News Archive (October 3 through October 9)

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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Saturday, October 8

• US needs to step up rail security planning (Reuters)
  Congressional investigators cite need for a consistent approach for analyzing risks of subway, commuter rail, and Amtrak services used by 11 million each weekday.
• Amtrak Trains to Roll Out of New Orleans on October 9 (Amtrak)
  Crescent and City of New Orleans routes resume service to New Orleans.
• Credibility issues over New York subway threat (Reuters)
  New York Mayor defends his decision to put the city on high alert.
• On LIRR, caution rides the rails (Newsday)
  Long Island Rail Road stepped up security Friday due to subway threat.
• Norfolk Southern CEO sees storms boosting Q3 costs (Reuters)
  Hurricanes results in higher expenses and capital spending for Norfolk Southern.
• Union Pacific Reaffirms 3Q Profit View (AP)
  UP reaffirms earnings projection and will record an income tax reduction.
• Barstow eyes historic tourist train (San Bernardino County Sun)
  Tourist train to run between Barstow and Kelso Depot in the Mojave National Preserve.
• CSX selling 'Saginaw cluster' (Saginaw News)
  Saginaw Bay Southern will operate the 65 miles of track between Flint and Saginaw.
• CN police union members ratify labor contract extension (CN)
  Canadian National police force has ratified a two-year contract extension.

Friday, October 7

• Amtrak gives passengers more choice in fares (Times Union)
  Northeast fares now tiered based on demand, providing price reductions on some trains.
• Amtrak service from New Orleans to Gainesville resumes (AccessNorthGa.com)
  Full Crescent and City of New Orleans routes to be restored this weekend.
• In Spite of Hurricanes, September U.S. Rail Freight Traffic Up (AAR)
  Freight railroads registered a 2.5% increase in September as compared to last year.
• New York subway system on alert (CNN)
  Same intelligence led to U.S. raid in Iraq, military source says.
• CTA Heightens Security After NYC Subway Threat (CBS)
  Chicago police heighten security throughout public transit system.
• NJ Transit steps up security after NYC terror threat (AP)
  NJT steps up police patrols, use of K-9 teams, and baggage inspections.
• CTA Proposes Fare Increase (CBS)
  Chicago Transit Authority says it must raise fares to cover budget shortfall.
• SEPTA union threatens strike beginning Oct. 31 (Springfield Sun)
  Strike would shutdown city and suburban transit, including subways, trolleys, and buses.
• Caltrain schedules to receive facelift (San Francisco Examiner)
  Schedule change set for peak hour trains between San Jose and San Francisco.
• Party will celebrate railroad history (Missoulian)
  City of Missoula celebrates Northern Pacific steam locomotive rescued 50 years ago.
• Maglev's roller-coaster ride could be back on track (Virginian-Pilot)
  Old Dominion University considers future of stalled campus maglev project.

Thursday, October 6

• New York hikes subway security after terror plot (Reuters)
  Police stepped up security on Thursday after what authorities called the most specific threat yet of a terrorist attack on the subway system in the coming days.
• Regional and Acela Trains Running Normally with Minimal Delays (Amtrak)
  Full New York to Boston service expected Friday as power is restored.
• Kansas storms disrupt Union Pacific service to Powder River (AP)
  Severe storms damage bridges and close Wyoming’s Powder River Basin route.
• Freight costs pick up speed (Bloomberg)
  Morgan Stanley report expects rates to rise 5.6% more in next half-year.
• Report exposes flaws in Alberta disaster response (Canadian Press)
  Commission says emergency response to Canadian National spill was inadequate.
• Transit Could Play Stronger Role in Emergencies (Engineering News-Record)
  Officials say rising fuel prices and hurricanes highlight changing role of mass transit.
• Tilt train 'too fast before crash' (AAP)
  Train crash that injured 128 in Queensland last year was traveling 52km/h too fast.
• Rail traffic may start on new line in six weeks (Marysville Advocate)
  Union Pacific is 85% complete with 3-year relocation project around Marysville, KS.
• Accident pulls down RailAmerica Q3 guidance (South Florida Business Journal)
  Shortline operator lowers earnings guidance 24% primarily due to chemical accident.
• KCS overhaul to improve noise, traffic concerns (Shreveport Times)
  Kansas City Southern spends $50 million to overhaul north Shreveport operations.
• UP crews working to get rail lines running after derailment (AP)
  20 cars of a Union Pacific coal train derailed nine miles east of Bridgeport, Nebraska.
• Efforts underway to purchase Knox and Kane Railroad (Clarion News)
  Buyer would put the rail line under the control and management of an authority board.
• BNSF sells track to Northern Plains Railroad (AP)
  72-mile track in northeastern North Dakota plagued with flooding and unstable rail bed.
• Union Pacific Railroad Completes $16 Million Crossing Sign Project (UP)
  UP completed a four-year project to install 18,000 crossbuck warning signs.

Tuesday, October 4

• Norfolk Southern Reopens New Orleans Intermodal Terminal (NS)
  NS reopens New Orleans terminal closed since Hurricane Katrina.
• Is the Triangle ready for rail? (News & Observer)
  Critics question need for proposed Raleigh-Durham commuter rail service
• Stillwell Avenue Subway Station Powered By Solar Panels (NY1)
  New York subway station powered by 2,700 solar panels on the roof.
• Light-rail preview (East Valley Tribune)
  Arizona's 20-mile light rail route scheduled to open in 2008.
• Rail's appeal is no match for car culture (News & Observer)
  Traffic and high gas prices aren't enough for many to choose the train.
• Metra engineer suspended for speeding (UPI)
  Engineer suspended for speeding near the site of last month's fatal Chicago crash.
• Amtrak strikes gold last month in Golden State (East Bay Business Times)
  High gasoline prices may be providing a boon to Amtrak's California routes.
• Changes could revoke train whistle quiet zones (Des Moines Register)
  Speed increases could revoke quiet zones in Iowa.
• Grain cars derail near Casselton (AP)
  At least 17 grain cars on a BNSF train derailed near Casselton, North Dakota.
• Global Railway hits low on CEO ouster, warning (Reuters)
  Shares of Global Railway Industries fall on profit warning.

Monday, October 3

• Maglev pulling interest as airport alternative (Union-Tribune)
  Proposal would link Southern California airports with 300mph maglev trains.
• 13 Killed After Indian Train Derails (AP)
  Derailed train was traveling six times the speed limit due to failed brakes.
• More Than 40 Lawsuits Filed In Metra Derailment (AP)
  Lawsuits filed against Chicago rail operator following last month's derailment.
• Interest high in one-time train trip in Oklahoma (Ark City Traveler)
  Amtrak extends Heartland Flyer route to Guthrie for one weekend only.
• CN says safety record improved this year (Edmonton Sun)
  Canadian National says accidents per million train miles have decreased from 1.7 to 1.4.
• RailAmerica Completes Acquisition of Four Short Line Railroads from Alcoa
  Shortline operator acquires four Alcoa railroads for $77.5 million.
• Red Line derailment delays commute (Chicago Sun-Times)
  Chicago Transit Authority work train derailed early Monday.
• Federal officials: Buckled track caused train wreck (Daily Times)
  Buckled track if is blamed for a 95-car CSX derailment in August in Tennessee.
• SEPTA union sets Oct. 31 strike date (AP)
  Health benefits pose stickiest issue in Philadelphia transit agency's negotiations.
• Locomotive relic rolling into town brings back memories (Idaho State Journal)
  Union Pacific Challenger 3985 makes a stop in Pocatello, Idaho.
• Local commuter rail service off schedule (Milford Daily News)
  Boston-area commuters weigh soaring gasoline prices against frustrating train delays.
• Growing pains along the L.A. Gold Line (LA Times)
  Six-mile extension will bring years of traffic disruptions to LA's Eastside.
• Easy, cheap rail proves elusive (News & Observer)
  North Carolina's $100 million commuter rail plan is now estimated at $759 million.
• New book sheds light on history of BNSF (Star-Telegram)
  Book release commemorates the 10th anniversary of the 1995 merger.
• Trains Start Rolling on New Light Rail Line (News 10)
  Regular service on Sacramento-Folsom route begins October 15.
• CP will admit liability in derailment lawsuit (CBC)
  Canadian Pacific admits liability for death caused by anhydrous ammonia release in 2002.
• Wabtec gets $217-mln contract from Canada's GO Transit (Reuters)
  Contract includes 53 commuter locomotives for Toronto's transit agency.
• Scenic steam railroad hauls passengers through history (AP)
  Fall in the most popular season at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
• Real results from a fake disaster (Times Union)
  Simulated explosion aboard Amtrak train gives emergency responders valuable training.
• McCook Tells BNSF Railroad: Pay up! (McCook Gazette)
  City of McCook may hold easement hostage if BNSF doesn't pay $3 million.
• BNSF Employee Recognized for Locating More Than $1 Billion in Economic Development Related Projects (BNSF)
  39-year BNSF veteran worked with communities and cities in more than 20 states.