Rail Industry News
Hundreds of communities across the country host National Train Day events on May 12
(Source: Amtrak press release (PDF), May 3, 2012) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hundreds of grassroots events are being held in communities across the nation on Saturday, May 12, 2012, for the 5th Annual National Train Day, a celebration of trains and the different ways trains...
Exhibit to mark Amtrak’s 40th anniversary
(Source: Toledo Blade, May 4, 2012) TOLEDO, Ohio — In 1971, the newly created Amtrak was generally viewed from one of two angles: the salvation of passenger trains in the United States, or an orderly funeral to phase them out. Forty-one years later, "America's...
Amtrak enlists iPhones as a service tool
(Source: New York Times, May 6, 2012) NEW YORK — Old-school train conductors are finally ready to give up their hole punchers to try something new: the iPhone. Full story: New York Times
Norfolk Southern’s ‘Heritage Fleet’ celebrates historic railroads
(Source: Toledo Blade, May 5, 2012) TOLEDO, Ohio — To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the merger that created it, Norfolk Southern is decorating 20 new locomotives in the paint schemes of historic railroads whose lines contributed significantly to the company’s...
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana give $600,000 for high-speed rail study
(Source: Associated Press, May 6, 2012) KALAMAZOO, Mich. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says Michigan, Illinois and Indiana are contributing $200,000 each to a $4 million study to creating a high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and Detroit. Full story:...
KCS elects three directors, announces dividends at annual meeting of stockholders
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release, May 4, 2012) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 3, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. With over 92% of KCS’ outstanding common and preferred stock represented in person...
LaHood makes another pitch for ‘Buy America’
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 4, 2012) Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood used the occasion of the Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Forum held in Kansas City, Mo., to again call on U.S. manufacturers to submit bids to build the first...
DC man indicted for allegedly making 2 bomb threats against Amtrak bridge in Washington
(Source: Associated Press, May 4, 2012) WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Washington man is facing charges after allegedly twice threatening to bomb an Amtrak bridge in the city. Full story: Washington Post
Opinion: A political football in Los Angeles
(Source: Los Angeles Times opinion column, May 7, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Consider two projects that could have profound impacts on Los Angeles: Both would create thousands of jobs. One would increase traffic a bit; the other would significantly decrease it. One would be...
Buffett says Berkshire will top $34 billion railroad purchase
(Source: Bloomberg News, May 7,2 012) OMAHA, Neb. — Warren Buffett, who built Berkshire Hathaway Inc. into a $200 billion company through stock picks and acquisitions, said his firm may top its largest deal, the 2010 purchase of railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe....
Two senators back shippers in Berkshire Hathaway rate case
(Source: National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association, May 7, 2012) ARLINGTON, Va. — Two U.S. senators are siding with captive shippers who say they shouldn’t have to pay extra in shipping rates because investment giant Berkshire Hathaway bought freight railroad...
Berkshire’s Rose turns to manufacturing as coal ‘traumatized’
(Source: Bloomberg News, May 5, 2012) NEW YORK — Matt Rose, chief executive officer of Warren Buffett’s railroad, said he is counting on deliveries of manufactured goods to build the business after coal shipments declined amid reduced demand from power plants. Full...
Thirteen arrested blocking BNSF coal train in White Rock
(Source: Vancouver Observer, May 5, 2012) VANCOUVER — Thirteen activists, including a Nobel Peace Prize winning economist, have been arrested in a coal train blockade, after Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) was granted a pre-emptive court order. Full story:...
California high-speed rail sets route, gets $1 billion offer
(Source: Chicago Tribune, May 4, 2012) LOS ANGELES — The California High-Speed Rail Authority took a key step toward developing its proposed passenger-train system Thursday, certifying environmental reports and formally approving the first portion of the line between...
FBI investigating after bomb squad removes ‘suspicious device’ from CSX tracks near Jacksonville power plant
(Source: Florida Times-Union, May 2, 2012) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office bomb squad has safely removed what police described as a "suspicious device" deliberately placed under the rails of CSX tracks, about one-half mile east of the...
Norfolk Southern adds Monongahela Railway to heritage locomotive roster
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, May 3, 2012) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern added the Monongahela Railway to the legacy railroads that the company is honoring with its 30th anniversary heritage paint schemes, bringing to 20 the number of predecessor roads to...
Major upgrade of Union Pacific’s rotary snow plows
(Source: Sierra Sun, May 3, 2012) TRUCKEE, Calif. — The Truckee Donner Railroad Society's rotary snow plow is about to become even more of a historic artifact. Union Pacific is rebuilding its rotaries in a way that will change the appearance of the snow-removal...
Green Bay rail museum’s Dwight D. Eisenhower steam locomotive returning to England
(Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 4, 2012) GREEN BAY, Wisc. — The mighty steam engine named after Dwight Eisenhower is about to get its passport stamped again. Almost half a century ago, the locomotive and coal tender traveled from England via rail and sea to...
BNSF donates $40,000 to support World War II veterans
(Source: Billings Gazette, May 2, 2012) BILLINGS, Mont. — With a $40,000 financial boost, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway will help nearly 100 World War II veterans will make the inaugural flight to Washington, D.C., to visit their memorial in June. Full story:...
B.C. protest tomorrow to stop Warren Buffett’s BNSF coal trains
(Source: Fire Dog Lake, May 3, 2012) Warren Buffett, the third wealthiest man on the planet (net worth: $44 billion), often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is the target of a May 5 action called for by Stop Coal B.C. Well, not Buffett directly, but a rail...
BLET News
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
