Happy Holidays from Rail Lines!
Always Expect a Train
The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) recently rolled out a new public safety billboard campaign in the state. NCRR and its partner North Carolina Operation Lifesaver are unveiling the program in advance of the holiday season with support from the NC Outdoor Advertising Association.
The billboard campaign will focus on the 317-mile rail NCRR corridor, which extends from Morehead City to Charlotte and passes through three large metro areas. Crossing safety remains a concern for North Carolina, ranked 9th in the nation for fatalities involving trains and vehicles or pedestrians.
Vehicle and pedestrian accidents are unnecessary and, through education, could be greatly reduced. In North Carolina in 2009, there were 55 accidents between trains and vehicles and 29 incidents involving “trespassing” – pedestrians on railroad tracks, all of which are private property. In all there were 23 fatalities and 45 injuries in 2009.
To learn more about rail safety, please visit www.alwaysexpectatrain.org.
In the News . . .
NCRR completes track realignment project in Kinston
After approximately nine months, the realignment of the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) track through Kinston is complete. The project to realign tracks was undertaken in partnership by NCRR and Norfolk Southern, and sought to increase train speeds and reduce delays at crossings through the city. This project and others in the area represent improvements to enhance safety, speed and promote economic development on the North Carolina Railroad and for the communities it serves. The project cost $3.3 million and was paid for with NCRR revenues. Train speeds will soon increase in downtown Kinston from 10 mph to 30 mph.
Article: The Free Press, "Rail project is complete" 1 November 2010.
Thomasville police patch pays tribute to railroad
The Thomasville, North Carolina police department recently redesigned the patches for their uniform. The new patches, which depict a steam locomotive, pay tribute to the railroad and to John Thomas, the man who founded Thomasville. Thomas was a state legislator in the 1830s. He purchased 1,500 acres of land around what became Thomasville and worked to get the North Carolina Railroad to lay tracks there. The establishment of a railroad through the area sparked home and business growth along the rail. As Major James Millis of the Thomasville Police Department said, "It was the power of the train locomotive and the placement of the rail that set in motion the building foundation for industry growth that helped make Thomasville today."
Article: The Dispatch, "New Thomasville police patch pays tribute to railroad" 4 November 2010.
Some states may reject high speed rail grants; other states may benefit
At a November meeting in Charlotte, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the federal government could reallocate money planned for Ohio and Wisconsin because their governors-elect have indicated they don't want to use the high-speed funds. However, the governors-elect haven't taken office, and neither state has formally announced it will decline the grants. The states were slated to receive $1.2 billion in aid. LaHood praised North Carolina leaders for their work on high-speed rail and indicated North Carolina may be in a position to receive additional funding. North Carolina and Virginia won federal grants totaling $623 million in January and an additional $68 million in October for the shared Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor from Charlotte to Washington. The two states have asked for $7.1 billion to complete the 475-mile project.
Article: The News and Observer, "State could get a rail windfall" 18 November 2010.
Patriot Rail to operate P&N Railroad in Gaston County
Florida-based Patriot Rail and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recently finalized a 20-year plan for the rail company to operate, maintain and market freight service on the Piedmont & Northern railroad corridor, a 13-mile stretch of track from Mount Holly to Gastonia that has been unused since CSX stopped service on the line in the 1980s. NCDOT bought the P&N right of way and track in 1991 to preserve for future transportation purposes. The lease agreement with Patriot Rail means the company plans to restore freight traffic to part of the line in 2011. The 2011 target date is for service on four westernmost miles of track DOT has already upgraded. The state plans to improve another nine miles starting in spring 2011. When the entire project is complete, the P&N will have interchanges with major carriers Norfolk Southern Railway at Gastonia and CSX Transportation at Mount Holly.
Article: Gaston Gazette, "Deal to open unused railway chugs forward" 2 December 2010.
Working on the Railroad
As Amtrak’s Principal Officer for Policy and Development in the South, Jay McArthur brings over thirty-two years of railroad experience to Amtrak, where he is charged with overseeing state supported services and the development of emerging markets in the South. Jay has served in numerous positions within Amtrak such as Superintendent of Amtrak’s Southern Division and General Manager of its Atlantic-Coast Business Group as well as several train operations and terminal management assignments through-out the company. Jay has extensive experience with state agencies and many local governments within the Southern United States.
As a native of Robeson County, NC, Jay attended Pembroke State College, known today as the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He currently serves as a board member for North Carolina Operation Lifesaver which he has been involved in for several years. Prior to joining Amtrak in 1984, Jay was with Seaboard Coast Line in the Transportation Department, where he was a conductor, tower operator and yardmaster.
Under Jay’s leadership Amtrak’s state-supported services continue to grow and now account for approximately 47 percent of Amtrak’s average weekday departures. Most recently Jay has been instrumental in planning and coordinating new state supported frequencies in North Carolina and Virginia and is involved in several planning projects in these states as well as South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana. “One of the most exciting things about my present position is developing Amtrak’s approach to the rail passenger business in a partnership environment,” McArthur says. “We strive for transportation solutions with our state partners along with railroads and the communities we serve. Our goal is to provide travel alternatives that are reliable and environmentally responsible where we all can grow and benefit. I love this job.”
Did you know ...
Norfolk Southern recently installed crossties and surfaced track in eastern NC
Norfolk Southern work crews recently installed new crossties and surfaced the track on the eastern portion of the North Carolina Railroad. A Norfolk Southern “Super Gang” – a group of skilled rail workers that travel around the network and work on the track – worked over the past couple of months to replace the ties and smooth out the track. Between 1,000 and 1,500 ties were installed per mile by the super gang. After the ties were installed, the track was surfaced. This includes tamping the ties, leveling the track, and banking the curves. Norfolk Southern, freight operator of the NCRR, is responsible for maintaining the railroad and funded this project at a cost of approximately $4 million. Rail-served industries are important to the economic health and growth of eastern North Carolina, and the NCRR line also serves the port of Morehead City, Camp LeJeune, Cherry Point MCAS, Seymour Johnson AFB and many other companies that employ thousands of people.
To view more images of the tie and surfacing work, please visit http://www.ncrr.com/LaGrange-slideshow/.
Tell us what you think of Rail Lines. Please let us know what we can improve or what you would like to learn more about. Email raillines@ncrr.com. We appreciate your input!
Published by the North Carolina Railroad Company Volume 4, Issue 6
Comments or questions? Call Catherine Campbell at (919) 954-7601 or e-mail: raillines@ncrr.com
2809 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27604
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