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Steamtown Railfest 2010

Rick — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:43:29 +0000

Railfest 2010, a celebration of passenger railroading past and present, is on September 4 & 5, 2010.

Planning continues for Railfest 2010. Events include:

Canadian Pacific Railroad equipment
Delaware Lackawanna Railroad locomotives
Reading FP-7s from the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society and Philadelphia Chapter NRHS
F-3s from the Anthracite Railroad Historical Society and the Tri-State chapter of the NRHS
Railway Post Office Car Worker
Ron Lea’s Big Band
The Vince Brust Dancers
Phoebe Snow
Model Railroad Displays

http://www.nps.gov/stea/planyourvisit/railfest-2010.htm

AMTRAK WRAPS ACELA EXPRESS WITH IMAGE OF TLC “CAKE BOSS” BUDDY

Rick — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:06:32 +0000

AMTRAK WRAPS ACELA EXPRESS WITH IMAGE OF TLC “CAKE BOSS” BUDDY VALASTRO: Amtrak continues to celebrate National Train Day in August with a unique partnership supporting TLC’s hit series, “Cake Boss.” Earlier this year, Amtrak worked with Carlo’s Bakery, featured on the hit TLC reality show “Cake Boss,” to create a train-themed cake for a National Train Day event in May. Amtrak and TLC are now promoting the airing of this “Cake Boss” episode – premiering August 16 at 9/8c – with a fully wrapped Acela Express train featuring images of Buddy Valastro, star of the show, and some of his creations. Traveling between Washington, DC, New York and Boston, the wrapped train will run through August. The exterior wrap on the train will appear on both sides of the locomotives and all eight cars of the train. “Having “Cake Boss” as a part of this year’s National Train Day celebration took the excitement about the event to another level,” said Gail Reisman, Senior Director of National Advertising, Amtrak. “We’re really pleased that the whole event will be a part of the current season of the show, and we hope that fans of “Cake Boss” and of Amtrak will tune in to see the episode and look for the train on the rails.” “TLC is thrilled to be partnering with Amtrak for this exceptional opportunity and one-of-a -kind partnership. To be able to engage Amtrak riders across so many different touch points brings the “Cake Boss” brand to life in a unique and unexpected way,” said Tom Carr, Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing for TLC. The train wrap was printed and installed by ABC Imaging of Washington, DC, using Flexcon’s Busart with 5020 Overlam and Flexcon’s Seethru sign window film and 5040C overlam Pressure Sensitive Vinyls.National Train Day commemorates the 141st anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad’s inception by bringing to life the rich narrative of how trains transformed America. Amtrak created National Train Day to celebrate the train’s impact on our country and provides an opportunity for Americans to further understand the influence rail has on the future of transportation in America.

www.amtrak.com

PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES FINALIZES ELECTRO-MOTIVE DIESEL ACQUISITION

Rick — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:59:20 +0000

PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES FINALIZES ELECTRO-MOTIVE DIESEL ACQUISITION: Progress Rail Services announced today it has finalized the purchase of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) for $820 million in cash, plus a net working capital adjustment subject to post-closing finalization, which is currently estimated at approximately $108 million, from Berkshire Partners LLC and Greenbriar Equity Group LLC. Effective with the closing of the acquisition, EMD is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Progress Rail. Progress Rail is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. “The acquisition of EMD is a natural fit as it supports our enterprise strategy to aggressively grow our Energy Power Systems business, of which the rail industry is an important component,” said Caterpillar Vice Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman. “Both EMD and Progress Rail will continue to produce innovative solutions to establish leadership positions in the United States and abroad,” continued Oberhelman. Progress Rail Services is one of the largest providers of rail and transit products and services in North America, including: locomotive upgrade and repair, railcar remanufacturing, trackwork, rail welding, rail repair and replacement, signal design and installation, maintenance of way equipment, parts reclamation and recycling. “This acquisition further strengthens Progress Rail’s unmatched portfolio of products and component support of our rail-related services and solutions,” said Progress Rail CEO Billy Ainsworth. “Together with Caterpillar and EMD’s engine solutions, our comprehensive offerings can power trains that will deliver sustainable and clean transportation for the public and our customers for years to come,” continued Ainsworth. With 2009 revenues of $1.8 billion, EMD has the largest installed base of diesel-electric locomotives in the world and offers the most extensive range of locomotive products in the rail and transit industry. EMD will remain headquartered in LaGrange, Ill. John Hamilton will continue as president and CEO of EMD and will report to Billy Ainsworth

www.cat.com 8/2/2010

UP unveils #2010 BSA Commemorative Locomotive

Rick — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:08:22 +0000

Union Pacific Railroad Unveils No. 2010 Boy Scouts of America Commemorative Locomotive

Special Locomotive Celebrates Scouting’s 100-year History

Houston, Texas, March 31, 2010 – Union Pacific Railroad today unveiled the UP No. 2010 Boy Scouts of America Locomotive, created as a tribute to the organization’s centennial celebration. The UP No. 2010 honors Scouting’s 100-year impact on the nation and the many Scouting enthusiasts in Union Pacific’s work force and communities.

“Union Pacific and the Boy Scouts of America have played leadership roles in shaping America’s history. With the UP No. 2010, we are proud to celebrate 100 years of Scouting, progress and patriotism,” said Robert W. Turner, Union Pacific senior vice president-Corporate Relations.

“We are deeply honored by the tribute Union Pacific has given to Scouting through the creation of the commemorative locomotive,” said Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. “We also owe a great deal of gratitude to our UP employee Scouting alumni base, which has spearheaded the movement to create the UP No. 2010. Their efforts mean that for years to come, the locomotive will serve as a reminder of the impact millions of Scouts have had on this country for 100 years.”

A very rare honor, Union Pacific has created only 14 commemorative locomotives in its nearly 150-year history. The Boy Scouts-themed locomotive is decorated with a series of four distinct graphics:

The national Boy Scouts of America logo;
The BSA’s 100th Anniversary logo;
The words “100 Years of Scouting,” and,
Ten emblems representing stages of Scouting and an 11th emblem for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree

The UP No. 2010 locomotive will celebrate the BSA’s centennial as it hauls the freight that supports America across Union Pacific’s 32,000-mile, 7,000-community network. Because it is one of the newest and most fuel-efficient locomotives, the UP No. 2010 likely will carry service-sensitive consists such as automotive and intermodal trains.

www.uprr.com

AMTRAK BUYING 130 NEW PASSENGER RAIL CARS TO SUPPORT LONG-DISTANCE TRAIN SERVICE

Rick — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:12:04 +0000

AMTRAK BUYING 130 NEW PASSENGER RAIL CARS TO SUPPORT LONG-DISTANCE TRAIN SERVICE: Amtrak is implementing the first step in a long-term, comprehensive fleet renewal plan with the purchase of 130 new single-level rail cars to support its long-distance train services. The five-year, $298.1 million contract is being awarded to CAF USA which is creating 575 jobs to perform manufacturing and final assembly work at its plant in Elmira, N.Y. The first car is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in October 2012. “This major equipment purchase demonstrates our strong belief in the future of intercity passenger rail in America and Amtrak’s leading role in meeting this critical national transportation need,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman. Thomas Carper, chairman of the Amtrak board of directors, added: “We are replacing and renewing our fleet to improve reliability of our operations, to meet passenger expectations for quality service and to be in a better position to handle the growing demand for more passenger rail service. Addressing Amtrak’s equipment need is long overdue.” Boardman explained that the 130 single-level passenger rail cars are similar to the popular Viewliner model and includes 25 sleeping cars, 25 diners, 55 baggage cars and 25 baggage / dormitory cars for use primarily on long-distance trains. They will replace and supplement the existing fleet, improve financial and on-time performance, and foster a more modern, positive image of Amtrak. In addition, Amtrak can begin to retire some of its oldest cars still in service that date back to the 1940s and 1950s. Passengers will experience many improvements with the new equipment including: modern interiors with better layouts; better lighting and more efficient air conditioning and heating systems; additional outlets to power personal electronic devices; bicycle racks in the baggage cars; as well as improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities. CAF USA along with its parent company, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles of Beasain, Spain, is an experienced rail car manufacturer to the U.S. and world markets. CAF USA will manufacture the stainless steel car shells and perform final assembly of the cars at its Elmira, N.Y., facility where it currently produces transit rail equipment for several U.S. transit systems. “This is a very exciting and pivotal moment in the history of CAF USA. As we move to consolidate our presence in the US, we view this contract as merely the first in what we hope will be many opportunities we will have to partner with Amtrak. We look forward to combining our maximum effort and expertise with the leadership and vision that the current administration has shown where passenger rail is concerned in the U.S.,” said Virginia Verdeja, CAF USA vice president. The first year of the five-year contract will be paid for with $29.8 million from Amtrak’s current revenues which are running above budget estimates due, in part, to ridership that is on a record-breaking pace. Amtrak will seek to fund subsequent years of the contract with other sources such as loans or direct Congressional appropriations. Furthermore, this equipment purchase is just the first step in Amtrak’s multiyear Fleet Strategy Plan to replace its entire fleet of passenger rail cars and locomotives over the next 30 years and help support the growth of a domestic rail manufacturing industry. Amtrak is currently reviewing bids to replace many of the electric locomotives used along the Northeast Corridor and may make a contract award yet this summer.

www.amtrak.com

AMTRAK RIDERSHIP ON RECORD-BREAKING PACE

Rick — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:50:43 +0000

AMTRAK RIDERSHIP ON RECORD-BREAKING PACE

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is on pace to break its annual ridership record carrying a best ever 13,619,770 passengers during the first six months of fiscal year 2010 with the historically busier summer travel season still ahead.

The 13.6 million passengers who rode on Amtrak trains during the first two quarters of FY 2010 (October 2009 – March 2010) contributed to a 4.3 percent increase over the same period the prior year. It also is about 100,000 more riders than the 13.5 million posted in FY 2008, which turned out to be Amtrak’s best ridership year in company history when America’s passenger railroad carried 28.7 million passengers.

“Americans are beginning to travel again and are choosing Amtrak as an affordable and efficient way to move around the country,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman, noting a slowly improving economy and continued high fuel prices as factors in Amtrak ridership growth.

Ridership Highlights

Comparing March 2010 to March 2009, ridership increased by 13.5 percent to a record 2.47 million passengers for the month. In addition, every single Amtrak route carried more passengers with several experiencing double-digit growth.

The Northeast Corridor experienced strong ridership growth in March with Amtrak’s high-speed train,

Acela Express, seeing a 14.3 percent increase and Northeast Regional trains up 12.9 percent. For the first six months of FY 2010, Acela service increased 2.9 percent and Northeast Regional

service grew by 4.7 percent. Ridership on long-distance trains increased by 16 percent in March and is up 5.2 percent for the first two quarters of FY 2010. Long-distance trains posting strong six-month numbers include

City of New Orleans (Chicago – New Orleans ) up 16.4 percent, Sunset Limited (New Orleans – Los Angeles) up 15.1 percent, Silver Star (New York – Raleigh – Tampa – Miami) up 8.3 percent and Coast Starlight (Los Angeles – Seattle) up 7 percent.

In the Chicago hub, ridership on

Lincoln Service (Chicago – St. Louis) showed significant growth with an 18 percent jump in March and 11.6 percent for the six month period. Hiawatha Service (Chicago – Milwaukee) continues to grow with a 14.3 percent increase in March and up 4.8 percent fiscal year to date. Elsewhere in the Midwest, the Missouri River Runner (Kansas City – St. Louis) is up 24.2 percent for March and 15.8 percent for the first half of the Amtrak fiscal year, while the Blue Water

(Chicago – Port Huron) increased by 21.7 percent in March and 5.2 percent for fiscal year to date. In the West, ridership on

San Joaquin (Bakersfield – Oakland) is up 13.2 percent for March and 5.4 percent for the year. Pacific Surfliner (Los Angeles – San Diego) increased 7.5 percent in March and its six-month figures are about even with the same period a year ago. Amtrak Cascades

(Eugene, Oregon – Vancouver, B.C.) increased by 11.4 percent in March and saw a 16.7 percent increase for the first six months of the fiscal year. Amtrak’s popular

Auto Train saw significant growth in the month of March, increasing 25.1 percent over March 2009, and carrying nearly 25,000 passengers and their cars, motorcycles and other personal vehicles between Lorton, Va., and Sanford, Fla. For fiscal year to date, Auto Train

ridership has increased by 8.6 percent.The FY 2010 Amtrak ridership figures are consistent with the annual growth seen during the last several years that saw a 32 percent increase in passengers from FY 2002 to FY 2008. In order for Amtrak to continue to accommodate increasing demand for intercity passenger rail service it must replace, expand and modernize its fleet of aging locomotives and passenger rail cars. Mr. Boardman describes this as the railroad’s “most urgent unfunded need” and recently requested $446 million from Congress to fund its Fleet Acquisition Program.

About Amtrak

As the nation’s intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 2009), the railroad carried 27.2 million passengers, making it the second-best year in the company’s history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day—at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph)—to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.

www.amtrak.com

AMTRAK LAUNCHES Wi-Fi ® SERVICE

Rick — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:28:49 +0000

AMTRAK LAUNCHES Wi-Fi ® SERVICE

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.

www.amtrak.com

READING & NORTHERN RAILROAD RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Rick — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:21:43 +0000

READING & NORTHERN RAILROAD RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION:

Reading & Northern Railroad has been named a winner in the 2010 American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Marketing Awards Competition. Andrew M. Muller Jr., CEO of Reading & Northern Railroad, said he is pleased with the recognition. “In a time when many companies are downsizing and profit margins are decreasing, Reading & Northern is moving forward and expanding its operations,” he said. “Being recognized nationally by the Shortline Association is a great honor and proves that this company is doing everything necessary to ensure the railroad’s future.” The ASLRRA competition looked at hundreds of marketing plans of short line and regional railroads from across the country. Reading & Northern’s plan consisted of its new venture in the Marcellus Shale business, an up-and-coming resource in the natural gas industry that is now being utilized for energy. In 2009, the company took an underused railroad yard and turned it into the preeminent facility serving the needs of the companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Reading & Northern’s Pittston Yard (near Scranton) offers over 800 car spots (six times the number of any of its competitors), twice a day switching service and over 50 acres of property for further shale-related development. “This award is recognition of the great work done by our employees. Working as a team we found the perfect partner to develop the business, D&I Silica, and we transformed a barren landscape into a state-of-the art transload operation in a manner of weeks. Our reward for our effort was over 200 carloads of new business in the first 60 days of operation. And now the icing on the cake, this great award from the Shortline Association recognizing our effort,” added Wayne A. Michel, president of Reading & Northern Railroad. Reading & Northern Railroad, with its corporate headquarters in Port Clinton, is a privately held railroad company serving major businesses in eight counties in Eastern Pennsylvania, including Bradford, Carbon, Schuylkill, Luzerne, Northumberland, Lehigh, Lackawanna, Berks, and Wyoming counties. It has expanded its operations over the last 26 years and has grown into one of the premier railroads in the state, with both freight services and passenger excursion operations. Reading and Northern continues to grow and currently employs 150 employees.

www.readingnorthern.com

R&N – posted 3/16

New California Public Awareness Campaign Aims To Reduce Train-Related Pedestrian Deaths and Injuries

Rick — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:13:50 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marmie T. Edwards, OLI, 1-800-537-6224 or

Vernae Graham, Amtrak, 510-238-4360

New California Public Awareness Campaign

Aims to Reduce Train-Related Pedestrian Deaths and Injuries

OAKLAND, California, February 11, 2010 – California leads the nation in pedestrian-train fatalities and in the past 12 months, the Bay Area has experienced an upward trend in deadly train incidents. In an effort to reduce the number of pedestrians who are killed and injured when trespassing around tracks and trains, Amtrak (

Injuries and fatalities associated with trespassing on railroad property are a significant – and growing – problem. According to Federal Railroad Administration statistics, the casualty rate for all rail trespassers rose in 2008 (the latest full year for which there is statistics). More than 880 Americans died or were injured in railroad-related trespassing incidents in 2008, and the numbers have topped 9,000 in the last ten years. In 2008 California had 60 train-pedestrian fatalities and 48 injuries. Through the first 11 months of 2009, preliminary figures show, 56 California pedestrians were killed in train-related incidents, compared with 53 deaths in the same period for 2008.

The Common Sense campaign kicked off with a news conference at Amtrak’s Oakland maintenance facility, with remarks by Pete Aadland, Operation Lifesaver state coordinator; Captain James Martino, Amtrak Police; Robin Potter, the Fresno mother of a 15-year old who died in 2008 playing on the tracks; and David White, partner, Exit 10 Advertising. The campaign is sponsored in California by Amtrak and Operation Lifesaver, Inc., and is supported by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Caltrain, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway.

“Our goal for this campaign is to save lives by letting people know that walking or playing around train tracks or using railroad tracks as a shortcut is potentially deadly and always illegal,” said Helen M. Sramek, president of Operation Lifesaver, Inc.

“Pedestrian injuries and fatalities on railroad tracks are preventable,” said William D. Bronte, Division Chief, Caltrans Division of Rail. “People don’t often understand the impact of these incidents on train crews. We are pleased to work with Operation Lifesaver, California’s rail agencies and our industry colleagues in this important effort.”

Roy Deitchman, vice president, environmental health and safety for Amtrak said, “Individuals must make the right decision to stay off the tracks and the

Common Sense message does just that. Through this public-private safety partnership, the Common Sense campaign will raise public awareness and understanding about the risk of trespassing.”

“My son Shawn lost his life because he thought he could outrun a train. Teenagers and young adults also may be distracted by cell phones, texting, listening to iPods or other MP3 players if they’re near the tracks. This new public awareness campaign has a simple message: staying away from the tracks is common sense, and it can save your life,” said Potter.

www.amtrak.com

AMTRAK’S COAST STARLIGHT RE-INTRODUCES REAL CHINA AND TABLE LINENS

Rick — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:29:00 +0000

AMTRAK’S

COAST STARLIGHT

RE-INTRODUCES REAL CHINA AND TABLE LINENS

Elegant dinner service aims to improve customer satisfaction

OAKLAND – 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).

February 9, 2010

ATK-10-014

Contact: Media Relations

510 238.4360