In the News…

New rail customer in Garner
Golden State Foods, a major supplier for McDonald's, broke ground in late February for a distribution center in Garner, North Carolina. The $23.5 million, 133,000 square-foot distribution center will be located in the Greenfield North business park and is expected to create around 225 jobs. With the aid of Norfolk Southern rail service, the center will supply about 500 McDonald's restaurants in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Rail will be a key element of the success of the Garner operation, which will eliminate a major distribution step in the supply chain for the region.
The News & Observer, "Garner to gain 225 jobs" 15 February 2008.

Freight railroad capital investment at all time high
As the Wall Street Journal recently reported, a "railroad reniassance" is spreading across the nation. Many railroads throughout the United States have begun to make large investments in their rail networks. Since 2000, Class I railroads have spent $10 billion adding tracks, straightening curves, building freight yards, and expanding tunnels and another $12 billion in capacity improvements are already planned. This "reniassance" is a result of the increased demand on railroads in the U.S. In order to provide relief for the highway infrastructures, railroads in recent decades have begun to ship not only coal, timber, and other raw materials, but also finished consumer products.
The Wall Street Journal, "New Rail-Building Era Dawns " 13 February 2008.

Upgrades to Raleigh to Cary corridor
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) completed a $7 million signal and track improvement project between downtown Raleigh and downtown Cary in February. The improvements will increase passenger train speeds to 79 mph and increase efficiency for freight trains. The project is part of NCDOT's ongoing statewide rail modernization program. NCDOT partners with CSX, Norfolk Southern, the North Carolina Railroad Company, and local governments to improve safety, capacity, and efficiency on North Carolina's railroads.
Progressive Railroading, "North Carolina DOT upgrades track, signals along key corridor " 19 February 2008.

National Train Day is May 10th
Celebrate the first-ever National Train Day on Saturday, May 10th! It has been 139 years since the "golden spike" was driven into the final tie of the transcontinental railroad, connecting the east and the west of the United States. All these years later, railroads continue to be an important element in the transport of people and goods throughout this nation. Lets celebrate rail!
To learn more about National Train Day visit: http://www.nationaltrainday.com

Railroad safety improves in 2007
The Federal Railroad Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation recently reported that the number of train accidents in the nation has declined for the third year in a row. There was a 13.7% decline in train accidents (excluding highway-rail accidents) in 2007. That is 406 fewer train accidents than in 2006. From 2004 to 2007 there was a 24.6% decrease, or 833 fewer accidents. In particular, there was a 14% reduction in train derailments in 2007, as compared with 2006.
Railway Age, "FRA touts third straight decline for train accidents " 04 March 2008.


Charlotte transit awards STV/Ralph Whitehead contract
The Charlotte city council recently awarded STV/Ralph Whitehead Associates (STV/RWA) a contract to provide planning, environmental, and engineering services for an extension of the light rail Lynx Blue Line. The eleven mile extension would run from Center City to the US-29/I-485 interchange. One of STV/RWA tasks will be to assist the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in addressing the challenge of the light rail line crossing and running along existing railroad right-of-ways. CATS will be working to meet the requirements of and secure agreements with four different railroads, including the North Carolina Railroad.
Progressive Railroading, "Charlotte contracts STV/Ralph Whitehead to help plan Blue Line Extension" 28 February 2008.


FRA releases rail trespassing report
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently released a report entitled "Rail-Trespasser Fatalities: Developing Demographic Profiles," which analysizes trespassing deaths on railroads. Trespassing deaths account for the largest number of rail-related fatalities. There are about 500 trespasser deaths each year. According to the study, about 18% of those are suicides. The FRA wants demographic data about rail trespassers to continue to be analyzed so that rail outreach and educational programs can be effectively targeted and such incidents and fatalities can be reduced.
To read the full report visit: http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/safety/tdreport_final.pdf

NCDOT awards small freight railroads more than $2 million in grants
Through the Short Line Infrastructure Assistance Program, the North Carolina Board of Transportation has awarded 11 small freight railroads more than $2 million in state funds. The grants will be used to assist in track and bridge maintenance and upgrades for these 11 railroads that will directly benefit 23 counties and 81 companies employing more than 6,462 people across the state. To learn more about the program and the various projects planned visit: http://www.bytrain.org/redbarinfo/news/2007releases/grant07.html

Salisbury and the railroad make the big screen
Leatherheads, a romantic comedy starring George Clooney and Renee Zellweger, opens in theaters on April 4th. Much of the movie was filmed in North Carolina. Movie-goers nationwide will get of a glimpse of the North Carolina Railroad, the Salisbury train station, and other locations in the state. To learn more visit: http://www.visitnc.com/press_article.asp

Working on the Railroad

In 2001, Norfolk Southern created a "railroad within a railroad," called the East Carolina Business Unit (ECBU). ECBU operates 485 miles of track, over Norfolk Southern-owned tracks as well as those of the North Carolina Railroad. Although it is an integral part of the larger Norfolk Southern network, ECBU has its own management. Since November, 2005 the head of that management has been Jay Traywick.

After graduating from Wofford College and serving in the U.S. Marine Corp in Desert Storm, Jay began his railroad career. He first worked with the Burlington Northern in the Pacific Northwest on train/engine service. After three years there, he began his career with Norfolk Southern. He worked as an Assistant Trainmaster in Hagerstown, Maryland and then as a Trainmaster in Manassas, Virginia. He went on to work at NS offices in Birmingham, Alabama and Columbus, Ohio. Then, in late 2005, he came to Raleigh to become the General Manager of ECBU. In April 2006, Jay was made General Manager of both Norfolk Southern Business Units, ECBU and the Delmarva Business Unit (DBU).

ECBU has experienced great success under Jay's leadership. Eastern North Carolina has seen significant rail improvements and attracted new businesses and rail customers. ECBU also won a Norfolk Southern Corporation award for safety in 2007. Jay enjoys his current position. The Business Units offer the opportunity for responsibility beyond the traditional transportation roles he has held thus far.  Key among these are the partnerships with the North Carolina Railroad Company, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Railway Association of North Carolina, and many others.

Did you know?

Bridge span in Clayton replaced in one day

The North Carolina Railroad Company recently replaced the span of a railroad bridge over Old Highway 70 in Clayton, NC. The original bridge, constructed in the early 1900s, was the oldest existing bridge on the line. Its vertical clearance was only 13 feet 9 inches and it had been struck by trucks. The bridge's age and low clearance restricted rail operating speed (speed was restricted to 49 mph). By replacing the old span, current bridge design standards for both rail and highway infrastructure will be met.

The new span was built in Clayton by Structural Steel Products Corporation. Through the efficient work of HSMM Engineering and Norfolk Southern, the span change-out, by Norfolk Southern crews, occurred in a single day, February 6, 2008! The highway/vertical clearance is now 15 feet 6 inches. To learn more about the project and view images of the span replacement visit: http://www.ncrr.com/ncrr-bridges.html

Published by the North Carolina Railroad Company Volume 2, Issue 1
Comments or questions? Catherine Campbell or Kat Christian (919) 954-7601 e-mail: raillines@ncrr.com

2809 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27604

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