News Archive (April 24 through April 30)

This page contains a railroad news archive for a single week. For all recent rail news, please see RailServe.com's RailNews Home Page.

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Sunday, April 30

• After 35 years, Amtrak's future uncertain (AP)
  Critics to gather in Washington as Amtrak enters 36th year on Monday.
• Railway raises fears for Tibet's future (BBC)
  1,142km pan-Himalayan railway line to change the culture of isolated Tibet.
• CSX rail project wins 49-48 fight (AP)
  Vote maintains a controversial $700 million project to relocate CSX's Gulf Coast route.
• CSX rerouting proposal could cost Mobile jobs (Press-Register)
  Freight trains would be rerouted north from New Orleans, bypassing Mobile, Alabama.
• Rail problems could shrink Wyoming market (AP)
  Problems delivering Powder River Basin coal may force customers to seek other sources.
• Norfolk Southern Reports Record Revenues; Net Income Increases 57% (NSC)
  Revenue and income rise 17% and 57%, respectively; operating ratio improves to 76.1%.
• Florida East Coast Industries Reports Strong First Quarter 2006 Results (FLA)
  Railway segment revenues and operating profits increase 19% and 26%, respectively.
• CPR on track for what could be stellar year (Globe and Mail)
  Asian trade, strong grain harvest, and operational improvements to boost Canadian Pacific.
• Bill Boosts Rails' Role (Hartford Courant)
  Connecticut's $2.3 billion transportation package to expand commuter rail service.
• High-Speed Rail Plan Along I-4 Down, But Still Not Out (The Ledger)
  High-speed rail plan stalls, but Orlando commuter rail could be operational by 2009.
• Rare ride: Establishing a rail link between LA and Santa Fe (The New Mexican)
  Santa Fe Express could provide luxury rail travel between LA and Santa Fe for $1500.
• RailAmerica Reports First Quarter 2006 Earnings (RRA)
  Shortline operator's revenue and income from continuing ops rise 13%, 35%, respectively.
• FreightCar America Reports Quarterly Net Income and Sales (RAIL)
  Sales rise 77% and earnings per share increase to $1.67 versus $0.22 a year ago.
• Portec Rail Products Reports 2006 First Quarter Operating Results (PRPX)
  Equipment maker's sales and net income rise 11% and 3%, respectively.
• L. B. Foster Company Reports Strong First Quarter (FSTR)
  Equipment maker's revenue and income from continuing ops rise 24%, 96%, respectively.
• GATX Corporation Reports 2006 First Quarter Results (GMT)
  Leasing company's revenue and earnings rise 26% and 69%, respectively.
• Commuter rail looks more like glorified streetcar, critics say (Ottawa Citizen)
  Critics says higher costs and slower service of new proposal are not practical.
• Fairfax Board on Track To Consider Streetcars (Washington Post)
  Proposal calls for 4.7 mile streetcar in Arlington and Fairfax, Virginia.
• Commuter Rail on Slow Track (Wisconsin State Journal)
  Proposed commuter rail service in Madison Wisconsin is still 4-5 years away.
• Why don't we have high-speed trains in the U.S.? (Penn State Live)
  Lack of political support has kept the US years behind Europe and Asia in high-speed rail.
• Expansion of North Station to be done by November (AP)
  Boston's North Station, serving commuter rail and Amtrak's Downeaster, to be expanded.
• MBTA Proposing Subway Fare Increase (CBS4)
  Boston subway, bus, and commuter rail fares would rise sharply under proposal.
• Light rail to go to UW (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
  Board approves plan to extend light rail to the University of Washington by 2016.
• Rail backers want veto for rail money restriction (News-Daily)
  Commuter rail supporters call on Georgia governor to veto rail funding restriction.
• Union Pacific Saves Fuel While Increasing Efficiency (UP)
  Fuel reduction initiatives, including employee incentives, save $7M during first quarter.
• P&W shows gains for ’05 (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
  Providence & Worcester looks to improved rail and port facilities for new business.
• Dozen boxcars jump the track in Plains Twp. (Times-Tribune)
  Norfolk Southern train derails in northeastern Pennsylvania early Friday morning.
• Twisted train cars close three UP lines (KNOP)
  Union Pacific reroutes trains over BNSF after Thursday morning derailment in Nebraska.
• Train derailment blocks traffic (El Dorado Times)
  Union Pacific derails six cars in El Dorado, Kansas on Wednesday night.
• Getting back on track (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
  CSX repairs bridge and restores service five days after downtown Richmond derailment.
• Vietnam railway corp denies responsibility in derailment (Thanh Nien Daily)
  Train that derailed killing 11 had no speedometer or communications.
• Realigning downtown rail line could create no-horn haven (Salt Lake Tribune)
  Union Pacific and Salt Lake City plan $50 million project to realign tracks at Grant Tower.
• Genesee & Wyoming Announces Retirement of Vice Chairman Charles Marshall
  35-year railroad veteran will continue to assist the G&W as a paid consultant.
• Amtrak adds sweetener to apology for late trains (Sacramento Bee)
  Amtrak offers 10% discount for riders of late California Capitol Corridor trains.

Tuesday, April 25

• BNSF Reports Record First-Quarter Revenues and EPS (BNI)
  Earnings and revenue rise 31% and 16%; operating ratio improves to 76.5%.
• CPR’s first quarter earnings up thirty-eight per cent (CP)
  Canadian Pacific's earnings rise on a 10% revenue gain and improved operating ratio.
• High gasoline prices filling U.S. bus, train seats (Reuters)
  US transit systems see continued ridership gains as gas prices top $3/gallon.
• Interest in Arizona commuter rail grows (Arizona Republic)
  Support grows for commuter rail service linking Phoenix, Tucson, and suburbs.
• Commuter rail line is getting renewed push (Morning Journal)
  Proposal would bring commuter rail service from Lorain to Cleveland, Ohio.
• Natives remove rail blockade near Belleville, Ont. (Canadian Press)
  Canadian National and Via Rail resume service following protest blockade.
• Seven rail cars back on the tracks (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
  CSX continues week-long cleanup from derailment and bridge collapse in Richmond.
• Wabtec EPS More Than Doubles in First Quarter 2006 (Wabtec)
  Rail equipment manufacturer's earnings rise on a 9% growth in sales.
• We Energies files suit against Union Pacific (AP)
  Lawsuit accuses UP of overcharging and failing to deliver coal shipments.
• Union Pacific says it rejected new business to keep coal moving (AP)
  In defense to Entergy Arkansas suit, UP says it did all it could for coal shipments.
• L.B. Foster Receives $2.8M Supply Agreement With TriMet (LBF)
  LB Foster to provide 38,000 concrete ties to Portland transit agency.
• Rail Employees Recognized for Environmental Contributions (AAR)
  Six employees honored at US Capitol environmental protection efforts.
• New rail yard in Pawtucket expected to be done soon (AP)
  Rhode Island yard will house commuter trains on the Boston-to-Providence line.
• CN launches animated safety website for children during Rail Safety Week (CN)
  Canadian National launches rail safety site for children.
• Tanker car derails; 100 evacuated in Chillicothe (AP)
  CSX tank car derailment and fire force evacuations in Chillicothe, Ohio.
• Freight train derails in Yuba County; no injuries (AP)
  Union Pacific derails six grain cars in Olivehurst, California.
• Norfolk Southern To Adjust Fuel Surcharge (NS)
  NS modified fuel surcharge for local and joint-line non-intermodal traffic.
• Nittany & Bald Eagle railroad still right on track (Centre Daily Times)
  President of Pennsylvania shortline says business is good.
• Burlington Northern Barrels Ahead (Fool.com)
  BNSF's strong results are met with a 6% stock decline.
• Norfolk Southern: Worth the Trip (Fool.com)
  Improved margins, pricing power, and strong demand give NS investment appeal.
• Canadian National Stays On Track (Fool.com)
  Product mix, pricing, and fuel surcharges are driving revenue growth at CN.