In the News . . .

CSX's National Gateway gains additional support
CSX's National Gateway project, a double-stack intermodal route between East Coast ports (including Wilmington, NC) and Midwest distribution centers, has now attracted backing from more than 100 organizations. The $850 million project will be funded through a public-private-partnership. The National Gateway calls for raising bridges, increasing tunnel clearances and building new terminals along existing corridors. The route is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 million tons, save about 2 billion gallons of fuel and decrease highway truck traffic by more than 14 billion miles. A recent Federal Railroad Administration report found that double-stack freight trains are up to five-times more fuel efficient than trucks. To learn more visit www.nationalgateway.org.
Progressive Railroading, "CSX's National Gateway garners additional backers" 7 December 2009.

Charlotte Area Transit System hires new CEO
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) recently named Carolyn Flowers as the new Chief Executive Officer. She took over the position from Interim CEO John Muth on January 4th. Flowers had most recently been the Chief Operating Officer for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Flowers will be advising the Charlotte city council on how to move forward with CATS. The existing Lynx Blue Line light rail service has seen tremendous success. On December 11th CATS Lynx registered its 10 millionth rider. Since the line opened in 2007, daily weekday ridership has averaged 15,000.
Charlotte Observer, "CATS names new transit director from L.A. County" 16 November 2009.
Progressive Railroading, "New York, North Carolina, and Georgia agencies mark milestones" 30 December 2009.

House supports increased transportation security
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a resolution stressing the importance of enhancing rail and mass transit security. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas), calls for implementing recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act by directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration to focus on the security assistance needs of railroads and public transportation providers.
Progressive Railroading, "APTA: House 'sends message' to DHS, TSA about bolstering transportation security" 7 December 2009.

Florida's SunRail approved by Legislature, but faces opposition
The Florida state Legislature voted to approve the SunRail commuter rail line from Volusia County to Poinciana, but opponents continue to fight the plan. Critics of the project are concerned about the high cost ($10 billion for a 61-mile long commuter line) and the potential lack of solid ridership. Opponents are also requesting more safety studies be done, as property owners adjacent to the tracks fear derailments. Supporters of the project feel the commuter rail line will attract individuals and businesses to the area, benefiting the economy and creating job opportunities.
Mass Transit Magazine, "Rail Bill Draws Protesters in Florida" 4 January 2010.


Rail represented 40% of total freight ton-miles in 2007
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Census Bureau recently released the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey. According to final estimates, rail shipments accounted for more than 1.9 billon tons (about 15% of total tonnage) of U.S. freight. Rail moves totaled about 1.3 trillion ton-miles, which is 40% of all ton-miles. Trucking accounted for 70% of total tonnage and 40% of ton-miles. Water shipments represented 15% of total tonnage and 20% of ton-miles. Prior surveys were conducted in 1993, 1997, and 2002.
Progressive Railroading, "Rail represented 40 percent of total ton-miles in '07, federal commodity flow survey shows" 23 December 2009.

Building a Better Railroad

Over the past decade, many dedicated individuals have been working on the North Carolina Railroad. Between 1999 and 2009, the North Carolina Railroad saw dramatic change. The following improvements were made through partnerships between NCRR, NCDOT, and Norfolk Southern Railway:

~ 10.7 miles of double track were added
~ 7.8 miles of passing sidings were built
~ 57.5 miles of continuous welded rail was laid
~ 90,000 ties were installed
~ 94 miles of track was surfaced
~ New signals were installed between Greensboro and Selma (already signaled from Greensboro to Charlotte)
~ 3.5 miles of yard tracks were rebuilt
~ 9 bridges were rebuilt
~2 bridges were modified for double stack and passenger clearance
~The maximum authorized passenger speeds increased from 59 to 79 mph between Greensboro and Selma

Thank you to all our partners (Norfolk Southern, NCDOT, economic developers, local municipalities, and the many others) for their contributions in making a faster, safer, and better railroad across our great state.

Did you know ...

Double Track between Greensboro and High Point is complete

The N.C. Department of Transportation, North Carolina Railroad Company, and Norfolk Southern have completed the restoration of a nine-mile section of track between Greensboro and High Point.

The new stretch of double track will help alleviate bottleneck delays, improve freight rail capacity and passenger train reliability. It will also provide future rail capacity for the federally-designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor as well as Norfolk Southern's Crescent Corridor.

NCDOT invested $23 million and NCRR provided $4 million to restore a second main track between Greensboro and High Point that had previously been pulled up in the 1970’s. The project was completed in three phases, each three miles. The entire project, overseen by Norfolk Southern with trains operating throughout the construction period, took two and a half years to complete.

Published by the North Carolina Railroad Company Volume 4, Issue 1
Comments or questions? Call Catherine Campbell or Kat Christian at (919) 954-7601 or e-mail: raillines@ncrr.com

2809 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27604

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