In the News . . .

Quick Repairs Counter Railroad Flood Damage
Along the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR), flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole impacted freight movement as well due to a number of washouts on the track. But, within 36 hours trains were rolling again, moving commerce on the 317-mile railroad which runs from Charlotte to Morehead City. Washouts occurred in three locations along the track in Craven County halting rail activity until repairs could be made. A washout occurs when drainage capacity is exceeded and the earth and rock bedding under the rails and ties is washed away, leaving the track unsupported.

Beyond fixing the damage done by Tropical Storm Nicole, NCRR has kept a keen eye to improving the railroad to avoid problems. Some of those projects include two new bridges between LaGrange and Kinston, six box culverts which are reinforced concrete drainage structures under the rail bed, and ongoing improvements and maintenance to rails, ties and the surface material. For images of some of the damage, repairs and other NCRR projects, visit: http://www.ncrr.com/quick_repairs.html.

Article: Railway Track & Structures, "NCRR, NS repair track damaged by Tropical Storm Nicole" 12 October 2010.


CSX profits on the rise
CSX Corporation recently reported at 43% rise in third quarter profit on volume gains as freight shipments are up 10% over this period last year. Freight volume was up in eight of the railroad's 10 major market segments over last year. Automotive and car-parts shipments were up 44%, intermodal volume was up 19%, and coal shipments were up 3%. CSX stock is up more than 15% since the start of September. Michael J. Ward, CSX Chie f Executive said the company plans to increase 2010 capital spending to $1.8 billion, up $2 million over 2009.

Article: The Wall Street Journal, "Strong Shipments Boost CSX Profit" 13 October 2010.

North Carolina receives another installment of ARRA grant
On September 30th U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the State of North Carolina would receive another 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. The $17 million installment will be used by NCDOT to make improvements to passenger stations and maintenance yards between Raleigh and Charlotte. The projects include parking and platform improvements at the Cary station, a platform canopy for the Kannapolis Station, expanded parking at the High Point Station, and an extended platform at the Burlington Station. All 9 stations between Raleigh and Charlotte will be equipped with station security management systems and public information display systems as part of the improvements. To learn about these and other NCDOT Rail Division ARRA-funded projects visit www.bytrain.org.

Article: Metro Magazine, "ARRA releases $235M to fund high-speed rail projects" 4 October 2010.


Cabarrus Regional Chamber host transportation summit
The Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce recently held a transportation summit to discuss both freight and passenger rail. According to City Manager Mike Legg, Amtrak ridership is up 22% in Kannapolis and up 168% between Kannapolis and Raleigh. This increase in ridership is attributed to the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. Numerous universities are represented at the campus, including NC State, Duke, UNC- Chapel Hill, NC Central, NC A&T, and UNC-Greensboro. Although, Amtrak passenger travel is up it was explained at the summit that an extension of Charlotte's light rail into Cabarrus County could be decades away.

Finally, the importance of freight rail was discussed at the summit. Russ Smitely, from the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway, described the importance of freight for removing congestion from highways and creating manufacturing opportunities and jobs in the state. He explained that 90 railcars are equal to 360 trucks and that there is a 75% reduction in greenhouse gases for every ton of freight that moves by rail instead of highway. Smitely also stated that for every dollar of investment in rail infrastructure $3 is returned to the U.S. economy.

Article: Independent Tribune, "Research Campus boosts local rail traffic" 28 September 2010.


NC Operation Lifesaver sponsors safety train
In September, North Carolina Operation Lifesaver organized two train rides to promote rail safety. The first was a round trip from Asheville to Marion on the Norfolk Southern line and the second was from Goldsboro to Havelock on the North Carolina Railroad. Each trip included over 100 officials, civic leaders, and citizens from those communities. The trips educate riders on the hazards that exist on the railroad at crossings and for trespassers. Through the use of video cameras on the front of the engines, the train allows riders to see the railroad from the engineer's perspective. Operation Lifesaver was formed in 1972 and has chapters in all 50 states, Washington DC, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Estonia, and Argentina. To learn more visit www.oli.org or www.ncol.org.

Articles: The Free Press, "Operation Lifesaver" 16 September 2010.
Asheville Business Blog, "Passenger Rail Returns to WNC" 9 September 2010.

Norfolk Southern to reduce greenhouse gases
Norfolk Southern recently announced its goal to reduce its carbon footprint with fuel-saving technologies and operating efficiencies. Their goal is to lower greenhouse gas emissions per revenue ton-mile by 10% by 2014. In 2009, NS recorded 158.5 billion ton-miles of freight, producing 4.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. A 10% reduction of emissions would result in 475,000 fewer metric tons released into the atmosphere by 2014.

Article: Progressive Railroading, "NS aims to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 10 percent by 2014" 2 September 2010.


Crossing and trespasser fatalities are up in 2010
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently reported that the number of rail-highway grade crossing fatalities in the first 6 months of 2010 have increased 13.6% to 125 compared to the same period in 2009. Trespasser fatalities were also up 20.1% to 227. The FRA also announced that the total number of accident/incidents was only up less than 1% from 2009, with 5,488 accidents/incidents in this year’s first six months. They reported that collisions were down 6.1% to 62, derailments dropped 1.8% to 642, and yard accidents dropped 0.6% to 492. 747 railroads reported data to the FRA Office of Safety Analysis.

In North Carolina, there were 30 highway-rail grade crossing incidents between January-July 2010, compared with 32 accidents during the same period in 2009. In 2009, North Carolina ranked 11th in the nation with 55 crossing collisions and 9th for trespasser fatalities with 15. For more data, visit http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/.

Article: Railway Age, "Crossing, trespasser deaths up in first half 2010" 1 October 2010.

Working on the Railroad

Michelle  Hollowell, has served as the Executive Director of The Railway Association of North Carolina for the past three years. The Railway Association of North Carolina is a group of 18 regional freight railroads, two Class I railroads and railroad-oriented suppliers operating in North Carolina. The Association promotes the benefits of freight rail to local, state and federal legislators and to the general public as a safer, more environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation that helps to remove truck traffic from congested highways and promotes economic development. Michelle feels very fortunate to have a job that she loves, to work in an industry she feels passionate about, and with people she respects.  The Association’s office is in Randleman, NC.

Michelle is married to Carl Hollowell, Vice President and General Manager of the Aberdeen, Carolina, & Western Railway, who is currently serving as the Association’s President.  Prior to her current position with the Association, she worked for several years as a Dental Assistant and Office Manager, after graduating from the American Institute of Medical & Dental Technology in Utah.  She has served as PTO President at her children’s Middle Schools, has served on a Private School Board, past Boy Scout Committee Chairman, and has served in various church callings, such as Young Women’s President, and President of their Women’s Relief Society Organization. She is very active in her church and continues to serve where needed.  Michelle and Carl have been blessed with four children, a daughter and three sons.   One of her greatest personal accomplishments was running her first marathon this past year in San Diego. To find out more about the Association, visit their website at www.ncrailways.org. 

Did you know ...

Track realignment through Kinston nears completion
Improvements to enhance safety, speed, and economic development on the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) in downtown Kinston are nearing completion. The track realignment project will permit increased train speed from the current 10 mph to 25 mph through Kinston, enabling trains to clear in-town crossings more quickly. Faster trains will reduce traffic delays at crossings and the project will improve clearances allowing today’s larger rail cars to pass through, opening up eastern North Carolina for more rail-served industries. The total budget for the track alignment and relocation is $3.3 million. The project is funded out of North Carolina Railroad Company revenues, and not taxpayer dollars. The North Carolina Railroad Company appreciates the cooperation and partnership of the downtown citizens, businesses, and the City of Kinston as the project approaches completion.

Tell us what you think of Rail Lines. Please let us know what we can improve or what you would like to learn more about. Email raillines@ncrr.com. We appreciate your input!

Published by the North Carolina Railroad Company Volume 4, Issue 5
Comments or questions? Call Catherine Campbell at
(919) 954-7601 or e-mail: raillines@ncrr.com

2809 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27604

To subscribe or unsubscribe to Rail Lines, please send an email to raillines@ncrr.com.