News Archive (December 5 through December 11)

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, December 11

• Norfolk Southern Announces Planned 2006 Capital Spending (NS)
  Strong demand drives need for $1.146 billion in capital spending in 2006.
• Take the railway to Tibet, just 48 hours (Shanghai Daily)
  Service between Beijing and Tibet to begin in July over the highest railway in the world.
• Amtrak continues struggle to manage itself, with subsidies (NY Times)
  Congress ties $8.3 million in federal money to increased premium freight.
• Amtrak Downeaster service on rebound (WHDH)
  Boston to Portland ridership up 15% this year, boosted in part by higher gas prices.
• Belen-to-Santa Fe rail costs scrutinized (Albuquerque Tribune)
  Lawmakers question $393 million project for commuter rail to Santa Fe.
• Commuter rail idea gathers steam (The State)
  Rail advocates seek commuter service to Columbia, South Carolina.
• Short-line railroads taking over from CSX (Muskegon Chronicle)
  Mid-Michigan Railroad takes over CSX operations in Muskegon.
• Steam engine derails; Santa still on track (Columbian)
  SP&S No 700 derails in Portland, forcing diesel powered Christmas train.
• Railroad hopes to move switchyard (News-Review)
  Central Oregon & Pacific seeks to relocate Roseburg yard to Winchester area.

Friday, December 9

• BNSF merger speculation swirls (CalTrade Report)
  Strong finances could lead to merger with Canadian National or Kansas City Southern.
• New York subway builders find 200-yr-old wall (Reuters)
  17th century stone wall found when constructing new subway station.
• Estimated cost of Yucca Mountain railroad raised to $2 billion (AP)
  Railroad would ship nuclear waste across Nevada to repository.
• Metrolink chugs ahead with crash technology (LA Daily News)
  Crash-energy management to provide shock absorption for LA's push-pull trains.
• CN Rail pleads guilty in fatal derailment (Canadian Press)
  Canadian National failed to keep records on collapsed bridge in British Columbia.
• Freight derails, slowing Amtrak (News Journal)
  Minor freight derailment delays Amtrak between Philadelphia and Washington.
• U.S. Rail Traffic Mixed in November (AAR)
  Intermodal traffic rises and carload freight falls in November.
• Florida East Coast Industries Increases 2005 Outlook (FEC)
  FEC raises revenue and earnings guidance, updates Hurricane Wilma impact.
• Wabtec Gets N.Y. Subway Work Train Order (AP)
  Order for up to 38 work train locomotives could be worth $122 million.
• BNSF to refurbish Fort Benton rail route (Great Falls Tribune)
  BNSF to upgrade Great Falls to Fort Benton route for new grain elevators.
• CN offers cash for spill (Edmonton Journal)
  Canadian National offers up to $5000 for residents impacted by Alberta lake derailment.
• RailAmerica Shares Surge on Upgrade (AP)
  Shortline railroad operator's stock surges six percent following analyst upgrade.
• BNSF increases share repurchase program (Memphis Business Journal)
  BNSF adds 30 million shares to the 150 million shares previously authorized.
• Railroad chief urges cooperation among cities (Virginian-Pilot)
  Norfolk Southern chairman says cities must cooperate to alleviate congestion.

Wednesday, December 7

• B.C. probe urged after two CN trains derail in one day (Globe and Mail)
  Government action likely following 12th derailment in British Columbia this year.
• ACC studies curb on railroad speeds (East Valley Tribune)
  Arizona Corporation Commission seeks to reduce train speeds from 60mph to 20mph.
• Christmas train loops through Barstow (Desert Dispatch)
  BNSF operates Christmas Train from Victorville to Barstow, California.
• Fitch Outlook: U.S. Freight Transports to Remain Healthy in 2006 (Fitch)
  Fitch Ratings positive on rail industry for 2006 due to demand and pricing.
• Deadline on subway cell fone bids on hold (NY Daily News)
  New York's MTA has delayed proposals to wire stations for cell phone use.

Tuesday, December 6

• Derailment is 11th of the year (Vancouver Sun)
  Another Canadian National train derails on former BC Rail route.
• Norfolk Southern Announces New Train Technology (AP)
  NS to deploy locomotive computer system to improve fuel efficiency and safety.
• Kansas City Southern subsidiary renamed (Kansas City Star)
  KCS renames Mexican railroad Kansas City Southern de Mexico.
• High court to hear BNSF worker case (Fort Worth Star Telegram)
  US Supreme Court will hear case alleging retaliation for sexual harassment complaint.
• Design finished, new train cars are put out to bid (Stamford Advocate)
  Metro-North's New Haven Line to receive 50 new cars by 2008.