News Archive (November 14 through November 20)

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

Note: Some stories may no longer be available, or a fee may be required for full access.

Sunday, November 20

• BNSF in eye of rail merger speculation (UTU)
  Reports suggest BNSF may merge with Canadian National or Kansas City Southern.
• Railroad industry enjoys growth in cargo traffic (AP)
  Record freight volumes are boosting local terminal operations at BNSF.
• Train Carrying Chemicals Derails in Central Square (Post-Standard)
  CSX derails 28 cars in New York State; no injuries reported.
• Norfolk Southern: Building Steam (Kiplinger's)
  Railroad stocks continue to rise due to record demand and pricing power.
• Intermodal Up, Carload Freight Down on U.S. Rails (AAR)
  U.S. intermodal volume up 6.4% over last year.
• With 80 trains a day rolling through city, disaster not unlikely (Plain Dealer)
  City of Cleveland wants Norfolk Southern to reroute hazardous cargo around city.
• BART is first U.S. transit system to offer underground wireless (SF Chronicle)
  San Francisco is first city to have wireless access for all underground riders.
• It's 'Merry Christmas' all the way on Santa Train (Kingsport Times-News)
  CSX-sponsored Santa Train gave gifts from Shelby, KY to Kingsport, TN.
• Volunteers make 2005 Holiday Train a reality for Canadian food banks (CP)
  Canadian Pacific's two holiday trains visit 100 communities in the US and Canada.
  For more information: 2005 Holiday Train Website

Saturday, November 19

• Amtrak Seeks Turnaround CEO (AP)
  Transportation Secretary Mineta says Amtrak board seeks turnaround CEO.
• Congress says Amtrak must reduce subsidies (Reuters)
  Agreement would provide $1.3 billion for Amtrak and require cost reductions.
• Union Pacific Elects James R. Young Chief Executive Officer (UP)
  Current President/CEO Dick Davidson will remain chairman of the board.
• CN announces Q4-2005 and 2006 earnings guidance, outlines 2010 Vision
  Canadian National expects earnings growth of 20% in Q4, 10-15% in 2006.
• Amtrak adds trains for holiday week (AP)
  Amtrak adds 60 extra trains, mainly on Wednesday and Saturday.
• Amtrak adding fifth roundtrip (AP)
  New side track allows for fifth Downeaster round-trip between Portland and Boston.
• Fraser River Port Authority and Canadian Pacific Railway sign agreement
  Infrastructure investments designed to capture growth opportunities in global trade.
• KCS Holiday Express rides again (UTU)
  Fifth annual train to bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit 20 communities.
• A light rail with no rise in taxes (Seattle Times)
  Seattle considers financial options for light rail after monorail project is dropped.
• Port Authority, Union Avert Strike Vote With Tentative Deal (WTAE)
  Labor negotiators averted a transit strike in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
• Workin' on the railroad (Newsday)
  Long Island Railroad to add service and provide more cleanly trains.
• N.C. Railroad to study route (Daily News)
  North Carolina Railroad considers relocating tracks in Morehead City.

Thursday, November 17

• Efficiency the fast track to profit, CPR says (Globe and Mail)
  Canadian Pacific expects 2006 profit up 18% through greater efficiency and Asian trade.
• Transit agency clears way for design of Second Avenue subway (AP)
  MTA votes to commission final designs for $3.8 billion for 30-block subway.
• City acquires title to High Line on Manhattan's West Side (AP)
  New York acquires abandoned CSX line to be converted into an elevated park.
• Human Error Said Cause of S.C. Train Crash (AP)
  Failure to realign a hand-operated switch caused Graniteville NS train crash.
• CN threatens to cut off widow from home (Vancouver Sun)
  Canadian National asking British Columbia residents to pay for private crossings.
• Chamber survey endorses D.C. rail service (Daily Progress)
  Charlottesville survey indicates demand for rail service to Washington.
• Amtrak Warns Of Possible Strike (All Headline News)
  Two unions protest a six-year moratorium in contract negotiations.
• Train hub to reduce waits (New York Daily News)
  New York's new train station will speed commuter exit when opening around 2010.

Wednesday, November 16

• Supporters urge ousted Amtrak president be reinstated (AP)
  Congress asks Amtrak board to reinstate President David Gunn.
• Amtrak chairman admits secret talks to sell assets (Star-Ledger)
  Chairman tells Congress he has conducted meetings to sell Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.
• Amtrak, Subway agree to food service trial (Billings Gazette)
  Subway Restaurants to provide food service on NYC-Albany route.
• Tri-Rail moves for faster hurricane rebound (Palm Beach Post)
  Miami commuter railroad to develop plan for faster hurricane recovery.
• Trying to derail CSX's arrogance (Philadelphia Daily News)
  Editorial: Philadelphia residents angered by CSX blocking of Schuylkill River Trail.
• UTU reaches progressive agreement with CN (UTU)
  Canadian National and UTU reach labor agreement for 300 U.S. conductors.

Monday, November 14

• Tourist train or economic engine? (VillageSoup)
  Maine Eastern Railroad sees opportunity in extending passenger service to Portland.
  For more information: www.maineeasternrailroad.com
• CSX plans more price increases (Business Journal of Jacksonville)
  Railroad to raise shipping prices due to record demand.
• Little engines that could: Imagine VRE with more money (Fredericksburg.com)
  Virginia Railway Express suffers from local city and county control.
• Produce shippers blame railroad (AP)
  BNSF declines regularly scheduled service at ports of Seattle and Tacoma.
• Going Down The Wrong Track (The Ledger)
  Amtrak Chairman fires President just two months after praising accomplishments.
• Metra Tests System To Warn Engineers Of Crossovers (AP)
  Chicago commuter railroad developing audible alert system following derailment.
• CSX cites faulty axle in derailment of train (Times Union)
  Overheated axle blamed in Amsterdam New York derailment on October 12.
• Dream of port rail yard deferred but still on table (Times-Dispatch)
  State funding delays Port of Richmond rail yard at least one year.
• SEPTA's next challenge: Find permanent funding (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  Philadelphia transit strike resolved, but long-term funding issues remain.
• Metra riders to pay more in '06 (Chicago Sun-Times)
  Chicago commuter rail fares to raise five percent.
• Railroad workers sought for documentary (Rocklin & Roseville Today)
  Past and present Southern Pacific and Union Pacific employees may apply.