In the News…
NCRR completes Shared Corridor Commuter Rail Capacity Study
Click for larger image. 
The North Carolina Railroad Company has recently completed a Shared Corridor Commuter Rail Capacity Study between Greensboro and Goldsboro. The study demonstrates that it is feasible to run commuter rail service within the study corridor, but significant capital infrastructure investments would be needed to ensure that such service does not negatively impact the core freight movement business of the NCRR by Norfolk Southern for North Carolina freight customers.
The entire commuter rail system described in the study would not need to be built simultaneously. It would be possible to build a route, or a portion of the route that served a clearly defined commuter market. Further analysis of potential ridership and funding sources would be needed if communities are interested in pursuing such a system.
Links to related news clips are listed at the end of the newsletter. For more information and to read a summary of the study results please visit: http://www.ncrr.com/capacity-study.html
Please send comments on the study to raillines@ncrr.com.
Railroads reach agreement on Positive Train Control
Three Class I railroads, Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and Norfolk Southern, signed an agreement on October 8th establishing interoperability standards for Positive Train Control (PTC). The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires all Class I railroads and passenger railroads implement a PTC system by December 31, 2015 on all
main line tracks used by intercity passenger trains and commuter trains, as well as on lines carrying hazardous materials. The agreement was an important step in advancing the technology.
Traffic World, "Rails agree on Positive Train Control" 9 October 2008.
Short Line Railroad Tax Credit Extension approved
On October 3rd the U.S. House of Representatives passed and the President signed into law the Short Line Railroad Tax Credit Extension. The credit provides a 50% tax credit for infrastructure rehabilitation on Class 2 and Class 3 railroads, up to $3,500 per year per track mile owned. Short line and regional railroads own about 50,000 miles of track in the Untied States. This credit will encourage $340 million in track rehabilitation spending per year.
Progressive Railroading, "Enacted 'economic rescue' bill includes two year extension for short line tax credits" 7 October 2008.
Public transit systems face capacity concerns
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recently reported 85% of transit systems in the country are experiencing capacity problems as ridership surges. APTA reported that public transit systems nationwide experienced a 5.2% increase in ridership for the 2008 second quarter, which is almost 140 million more trips than the second quarter of 2007. The majority of the transit systems surveyed reported that they faced limitations (mostly financial limitations) in their ability to add service to meet the increased demand. High fuel prices have impacted public transportation and many systems are considering fare increases for the second time in less than a year.
To learn more visit: http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership.
FRA awards Research & Infrastructure grants
The Federal Railroad Administration recently announced eleven new Research & Infrastructure grants totaling $12.5 million. Some examples of grants awarded include Norfolk Southern who received a grant for their continued research on a battery-powered electric yard locomotive. The City of Vicksburg, Mississippi received a grant for a highway-rail separation project. The American Association of Suicidology was awarded a grant to determine the prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in locomotive crews involved in grade crossing accidents.
Railway Age, "FRA awards $12.5 million in grants" 15 September 2008.
Working on the Railroad
Craig Lewis is currently Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Norfolk Southern, but he has not always been in the railroad industry. His association with railroads began when his career as a lawyer brought him into the Conrail negotiations between CSX and Norfolk Southern in the late 1990s. Today he works for Norfolk Southern encouraging beneficial partnerships for the industry.
“One of the most rewarding things about railroading is that we approach business in a partnership frame of mind,” Lewis says. “We look for transportation solutions in which everyone – NCRR and other railroads, customers, suppliers, and communities – all can grow and benefit.”
Craig has degrees from Millersville University, the University of Nebraska, and Temple University School of Law. He served in the Pennsylvania Senate from 1974 to 1994, where he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman of the Ethics Committee, and Minority Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
He currently serves on Boards of many foundations and community organizations, including the Delaware Otsego Corporation Board of Directors (a New York regional railroad).
Commuter Rail Capacity Study News...
Commuter line a 141-mile vision
News & Observer - Raleigh,NC,USA
Trains and other equipment and facilities would cost another $356 million. The NC Railroad Company's study can be found at www.ncrr.com.
Study: Rail plan will cost county
Goldsboro News-Argus
The estimated cost of infrastructure improvements, equipment and support facilities needed to provide commuter rail service from Greensboro to Goldsboro is estimated at $1 billion. An in-depth look at the study released Thursday shows that Wayne County would have to...
Commuter rail study says it is feasible
Goldsboro News-Argus
A study released today by the North Carolina Railroad indicates that passenger rail service between Goldsboro and Greensboro would be feasible and could coexist with current freight traffic on the line. The 11-month study found that commuter trains and freight...
Study bolsters North Carolina commuter service
Railway Age Breaking News
The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) Thursday released results from an 11-month study concluding rush-hour commuter trains can operate on NCRR tracks, mixed with freight traffic, along with freight trains from Greensboro to Goldsboro.
Commuter rail system gets price tag
WRAL
The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) released an 11-month study Thursday that determined rush-hour commuter trains can operate on NCRR ...
Commuter rail could work, study says
Greensboro News Record - Greensboro,NC,USA
North Carolina could become "a national leader in commuter rail" by pursuing the idea, NCRR President Scott Saylor said. "This is a relatively new concept ...
Goldsboro-Greensboro commuter rail would cost $1B
Triangle Business Journal
Commuter rail would be feasible along North Carolina Railroad Co. tracks between Goldsboro and Greensboro, a new NCRR study says – though it would be costly ...
Bull City Rising
community website article and subsequent reader comments
Published by the North Carolina Railroad Company Volume 2, Issue 5 
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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