Hot News! Edited by Carl G. Perelman UPDATED March 9, 2010: GENESEE & WYOMING REPORTS TRAFFIC FOR FEBRUARY 2010: Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) ( today reported traffic volumes for February 2010. GWI's traffic in February 2010 was 63,583 carloads, a decrease of 6,261 carloads, or 9.0 percent, compared with February 2009. GWI's traffic in the first quarter of 2010 through February was 127,445 carloads, a decrease of 13,184 carloads, or 9.4 percent, compared with the first quarter of 2009 through February. Coal, coke & ores traffic decreased 2,437 carloads primarily due to lower shipments in GWI's Rocky Mountain and New York/Ohio/Pennsylvania Regions. Traffic in GWI's Other commodity group decreased 996 carloads primarily due to lower overhead shipments in GWI's New York/Ohio/Pennsylvania Region. Farm & food products traffic decreased 913 carloads primarily due to lower shipments of export grain in GWI's Canada Region. All other traffic decreased by a net 1,915 carloads. The traffic decrease in the first quarter of 2010 through February compared to the first quarter of 2009 through February was principally due to declines of 5,993 carloads of coal, coke & ores traffic, 2,693 carloads of farm & food products traffic, and 2,602 carloads of pulp & paper traffic. All other traffic decreased by a net 1,896 carloads. On June 15, 2009 GWI announced its intent to discontinue operations of its Huron Central Railway (HCRY) in the fourth quarter of 2009. GWI now operates HCRY under a temporary service contract through August 14, 2010. Starting in August 2009 HCRY carloads are no longer included in this carloadings press release due to the structure of this temporary contract. To facilitate comparison to the prior year, GWI has excluded 1,227 total HCRY carloads from February 2009 and 2,457 carloads from the first quarter of 2009 through February in this press release. However, carloads reported in GWI's Forms 10-K and 10-Q will include HCRY traffic through July 2009. (G&W, Randall C. Kotuby - posted 3/10) THE MONTREAL PORT AUTHORITY BUYS ITS FIRST GREEN LOCOMOTIVE: The Montreal Port Authority has signed an agreement with R. J. Corman Railpower to purchase a next generation locomotive, one more respectful of the environment, for $1.6 million. The agreement includes an option for four additional locomotives. These are multiple-generator GenSet locomotives providing a total of 2,000 horsepower each. The GenSet technology used by R. J. Corman Railpower was developed in Canada by Railpower. GenSet locomotives make it possible to reduce diesel consumption thanks to a power-regulating device that can start up one, two or all three generators, depending on the size of the task at hand. Furthermore, when the locomotive remains stationary for more than five minutes, the on-board computer puts the locomotive into standby mode, shutting off all the generators so that no emissions are produced while the locomotive is stationary. This system helps reduce fuel consumption by 30% and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%. "The Montreal Port Authority is proud to have made the replacement of its locomotive fleet an opportunity to work towards substantial reductions of diesel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions," stated Sylvie Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montreal Port Authority. Ms. Vachon also pointed out on this occasion that the Port's railway system, located dockside, is a decisive competitive advantage for the Port. "Our intermodal system, which makes it possible for put together trains loaded with containers right beside ships, is the envy of our competitors. In fact, they've named it the "Montreal model," said Ms. Vachon. The agreement with R. J. Corman Railpower followed a call for proposals launched in 2009. The purchase was made with federal assistance under Transport Canada's ecoFREIGHT program. (Montreal Port Authority - posted 3/09) GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND VIA RAIL ANNOUNCE NEW STATOIN FOR SMITH FALLS, ONTARIO: Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough and Chairman of the All Party Rail Caucus Parliamentary Group, on behalf on Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), and VIA's Senior Director, Real Estate, Magdy Fahmy today announced the construction of the town's new station and rail line upgrading. Made possible by the Government of Canada's investments of close to $21 million for major rail infrastructure work, the projects will increase and improve the safety, frequency and speed of passenger rail service all along VIA's busy Toronto-Ottawa route. MP Del Mastro and Senior Director Fahmy were joined at the announcement by Smiths Falls Mayor Dennis Staples and Canadian Pacific (CP) Vice-President of Government Affairs Michael Murphy. "The Government of Canada understands how important VIA's rail service is to Smiths Falls and hundreds of other communities and rail travelers across Ontario," said MP Del Mastro. "By investing in rail services and facilities such as these here in Smiths Falls, we are underlining our commitment to VIA's capital renewal as a wise way to stimulate economic activity and job creation, contribute to environmental sustainability and improve Canada's passenger rail system for years to come." Senior Director Fahmy added, "These investments will create a passenger rail service second to none. A rail service that is safe, fast and sustainable. A rail service designed for Canadians - in the 21st century. VIA is very pleased that the citizens of Smiths Falls are going to be a part of this new era in rail travel." "We're very pleased to work with VIA to implement upgrades to CP's Brockville Subdivision, and thereby help improve passenger rail service on this important segment of the network," said VP Murphy. VIA's new Smiths Falls station will be fully-accessible and located just north of downtown. With its distinctive tower, the new station has been designed to blend harmoniously with the historic character and railway legacy of Smiths Falls. It will provide easy passenger access, ample parking and room for future growth. The new location will also reduce schedule conflicts between VIA passenger and Canadian Pacific freight trains at the old site, which is in the middle of a junction between four busy CP lines and VIA's Smiths Falls Subdivision to Ottawa. The construction of the new Smiths Falls station is due to be completed at the end of this year. The rail infrastructure upgrading began recently on CP's Brockville Subdivision, which is the route of VIA's heavily-used Toronto-Ottawa trains. The project, scheduled to be completed at the end of 2010, includes two new passing sidings between Smiths Falls and Brockville, a new Centralized Traffic Control signal system, upgraded protection at rail/road grade crossings and strategic sections of safety fencing. "Smiths Falls' connection with and affection for the railways goes back to 1859, when the Brockville & Ottawa's first train steamed into town," said Mayor Staples. "It brought with it so many opportunities for this town to grow and prosper. I'm convinced these VIA projects can and will do the same today." VIA's Smiths Falls projects are closely linked with other work that is now, or will soon be, underway throughout the Quebec-Windsor Corridor, which generates almost 90% of VIA's ridership and revenue. Other corridor projects include similar upgrading of the VIA-owned Ottawa-Smiths Falls line and Canadian National's Montreal-Toronto main line. These projects combined will lead to increases in VIA train safety, frequency and speed. The construction of VIA's new Smiths Falls station is part of the $516 million capital program announced by the Government of Canada for VIA Rail in 2007. This investment is stimulating job creation, skills development and private sector activity across the country. Additional infrastructure projects are aimed at improving service quality and cost efficiency at other points across VIA's coast-to-coast route network. (VIA Rail Canada - posted 3/09) MTA METRO-NORTH RAILROAD PLANS INSTALLATION OF CONCRETE TIES ON THE NEW HAVEN LINE: On Monday, March 15th, MTA Metro-North Railroad will begin replacing concrete ties on track 3, the "inbound local" track, between the Old Greenwich Station and the Connecticut-New York state line. Customers will have to use the opposite, or "outbound local" platform (Track 4) to board trains weekdays during the AM peak, between Old Greenwich and Rye for the duration of this project. At Rye, Port Chester and Greenwich, normal side service will resume on April 26. At Cos Cob, Riverside and Old Greenwich, normal side service will resume May 10. The trains affected will be Monday through Friday starting at the beginning of the day (4:45 a.m.) and lasting through 10:30 a.m. Trains will operate on normal sides at other times and all day on weekends. While this work is going on, AM reverse peak outbound trains will use two-car-lengths of standard bridge plates at all the affected stations as will inbound trains at these stations at all times other than AM peak. There also will be track changes at Stamford during the AM peak. Signs will be posted at stations and on-board announcements will be made (MTA - posted 3/09) AMTRAK AND PASSENGER RAIL SUPPORTERS SHARE IDEAS AT FIRST-EVER TOWN HALL MEETING: Calling it an open and spirited dialogue on the future of America’s passenger railroad, Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman, Chairman Tom Carper and other top railroad executives today participated in a day-long briefing of more than 250 passenger rail supporters and answered their questions at a first-ever town hall meeting. “It is important for Amtrak senior management to hear directly from people who care deeply about improving and growing passenger rail in this country,” Boardman said. “Listening to their opinions and viewpoints with open ears and respect is crucial because their support matters in determining how passenger rail moves forward,” he added. The Town Hall meeting was convened at Boardman’s suggestion, co-sponsored and moderated by Trains Magazine and held in Chicago, the nation’s rail hub. Individuals traveled from 28 states to attend. Presentations focused on three topics related to Amtrak’s national operations: the railroad’s policy permitting personal photography at stations and on other property; its strategy to replace and increase the size of its fleet of locomotives and railcars; and ongoing initiatives that are successfully improving its network of long-distance trains. At the event, Amtrak Chief of Police John O’Connor announced the railroad will create a program inviting train watchers to be extra sets of eyes and ears and report suspicious activities, trespassers and other safety and security-related incidents when they are out on station platforms and other locations taking personal photographs. It will be similar to a well-received program developed by BNSF Railway. Also, a question and answer period was held where participants asked Amtrak officials whatever was on their minds. In addition, attendees received an exclusive tour of a newly rebuilt P-40 diesel-electric Genesis locomotive, a rehabilitated Superliner dining car and two Superliner sleeping cars. Amtrak craftspeople from the Beech Grove (Ind.) Maintenance Facility were on hand to explain the work they performed to return the equipment back to service. “It was a very good day and the first of what I hope will be a recurring activity to keep Amtrak officials in touch with the thoughts and concerns of passenger rail supporters,” said Chairman Carper. (Amtrak - posted 3/08) NJ TRANSIT RELEASES FARE AND SERVICE PROPOSAL: Citing a looming $300 million budget deficit for the coming fiscal year, NJ TRANSIT today released a proposal to increase fares by 25 percent systemwide and trim service proportionate to recent ridership declines. Under the proposal, a one-zone local bus trip or one-way ticket on Newark or River Line light rail lines would increase from $1.35 to $1.70 per ride, remaining lower than base fares on transit systems in New York ($2.25) and Philadelphia ($2.00). One-way commuter rail tickets would increase about 25 percent, subject to rounding. Rail ticket prices vary based on distance, but one-way fares would rise from a range of $1.25-$13.25 to a range $1.50-$16.50. (For example, a trip from Metropark in Iselin, NJ to New York Penn Station today is $8 and under the plan would rise to $10.) Hudson-Bergen Light Rail tickets would increase from $1.90 to $2.40 per trip. “We recognize that any increase is a burden for our customers, particularly during a recession,” said Executive Director Jim Weinstein. “However, we have worked to keep local bus fares below the regional average and preserved some important discounts for seniors and people with disabilities, as well as for students and others who are among the most transit dependent.” Commuters will be able to continue to take advantage of discounted travel by purchasing monthly passes, which in many cases provide a discount of 25 percent or more off full fares. The plan also continues interchangeable features that allow customers to connect between trains and buses without paying additional costs. However, off-peak roundtrip discounts—used today by about 17 percent of rail customers—would be eliminated and 10-trip bus discounts would be capped at 15 percent off the full fare price. The plan calls for most of the changes to take effect May 1, 2010, and NJ TRANSIT expects to generate more than $140 million in revenue. The agency pointed out that with the proposed increase, fares will be three percent lower than they were in Fiscal Year 1991, based on inflation-adjusted dollars. On the service side, NJ TRANSIT set a goal of reducing service proportionate to ridership, which has declined systemwide by about four percent as a result of the economy and low fuel prices. In all, the agency proposes to eliminate 32 of 725 commuter trains, with at least two trains scheduled for elimination on each of the system’s 11 lines. A few lines will see a handful of trains cut, mostly those that today have the greatest service frequency, such as the Northeast Corridor, which is slated for a reduction of five weekday trains. Morris and Essex line service would be reduced by seven trains on weekdays (four are off-peak), as ridership to Hoboken has declined faster than ridership to New York. Since Fiscal Year 2009, rail ridership to New York has declined about three percent, while ridership to Hoboken declined 13 percent. “Our service plan is designed to size our service to match ridership demand,” said Weinstein. “We also looked at where we could squeeze out the most costs while impacting as few customers as possible.” Under the plan, bus customers would experience reduced service frequency on about 50 routes systemwide. In most instances, the interval between bus arrival times will grow by a range of five to 20 minutes. NJ TRANSIT’s proposal also calls for service to be discontinued on three NJ TRANSIT bus routes (nos. 68, 134 and 138) and several local routes operated by private carriers. In addition, WHEELS minibus service would be discontinued in all counties. WHEELS is a legacy program that has exhausted its original federal funding to connect people to transit rail stations, and is underutilized in most areas, particularly in rural parts of the state. Likewise, light rail customers will see frequency decrease under the plan. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail intervals between late night trains would extend from 20 to 30 minutes on weekdays, and redundant weekend service on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Tonnelle Avenue to Hoboken branch would be eliminated. Frequency of Newark Light Rail service between Broad Street and Newark Penn stations would decrease during weekday midday hours from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes; Sunday service would operate every 25 minutes, rather than every 20 minutes. On the River Line, select double car trains will be operated with a single car and late-night trips between Entertainment Center and Pennsauken Route 73 stations would operate for concerts and special events only, rather than nightly, according to the proposal. “I look forward to hearing the feedback personally from our customers at the public hearings because we need to understand the on-the-ground impacts for folks, not just how this works on paper,” said Weinstein. The public hearings are scheduled in 11 locations across the system from March 25-27. The hearings and information sessions will be held in the evenings and on Saturday to encourage participation. For more information: www.njtransit.com/budget (NJ Transit - posted 3/05) VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCES NEARLY 200 NEW RECOVERY ACT TRANSIT PROJECTS IN 42 STATES: Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced funding for 191 new Recovery Act transit projects in 42 states and Puerto Rico that will help transform the nation’s infrastructure and support thousands of jobs across the country. In making the over $600 million in new awards, the Federal Transit Administration met an aggressive deadline to award 100 percent of its Recovery Act transit formula dollars by March 5. Since President Obama signed the Recovery Act in February 2009, the FTA has awarded 881 grants totaling $7.5 billion, which means all the formula transit funds provided by the Recovery Act have now been “obligated” or committed to specific transit projects. Once funds are obligated to a project, contracts can be bid, workers can be hired, buses and rail cars can be purchased and work can begin on transit construction projects that create jobs and drive economic growth. Recovery Act transit projects have already generated enough work to employ thousands of people nationwide and activity is expected to ramp up even further in the months ahead as new projects break ground and equipment orders are fulfilled. “Investing in these transit upgrades not only puts construction workers on the job at project sites, but supports American manufacturing jobs all the way down the supply chain,” said Vice President Biden. “At a time when jobs are priority number one, that means twice the employment bang for the Recovery Act buck.” “Because of transit projects being built with money from the Recovery Act, thousands of people can pay their mortgages or their rent, make their car payments, put food on the table for their families and maintain their quality of life,” said Secretary LaHood. So far, Recovery Act funds have supported the purchase of nearly 12,000 buses, vans and rail vehicles, the construction or renovation of more than 850 transit facilities, and the performance of more than $620 million in preventive maintenance, which has helped to save transit service and jobs, and enhance service reliability. In addition to the direct employment impact of the projects, domestic bus, seating and rail car manufacturers have received orders that are helping boost production and support jobs. For example, Orion Bus in Greensboro, NC has now received 10 contracts for nearly 300 buses with Recovery Act funds – orders the company says allowed it to maintain 176 jobs. Gillig Bus in Hayward, CA has received orders for 790 buses with Recovery Act funds – work the company says has allowed them to support 395 jobs. And American Seating Company in Grand Rapids, MI, a bus seating manufacturer, says they received $3 million in Recovery Act contracts last year, allowing them to add 11 full-time employees with additional job growth expected in 2010 thanks to the Recovery Act. “Investing in modern, efficient transit systems will mean safe, reliable travel and clean air in our communities” said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. “These projects are putting thousands of Americans to work right now while improving the lives of millions of Americans for years to come" The U.S. Department of Transportation is making $48.1 billion available through the Recovery Act for all transportation projects, including highway and bridge, rail transit, small shipyards and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Of that, $36.8 billion already has been awarded (US DOT - posted 3/05) RAIL CARLOAD FREIGHT REACHES HIGHEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR: Carload freight volume on U.S. railroads reached its highest level in more than a year during the week ended February 27, the Association of American Railroads reported today. U.S. railroads originated 290,261 carloads during the week ended February 27, up 2.6 percent from the comparable week in 2009 and the highest level reported since the week ended December 6, 2008. However, the total was still down 13.5 percent from comparison week in 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic of 205,817 trailers and containers reached its highest level so far this year, up 17.5 percent from last year, but down 8.1 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 23.2 percent and trailer volume fell 6.4 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume was up 0.5 percent while trailer volume fell 37.5 percent. The comparison week from last year was affected by the Chinese New Year, which has a significant impact on container volume. Total volume for the week was estimated at 31.6 billion ton-miles, up 3.9 percent from last year but down 10.5 from 2008. In the Eastern U.S., carloads were up 3.3 percent compared with the same week last year, but off 16 percent compared with 2008. In the Western U.S., carloads were up 2 percent compared with 2009, but down 11.7 percent compared with 2008. Fifteen of 19 carload commodity groups showed gains from a year ago with ten registering double digit percentage increases. Among commodities showing the largest gains were metals, up 45.8 percent; farm products other than grain, 39.8 percent; primary forest products, 22.1 percent; grain mill products, 21.7 percent; and motor vehicles, 19.0 percent. Coal loadings were off 6.5 percent while the catch-all “all other carload” category fell 15.7 percent. For the first 8 weeks of 2010, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 2,146,661 carloads, down 1.1 percent from 2009 and 16.7 percent from 2008; 1,602,838 trailers or containers, up 6.1 percent from 2009, but down 10.9 percent from 2008, and total volume of an estimated 233.4 billion ton-miles, down 0.2 percent from 2009 and 13.8 percent from 2008. Canadian railroads reported volume of 71,378 cars for the week, up 12.2 percent from last year, and 43,445 trailers or containers, up 11 percent from 2009. For the first 8 weeks of 2010, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 564,450 carloads, up 12.4 percent from last year, and 347,834 trailers or containers, up 4.7 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 14,057 cars, up 17 percent from the same week last year, and 6,909 trailers or containers, up 59.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 8 weeks of 2010 was reported as 107,318 carloads, up 23.1 percent from last year; and 51,152 trailers or containers, up 34.9 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 8 weeks of 2010 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 2,818,429 carloads, up 2.1 percent from last year, and 2,001,824 trailers and containers, up 6.5 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 3/05) NEW SILVERLINERS ARRIVE IN PHILLY: Three completely outfitted Silverliner V Regional Rail pilot cars arrived by ship Sunday and were hoisted to the dock below and loaded onto flat-bed trucks at Packer Marine Terminal. From there they will be transported to Roberts Yard in Germantown for inspection and testing. For approximately three months, the completed cars will undergo a series of extensive static and dynamic tests. Among the elements tested will be braking, propulsion, communication, cab signalization, climate control systems, and ride quality. The public will start to see some of the cars in revenue operation by late summer. The cars, which cost $2.1 million each have traveled oversees from South Korea to the Philadelphia port. Delivered with the three pilot cars were nine bare Silverliner V car shells bringing the total to twenty seven carshells that have arrived to date to be completely outfitted here in the U.S. "So much effort, planning, and design has gone into the production of these new Regional Rail cars," said SEPTA General Manager, Joseph Casey. "To see this project go from concept to delivery of the pilots is tremendous." A total of 120 new cars have been ordered. The cars will replace 74 existing Silverliner II and III rail cars, which are currently over 40 years old. The cars will feature larger windows, wider aisles, an enhanced seating arrangement, and a state-of-the-art climate control system for passenger comfort. New and proven components have also been incorporated in the design of the Silverliner V. Final assembly of the new electric multiple-unit (EMU) cars is currently ongoing at the Hyundai-Rotem facility in South Philadelphia where up to 300 mechanics, electricians and supervisors will work on the completion of the cars. The Silverliner V's Regional Rail cars fully comply with American with Disabilities (ADA) requirements and each car can now accommodate two wheelchairs. The new cars also meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) passenger car strength and safety requirements. More details and photos of the Silverliner V pilot cars being off-loaded from the ship can be found at www.septa.org/media. (SEPTA - posted 3/03) NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCES INTERNAL CUTS, SPENDING FREEZE TO HELP FILL BUDGET GAP: NJ TRANSIT today implemented an emergency spending freeze and told employees that it will reduce its workforce by more than 200, rollback spending on retirement accounts, and cut executive salaries. A total of more than $30 million in reductions have been identified to help solve a combined $300 million budget gap projected for FY 2010 and 2011. The force reduction represents about 2% of the total workforce, and includes both union agreement and non-agreement employees. “These are extremely painful steps, but unavoidable ones. We must close our serious budget shortfall, and we at NJ TRANSIT must do our part by making this the leanest, most efficient agency possible, without compromising safety,” said Executive Director James Weinstein. Weinstein noted that the workforce reduction will be the deepest one-year reduction in NJ TRANSIT’s 30-year history. Meanwhile, the corporation’s contributions to employee 401K accounts will be reduced by one-third, and executive salaries will be cut 5%. These reductions follow in the wake of hiring and salary freezes that began last year, as well as unpaid furloughs for administrative (non-agreement) employees. NJ TRANSIT officials also have identified cost reductions in parts, fuel, utilities, and contracts that will be renegotiated to avoid escalations. The emergency spending freeze allows the agency to halt spending that is not directly tied to operations or that is not critical for safety. The agency also is continuing to develop fare and service change plans to respond to this financial crisis. Those proposals will be announced next week. “Unfortunately, fare and service changes will have to be a part of NJ TRANSIT’s overall response to this financial crisis,” Weinstein said. “I know this will be painful for our customers. I welcome their suggestions and ideas as well as those of the public.” He added: “The decisions we must make will not be easy. But together we can get through this very difficult time, and NJ TRANSIT can emerge a strong, stable agency that will be ready to respond to the transit needs of New Jersey citizens.” (NJ Transit - posted 3/02) LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD RELEASES BRANCH BY BRANCH COST AND RIDERSHIP BREAKDOWN AS PROPOSED SERVICE REDUCTIONS ARE FOCUS OF PUBLIC HEARINGS: In an effort to help customers better understand the MTA Long Island Rail Road's financial situation and proposed service reductions, the LIRR for the first time has made public a branch-by-branch breakdown of annual ridership and the cost of providing service. "We are trying to be as transparent as possible as we embark on a painful round of staff cuts and service reductions," said LIRR President Helena E. Williams. "These service reductions will cause the least amount of inconvenience to the least number of riders. While these cuts are painful for employees and for our customers, they are necessary. The LIRR needs to be more cost efficient." As is the case with virtually all public transit systems, the price of a LIRR ticket is significantly less than the actual cost of the ride, a shortfall that is made up almost entirely by government subsidies. That is true across all 11 LIRR branches. The branches with the fewest customers are the most costly to run and – on a percentage basis – require the greatest subsidies. For example, the Greenport Branch carried the fewest customers in 2009, a total of 69,986, generating $726,304 in revenue, while it cost the LIRR $6 million to operate. While the average fare is $10.38, the actual LIRR cost of providing a ride is $85.91 per customer, for a subsidy per ride of about $75.53. Fare box revenue – money collected from ticket sales - covers only 12% of the actual cost of running trains between Ronkonkoma and Greenport. By comparison, the Babylon Branch is the LIRR's busiest and generated more revenue in 2009 - $134 million - than any other line. Last year, it carried 19,682,188 passengers at an average ticket price of $6.81, but the actual cost of each ride on Babylon was $13.25. The subsidy per ride was about $6.44. Fare box revenue still only covered 51% of the actual cost of running trains between Penn Station and Babylon. Systemwide, the actual cost of a LIRR ride is $14.68. Yet, the average customer pays an average price of $6.46, only 44% of the total cost. For the complete branch-by-branch breakdown, please go to the LIRR website at: www.mta.info/lirr. Public hearings are currently underway, through March 8, regarding the proposed 2010 LIRR service reductions. Meeting sites and dates are available at www.mta.info/lirr. (MTA - posted 3/02) AMTRAK LAUNCHES Wi-Fi ® SERVICE This morning Amtrak launched its Wi-Fi Internet service, known as AmtrakConnectSM aboard all 20 high-speed Acela Express trains, in six major stations along the Northeast Corridor, and in all four ClubAcela lounges. Initially offered as a complimentary service, AmtrakConnect is available to every passenger on board Acela Express both in Business and First class seating. “AmtrakConnect delivers the fast, reliable and consistent connectivity that our customers have been asking for,” said Matt Hardison, Chief, Sales Distribution and Customer Service, noting the on-board Wi-Fi system typically outperforms cellular air cards and smart phones. Using any laptop computer or other portable device that is Wi-Fi enabled, Amtrak passengers traveling on Acela Express between Washington, D.C. and Boston can connect to the service for general Web surfing and reading email. The system also allows passengers to access their corporate networks through most standard Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions, turning the train trip into productive work time. In addition, Amtrak is launching AmtrakConnect for all Amtrak passengers within the gate areas of Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, Philadelphia 30th Street Station, New York Penn Station, Providence Station and Route 128 Station in Boston. Wilmington Station will be Wi-Fi equipped once major station renovations are completed in early 2011. Wi- Fi service continues to be available in all ClubAcela lounges in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. “This is only the first step for our AmtrakConnect program,” says Lenetta McCampbell, Senior Director for On-board Systems. “Amtrak will continually improve the service as Wi-Fi technology evolves, and we are evaluating opportunities to expand AmtrakConnect to additional routes and stations throughout the country.” AmtrakConnect service on Acela Express trains will remain free of charge during the introductory period, after which the policy will be reviewed based on customer demand and system performance. AmtrakConnect was deployed on Acela Express by Virginia Beach-based GBS Group and its partner Nomad Digital. (Amtrak - posted 3/01) GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND VIA RAIL ANNOUNCE NEW WINDSOR STATION: Today, the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Canada's Minister of State (Transport) and VIA Rail Canada's President and CEO, Marc Laliberté, announced the Government of Canada is investing to build a new train station for Windsor with improved and expanded facilities. They were joined at the announcement by Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex and Windsor Mayor, Eddie Francis. "This investment builds on the Government of Canada's commitment to improving passenger rail service and infrastructure for Canadians along this important and busy rail corridor," said Minister Merrifield. "Most importantly, a new and expanded VIA station will create new jobs and help stimulate the economy here in Windsor." "This new station will bring significant economic and environmental benefits to the people of Windsor-Essex and beyond." said MP Watson. "As a result of these improvements, I'm confident more people will be encouraged to choose the train as a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible alternative." "The investments here in Windsor and across our transcontinental route network will help to enhance a passenger rail service that is safe, swift, sustainable and designed for the needs of Canadians in the 21st century," added Marc Laliberté. "VIA is delighted that the citizens of Windsor are going to be a part of this new era in rail travel." VIA's new Windsor station will be fully accessible and will be built on a site near the existing building. Scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011, it will replace a structure originally built by Canadian National in the early 1960s and expanded by VIA in 1982. The majority of the $6 million in funding for the new Windsor station and related improvements will come from Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan.VIA's Windsor Station Project is linked with other work currently or soon to be underway throughout the Quebec-Windsor Corridor, which generates almost 90 per cent of VIA's ridership and 75 per cent of its revenue. In particular, announced by VIA last year were improvements to the Chatham Subdivision with federal funding of $17 million to add a new rail traffic control system and major improvements to the track structure between Windsor and Chatham. "These improvements will help give Windsor a modern passenger rail station and service, a major improvement from the days when the Great Western's first train steamed into town," said Mayor Francis. "Today's announcement will help ensure that Windsor's passenger rail service is fully equipped to continue delivering convenient, comfortable and efficient service well into the future." The construction of VIA's new Windsor station is part of an unprecedented $923 million capital investment in passenger rail modernization and expansion by the Government of Canada. This investment is stimulating job creation, skills development and private sector activity across the country. Additional infrastructure projects are aimed at improving service quality and cost efficiency at other points across VIA's coast-to-coast route network. (VIA Rail Canada - posted 3/01) MTA NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT RESTRUCTURES DEPARTMENT OF SUBWAYS: MTA New York City Transit President Thomas F. Prendergast has announced the first in a series of sweeping structural changes to the department which provides service to more than 5 million average daily riders. The move is intended to make certain that all critical maintenance functions are fully and completely performed in the areas of power, track, signals, communications and subway cars while ensuring that the Department of Subways focuses strongly on reaching the goals committed to by MTA Chairman Jay H. Walder in his 100 Day Report, "Making Every Dollar Count". "Meeting and even exceeding the goals Chairman Walder has set forth will require Subways to make significant improvements in the areas of customer information, new fare technology implementation, cleaner and better maintained subway stations and improved service change information," said Prendergast. "To do that, during these times of severe financial constraint, we must restructure the way we do business and I've asked two of the best to lead that change." Taking over the helm of Sr. Vice President for Subways will be Carmen Bianco, a veteran transit executive who served as Assistant Vice President for System Safety at NYC Transit between 1991 and 1995. Bianco has also held similar senior level safety positions at Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. He also served as the Acting Vice President of Operations at Amtrak. "In these difficult and challenging times, Carmen has the skills to lead the Department of Subways in meeting all of its ongoing responsibilities and achieve its strategic goals," said Prendergast. "I have every confidence that Carmen will do so with a clear understanding of the importance associated with incorporating the necessary cultural changes that are needed as we move forward." Steven A. Feil will assume the newly created role of Vice President and Chief Maintenance Officer in the restructured Department of Subways. Feil, who has been Sr. V.P. of Subways since 2007, has vast experience and knowledge in the many areas of maintenance and technical functions related to rail systems. "Steve is a respected transit executive who has worked in many of these areas himself and has done so from the entry level up to the highest levels of senior management," said Prendergast. "He also has a keen appreciation for the need to embrace and utilize new technology with direct experience in its implementation at some of the older, more established agencies like Amtrak and NYCT." With this change in structure, maintenance resources will be centralized, absorbed from the current decentralized Group & Line General Manager structure which does not provide for the most efficient and effective use of those limited resources. The Line General Manager program will remain, but with a more focused role on transportation and customer service. Both Steve and Carmen will assume their new roles on March 1, 2010 . (MTA- posted 2/26) BEGINNING A NEWS BLOCK --> RAIL FREIGHT VOLUME OFF IN MOST RECENT WEEK: Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was down slightly last week in comparison with last year, primarily because of a sharp drop in coal loadings, the Association of American Railroads reported today. For the week ending Feb. 20, 2010, U.S. railroads originated 273,999 carloads, down 1.6 percent compared with the same week in 2009, and down 15.3 percent from 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic, however, was up sharply in comparison with last year, although still down from 2008. Volume of 200,204 trailers and containers was up 19 percent from last year, but down 11.1 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 24.9 percent and trailer volume fell 5.6 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume decreased 4.3 percent and trailer volume dropped 36.1 percent. The comparison week from last year was affected by the Chinese New Year, which has a significant impact on container volume. In the Western U.S., carloads were up 2.2 percent compared with the same week last year, but off 10.8 percent compared with 2008. In the Eastern U.S., carloads were down 7.1 percent compared with 2009, and 21.5 percent compared with the same week in 2008. The decline in total weekly carload volume was largely caused by a 16,828-carload drop in coal loadings. Twelve of the 19 carload freight commodity groups actually were up in comparison with the same week last year. Double-digit increases were reported in loadings of metals (44.6 percent), motor vehicles and equipment (30.5 percent), grain (21.9 percent), metallic ores (17.6 percent), grain mill products (14.4 percent) and chemicals (13.7 percent). Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Feb. 20, 2010 was estimated at 29.8 billion ton-miles, down 0.7 percent from the same week last year and down 12.6 percent from 2008. For the first 7 weeks of 2010, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,856,400 carloads, down 1.8 percent from 2009 and 17.2 percent from 2008; 1,397,021 trailers or containers, up 4.7 percent from 2009, but down 11.3 percent from 2008, and total volume of an estimated 201.8 billion ton-miles, down 0.8 percent from 2009 and 14.3 percent from 2008. Canadian railroads reported volume of 70,455 cars for the week, up 9.6 percent from last year, and 43,605 trailers or containers, up 12.5 percent from 2009. For the first 7 weeks of 2010, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 493,072 carloads, up 12.5 percent from last year, and 304,389 trailers or containers, up 3.9 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 14,099 cars, up 25.3 percent from the same week last year, and 6,364 trailers or containers, up 12.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 7 weeks of 2010 was reported as 93,261 carloads, up 24.1 percent from last year; and 44,243 trailers or containers, up 31.7 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 7 weeks of 2010 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 2,442,733 carloads, up 1.8 percent from last year, and 1,745,653 trailers and containers, up 5.1 percent from last (AAR - posted 2/26) VIA RAIL'S OCEAN DERAILS: VIA Rail Canada's Train 15, which left Halifax on Wednesday February 24 at 12:30 pm (ET) en route to Montreal, derailed at 4:45 am (ET) on February 25, 2010 at Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse, 25 kilometres east of Québec City. There were 120 passengers and 10 crew members onboard. - According to preliminary reports, four people with minor injuries were transported to hospital. - There were 2 locomotives and 7 passengers cars on the train. All passengers are being transferred by motorcoach to their final destinations. - VIA has activated a toll-free number for friends or family members looking for information on passengers travelling on the train: 1 877 747-0707. All other VIA trains are operating normally. (VIA RAIL CANADA - posted 2/25) RESTORED THATCHER PERKINS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE RETURNS TO HISTORIC ROUNDHOUSE OF THE B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM: February 17, 2010 marked the seventh anniversary of the historic Roundhouse roof collapse at the B&O Railroad Museum. One of America’s most loved steam engines, the Thatcher Perkins was one of the twenty-two locomotives that were severely damaged in the historic Baltimore snowfall of 2003. Today the B&O Railroad Museum is proud to announce the completion of the restoration of this historic locomotive and its return to the Roundhouse. The locomotive will be unveiled and commemorated by the museum’s executive director, Courtney Wilson and chief curator, David Shackelford on the morning of Saturday, March 13 (from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.). To honor the efforts of the Museum’s restoration team, public programs on the engine’s restoration will take place throughout the day. Thatcher Perkins, B&O’s Master of Machinery, designed this locomotive in 1863. It is one of eleven “Perkins Ten Wheelers” produced. During the Civil War it replaced engines that were damaged or stolen and hauled Union troops and war material during the last three years of the War. Most of its working life, #147 never carried the name, “Thatcher Perkins.” The name and the locomotive number 117 were applied for the B&O’s 1927 Centennial, The Fair of the Iron Horse, to honor its designer. It has been meticulously restored and presented as its original number #147. (B&O Railroad Museum - posted 2/24) CSX INTERMODAL AND UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD ANNOUNCE UMAX DOMESTIC INTERLINE CONTAINER PROGRAM: UMAX, a new domestic interline container program created by CSX Intermodal and Union Pacific Railroad, will provide customers access to more than 20,000 containers and expanded market reach across North America. UMAX will feature more than 600 service lanes supported by faster and more frequent train schedules. UMAX launches March 29, 2010. “UMAX will offer extensive market access and expanded capacity across a nationwide intermodal network,” said John Kaiser, Union Pacific vice president and general manager - Intermodal. “Union Pacific and CSX Intermodal are committed to delivering market-competitive service and value to our customers, providing truck-competitive schedules that maximize the benefits and efficiencies of rail intermodal.” “In a word, UMAX offers customers more,” said James Hertwig, CSX Intermodal president. “We will jointly offer more containers and more lanes to more customers with more competitive schedules than ever.” UMAX will offer rail-provided 53-foot containers to intermodal marketing companies, motor carriers, freight brokers, truckload, parcel and less-than-truckload customers. UMAX will replace the separate programs CSX Intermodal and Union Pacific offer customers today for CSXI-UP interline service. (CSXI - posted 2/24) NEW YORK'S MTA TO ELIMINATE MORE THAN 1,000 POSITIONS: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced initial details of aggressive plans to reduce costs and operate more efficiently, beginning with the elimination of more than 600 represented and non represented administrative positions. These cuts represent 15 percent of administrative payroll across the MTA with deeper cuts at MTA Headquarters. The agency also said it will begin the process of laying off up to 500 NYC Transit station agents. These actions were necessitated by the deterioration of the MTA's financial situation over the past three months. While the legislative rescue package passed in May 2009 was projected to balance the MTA's budget, the forecasted revenues have failed to materialize. The MTA budget passed in December relied on a package of service cuts and these administrative layoffs to close a $383 million deficit. Since that time, an additional $378 million gap has developed this year based on revised State revenue projections. "The State's economic crisis demands that the MTA move quickly and decisively to cut costs, and that is exactly what we are doing," said Jay H. Walder, MTA Chairman and CEO. "These layoffs are extremely painful, but we must live within our means and make the tough decisions that businesses and families across New York are making." In implementing the staffing reductions, the MTA will comply with applicable statutory and collective bargaining obligations covering its employees. In addition, non-represented employees who resign will be offered a severance package. "This is just the beginning of a comprehensive overhaul of how the MTA does business," added Chairman Walder. "We will be reducing overtime, consolidating redundant functions and working with suppliers to lower costs. We will not stop until I can say that every dollar the MTA receives is spent wisely." The MTA also announced that it would be initiating the process of laying off or reassigning more than 500 NYC Transit station agents whose positions were eliminated in the 2009 budget. These positions were originally to be eliminated via attrition, but the worsening financial situation required the MTA to move more quickly and include the layoffs in the budget passed in December (MTA - posted 2/23) MTA NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT PLACES INTO SERVICE CAMERA-EQUIPPED TRAIN ON THE E LINE: With an eye toward enhancing customer and employee security, MTA New York City Transit is set to begin a project that will put advanced video surveillance equipment onboard four cars of a ten-car subway train which will be in operation along the lettered lines through early 2011. This train will also be used to pilot a new handhold configuration and rush hour flip up seats, though the seating feature will not be put into use at this time. Video surveillance is a vital element of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's ongoing effort to maintain a transit network that is as safe and secure as possible. As planned, the system provides a state-of-the-art electronic tool that will aid in the investigation and prosecution of criminal activity aboard the vehicle. "Video camera systems have clearly been shown to help deter criminal activity on transit vehicles and we believe strongly that they can also be extremely valuable in investigating accident injury claims," said NYC Transit President Thomas F. Prendergast. "But we must also acknowledge the potential threat of terrorist activity on public transportation vehicles and CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) has been instrumental in helping with investigations in this area." The 12-month evaluation period will begin on Monday, February 22, 2010 onboard an R160 train in customer service along the E Line. This system will record video images of the passenger area in four cars of the ten-car train. "The CCTV System will be evaluated for its recording quality and car-to-car transmission of video signals within the subway environment," said Steven Feil, Senior Vice President, Department of Subways. "Upon successful completion of the testing and evaluation of the system, NYC Transit may consider implementing the CCTV System throughout the subway fleet." The system, manufactured and installed by TOA Corp., consists of a total of 16 cameras – four in each car. There is one DVR (Digital Video Recorder) for each set of cameras and four NCUs (Network Controller Units) for transmitting the video signals between cars. The cameras have been placed to effectively cover the passenger area. A video surveillance decal will be visible on each car to alert passengers that they may be video taped. It is important to note that this system is for recording purposes only and does not have the capability for passenger monitoring by the train crew or the ability to transmit real time video of events to a designated remote area. While the cameras have been designed to be unobtrusive, customers will notice the modified seating and handhold arrangement providing additional areas for standing customers to hold on to. This test train has been retrofitted with rush-hour, flip-up seating that would increase customer capacity by 19 percent (per car) if raised from their lowered position. However, deployment of this feature is not being considered at this time. (MTA - posted 2/22) MAJOR SNOW STORMS SLASH RAIL VOLUME DUING MOST RECENT WEEK: major snow storms in less than one week caused a sharp drop in freight traffic on U.S. railroads during the week ended February 13, the Association of American Railroads reported today. For the week ending Feb. 13, 2010, U.S. railroads originated 257,823 carloads, down 8.1 percent compared with the same week in 2009, and down 19.2 percent from 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic barely resisted the downward trend, at least in comparison with last year, totaling 192,354 trailers and containers, up 0.5 percent from a year ago, but down 12.5 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 3.2 percent and trailer volume fell 12 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume decreased 5.5 percent and trailer volume dropped 37.8 percent. In the Western U.S., carloads were down 3.0 percent compared with the same week last year, and 12 percent compared with 2008. In the Eastern U.S., carloads were down 16.1 percent compared with 2009, and 29.6 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Ten of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were up in comparison with the same week last year, led by a 24.9 percent jump in loadings of metals and products. Other commodities registering double digit gains were motor vehicles and equipment, up 15.0 percent, and primary forest products, up 13.8 percent. Commodities showing sharp declines included coal, down 16.3 percent; crushed stone, sand and gravel, down 18.9 percent; and pulp, paper and allied products, down 13.2 percent. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Feb. 13, 2010 was estimated at 28.1 billion ton-miles, down 7 percent from the same week last year and down 16.4 percent from 2008. For the first 6 weeks of 2010, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,582,401 carloads, down 1.6 percent from 2009 and 17.5 percent from 2008; 1,196,817 trailers or containers, up 2.6 percent from 2009, but down 11.3 percent from 2008, and total volume of an estimated 172 billion ton-miles, down 0.8 percent from 2009 and 14.6 percent from 2008. Canadian railroads reported volume of 69,954 cars for the week, up 4.8 percent from last year, and 42,560 trailers or containers, down 1.6 percent from 2009. For the first 6 weeks of 2010, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 422,617 carloads, up 13 percent from last year, and 260,784 trailers or containers, up 2.6 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 14,370 cars, up 28.1 percent from the same week last year, and 6,602 trailers or containers, up 17.3 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 6 weeks of 2010 was reported as 79,162 carloads, up 23.9 percent from last year; and 37,879 trailers or containers, up 35.6 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 6 weeks of 2010 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 2,084,180 carloads, up 1.8 percent from last year, and 1,495,480 trailers and containers, up 3.2 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 2/22) NORFOLK SOUTHERN DERAILMENT EFFECTS AMTRAK SERVICE: Norfolk Southern freight #206 derailed 13 cars about two miles west of Butler, Indiana on February 18, at about 5:30 am. Lake Shore Limited #49 (at Toledo) and Capitol Limited #29 (at Bryan, OH) discharged their passengers for transfer to bus transportation to their destinations. Then the equipment for both trains operated to Edgerton, Ohio where it was run west as a combined train, detouring over NS’ former Nickle Plate line west of CP 358 (Butler). Since the combined train did not reach Chicago’s Union Station until 1:29 am on the 19th, makeup trains were operated to represent Capitol Limited #30 and Lake Shore Limited #48 trains leaving CUS on the 18th. Amtrak No. 48 operated with a Superliner set that will turn at Albany-Rensselaer, heading west as #49 during the evening of the 20th. (Andy Kirk - posted 2/19) AMERICAN RAILCAR INDUSTRIES, INC. ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF U.S. RAILCAR COMPANY, LLC JOINT VENTURE: American Railcar Industries, Inc. (ARI) and Ohio-based US Railcar, LLC (USR) announced the formation of a joint venture to be named US Railcar Company, LLC (US Railcar Company). The joint venture is being formed to design, manufacture and sell Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), which are self-propelled passenger railcars in both single- and bi-level configurations. ARI is majority owned by Icahn Enterprises L.P. “ARI is excited to participate in this opportunity to join USR and bring ARI’s freight rolling stock manufacturing heritage to the passenger equipment sector,” said ARI President and CEO James Cowan. “Our commitment to expand and diversify ARI’s manufacturing program results from ARI’s desire to grow and build on the expected federal commitment to passenger rail as part of a balanced national transportation system. Through this partnership, we look forward to being an integral part of that new growth with modern passenger rail equipment built in the USA.” US Railcar Company will be led by President & CEO Michael P. Pracht, a rail industry veteran with extensive experience with the world’s leading rail transportation companies. “These are extraordinary times with growth opportunities for passenger rail in the US,” said Mr. Pracht. “The US Railcar Company DMU is designed to enable new cost-effective and environmentally friendly passenger rail service across a range of corridors and routes, all with a proven, existing equipment platform already in service.” According to Barry H. Fromm, one of US Railcar Company’s directors, “One of US Railcar Company’s goals is to reestablish American owned passenger train production in the United States.” As Chairman and CEO of Value Recovery Group, Inc. (VRG), Mr. Fromm led a group that purchased USR assets from the former Colorado Railcar Manufacturing Co. (Colorado Railcar) that ceased operations in late 2008. ARI will provide US Railcar Company with its experience in the production of railcars and ARI representatives will comprise half of the Board of the joint venture. Representatives of VRG will comprise half of the Board and will bring to the venture government contracting experience. Once established, the joint venture plans to produce railcars on order for public authorities and communities to improve public transit, commuter and regional rail service. The US Railcar Company DMU was prototyped by Colorado Railcar through a demonstration project in 2002 and is currently the only DMU that is fully compliant with Federal Railroad Administration passenger equipment safety regulations as stated in 49 CFR Part 238. Available in both regional and intercity configurations, the US Railcar Company DMU is well suited for incremental corridor development at speeds from 79-to-90 mph. Platform enhancements currently anticipated include a diesel-electric upgrade, increasing speeds to 125 mph, making this American-made DMU an attractive solution for both mature and emerging passenger rail agencies around the country. (American Railcar - posted 2/18) NJ TRANSIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OUTLINES AGENCY FISCAL CHALLENGES FOR ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein appeared before New Jersey’s Assembly Transportation Committee today to discuss how the statewide transit agency will meet the serious fiscal challenges of the current and coming budget years. “The severe recession has put the state and NJ TRANSIT in the direst financial straits in our history. The state is faced with a current year budget deficit of more than $2.2 billion and a shortfall of about $11 billion for fiscal year 2011,” Weinstein said. “Governor Christie values our public transportation network and understands its importance to the state. But every agency and arm of government must help meet the challenge of meeting these deficits.” NJ TRANSIT’s current year state subsidy is being reduced by about 11 percent—$33 million—as part of the administration’s plan to close the current budget gap. Moreover, NJ TRANSIT faces an FY11 operating budget shortfall approaching $300 million, Executive Director Weinstein said. “Unfortunately, the state cannot afford to continue providing its historic level of yearly operating subsidy to NJ TRANSIT,” Weinstein said. “In addition, we are very unlikely to receive another round of stimulus and other one-time federal transportation funding, which helped bolster the FY10 operating budget by $150 million.” At the same time, NJ TRANSIT ridership has declined about four percent systemwide, reducing fare revenue, and inflation continues to raise fuel, parts and other costs, he added. “We cannot ask the state for help it cannot afford to give, and we cannot pretend otherwise or we risk making a bad situation worse,” Weinstein told lawmakers. He said that balancing the NJ TRANSIT budget will take a combination of actions and innovative thinking. Weinstein promised an open, inclusive process, welcoming Legislative and public suggestions and input, as NJ TRANSIT develops its financial plans. “Some of the adjustments we will have to make will be painful,” Weinstein said. “But I am committed to some crucial guiding principles: We will not compromise safety and service reliability. Second, we won’t ask our customers to pay more at the fare box until we have identified every possible efficiency and sacrificed internally. Everything is under review. Finally, we welcome all suggestions and ideas from our riders, the public, our employees and others as we move forward.” Weinstein also announced that a series of nine public hearings have been scheduled around the state on fare and service change proposals. The hearings will take place mostly at NJ TRANSIT facilities and will be held in Newark, Atlantic City, Trenton, Secaucus, Camden, Paterson, Hackensack, Manalapan and New York. An extended period of public comment will be available online on njtransit.com beginning in early March. More detailed information on the proposals and the hearings will be made available in the next week or two on our website and through formal public notices statewide. “I believe we can emerge from this challenging time as a stronger agency, with a more stable financial picture, and continued pride in our service to customers,” Weinstein said. “I ask for the help of all of you, and the larger NJ TRANSIT community, as we navigate this financial storm “ (NJ Transit - posted 2/18) STATEMENT FROM AMTRAK ON U.S. DOT TIGER GRANTS ANNOUNCEMENT: “Amtrak applauds the U.S. Department of Transportation for once again recognizing the importance of intercity passenger rail as a vital component of this nation’s transportation system. “Routes served by Amtrak will be among the beneficiaries of the state and locallysponsored passenger rail improvement projects selected to receive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants. In particular, grants for projects aimed at reducing or eliminating rail congestion choke points in Chicago will support Amtrak on-time performance and station improvements in New York City, Normal, Ill., and St. Paul, Minn., will enhance the passenger experience. “These projects will have immediate benefits for Amtrak operations and lay the groundwork for future improvements to the national intercity passenger rail network.” (Amtrak - posted 2/18) U.S. TRANSPORTATION ANNOUNCES TIGER GRANTS: One year to the day after President Obama signed the historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) into law, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will announce Recovery Act awards to states, tribal governments, cities, counties and transit agencies across the country to fund 51 innovative transportation projects. The TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant Program was included in the Recovery Act to spur a national competition for innovative, multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects that promise significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, a region or the nation. Projects funded with the $1.5 billion allocated in the Recovery Act include improvements to roads, bridges, rail, ports, transit and intermodal facilities. In an overwhelming show of demand for the program, the U.S. Department of Transportation was flooded with more than 1,400 applications from all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia requesting funding for almost $60 billion worth of projects – 40 times the amount available through the program. “TIGER grants will tackle the kind of major transportation projects that have been difficult to build under other funding programs,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This will help us meet the 21st century challenges of improving the environment, making our communities more livable and enhancing safety, all while creating jobs and growing the economy.” The projects announced today will create jobs and spur lasting economic growth, reduce gridlock for the traveling public, and provide Americans with more safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation choices. They will also help factories, farms and businesses across the U.S. move goods more efficiently and better compete in the global economy. Sixty percent of the funding will go to economically distressed areas, which are home to 39 percent of the U.S. population. Awardees were selected based on their contribution to economic competitiveness of the nation, improving safety and the condition of the existing transportation system, increasing quality of life, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrating strong collaboration among a broad range of participants, including the private sector. Projects were funded in large cities as well as rural and tribal communities across the country and were selected based on merit. Selected projects represent some of the most innovative projects as well as multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects that are often overlooked by the existing funding system. The winning TIGER projects highlighted the diversity of transportation needs throughout the U.S. from grand Moynihan Station in New York City, which will carry millions of train and subway riders each year to “the most beautiful drive in America” – Wyoming’s Beartooth Highway – the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. They ranged from major billion dollar freight rail corridors in the Midwest and South, to bridge repairs in Oklahoma and South Carolina to port projects in Maine and Hawaii. TIGER funds will also help construct the Union Passenger Terminal/Loyola Streetcar Loop in New Orleans, make safety improvements to a key highway in New Mexico Navajo country and spur economic growth in Appalachia through the Appalachian Regional Short Line Rail Project and the Gateway Project. The U.S. Department of Transportation required rigorous economic justifications for projects more than $100 million and will require all recipients to report on their activities on a routine basis. (USDOT - posted 2/18) NJ TRANSIT CONFRONTS SERIOUS BUDGET CHALLENGE IN FY10 AND FY11: NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein announced today that the statewide transit agency is aggressively confronting current and future budget shortfalls that have arisen due to the severe national recession and the state’s $2.2 billion current-year budget gap, and $11 billion FY11 budget gap. Weinstein called for riders and the public to provide input to NJ TRANSIT while the agency develops the proper mix of solutions to balance the budgets while maintaining safe, reliable bus and train service. Last week Governor Christie announced an 11-percent subsidy reduction, about $33 million, to NJ TRANSIT’s FY10 state operating subsidy as part of a number of steps the Governor is taking to close the state’s current budget shortfall. “This reduction is painful but we understand the challenge the state is facing,” Weinstein said. “We know the Governor appreciates the importance of the transit system to New Jersey’s mobility, but we recognize that difficult measures are required to keep the state budget balanced.” The budget outlook is even grimmer for FY11, which starts July 1 for both the state and for NJ TRANSIT. Weinstein said the state faces an $11 billion deficit next year and is not likely to be able to continue to provide its historic level of NJ TRANSIT operating assistance. NJ TRANSIT also is unable to depend on another round of federal stimulus and other one-time federal transportation funding, which was utilized to help bolster the operating budget by $150 million. In addition, NJ TRANSIT is facing inflationary cost increases for things such as fuel and equipment parts, even as ridership declined systemwide by about four percent year to date, reducing fare revenue. “In the transition report that I helped prepare as head of the transportation committee, we indicated that NJ TRANSIT would face a budget deficit next year (FY11) of about $200 million,” said Weinstein. “After reviewing more recent data, the projected operating deficit in FY11 is approaching $300 million.” “NJ TRANSIT has an obligation to balance its budget and we cannot ask the state for help it cannot afford to give. We also cannot pretend otherwise or we risk making a bad situation much worse,” he said. “Balancing the NJ TRANSIT budget will take a combination of actions and innovative thinking about doing things differently. But we will not compromise on safety and service reliability, and we will not ask our customers to pay more at the fare box until we have identified every possible efficiency, and sacrificed internally,” the executive director emphasized. Weinstein said NJ TRANSIT will be as inclusive as possible as it studies options to meet the financial shortfalls and will seek input from customers and stakeholders on any fare and service proposals. The agency will be reaching out to customers and the public over the coming days to solicit comments and suggestions. To that end, we are announcing today a series of public hearings on the fare and service change proposals. The hearings will take place mostly at our facilities and will be held in Newark, Atlantic City, Trenton, Secaucus, Camden, Paterson, Hackensack, Manalapan and New York. An extended period of public comment will be available online on njtransit.com beginning in early March. More detailed information on the proposals and the hearings will be made available in the next week or two on our website and through formal public notices statewide. “Clearly, some of the adjustments we will have to make will be painful,” Weinstein said. “But we can emerge from this challenging time as a stronger agency, with a more stable financial picture, and continued pride in our service.” (NJ Transit - - posted 2/17) CRITICAL OHIO SEGMENT OF CSX NATIONAL GATEWAT GETS TIGER GRANT AWARD: Ohio position as a strategic link in the nation’s movement of freight and the economy is again in evidence as the United States Department of Transportation has awards $98-million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funds for a critical three-state segment of the CSX “National Gateway” intermodal corridor project. The Ohio Rail Development Commission served as the lead sponsor for the grant. These funds will be used to increase rail corridor clearances to help support new double-stack service from a $175 million intermodal facility being financed and built by CSX and its affiliates in North Baltimore, Ohio (near Toledo) to an existing terminal in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (near Harrisburg). This service will make businesses across our region more competitive while taking trucks off the road and reducing harmful emissions. “This is a project that is already generating construction jobs at the North Baltimore Intermodal Yard”, says ORDC Executive Director Matt Dietrich. “More construction and railroad jobs will follow with today’s TIGER grant award.” The $98 Million awarded today will cover the federal portion of National Gateway clearance projects in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. These funds are in addition to state funds that have been allocated by Ohio and Pennsylvania to date, and will put citizens across the region to work enhancing our nation’s infrastructure. The Ohio Rail Development Commission is currently administering $5-million dollars for a series of rail safety improvements in and around North Baltimore. This grant provides over 80% of the federal funds needed to clear the route from NW Ohio to Chambersburg. Gov. Strickland will be working with the National Gateway coalition to identify the $20 million in additional funds necessary to complete this segment of the project by 2012, as well as the remaining funds needed to ultimately provide double stack clearance to the ports in Baltimore, Norfolk, and Wilmington, NC. “This award is a validation of the benefits of freight rail and the prominent role that railroads play in growing our economy and protecting our environment,” said Strickland. “With anticipated freight growth of 70 percent over the next two decades, the National Gateway is a timely and critical investment in our transportation infrastructure.” “Ohio has made investments in a vast multi-modal transportation network for the movement of goods, and this project will further position our state as a national leader in logistics and distribution. Through this announcement and last month’s passenger rail awards, President Obama and Transportation Secretary LaHood have signaled their commitment to freight rail, passenger rail and multi-modal transportation opportunities that will move our state and country into the future.” (Ohio Rail Development Commission - - posted 2/17) NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S CRESCENT CORRIDOR IS AWARDED $105 MILLION TIGER GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight Program of Projects today was awarded $105 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program. In September 2009, lead state Pennsylvania, joined by Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia, submitted an application to USDOT for a $300 million TIGER grant to help improve Norfolk Southern’s rail lines and facilities between the Gulf Coast and the Northeast. Although the award represents a shortfall from the original TIGER request, it will enable NS and its partners to begin construction of several previously announced Crescent Corridor projects, while delaying other elements for later public-private partnerships. “This was an extremely competitive process, and we are grateful that the economic opportunities and environmental benefits of our Crescent Corridor initiative have been recognized,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “We commend Sec. Ray LaHood and his Tiger Team at USDOT for their acknowledgement that the only way a program of this magnitude could be accomplished is through a partnership – one in which the public sector and Norfolk Southern are both key contributors. Since the TIGER grant application was submitted in September, the interest and support the Crescent Corridor has received from federal, state, and local government officials, major companies, metropolitan planning organizations, and trade and environmental associations has been remarkable. We thank Govs. Ed Rendell, Bob Riley, Haley Barbour, Phil Bredesen, Bob McDonnell, and former Gov. Tim Kaine for their leadership and guidance. We will continue to work diligently with federal and state agencies to identify and secure additional funding alternatives for the Crescent Corridor.” The Crescent Corridor is an existing 2,500-mile rail network through 13 states from Louisiana to New Jersey that touches 26 percent of the nation’s population and 30 percent of the nation’s manufacturing output. When fully operational it will handle more rail freight traffic faster and more reliably, creating or benefiting some 73,000 green jobs by 2030.The $105 million TIGER grant joins funding from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Norfolk Southern already committed to Crescent Corridor projects. The Crescent Corridor program of projects is estimated to cost $2.5 billion for full development by 2020. Crescent Corridor projects currently planned for development include new independent intermodal facilities at Memphis, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala., and Franklin County, Pa.; the expansion of intermodal terminals in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pa.; and the addition of freight rail capacity in Virginia and Mississippi. The program includes significant investments in rail route improvements consisting of additional passing tracks, double track projects, improved signaling systems, and other track speed improvements. For more information about the Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight Project, visit www.TheFutureNeedsUs.com. (Norfolk Southern Corporation . - - posted 2/17) GENESEE & WYOMING AND CONSOLIDATED THOMPSON IRON MINES LTD. SIGN RAIL SERVICES AGREEMENT: Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) announced today that GWI and a newly formed GWI subsidiary, Western Labrador Rail Services (WLRS), have entered into a long term agreement with Bloom Lake Railway Company (BLRC), a subsidiary of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Limited (CLM), for WLRS to provide rail transportation services to BLRC. Operated as part of GWI's Canada Region, WLRS will haul unit trains of iron ore over BLRC's newly constructed 31-kilometer railway from CLM's Bloom Lake mine, located in the province of Quebec on the south end of the Labrador Trough, to Wabush, Labrador. The iron ore will then travel over two privately owned railways to CLM's port facilities in Pointe-Noire on the St. Lawrence River for export primarily to Asian markets. The railway construction is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2010 with iron ore shipments starting immediately thereafter. (Genesee & Wyoming Inc. - - posted 2/16) MTA NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT PILOTS NEW WAYS TO BRING COUNTDOWN CLOCKS TO LETTERED SUBWAY LINES: A and C Line customers headed downtown from six stations in Washington Heights and Harlem will benefit from a new pilot project testing the delivery of next train arrival information similar to that now in service along the L line and recently deployed in several Bronx stations on the 6. While plans are in place to activate customer information signs at all of the stations on the numbered subway lines by next year, the same technology does not exist on the lettered lines, requiring innovative solutions to provide the same information to customers. The PA/CIS (Public Address/Customer Information Screen) pilot in operation along a northern segment of the Eighth Avenue Line utilizes previously installed electronic signs in four stations, tying them in with existing infrastructure. This method eliminates the need for major capital construction and related service disruptions while allowing it to be up and running as quickly as possible. The initial phase of the pilot will provide next train arrival information at 181st, 175th, 168th, 163rd, 155th, and 145th Street Stations. While audio announcements will be available at all six stations, Customer Information Screens will be up and running at the four southernmost stations only. "This is another part of the initiative to offer real time train arrival information to our customers, but here we are going about it in a different manner using existing infrastructure rather than waiting for the installation of an entirely new communications system," said NYC Transit President Thomas F. Prendergast. "We looked at the equipment that was already in place and we have designed a pilot that responds to MTA Chairman Jay Walder's call to find affordable ways to make customer improvements as quickly as possible." Unlike the more advanced system currently being turned on along the numbered lines which receives its information from the scheduled data provided by ATS (Automatic Train Supervision), this simpler system identifies train location using the signal system's track circuits and sending this information to existing equipment. Due to the limitations of the information transmitted by the signal track circuits, the demonstration pilot will provide information on train movement on a specific track only and cannot identify specific trains as the ATS system is able to do. In stations equipped with screens, the information will transmit how many stations away the train is along with the estimated length of time to arrive. For example: "Train 2 stations away. Approximately 2 minutes." Information for the express track begins being transmitted to stations downtown as the train approaches 181st Street. Local track information transmission begins at 168th Street. If this first pilot is successful and well received, we will look to implement it at other stations on the lettered lines. Additionally, other pilots that will test different technology options are currently being investigated. These efforts follow the release of "Making Every Dollar Count," a report of Chairman Walder's first 100 days at the MTA that is available online at www.mta.info. (MTA - - posted 2/16) FREIGHT RAIL WORKS: Showing how freight rail works to protect jobs, ease gridlock and make breathing easier are themes played out in the Association of American Railroads' latest Freight Rail Works advertising campaign. The "Messages" campaign consists of TV, radio, print and online components and mixes bold graphics with tongue-in-cheek wordplay to demonstrate the freight rail industry's positive economic and environmental contributions. "Simple words are made strong and powerful, and that's what grounds this year's strategy for breaking through an already crowded field of advocacy advertising," said Patti Reilly, AAR Vice President – Communications. "Our fuel efficiency record produces 'Clean Air' and our ability to take trucks off the roads 'Unclog' congested highways – just a few examples of our integrated campaign. "Messages" is the fourth year of the AAR's Freight Rail Works campaign and is targeted to Washington, D.C. opinion leaders and decision makers. Ogilvy PR Worldwide, a global integrated communications firm, created the campaign and partnered with EyeCandy Productions to produce the television spots. "A healthy freight rail system is vital to American jobs and the nation's recovery," added Reilly, "and this campaign goes a long way in raising awareness of they many public benefits delivered by America's freight railroads." To see more, visit www.freightrailworks.org. (AAR - - posted 2/15) RICHMOND/HAMPTON ROADS PASSENGER RAIL PROJECT: The Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project has reached a key milestone with the release of the Tier I Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS provides an overview and comparison of the alternatives under consideration, with information on the cost, ridership, environmental impacts and infrastructure improvements associated with each option. In late January, public hearings were held in the study area to provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the results of the Draft EIS and provide comments on the best alternative for the region. The hearings, which were held in Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk, were well attended and DRPT received valuable public feedback on the draft document. For those who could not attend a public hearing, written comments will be accepted on the Draft EIS until February 11, 2010. More information on the public hearings, the Draft EIS and the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project is available at www.rich2hrrail.info (DRPT - - posted 2/12) NORFOLK SOUTHERN FACILITATES $3.1 BILLION IN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT ALONG RAIL LINES IN 2009: Norfolk Southern Corporation participated in the location of 70 new industries and the expansion of 23 existing industries along its rail lines in 2009. New plants and expansions represented an investment of more than $3.1 billion by Norfolk Southern customers and are expected to create 3,000 jobs in the railroad’s territory, eventually generating more than 138,500 carloads of new rail traffic annually. Norfolk Southern assisted state and local government and economic development officials throughout 19 states in helping customers identify ideal locations for new and expanded facilities. “The energy sector anchored our results during 2009,” said Newell Baker, assistant vice president industrial development. “Our group assisted in the location or expansion of 24 energy related facilities in 12 states across our service area. Ethanol production and distribution accounted for the lion’s share of energy projects, with 11 new and expanded facilities that began to receive NS rail service in 2009.” The balance of other projects secured during 2009 was distributed among several of the broad product areas Norfolk Southern serves. Norfolk Southern works with state and local economic development authorities on projects involving site location and development of infrastructure to connect customers to its rail system and provides free and confidential plant location services, including industrial park planning, site layout, track design, and logistics assistance. During the past 10 years, Norfolk Southern’s Industrial Development Department has participated in the location or expansion of 1,084 facilities, representing an investment of $23.9 billion and creating nearly 50,000 customer jobs in the territory served by the railroad. (Norfolk Southern Corporation - posted 2/11) RAIL TRAFFIC TOPS 2009 DURING MOST RECENT WEEK: Freight traffic on U.S. railroads registered small gains in comparison with 2009 levels during the week ended February 6, but continued to trail levels reported in 2008, the Association of American Railroads reported today. For the week ending Feb. 6, 2010, U.S. railroads originated 268,033 carloads, up 1.4 percent compared with the same week in 2009, but down 14.7 percent from 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 201,188 trailers and containers, up 5.1 percent from a year ago, but down 10.7 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 8.3 percent and trailer volume fell 10.1 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume decreased 3.5 percent and trailer volume dropped 36.8 percent. In the Western U.S., carloads were up 2.0 percent compared with the same week last year, but down 10.4 percent compared with 2008. In the Eastern U.S., carloads were up 0.2 percent compared with 2009, and down 20.7 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Fourteen of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were up in comparison with the same week last year, led by a 50.8 percent jump in loadings of metals and products. Substantial increases were also reported in loadings of nonmetallic minerals, 40.1 percent; farm products other than grain, 32 percent; coke, 25.7 percent; and motor vehicles and equipment, 19.9 percent. On the negative side, crushed stone, sand and gravel fell 12.7 percent and pulp, paper and allied products dipped 10.3 percent. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Feb. 6, 2010 was estimated at 29.2 billion ton-miles, up 2.5 percent from the same week last year and down 11.8 percent from 2008. For the first 5 weeks of 2010, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,324,717 carloads, down 0.3 percent from 2009 and 17.1 percent from 2008; 1,004,463 trailers or containers, up 3.0 percent from 2009, but down 11.1 percent from 2008, and total volume of an estimated 143.9 billion ton-miles, up 0.5 percent from 2009 but down 14.3 percent from 2008. Canadian railroads reported volume of 69,559 cars for the week, up 9.3 percent from last year, and 43,688 trailers or containers, up 2.4 percent from 2009. For the first 5 weeks of 2010, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 352,663 carloads, up 14.8 percent from last year, and 218,224 trailers or containers, up 3.4 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 11,089 cars, up 11.4 percent from the same week last year, and 5,152 trailers or containers, up 19.5 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 5 weeks of 2010 was reported as 64,792 carloads, up 23 percent from last year; and 31,277 trailers or containers, up 40.2 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 5 weeks of 2010 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 1,742,172 carloads, up 3.2 percent from last year, and 1,253,964 trailers and containers, up 3.8 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 2/11) AMTRAK TO OFFER LIMITED ACELA EXPRESS AND REGIONAL SERVICE ON THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR TODAY: In light of continued severe winter weather in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, Amtrak will operate limited Acela Express and Northeast Regional service between Boston, New York and Washington on Wednesday, February 10. Despite offering limited service, the Northeast Corridor remains open. The massive storm has resulted in downed trees and power lines on portions of CSX freight railroad tracks south of Washington resulting in continued service cancelations in Virginia, and the Carolinas. (Amtrak, Alex Mayes - posted 2/10) MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES REAL TIME ARRIVAL INFORMATION ON THE FITCHBURG COMMUTER RAIL LINE: As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's commitment to building a more customer-friendly transportation system, Governor Patrick today announced that real-time arrival information will be available on the Fitchburg Commuter Rail line beginning Thursday, February 11. The recent installation of Global Positioning Satellite equipment on the Commuter Rail network will allow the MBTA to provide Fitchburg customers waiting on the platform with a six-minute countdown displayed on electronic message boards. Onboard customers will benefit from automated next station announcements. “We must keep faith with T riders by consistently working to enhance customer service,” said Governor Patrick. “These improvements, combined with the $58 million in stimulus highway funding we transferred to critical transit projects, are examples of our ongoing commitment to strengthening public transit in the Commonwealth.” “With many of our residents relying on the commuter rail system every day, improving service and reliability is a key element of our administration’s transportation reform,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. “Major enhancement projects, including the one currently underway for the Fitchburg Line, will speed up service and dramatically improve the commuter rail experience.” Building on this latest technology, the MBTA introduced yet another technological advancement to benefit North Leominster commuter rail customers - real-time arrival information via AM Radio 1630. Available at surface parking lots with 50 or more spaces, the scrolling message displayed on the LED sign is converted to an audio message through a text-to-voice synthesizer and then broadcast on a radio frequency. Commuters tuning into AM Radio 1630 can now remain in their vehicles and listen to the same six-minute countdown available to customers on the platform. Introduced on 12 of the MBTA's 13 commuter rail lines, this "Next Train" technology provides real-time information. The Haverhill Commuter Rail Line is next to get this technology. Radio access to service information is currently available at North Leominster and Anderson/ Woburn on the Lowell Line. Installation of equipment will continue throughout the system over the next several months (MBTA - posted 2/10) CANADIAN NATIONAL ANNOUNCES NEW $100 MILLION CALGARY LOGISTICS PARK: CN announced it plans to establish a new $100-million CN Calgary Logistics Park in Conrich, located in Rocky View County north east of Calgary. The 680-acre park is planned to include a state-of-the-art intermodal terminal with room for customers to co-locate with CN and custom build their facility in place. The Logistics Park will be designed to include a multi commodity transload and warehouse facility, an automotive compound, and a liquid/bulk transload and distribution facility. The site is strategically located a few miles east of the Calgary Airport, on Twp Road 250/ McKnight Boulevard, providing fluid access to Stoney Trail and other major roadways. “We are very excited about business prospects in Alberta and this investment in the Calgary area,” said Claude Mongeau, CN president and chief executive officer. This facility is part of our program to grow a network of logistics parks that provide seamless and efficient transportation and distribution capabilities for customers, linking their facilities across North America.” “Combined with CN's superior rail service offering, this is a win-win combination,” said Mongeau. Calgary is the third largest distribution centre in Canada and is becoming the logistics hub of Western Canada, serving a rapidly expanding market. The new site provides ample space for current and planned customer initiatives, and the park will be designed to allow easy expansion as the Calgary hub continues to grow. The new CN Logistics Park will offer the potential for a total warehousing footprint of over two million square feet to customers who need to distribute their goods across Western Canada, whether sourced from Asia through the West Coast or coming from eastern Canada and the US. CN provides the fastest rail freight transit time between Eastern and Western Canada, which will allow customers' goods to be on the shelves within three days, a major advantage in managing inventory especially in peak season. “This is an exciting prospect for Rocky View County and ties in well with our long-term strategic direction,” stated the County's Chief Administrative Officer, Rob Coon. “An investment of this magnitude would bring substantial benefits to both the County and the Calgary regional area.” This project will be subject to regulatory approval, including a thorough environmental assessment and public consultation. With a scheduled opening expected in 2013, most of CN's Calgary yard operations will shift to the new Logistics Park. CN will also continue to provide quality rail service to customers along its existing lines in the City of Calgary. Please visit www.cn.ca/calgarypark for a map of the CN Calgary Logistics Park's location. (CN, Randy Kotuby, Alex Mayes - posted 2/10) PROPOSAL TO STM BY ZHUZHOU ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY WILL INCLUDE ASSEMBLING THE NEW METRO CARS AT THE FORMER DOMINION BRIDGE SITE: In its response to the international call to tenders made by the Société de Transport de Montréal on January 23 2010, Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Company Ltd. (called ZELC) agrees to respect the 60 % Canadian content requirement by operating a manufacturing plant in Montreal where the metro cars will be assembled. ZELC, through its associate, CPCS Technologies Canada, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the owners of the former Dominion Bridge site in Lachine where recently the Toronto Pearson Airport people movers structures were built. ZELC estimates it will need to hire 750 to 1 000 workers to manufacture the metro cars in Lachine. High speed train equipment and electric passenger and freight locomotives may also be a future portion of the product line. ZELC is also asking the STM for access to become familiar with the Montreal metro infrastructure, track and welded rail system. It is prepared to have its experts examine the tracks at its own expense, but up to now, the STM has refused to grant access despite numerous formal demands from the Company's representatives in Québec. ZELC needs this assessment to be able to prepare a thorough and comprehensive proposal, and will demand at all levels necessary to obtain this critical information. "Based on opinions by international experts gathered to date, we strongly believe that the rail and track presently used in the Montreal metro can be easily adapted without service interruption to accommodate steel wheels cars," said Glen Fisher, President of CPCS Technologies who represents ZELC in Canada. "We hope to come quickly to an agreement with the STM to allow the steel wheel metro car, a proven technology, in its call for tenders and not only rubber tire cars." Steel wheels metro cars built and used around the world are safer, present no risks of fire, use much less energy than rubber tires, are low maintenance, five times more durable and easier to recycle. The steel wheels technology used by ZELC also captures and reuses the energy generated from the braking system when the metro cars are stopping. In its proposal to the STM, ZELC's priorities will be to offer to metropolitan Montreal commuters and Montreal taxpayers the best alternative and most efficient technology in the world market, built in Montreal within a two-year delivery time at a much lower price than the old cars. The intention is to replace aging Montreal metro cars with ones that are reliable and can provide significant savings to the STM and the City of Montreal, especially for new metro extensions at savings up to 95 percent for above-ground tracks. ( ZhuZhou Electric Locomotive Company - posted 2/09) MAJOR UPGRADES SET FOR EAST AND WEST COAST AMTRAK MAINTENANCE FACILITIES: Amtrak announced today it is awarding two contracts with a combined value of $49.5 million for major upgrades of its maintenance facilities located in Los Angeles, Calif., and in Hialeah, Fla., near Miami. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act economic stimulus program is funding both projects. “Amtrak is committed to making the investments needed to keep our equipment clean and in good working order for our passengers and state partners,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman, noting each upgraded facility will be modern, efficient and capable of handling the current work levels as well as projected future service expansions. The contract for the $24.5 million Los Angeles project is awarded to Kemp Bros. Construction Co. of Santa Fe Springs, Calif. The contract for the $25 million Hialeah project is awarded to Dana B. Kenyon Company of Jacksonville, Fla. Both projects will be under construction beginning this spring, will be completed in February 2011 and are expected to generate good paying local and regional jobs. The upgrades to both the east and west coast facilities will dramatically improve the capacity, efficiency and working conditions of the shops that perform inspections and maintenance of passenger rail equipment used in long-distance and state-supported corridor services. Both projects involve the construction of a new building structure to cover work currently performed completely outdoors and will include administrative offices and employee locker rooms. Additionally, Amtrak intends to award a contract this spring for major upgrades to its Seattle maintenance facility that supports long-distance and state-supported corridor operations as well as a maintenance agreement for commuter rail equipment in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle project is funded by Amtrak’s annual capital program. (Amtrak- posted 2/08) AMTRAK’S COAST STARLIGHT RE-INTRODUCES REAL CHINA AND TABLE LINENS: Beginning today, real china, table linens and glassware are returning to Amtrak’s popular Coast Starlight long-distance train to provide an elegant dining experience for passengers and is the latest service change aimed at further improving customer satisfaction on the west coast route between Los Angeles and Seattle. The re-introduction of full china service —and the move away from disposable plastic dinnerware— is one result of a comprehensive Route Performance Improvement (RPI) analysis undertaken by Amtrak to enhance Coast Starlight customer service, product quality and market performance. “Amtrak listened to what passengers were telling us when they said ‘a premium train service deserves a premium place setting for meals—not throwaway plastic’,” said Brian Rosenwald Chief of Product Development. “We are committed to customer satisfaction and in favor of eliminating plastic in favor of ‘green’ alternatives wherever possible.” Fiscal year 2009 was one of the most successful ridership years for the Coast Starlight, welcoming over 432,000 passengers, a 22.3 percent increase over the previous year. Customer satisfaction scores during the year also showed improvement, with 83 percent of customers ranking Coast Starlight service as excellent, up from 79 percent in fiscal year 2008. The RPI analysis has resulted in Amtrak making other changes to Coast Starlight service. For example, sleeping car passengers may experience the Pacific Parlour Car, a lounge venue featuring alternative meal service, specialty coffees, a daily wine tasting, and private movie theater. In addition, Amtrak upgraded sleeping cars, enhanced room service, and re-trained employees to focus on high-level customer service delivery. Other Amtrak trains that feature full china service include the Empire Builder (Chicago – Seattle/Portland), and Auto Train (Lorton, VA. – Sanford, FL). In addition, this year Amtrak is performing an in-depth evaluation of other long-distance routes to identify and implement changes where possible to improve key measures such as customer service, ridership, and financial performance. The five routes being analyzed are the Sunset Limited (Los Angeles – New Orleans), Cardinal (New York – Cincinnati - Chicago), Texas Eagle (Chicago – San Antonio), Capitol Limited (Chicago – Washington, D.C.), and California Zephyr (Chicago – Emeryville/San Francisco).(Amtrak- posted 2/08) CSXT WINTER WEATHER AND DERAILMENT UPDATE: CSX train and yard operations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are being affected by the severe winter weather that the area has experienced over the last several days. Another storm system is moving into the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic later this week, bringing more snow and high winds to these areas. Trains are being held throughout the Northeast, including the Baltimore Division where only critical service is being provided due to the heavy accumulations of snow and unsafe conditions. Customers with traffic moving throughout the Northern, Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian regions should expect delays of at least 24 to 48 hours. Adding to the difficulty in the Northeast, a train derailment on Saturday morning near Cumberland, Md., has forced the reroute of trains around that area. We expect to have the tracks operational within the next 36 hours. Customers with traffic moving between the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic states of Maryland and Pennsylvania are advised to expect additional delays throughout the week due to the congestion resulting from these re-routes and the adverse weather conditions. (CSX - posted 2/08) WINTER STORM IMPACTING NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S MID-ATLANTIC OPERATIONS: A winter storm is bringing heavy snow and wind, to many areas in the Mid-Atlantic region and is moving into the Northeast impacting service in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New jersey and New York. Customers with shipments moving through these areas should expect delays of up to 48 hours. Local service will also be affected in some of the heaviest hit areas. (Norfolk Southern - - posted 2/05) FIRST GE LOCOMOTIVES ARRIVE IN NIGERIA: The Nigerian Ministry of Transport and GE Transportation announced today that the Nigerian Railway Corporation has taken delivery of the first five C25 diesel locomotives – introducing new technology to Nigeria’s rail system. The locomotives will be used for both freight and passenger service. The remaining 20 locomotives will be delivered in the second half of 2010. The Model C25 six-axle locomotives were built by GE Transportation South America, GE Transportation’s affiliate facility located in Brazil. The locomotives feature GE’s reliable 7FDL 12-cylinder, 2,500 horsepower engine that was supplied by GE Transportation’s diesel engine manufacturing plant in Grove City, USA. The locomotives were designed specifically to accommodate Nigeria’s weight per axle and clearance characteristics. GE Transportation South America has built GE diesel electric locomotives including AC44, Dash 9 and the C Series in Brazil since 1967, and has produced more than 1,000 locomotives, operating in over 15 countries around the world. Locomotives similar to the C25 are already successfully hauling freight in South Africa. Approximately 17,000 GE locomotives are in use in more than 50 countries around the world. Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation, said: “We are excited today with the arrival of the first locomotives as this represents an important step in GE Transportation’s entry into the Nigerian market place. GE experts performed an extensive analysis on Nigeria’s narrow-gauge railway network, haulage requirements and traffic patterns to determine the best-fit locomotive. We are honored to support the country’s rail infrastructure growth and are looking forward to working with our Nigerian partners.” (GE - posted 2/05) MONTREAL, MAINE & ATLANTIC RAILWAY FILES ABANDONMENT NOTICE: Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway (MMA) said today that it has filed a "Notice of Intent " with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to abandon certain of its lines. This notice is required by the STB as a preliminary step in the abandonment process. MMA continues to provide regular rail service and is continuing to work with Maine DOT in order to find a solution that would permit continued rail operations on these lines. MMA seeks to discontinue service and remove 233 miles of track in Aroostook and Penobscot counties in the state of Maine. The possibility of an abandonment was originally announced in August 2009. Affected lines include track serving Houlton, Presque Isle, Caribou and Fort Kent. MMA lines between Millinocket and Montreal, Brownville and Searsport, and Madawaska to Van Buren are not included in this application. MMA anticipates that the actual Application will be filed in late February and that the proceedings at the STB will take approximately 3 months to complete. MMA said it has suffered substantial operating losses on these lines in the last three years due to low shipping volume and high operating costs. MMA continues to meet with representatives of Maine in an effort to find an alternate solution that will preserve rail service in the area. Robert C. Grindrod, president of MMA, said, "We have been working closely with Maine DOT since the possibility of abandonment was first discussed. We are seeking an alternative solution and consider abandonment the last resort in a process that offers several options short of abandonment." "We will continue to seek solutions," Grindrod said, "but we must stop the cash drain that has already and continues to undermine the financial health of the entire company. However, I want to assure our shippers that service will continue during this process, and we are hopeful that an acceptable solution can be found." Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway began operations in 2003 and currently operates 754 route miles of track in Maine, New Brunswick, Quebec and Vermont. . (Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway - posted 2/04) AAR REPORTS MIXED WEEKLY RAIL TRAFFIC RESULTS: The Association of American Railroads today reported that freight traffic continues to show some improvement compared with 2009, though down sharply compared with the same week in 2008. For the week ending Jan. 30, 2010, U.S. railroads originated 278,438 carloads, up 7.0 percent compared with the same week in 2009, but down 12.7 percent from 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 203,952 trailers and containers, up 7.5 percent from a year ago, but down 9.7 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 11.2 percent and trailer volume fell 9.3 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume decreased 2.2 percent and trailer volume dropped 36.5 percent. In the Western U.S., carloads were down 2.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 9.0 percent compared with 2008. In the Eastern U.S., carloads were up 1.7 percent compared with 2009, and down 17.8 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Thirteen of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were up in comparison with the same week last year, with nonmetallic minerals up considerably at 105.4 percent. Other notable increases were registered in the motor vehicles and equipment category, up 45.7 percent, as well as the grain category, up 41.9 percent. Year-over-year weekly commodity declines from 2009 were slight, with the exception of the "all other carloads" category, down 10.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending Jan. 30, 2010 was estimated at 30.3 billion ton-miles, up 7.8 percent from the same week last year and down 9.8 percent from 2008. For the first 4 weeks of 2010, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,056,684 carloads, down 0.7 percent from 2009 and 17.7 percent from 2008; 803,275 trailers or containers, up 2.5 percent from 2009, but down 11.2 percent from 2008, and total volume of an estimated 114.7 billion ton-miles, flat compared with the same week in 2009 and down 14.9 percent from 2008. Canadian railroads reported volume of 69,023 cars for the week, down 8.0 percent from last year, and 42,940 trailers or containers, up 1.5 percent from 2009. For the first 4 weeks of 2010, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 283,104 carloads, up 16.2 percent from last year, and 174,536 trailers or containers, up 3.7 percent from last year. Mexican railroads reported originated volume of 13,503 cars, up 20.8 percent from the same week last year, and 6,505 trailers or containers, up 54.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 4 weeks of 2010 was reported as 53,703 carloads, up 25.7 percent from last year; and 26,125 trailers or containers, up 45.2 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 4 weeks of 2010 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 1,393,491 carloads, up 3.2 percent from last year, and 1,003,936 trailers and containers, up 3.5 percent from last year. (AAR - posted 2/04) [ Home Page I Subscribe! 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