Great Dome” rail car will provide a unique opportunity to experience river and prairie views along the train’s St. Louis to Kansas City, Mo., route. The only remaining dome car in Amtrak service features an upper level with windows on all sides – as well as overhead – to provide panoramic views of springtime in Missouri. The dome section runs the full length of the car, a rare feature even when dome cars were more numerous on the nation’s railroads. Seats in the dome car are not reserved and are available on a first-come, first served basis. To access the dome, passengers climb a short flight of stairs. No elevator is available. The dome car is scheduled to operate on the Missouri River Runner as follows:
PORT AUTHORITY BOARD AUTHORIZES REPLACEMENT OF PATH'S HARRISON RAIL STATION: A gleaming new glass-and-steel Harrison PATH rail station is now on track to replace the currently deteriorating 76-year-old facility after Port Authority commissioners last week authorized key steps to move the project forward. The Board's action to approve $256 million in project authorizations enables PATH officials to award contracts for professional and advisory services to finalize the station's design, hire a construction manager and acquire outstanding properties. The construction portion of the project is estimated at $153.8 million and this expedited process will shave two years off the expected timeframe. The move will help meet the city's growing residential and commercial needs, as well as those related to Red Bulls Stadium. The city of Harrison's ongoing renaissance, led by Mayor Raymond McDonough means significantly increased passenger use of the existing station, which was built in 1936 and is unable to be refurbished to meet the city's 21st century needs. The new station will accommodate increased ridership at Harrison and eventually along the entire Newark-World Trade Center PATH line, with the addition of longer platforms to accommodate 10-car trains instead of the current 8-car limit. "The replacement of the aging PATH station at Harrison, along with the addition of 340 new rail cars, demonstrates the Board of Commissioners' commitment to modernize the PATH system for the 76 million riders who use it each year," said Port Authority Chairman David Samson. "The new station will be a centerpiece for Harrison's revitalization and create over a thousand jobs and $344 million in economic activity." "Trimming two years off the construction timeline will enable us to deliver this important rail station in five years rather than seven," said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. "This exemplifies the Port Authority's drive to regain its place as one of the region's most efficient economic engines by eliminating bureaucratic hurdles that will enable projects to be built in a timelier fashion." "Mayor Raymond McDonough has made this project a key priority for Harrison and for commuters across New Jersey," said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni. "The mayor's leadership and tireless advocacy on behalf of modern and efficient public transportation, together with our new leadership team, have enabled the project to finally move forward after years of delay." "The Port Authority, under the leadership of Governors Chris Christie and Andrew Cuomo, has finally given the green light to the modernization and revitalization of the Harrison PATH station," said Harrison Mayor Raymond McDonough. "This project will provide numerous economic incentives not only to Harrison but to surrounding communities in New Jersey for years to come." Last year, the Port Authority completed its three-year phase-in of 340 new rail cars, a $744 million program that made PATH one of the nation's newest fleets after years of being one of the oldest. The $580 million computerized signal system will replace an aging, mechanized system and allow PATH trains to run closer together while maintaining safety requirements. Running trains more efficiently, combined with the 10-car platforms on the Newark-WTC line, will allow PATH to increase future ridership by more than 20 percent. This is important given that the Red Bulls soccer has brought increased ridership to Harrison's PATH station over the past two years and various developers are now planning significant residential and commercial construction projects within the city. The Port Authority took over PATH from the bankrupt Hudson and Manhattan Railroad in 1962. PATH set a record in its 50-year history in 2011 with 76.6 million passenger trips, surpassing the previous 2008 record by 1.7 million trips. Passengers took approximately 256,000 weekday trips and 211,000 weekend trips in 2011 on PATH, which comprises 43 miles of track and 13 stations in New Jersey and New York. Last year, the Harrison station experienced the highest weekday growth of the system's stations, jumping 8.7 percent above 2010 levels. Additionally, the Board approved a $71 million reauthorization to replace and upgrade the PATH's Christopher Street substation, which will maintain the facility that provides electrical power to the uptown PATH system in a state-of-good-repair. Authorization included a $31.8 million construction contract with Mass. Electric Construction Company following a publicly advertised bid solicitation. (PANYNJ - posted 4/05) AAR REPORTS MIXED RAIL TRAFFIC FOR MARCH: WEEKLY RAIL TRAFFIC MIXED: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail carloads originated in March 2012 totaled 1,123,298, down 69,190 carloads or 5.8 percent, compared with March 2011. Intermodal volume in March 2012 was 928,350 containers and trailers, up 31,348 units or 3.5 percent compared with March 2011. Detailed monthly data charts and tables will be available in the AAR’s Rail Time Indicators report released online tomorrow. Twelve of the 20 commodity groups tracked by AAR showed gains in March 2012 compared with the same month last year, including petroleum and petroleum products, up 9,052 carloads or 34.2 percent; motor vehicles and parts, up 9,032 carloads or 15.3 percent; steel and other primary metal products, up 3,459 carloads or 8.3 percent; crushed stone, gravel, and sand, up 3,211 carloads or 4.8 percent; and metallic ores, up 1,642 carloads or 8.1 percent. Commodities with carload declines in March were led by coal, down 84,854 carloads or 15.8 percent from March 2011. Other commodities with declines included grain, down 9,088 carloads or 9.7 percent; chemicals, down 4,278 carloads or 3.4 percent; nonmetallic minerals, down 1,863 carloads or 9.7 percent; and farm products excluding grain, down 479 carloads or 13.3 percent. Carloads excluding coal and grain were up 4.4 percent or 24,752 carloads in March 2012 over March 2011. “There is no denying that coal is a crucial commodity for railroads, and there’s also no denying that recent declines in coal traffic are presenting significant challenges to railroads right now,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. “That said, it’s encouraging that many commodities that are better indicators of the state of the economy than coal is — things like motor vehicles, lumber and wood products, and crushed stone — saw higher rail carloadings in March.” Class I employment fell to 159,228 in February 2012, a decline of 105 employees from January 2012. Total Class I employment was 4,726 employees, or 3.1 percent, greater in February 2012 than in February 2011. In February 2012, most major classes of rail employees saw declines from the month before. The one exception was train and engine employees, whose employment rose by 170 in February 2012 over January 2012. As of April 1, 2012, 299,324 freight cars were in storage, an increase of 9,819 from March 1, 2012, and equal to 19.6 percent of the North American fleet. AAR today also reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending March 31, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 286,962 carloads, down 6.2 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 242,772 trailers and containers, up 3.6 percent compared with the same week last year. Twelve of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with petroleum products, up 38.2 percent; motor vehicles and equipment, up 17.2 percent, and metals and products, up 16.9 percent. The groups showing a significant decrease in weekly traffic included farm products excluding grain, down 19.7 percent; nonmetallic minerals, down 18.9 percent, and coal, down 18.2 percent. Weekly carload volume on Eastern railroads was down 3.2 percent compared with the same week last year. In the West, weekly carload volume was down 8.2 percent compared with the same week in 2011. For the first thirteen weeks of 2012, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 3,679,090 carloads, down 2.5 percent from last year, and 2,928,445 trailers and containers, up 2.5 percent from last year. Canadian railroads reported 79,654 carloads for the week, up 0.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 52,710 trailers and containers, up 12.4 percent compared with 2011. For the first thirteen weeks of 2012, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 986,282 carloads, up 5.4 percent from the same point last year, and 632,934 trailers and containers, up 6.9 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported 14,889 carloads for the week, down 3.4 percent compared with the same week last year, and 9,103 trailers and containers, up 27.8 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first thirteen weeks of 2012 is 176,345 carloads, down 5.8 percent compared with last year, and 114,817 trailers and containers, up 22.7 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first thirteen weeks of 2012 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 4,841,717 carloads, down 1.1 percent compared with last year, and 3,676,196 trailers and containers, up 3.8 percent compared with last year (AAR - posted 4/05) SHUTTLE BUSING SCHEDULED ON SEPTA'S WARMINSTER REGIONAL RAIL LINE: Restoration of overhead catenary wire along SEPTA's Warminster Regional Rail Line will result in mid-day weekday shuttle busing between Warminster and Willow Grove Stations from Monday, April 2, 2012 until August 2012. Shuttle buses will operate between Warminster and Willow Grove Stations on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Passengers traveling to Center City will board shuttle buses at Warminster Station, 13 minutes before their regularly scheduled train times, as shown in the newly revised Regional Rail timetable. The buses will travel to Willow Grove Station where passengers will meet regularly scheduled trains to complete their trips to Center City. Trains traveling from Willow Grove Station to Center City will operate normally. Warminster bound trains will travel as far as Willow Grove Station and arrive at regularly scheduled train times. Passengers traveling to Hatboro and Warminster Stations should add approximately 10 minutes to their trips. These passengers will transfer from trains to waiting shuttle buses at Willow Grove Station to complete their trips. Bus departure times are included in the April 1st Warminster Regional Rail timetable. Passengers taking trains from Warminster Station before 9:00 a.m. and after 3:00 p.m. will follow directional signage to new boarding locations. Additionally, weekday and weekend trains will depart from Warminster Station two minutes earlier. Passengers can visit www.septa.org to view changes to their train lines and download new schedules. Riders can also contact SEPTA Customer Service representatives at (215) 580-7800. (SEPTA - posted 4/04) . CN AND CSXT JOIN RANKS IN NEW CHICAGO ALL-RAIL INTERCHANGE: CN announced today a new steel-wheel-interchange service with CSXT Transportation (CSX) over Chicago. The service gives container imports moving over CN's network from the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, B.C., efficient access to key Ohio Valley markets. Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, said: "Our new interchange service will give CN's customers efficient and cost-effective access to CSX's new Northwest Ohio Terminal and to the important markets of Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky." Prior to this agreement, CN and CSX exchanged container traffic in Chicago by truck, instead of directly between railroads. "Together, our interchange agreements with CSX and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) for container traffic moving over the Chicago gateway to northeast U.S. markets underscore CN's commitment to improving the efficiency of its customers' supply chains, with the goal of making them more competitive in their end markets," Ruest said. CSX and NS are the major rail carriers in the eastern United States. (CN - posted 4/02) . VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION ASSUMES FULL OWNERSHIP OF 611 AND 1218 AS 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION BEGINS: The City of Roanoke, with the support of the Norfolk Southern Corporation, gifted the Virginia Museum of Transportation the country’s last remaining examples of the most advanced steam engines of their kind– the Norfolk and Western Class J 611 and the Class A 1218. The proclamation was made on the Museum’s 50th Birthday at a press conference in Roanoke, VA. Roanoke Mayor David Bowers delivered the news. Members of Roanoke’s City Council, special guests, Museum board, members and volunteers were on hand to cheer the announcement. “What a wonderful birthday present,” says Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., the Museum’s executive director. “This gift shows great faith in the Virginia Museum of Transportation by our city leaders and administration. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate this important day and to kick off the next 50 years.” The VMT was originally known as the Roanoke Transportation Museum and was founded by the City of Roanoke. The charter was created on April 2, 1962. The Roanoke Transportation Museum opened its doors for the first time over the Memorial Day weekend in 1963. The City of Roanoke transferred operation of the Museum to a private non-profit organization in 1976. Because of the original charter, the city of Roanoke still owned 40 percent of the equipment on display at the Museum until recently. All the assets, with the exception of the Norfolk & Western (N&W) Class J 611 and the Class A 1218, became property of the Museum in February 2012. Today’s announcement transfers the two most significant pieces of Roanoke’s history to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. The J-611 and the A-1218: Reflections of our legacy and our future The massive Norfolk & Western locomotives were designed and built by people in the Roanoke Valley in the famous N&W Shops. They are known to be the most advanced steam locomotives of their kind ever built. They are also the only ones left in existence. The Class A 1218 was put into service during World War II transporting troops and supplies to the east coast so they could be shipped to Europe. The Class J 611 debuted during the post-war era and helped to fuel the massive growth and economic activity during the post-war boom years. “The Virginia Museum of Transportation celebrates the skilled craftsmen from the Roanoke Valley who designed and built the best steam locomotives in the world,” Mayor Bowers said. “The 611 and 1218 say a lot about our citizens, our legacy and our future.” In the past, the locomotives contributed to Roanoke’s economic success by hauling coal, freight and passengers. Today, the massive locomotives are world-renowned and are contributing to modern-day economic success for the city. “One third of our visitors come from out of state – and most come just to see these powerful locomotives up close,” Fitzpatrick says. “These visitors sleep, eat and shop in Roanoke and generate over $2.2 million in direct tourism spending.” Fitzpatrick says that people of all ages come to Roanoke and the Museum to learn about the great strength of these locomotives. “They are a wonderful educational asset to the community,” he says. “School children, scouts and adults can learn history, science and math through these massive machines.” (Virginia Museum of Transportation, Alex Mayes - posted 4/03) . ILLINOIS HIGH-SPEED RAIL CORRIDOR WORK RESUMES: The Illinois Department of Transportation (Illinois DOT) and Union Pacific Railroad will again be upgrading Illinois’ signature high-speed route, Chicago-St. Louis, for future high-speed Amtrak trains, from April 16 through May 25. The improvements for 110 mph service include the installation of new premium rail with concrete ties and stone ballast; upgrades to bridges, culverts and drainage; signal and wayside equipment installations and upgrades; and roadway-rail grade crossing improvements. Most days, this work will lead to the substitution of chartered motorcoaches for Amtrak Lincoln Service (Trains 300-307) passengers at St. Louis, Alton and Carlinville. The Amtrak Texas Eagle (Trains 21/321/421 & 22/322/422) will detour between Chicago and St. Louis for the same period, with alternate transportation in both directions between Joliet and St. Louis. The attached Passenger Service Notice covers the details of the first phase of the 2012 work. The temporary changes will allow Union Pacific’s Track Renewal Train crews to improve infrastructure to enable Amtrak service to travel at speeds up to 110 mph (177 kph), an increase from the current maximum of 79 mph (127 kph). Illinois DOT and Amtrak are planning to preview higher speed trains in September 2012 from Dwight to Pontiac. This is the last scheduled year of large-scale construction leading to alternate transportation on the corridor. When this project began with a ground-breaking north of Alton in 2010, it was among the first high-speed rail projects in the country to start construction. Passenger Service Notices about this disruption are posted at stations and will be displayed as part of the booking process on Amtrak.com. Temporary road crossing closures due to construction will be updated on a nightly basis on the Official Illinois High-Speed Rail Chicago to St. Louis Project Website, www.idothsr.org . Further notices will be issued through the 2012 construction season. A stringent Quality Control/Quality Assurance program has been set up for the Illinois High-speed rail project for materials and equipment. During the 2010-11 construction seasons, certain concrete railroad ties installed in the corridor were failing a laboratory test predictive of durability. No ties have failed in service but as a precautionary measure all 115,000 of the implicated ties are scheduled for removal from service by the end of 2012 at Union Pacific’s expense (Amtrak - posted 3/30) . NORFOLK SOUTHERN UNVEILS THE THIRD HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE: Norfolk Southern's Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Pa has released the third Heritage locomotive... ES44AC 8100 in full Nickel Plate Road paint (John Krattinger, NS - posted 3/29) . TRAINS BACK ROLLING ON THE NS CHICAGO LINE: Norfolk Southern has restored operations at the derailment site near Ligonier, Indiana (between Elkhart and Toledo). Train operations are beginning to return to normal routes and schedules, but due to a number of shipments holding in the area, customers may continue to see some delays until the backlog is cleared. (NS - posted 3/29) NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S NEW CHARLOTTE INTERMODAL TERMINAL: The City of Charlotte signed a lease agreement today with Norfolk Southern Corporation, a momentous move that will kick off construction of Charlottes new regional intermodal facility at CLT. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx held a press conference at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center to formally sign the lease. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate $9 billion in economic impact over the next 20 years. The agreement culminates years of planning. This project was first envisioned in 1997 in the Airport's Strategic Development Plan - a process that included several Charlotte businesses. The facility, which will be built by Northern Southern, is scheduled to open in 2014. It will replace the existing 40-acre intermodal facility along North Davidson and North Brevard Streets in uptown. By relocating to the Airport, Norfolk Southern is able to expand to 200 acres and remove trucks off busy city streets. Land has already been graded for the intermodal facility that will sit along the southern end of CLT's center parallel runway and 40 feet underneath two taxiway bridges. The tracks will extend a mile along the airfield. For passengers landing at CLT, they will likely only see the tops of cranes. Daily operation at CLT will not be impacted once the facility is fully operational. The $90 million facility will be constructed with the assistance of $15.7 million in federal and state funds. In addition, the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, North Carolina Department of Transportation and the City of Charlotte provided extensive help in planning the facility. (NS - posted 3/29) AAR REPORTS MIXED WEEKLY RAIL TRAFFIC: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending March 24, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 278,393 carloads, down 7.2 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 232,401 trailers and containers, up 4.2 percent compared with the same week last year. Twelve of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with petroleum products, up 26.8 percent; coke, up 15.1 percent, and motor vehicles and equipment, up 13.8 percent. The groups showing a significant decrease in weekly traffic included coal, down 17.4 percent, and grain, down 14.2 percent. Weekly carload volume on Eastern railroads was down 4.3 percent compared with the same week last year. In the West, weekly carload volume was down 9.1 percent compared with the same week in 2011. For the first twelve weeks of 2012, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 3,392,128 carloads, down 2.2 percent from last year, and 2,685,673 trailers and containers, up 2.4 percent from last year. Canadian railroads reported 77,841 carloads for the week, up 0.4 percent compared with the same week last year, and 51,772 trailers and containers, up 10.7 percent compared with 2011. For the first twelve weeks of 2012, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 906,628 carloads, up 5.8 percent from the same point last year, and 580,224 trailers and containers, up 6.5 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported 14,145 carloads for the week, up 1.7 percent compared with the same week last year, and 8,708 trailers and containers, up 32 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first twelve weeks of 2012 is 161,456 carloads, down 6 percent compared with last year, and 105,714 trailers and containers, up 22.3 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first twelve weeks of 2012 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 4,460,212 carloads, down 0.8 percent compared with last year, and 3,371,611 trailers and containers, up 3.6 percent compared with last year (AAR - posted 3/29) NS DERAILMENT UPDATE: Norfolk Southern is continuing work to clear the site where a train derailed early Tuesday morning, west of Ligonier, Indiana (between Elkhart and Toledo). Once cleared, track repairs will immediately get underway and based on preliminary estimates, some train operations should be restored early Thursday. Norfolk Southern is continuing to reroute trains normally moving over this route in coordination with other carriers as well as over alternate routes on Norfolk Southern. (NS- posted 3/28) METROLINX PURCHASES TORONTO AREA CN TRACKAGE: CN announced today the sale of two rail line segments in the Greater Toronto Area to Metrolinx for C$310.5 million. GO Transit's Richmond Hill commuter rail service operates over a portion of CN's Bala Subdivision. Metrolinx is acquiring a segment of the subdivision from approximately Rosedale Valley Road north through the Don Valley to CN's main east-west freight line north of Steeles Avenue near the Toronto-York Region border. Metrolinx is also acquiring a segment of CN's Oakville Subdivision from a point near 30th Street in the Etobicoke area of Toronto and terminating just west of the Fourth Line in Oakville, Ont. Luc Jobin, CN executive vice-president and chief financial officer, said: "We are pleased to transfer ownership of these important commuter rail lines to Metrolinx to further its future service objectives, while protecting CN's operating rights to ensure continued service to its freight customers. CN has a strong partnership with Metrolinx and we will continue to support commuter rail as a sustainable mode of transport in the Greater Toronto Area." GO Transit, a division of Metrolinx, is Ontario's inter-regional public transit system linking Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. GO carries more than 57 million passengers a year in an extensive network of train and bus services that spans over 10,000 square kilometres. (CN - posted 3/27) NORFOLK SOUTHERN CHICAGO LINE DERAILMENT: An eastbound Norfolk Southern train derailed early Tuesday morning, west of Ligonier, Indiana (between Elkhart and Toledo), impacting both main lines at this location. Norfolk Southern is rerouting trains normally moving over this route in coordination with other carriers as well as over alternate routes on Norfolk Southern. (NS - posted 3/27) AMTRAK NIANTIC RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT: Amtrak is reaching a significant milestone in its efforts to replace the existing 104-year old Niantic River Bridge in East Lyme, Conn., with the float-in of the new bascule lift span to the new alignment south of the existing bridge. After the float-in of the new bridge span is completed later today, crews will begin the process of connecting it to the new pivot girders located on the land side of the marine channel. As a result, access to the channel beneath the structure will be closed to the maritime community beginning today, March 26, through Friday, March, 30 to allow for the safe movement of construction equipment. Amtrak does not anticipate any significant impact to its rail operations during this time, but some minor delays may be encountered as a result the scheduled single track operations on the existing bridge. The next major milestone for bridge-related elements of the project will be to shift rail traffic to the new structure with the first track scheduled to open later this summer followed by the second track sometime this fall. Then, next spring the existing bridge will be demolished. The three-year project, which began in April 2010, is being constructed at a cost of $140 million. It remains on-schedule with an estimated completion date of May 2013.. (Amtrak - 3/26) MTA SETS NEW RIDERSHIP RECORD : The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) set a new record for ridership last month. The average weekday ridership system-wide hit 414,867 in February, 2012. The previous high was 411,785 recorded in September, 2008. The MARC Train service led the surge. The average weekday ridership on MARC rose to 35,210, pushing ridership up 6.1% system-wide over the same time period one year ago. MTA Administrator Ralign T. Wells said, “The growth in ridership reflects Governor O’Malley’s investment in new equipment, and our commitment to improved performance. Both of those factors contributed to the record ridership we’re experiencing.” Ridership on the MARC Penn Line, which carries approximately 21,000 passengers daily, jumped 6.7% last month. The Camden Line experienced the largest growth. It recorded a 7.9% increase. Ridership on the Brunswick Line was up by 3.2% over the same period last year. The previous record high ridership on the MARC Train system was 34,618. That record was set in November 2011. Commuter Bus service also surpassed its previous record for riders. Average weekday ridership in February 2012 reached 17,690, eclipsing the old record of 17,390 (MTA - 3/26) CSX TRAIN STRIKES LANDSLIDE: A train struck a landslide early today, derailing a locomotive and some empty hopper cars at Hoover, Ala., just south of Birmingham. No one was injured in the incident that has blocked the mainline on the Lineville Subdivision. Work equipment and personnel are on site, and an update will be provided on efforts to clear the line. The blockage is between LaGrange, Ga., and Birmingham, and is expected to cause delays of 24-48 hours to trains that operate over that route. (CSX- 3/26) ONTARIO NORTHLAND RAILROAD FOR SALE: The Province of Ontario has announced plans to sell the Ontario Northland Railroad as one step to reduce Ontario's $16 billion deficit for this year. Plans are to cancel passenger train service between Toronto and Cochrane, replacing it with improved bus service. (posted 3/23) AMTRAK MAKES TEMPORARY MICHIGAN SERVICE CHANGES DUE TO NORFOLK SOUTHERN SLOW ORDERS: Amtrak has temporarily altered schedules and has begun truncating services in Michigan due to Norfolk Southern Railway’s (NS) orders to slow passenger trains to 25-to-30 mph on certain track segments. These changes will account for the NS “slow orders” and this is the first in a series of announcements of service changes that will also accommodate NS infrastructure repairs expected to begin next month. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been working with NS to perform the work to restore normal track speeds up to 79 mph in advance of the state’s purchase of much of the line. That transaction is expected to be completed later this year, subject to federal regulatory review. Effective March 26, as detailed in the attached Passenger Service Notice, Train 350, the morning eastbound Wolverine from Chicago, will terminate in Dearborn rather than Pontiac. Train 355, the evening westbound Wolverine, will originate in Dearborn rather than Pontiac and operate 65 minutes earlier than the regular schedule to Chicago. Amtrak has also posted temporary schedules in Western Michigan for the Blue Water (Trains 364 & 365), which uses NS-owned track between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo On or before the end of next week (March 30), Amtrak and MDOT intend to have more information for passengers who are planning to travel in April. NS is preparing to make repairs to its tracks, starting early in that month. More schedule changes will be made by Amtrak to preserve as much service as possible while NS crews expedite repairs to be complete before the end of the semesters at colleges and universities along the route and in advance of the summer travel season. In the meantime, passengers affected by this service disruption can use the Amtrak Blue Water trains at East Lansing and Flint or Amtrak Thruway Motorcoaches as a substitute means to reach Central, Southern and Eastern Michigan. Amtrak Lake Shore Limited (Trains 48/448 & 49/449) and Capitol Limited (Trains 29 & 30) in Toledo, Ohio, and at Waterloo, Elkhart and South Bend, Ind., are other alternate choices. The Amtrak Pere Marquette (Trains 370 & 371) to and from Grand Rapids via Holland and St. Joseph-Benton Harbor is not affected by the drastic NS slow orders and can also be an option for some passengers. (Amtrak - posted 3/23) |
 |
|||
| [ Home Page I Subscribe! I Photo Gallery I Interlocking I Railpace Store I Magazine Info I Contributions I Contact Us ] Questions regarding this page can be directed to the Webmaster, Paul Tupaczewski, at paultup@optonline.net. |
|||
|
|||
|
|||