In the News . . .

NCRR works on railroad upgrade in Kinston
The North Carolina Railroad Company is realigning the tracks through downtown Kinston.  The old alignment created clearance issues and restricted train speeds to 10 miles per hour. Due to increased business in eastern North Carolina, longer freight trains operate on this rail line.  The combination of longer freight trains, which create jobs in eastern North Carolina, and restricted track speeds produces traffic delays at grade crossings and inconveniences local residents. A realignment of the track will enable train speeds to increase to 25 miles per hour.  This will increase efficiency for freight trains and enable traffic conditions at grade crossings to improve. All crossings closed for the construction should reopen by mid-September and the project will be complete in early October.
The Free Press, "Queen Street Crossing Expected to Reopen" 13 August 2010.


Virginia and North Carolina form Interstate High Speed Rail Compact
The Virginia-North Carolina Interstate High Speed Rail Compact held its inaugural meeting on July 12th in Raleigh. The compact, which was authorized by Congress and established through legislation enacted by the Virginia and North Carolina General Assemblies, will work to advance high-speed rail initiatives in the two states, primarily the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor planned to link Washington, D.C., and Charlotte, N.C. The first meeting included the swearing in of the compact members and the election of Senator John Watkins of Virginia as the commission’s chair and Representative Nelson Cole of North Carolina as the vice-chair. The group also began discussion of its work program, including passing a resolution to coordinate the submission of grant applications and jointly support efforts to obtain funding for the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor. The next meeting of the compact has been tentatively scheduled for early January in Virginia. For more information please visit http://www.sehsr.org/.

Congress honors freight rail industry
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution July 27th honoring the U.S. freight railroad industry and its employees. The House voted unanimously in favor of the resolution which states that “Freight rail has played a critical role in the economic development of the United States and has helped to build cities and strengthen infrastructure throughout this great nation.” The resolution was sponsored by Representative Phil Hare of Illinois and supported by 28 bipartisan cosponsors. According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), freight railroads generate about $265 billion in total annual economic activity, and directly or indirectly support more than 1.2 million U.S. jobs.
Progressive Railroading, "House resolution pays homage to U.S. freight-rail industry" 29 July 2010.


North Carolina receives first installment of ARRA grant
On July 12th U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the State of North Carolina finalized a grant agreement for the first installment of the $545 million awarded to the state as part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to develop high speed intercity passenger rail. This first $20.3 million installment will be used by NCDOT to refurbish passenger coaches and locomotives to expand passenger service across the state.
Charlotte Business Journal, "NC gets $20.3M from fed for rail" 12 July 2010.

Rail Intermodal traffic continues to increase
The Association of American Railroads reported that July intermodal traffic on major U.S. railroads increased 2.4 percent (seasonally adjusted), which is the highest level since August 2008. In the final week of July intermodal traffic originated 232,895 containers and trailers, which was up 20 percent from the same week last year and the July numbers were up one percent over June.
Progressive Railroading, "AAR report: Weekly U.S. carloads, intermodal loads reach 2010 highs" 6 August 2010.

Working on the Railroad

Glenn E. Hartsoe, P.E. has worked as a professional engineer, developing and improving railroads along the East Coast, for half a century. He began his career with the Pennsylvania Railroad and served in positions ranging from Track Supervisor to Division Engineer. He then became the Chief Regional Engineer for Conrail’s Northeastern Region, covering the territory between Boston and Buffalo. During this time, he participated in a major rebuilding program with Conrail. In 1983, he became the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Guilford Transportation Industries, which includes the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central, and the Delaware & Hudson railroads. In 1987, Glenn joined Thomas K. Dyer, a railroad consulting firm, as Vice President. He was responsible for the direction of track and civil work involved in rail transportation design and construction projects.

After his retirement from Dyer in 2001, Glenn served as a private engineering consultant for the North Carolina Railroad Company. He assisted in the planning and execution of a number of the Company’s capital projects. After many dedicated years of service to the North Carolina Railroad Company, Glenn retired in July 2010, but will continue to provide consulting for NCRR on a limited basis. The NCRR Board of Directors, staff, and those affiliated with the rail industry in North Carolina will greatly miss his talent and insight.

Did you know ...

NCRR and Elon University complete pedestrian underpass

Through a joint partnership, the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) and Elon University completed a pedestrian underpass in June. The underpass provides safe passage for pedestrians and links Lebanon Avenue to Trollinger Avenue, between which the NCRR rail line runs. The underpass is located east of Williamson Avenue.

The project, a cooperative effort between the university and NCRR, is more than just a tunnel beneath the tracks. There has also been extensive landscaping and fencing was erected to ensure pedestrians are channeled towards the underpass and utilize it, rather than crossing the tracks. And because safety within the underpass must also be considered, the facility has six video cameras and an emergency phone. These additions reflect the university’s commitment to making the campus safe for its students, their families, its employees and its visitors.

The underpass will be officially dedicated at a ceremony on September 1st.

Published by the North Carolina Railroad Company Volume 4, Issue 4
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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