In the News . . .

Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act vote cancelled
Senator Herb Kohl, a Democrat from Wisconsin and the primary sponsor of the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009, has cancelled a Senate vote on the bill. The bill seeks to remove the rail industry’s limited antitrust exemptions, and also would remove the Surface Transportation Board’s exclusive jurisdiction over the rail industry, allowing the Federal Trade Commission to regulate railroads. Senator Kohl has reached an agreement with others, including Senator Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, to include the bill in other legislation pertaining to railroads to create a more "robust reform package" for the industry.
Railway Age, "Rereg cloture vote canceled as Senate seeks compromise" 2 June 2009.

Amtrak emphasizes frequency and reliability over speed
Recently, in an address to the Illinois House Railroad Industry Committee, Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman stated that U.S. passenger service will benefit more quickly from reliable, frequent operations, rather than from efforts to obtain high speed trains like those in Europe and Asia. Such high speed trains, he explained, would be very expensive and unattainable with the high speed funds identified by the Obama administration. He also felt that addressing existing speed restrictions was important. Boardman cited one case where Amtrak is limited to speeds of 5 mph because of freight train congestion and outdated track and signaling equipment.
Railway Age, "Amtrak CEO: Frequency, reliability are service keys" 13 May 2009.

NC Operation Lifesaver performs crossing blitzes
North Carolina Operation Lifesaver, with help from the Charlotte Area Transit System, NCDOT, Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, CSX, NCRR, and various police departments, organized a railroad safety education blitz between Charlotte and Thomasville. Volunteers stood at various railroad crossings distributing coloring books, bookmarks, key tags, litter bags, and safety tip brochures. Over the 4 day event, 9,430 total disbursements were made--effectively sending important safety messages throughout the communities. Operation Lifesaver will do a second crossing safety blitz in Greensboro and Mebane on June 3rd and June 4th and expects similar success. For more information on Operation Lifesaver, please visit www.ncol.org.

Freight-car orders in sharp decline
Economic Planning Associates, Inc (EPA) recently released their "Outlook for Rail Cars" quarterly report. With the declining rail traffic, there were only 2,374 rail-car orders in the first quarter of 2009. This is the lowest quarterly level since 1982-1983. As car assemblies for backlogs in coal, tank, and covered hopper cars are completed, it is anticipated that 25,600 rail-cars will be delivered in 2009. EPA predicts that rail-car deliveries will not fully rebound until 2011.
Progressive Railroading, "EPA report: Freight-car orders fall to 27-year low in first quarter "11 May 2009.

Corridor management bill moves through NC General Assembly
The Railroad Corridor Management Bill (House Bill 116), which helps protect valuable rail corridors throughout the state, encourages railroads to provide their maps to local governments and surveyors and to respond more quickly to information requests, was passed by the NC House. The bill has now been referred to the Senate Judiciary I Committee. For more information, please visit http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2009&BillID=h116.

Old railroad ties may equal clean energy
Each year 25 million used railroad ties are disposed of in North America and, according to the University of North Dakota's Energy & Environmental Research Center (ERCC), those materials could be converted into clean, green energy. The EERC recently demonstrated a clean energy system designed to convert the ties into heat and power. The ties are chipped before being fed into a power system, which operates at a much lower pressure and flow rate compared with similar systems. The system would safely dispose of the ties, which contain significant amounts of coal tar that can be harmful to humans.
Progressive Railroading, "North Dakota University researchers to turn used ties into 'green' energy" 21 May 2009.

Working on the Railroad

On May 18, 2009, Arnold B. McKinnon, Norfolk Southern's second chairman passed away at the age of 81. McKinnon was a leader in the railroad industry for 50 years. He was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina and joined Southern Railway in 1951. He served as Norfolk Southern's chief executive officer from 1987 to 1992. After his retirement, McKinnon continued to serve on Norfolk Southern's Board of Directors. In 2007, Norfolk Southern named their headquarters building in Norfolk in his honor.

McKinnon was among the first to envision the railroad as an integral link in the global logistics chain. Under his leadership, Norfolk Southern increased productivity and controlled costs. McKinnon also accepted present-day Norfolk Southern's first Harriman Gold Medal Award for employee safety. Since then NS has earned 19 consecutive Harriman awards.

Arnold McKinnon was a remarkable leader, a talented railroader, and a great person. He will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Did you know ...

NC Railroad completes drainage improvement in Dover
The North Carolina Railroad Company recently completed a project to improve the railroad drainage facilities in Dover, N.C. (Lenoir County). The project greatly improved storm runoff removal and helped prevent standing pools of water in the rail corridor, which extends through town. The project involved primarily the area from the Old US 70 grade crossing to the Main Street crossing. Upgrades on the storm water drainage system included the construction of a new retaining wall and the installation of new concrete pipes. HNTB did the engineering, Norfolk Southern managed the project, and the work was done by Crowder Construction. The project cost of approximately $1.5 million came from NCRR’s Capital Improvement funds, and is part of a $120 million set of projects through 2012. To learn more about the North Carolina Railroad Company's capital improvement program, please visit http://www.ncrr.com/ncrr-capital.html.

Published by the North Carolina Railroad Company Volume 3, Issue 3
Comments or questions? Call Catherine Campbell or Kat Christian at (919) 954-7601 or e-mail: raillines@ncrr.com

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Raleigh, NC 27604

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