In the News…

Rail Component Gives Spirit AeroSystems Momentum
On May 14, 2008, Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR) announced that it will open a manufacturing plant at the N.C. Global TransPark in Kinston.  Rail service was one of the key factors in the decision by Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., the world’s largest supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components, to locate a new manufacturing plant in Lenoir County's Global Transpark.  In 2010, containers carrying finished aircraft components will be shipped on the North Carolina Railroad by Norfolk Southern for delivery to the State Port in Morehead City.  Commercial airline structures moving by rail will be up to 18 feet wide, up to 20 feet high and up to 70 feet in length.

Beginning in 2001, the North Carolina Railroad completely replaced old, light weight rail in eastern North Carolina to  the Morehead City Port with seamless welded rail that allows today’s bigger, heavier trains to operate smoothly and run faster.  The upgraded North Carolina Railroad corridor through Kinston, New Bern and Morehead City will serve Spirit. Spirit AeroSystems employs 14,000 people worldwide.  The manufacturing operation in North Carolina will mean 500-1,000 advanced manufacturing jobs in Lenoir County.
The Kinston Free Press, "Realigned corridor will have room for airplane fuselages, other large cargo" 20 May 2008.

Sanderson Farms to build rail-served facility in Kinston
Sanderson Farms, a chicken producer based in Mississippi, announced in late April that it plans to build a processing plant, feed mill, and hatchery in Kinston, North Carolina. The facility will create about 1,500 jobs. It will be Sanderson's first plant in North Carolina and will allow them to sell and deliver to retailers in the Northeast. Sanderson Farms will be a rail-served customer.
The News & Observer, "Kinston could get 1,500 chicken jobs" 25 April 2008.

Charlotte Area Transit System to purchase additional light rail vehicles Charlotte City Council recently decided to purchase four additional light rail vehicles from Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc. The vehicles will be delivered during the next two years and funded through a $15.2 million grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The CATS Blue Line, which opened last November, has exceeded ridership expectations with more than 1.9 million passengers.
Progressive Railroading, "Charlotte Area Transit System to purchase another four LRVs" 13 May 2008.

NGFA sees need for increased rail capacity
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has expressed concern recently regarding rail capacity constraints. NGFA consists of 900 grain-related companies that handle more than 70% of all U.S. grain and oilseeds. NGFA worries that decreased capacity will result in increased shipping rates and less efficient rail service. Therefore, NGFA is supporting legislation (H.R. 2116) that would allow tax credits to help finance freight rail infrastructure for added capacity. NGFA feels such legislation would encourage higher levels of investment from railroads and enable such investment to be made more rapidly. NGFA hopes that increased rail capacity will lessen the strain on U.S. highways.
To learn more visit: http://www.ngfa.org/article.asp?article_id=9613

New haz-mat routing rule to take effect
In April, the U.S. Department of Transportation introduced a new rule which requires railroads to perform a comprehensive safety and security analysis of all primary and alternate haz-mat routes. Railroads have until September 2009 to conduct the route assessments and then must implement their routing decisions. The rule applies to all railroads that move Poision Inhalation Hazard materials, such as chlorine and anhydrous ammonia, more than 5,000 pounds of certain explosives in a single carload, and certain high-level radioactive materials.
Progressive Railroading, "USDOT unveils new haz-mat routing rule" 17 April 2008.

Plans for commuter rail in Central Florida slowed
The Florida Legislature did not approve a bill that would have enabled CSX to sell the state of Florida 61 miles of track. Opposition to the legislation came from communities that would see increased freight traffic as a result of CSX rerouting their trains around the commuter rail line. There was also significant opposition to provisions within the bill that would protect CSX from all accidents involving passengers, making the state fully liable. Supporters of the plan feel the project is still alive and hope to gain legislative approval in a special session or in the regular session next year.
Orlando Sentinel, "Commuter rail far from dead, Mica and Dyer vow " 6 May 2008.

Working on the Railroad

Vivian Speight-Bridges has been the Executive Director of North Carolina Operation Lifesaver (NCOL), an organization focused on rail safety education, since March, 2000. Her career with traffic safety began in 1983 with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. While giving a safety presentation for the NCDMV she meet Colonel Charles Speed, the first NCOL state coordinator. She was impressed with the NCOL program and began adding rail safety information to the safety programs she was currently teaching for NCDMV.

Between 1983 and 1991 Vivian served several terms as president of the NC Passenger Safety Association. In the 1990s Vivian became an official presenter and trainer for NCOL and a part-time assistant to NCOL's second director, Jane Mosley. In February, 2000 Vivian retired from the NCDMV and the following month became the Executive Director of NCOL.

In 2001, Governor Easley appointed Vivian to be the state representative to the National Association of Women Highway Safety Leaders and she currently serves as the national secretary for that organization. Vivian also currently serves as President of the Highway Safety Association of NC. From 2002 until 2006, Vivian served on the national Operation Lifesaver Board of Directors.

Through her many years of service, Vivian has shown her dedication to safety and to the people of North Carolina. She truly loves her job and greatly appreciates the volunteers and partners who help to make rail safety a viable topic in North Carolina.

Did you know?

North Carolina Operation Lifesaver celebrates 30 years
North Carolina Operation Lifesaver (NCOL) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. To help commemorate the event NCOL, with the help of Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern, NCDOT, and the North Carolina Railroad Company, hosted a special train ride on May 12th. The train traveled from Raleigh to Greensboro to Rocky Mount and NCOL staff reminded participants of the importance of rail safety education.

Operation Lifesaver was started in Idaho in 1972 by a Union Pacific Railroad employee who was disturbed by the number of vehicle-train collisions. Autonomous Operation Lifesaver programs currently exist in 49 states and have contributed significantly to the over 50 percent reduction in crashes and casualties at highway-rail grade crossings since 1972. North Carolina Operation Lifesaver was started in 1978 after the North Carolina Rural Safety Council decided to take on rail safety as a project.
To learn more visit: www.ncol.org

Published by the North Carolina Railroad Company Volume 2, Issue 3
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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