Sunday, March 28, 2010

BiCentennial GG1's are here


The O-scale, brass GG1's are in the shop. Stop in and check them out.

These exclusive run locos were described in our blog posting on Friday, February 05, 2010.

Finally got trackside after a long hiatus...

(Train sightings on 3-23-10 and 3-27-10.)

Finally got a chance to spend some time trackside after what seemed like an eternity for me in being away from them. The combination of weekend work and weather seemed to prove an effective deterrent from going there. With longer hours of daylight now and no weekend work for the time being, I was able to take advantage to see what was running along NJ Transit’s RVL and Lehigh Line within this past week. First stop was along NJT’s RVL near MP 37 on March 23rd. Train 5733 is seen heading into the Raritan yard at CP BRAD after completing its daily run.



With 5733 now clear of the main, NJT 5737 splits the signals at MP 37 after departing Raritan’s station around 6:23. Back on February 10th, which was when I last visited this location, there was almost seven inches of snow on the ground! Not the case on this fine spring day.



Saturday morning (3/27) finds CSX mixed freight 438 coming off the Trenton Line and on to CR’s Shared Assets LEHL at the waterworks grade crossing in Bridgewater. Motive power was CSX 5282 and CSX 7302 (ex-CR 6054) for this consist of mixed freight.



Next train to be seen on the LEHL was NS 212, seen here passing the Roycefield Road grade crossing. The "No Whistling" sign, seen off to the right, emphasizes to NS crews that they are now entering a “quiet zone” grade crossing. Might make a unique sign for a train layout, wouldn't it? Motive power for this train was NS 9075, NS 2551 and NS 9045. Not a bad day I must say…

Saturday, March 27, 2010

20th Annual NJ Railroad & Transportation Symposium

Just received the following announcement via email.

This event is happening today!
Saturday, March 27, 2010!


20th Annual NJ Railroad & Transportation Symposium
Saturday, March 27, 2010 9 AM - 5 PM Drew University - Madison NJ

This day long public event features 16 fast moving, informative, illustrated presentations on a variety of railroad, trolley, motor coach, and railroad-maritime canal topics as well as up-dates on the statewide effort to create a home for the NJ Transportation Heritage Center. You will be able to ask questions, learn, benefit and participate....

HIGHLIGHTS

HERITAGE CENTER UPDATE: Accomplishments, current status, and future plans of our initiative in various NJ locations.
PRESERVATION & RESTORATION: See the successes of Friends, United RR Historical Society & others around the state.

EXPLORING NEW JERSEY's TRANSPORTATION HERITAGE: Presentations will cover NJ railroads, buses, trucks, canals, trolleys and ferries including planned looks at:
- Our Possible Future at Liberty State Park;
- Central RR of NJ Car Restoration of the Jersey Coast;
- Red & Tan Bus Co.;
- The Lincoln Highway in NJ;
- Rails Along the Delaware & Raritan Canal;
- Lehigh Valley RR's Pleasure Spot - Packers Island;
- Reliving the exciting life as an employee of the Central RR of NJ;
- Phillipsburg Railroad Historian's Centerville & Southwestern Railroad;
- Transporting NJ Agriculture;
- Edison 1896 -1906 Railroad films;
- and some surprises.

The day will conclude with an AUCTION of Railroad and Transport Artifacts, Publications, Memorabilia, and Model Railroad items. All proceeds go to the Heritage Center.

Attendees will receive a free packet of magazines and other printed material.

EXHIBITS, SHOW & TELL ITEMS, FREE LITERATURE: On display will be artifacts, models, brochures, handouts, literature, flyers of future events, samples of publications from your nonprofit organization, and anything else focusing on NJ transportation.

HISTORIC RAILROAD & TRANSPORTATION ENTERTAINMENT (100% NJ): Guaranteed to educate and to be enjoyable as well as rewarding, plus there will be an information packet for each attendee.

LUNCH PLUS MORNING & AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS ARE INCLUDED in your Low Registration Fee!


Sponsored by the Friends of the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center.
The public is invited - bring your friends! Nearly 150 attended last year!

LOCATION: Drew University, Hall of Science Auditorium, Route 124 (Madison Ave./Main St.) Madison , just west of the town center, within a very easy walk from the NJ Transit - Madison Railroad Station. (The Hall is located at the east side of the campus - closest to the NJT station.)


NOTE: THIS EVENT IS NOT CANCELED IN EVENT OF BAD WEATHER!

DIRECTIONS: Drew University, Hall of Science Auditorium, Route 124 (Madison Ave./Main St.) Madison - just west of the center of town, within walking distance of the NJ Transit Madison Railroad Station. (The Hall is located at the east side of the campus - closest to the NJT station.)

Individuals needing special assistance should contact "Friends" @ (908) 464-9335 and we will notify Drew University.

Admission with Lunch for Friends members: $30.00 each at the door.
Admission with Lunch plus Friends 2010 individual membership*: $50.00 at the door.
*(Membership categories are:
- Individual $20;
- Family $25;
- Organization $50;
- Supporting $100; and
- Benefactor $500

Please make check payable to "F of NJ THC"

Toyota recognizes Norfolk Southern with logistics award

Received the following via email.

March 26, 2010

Toyota recognizes Norfolk Southern with logistics award

NORFOLK, VA. - Toyota Logistics Services has awarded Norfolk Southern Corporation the 2009 President's Award for overall logistics excellence among rail carriers, its highest award given to a logistics provider.

The award is based on overall performance in customer service, on-time performance, and quality. Norfolk Southern has received the President's Award seven times since the program began in 1996.

"Norfolk Southern is proud to have been a strong logistics partner with Toyota for more than two decades," said Richard Kiley, NS group vice president - automotive. "We remain committed to continue meeting Toyota's high standards for excellence by providing safe, damage-free, on-time service."

Norfolk Southern transported approximately one-half million Toyota vehicles in 2009, including those originating from NS-served plants in Georgetown, Ky., Lafayette, Ind., and Princeton, Ind.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Robin Chapman, 757-629-2713 (robin.chapman@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Leanne Marilley, 757-629-2861 (leanne.marilley@nscorp.com)

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

South Jersey Railroad Museum @Tuckahoe ... Closed !

We just found out that the South Jersey Railroad Museum @Tuckahoe has closed for good.

From their web site:

"This closing comes after nearly 12 years of operations and interactions with the surrounding communities, as well as, most of the United States, Canada, South America and European visitors.

The simple facts are, with the economy failing all over, our visitation numbers fell to a mere 3% of the normal over the past 24 months, and dwindling memberships and associates, we struggled to meet the operation costs."

More information at their web site: http://www.sjrails.net/index.php?pr=Home_Page

Sunday, March 21, 2010

F-units' March Madness!!

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his.

Finished the tests on the Alabama & Tennessee River and heading for the Georgia & Florida in Albany GA. With a few days between tests, Troy is heading for Louisiana...and we needed some place to stash the truck. He wanted to leave it in Montgomery, AL, I voted for Meridian, MS. I WON!!! Boy are we glad we did that!!! Just as we got into town, the KCS ran their executive train!!!! Seems like they brought the new Base Commander for the Coast Guard Base in from Shreveport, LA! Sure was nice to see the F's and the passenger train.


KCS 1 & train passes Amtrak in Meridian, MS



KCS 1 at Meridian, MS



KCS 2 preparing to depart Meridian, MS



KCS 2 westbound at Meridian, MS headed for Shreveport, LA

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Norfolk Southern CEO notes positive momentum in 2009 Annual Report

Received the following via email.

March 18, 2010

Norfolk Southern CEO notes positive momentum in 2009 Annual Report message to stockholders

NORFOLK, Va. - In his message to stockholders in the 2009 Annual Report, posted online today, Norfolk Southern Corporation CEO Wick Moorman (NYSE: NSC) says the company "withstood the economic shocks of 2009 to produce good economic results, and I go into 2010 with a sense of optimism for our future prospects."

Compared to a year ago, Moorman said, "we have a much clearer picture of our own economic outlook and can act accordingly." He cited the company's strides in safety and service, along with disciplined cost control, continued investment in key projects, and aggressive pursuit of new business opportunities, as important indicators.

"Even in the face of the recession," Moorman said, "we made significant gains in each of these areas, and these same strategies will drive our continuing success in 2010 and beyond. While the short-term economic outlook remains somewhat uncertain, the longer-term prospects for Norfolk Southern and the railroad industry remain very bright.

"We go into the new year with positive momentum. Our traffic levels increased sequentially in both the third and fourth quarters of 2009, and we're confident many of the cost efficiencies we achieved in 2009 will remain in place as we see rail traffic continue to increase," Moorman said.

The annual report is available on the company's Web site at www.nscorp.com. Some 200,000 copies are distributed to stockholders, the financial community, news media, and libraries. Norfolk Southern's annual report is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes environmentally responsible printing standards. To request a copy, call 800-531-6757, e-mail annualreport@nscorp.com, or write to Norfolk Southern Corp., Corporate Communications Department, Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, Va. 23510-9217.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Norfolk Southern contacts
Media Rick Harris 757-629-2718 rick.harris@nscorp.com
Investors Leanne Marilley 757-629-2861 leanne.marilley@nscorp.com

Friday, March 19, 2010

Trains and snow at Boundbrook, NJ

Received the following via email back in December, and it got lost in the Inbox.

Jan, I took these Sunday afternoon 12/20/09 at the BB station. IT WAS COLD! but I had to take a pic of a train with the snow flying. The engineers are warm but the cars are frozen.. lol


NS at Boundbrook, NJ on 12-20-09



NJT at Boundbrook, NJ on 12-20-09

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Easter Bunny Train Rides, March 27 & 28, 2010

Received the following via email. These rides are on NJ Transit, March 27 in Morris/Passaic county and March 28 in Bergen county. See web site given below for more information.


Tickets are going fast & will sell out. Don’t delay, order now!

Tickets: $9 for children under 12 and $13 for everyone else. Online save 50 cents per ticket.

http://www.easterbunnytrain.com/

March 27th - Rt23 Transit Center, Wayne: 9:30am, 12noon & 2:30pm.

March 28th - Glen Rock Boro Hall station: 9:30 am, 12:00 & 2:30 pm.

During the 90 minute ride the Easter Bunny will visit each child and give them a special gift. Bring your camera to take a picture of your children with the bunny! Other cartoon characters will be on board too, making it a great day!

Ticket office: Volunteer Railroaders Association80 Royal Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ
(open Tuesday & Thursday from 6 - 9 pm)
(973) 238-0555, major credit cards are accepted.

PS: I realize that this event may not be on topic for this group. But many of us have families & have need for rail related activities that are fun for the rest of the family, not just the rail buff!

Mike O'Toole - Webmaster
Volunteer Railroaders Association

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Circus Train Today - 3/8/10

Received the following via email. Text and pictures are by Rich Taylor.

The Ringling Bros Circus will be at IZOD Center in East Rutherford 3/10 to 3/14.
Their Circus Train arrived today, 3/8/10.
They left the dormitory cars at Croxton, and proceeded with the animal (stock) cars and flats to East Rutherford . The train used the new Meadowlands Station trackage to access the center.

The train ran past SPORT to west of Broad Street Carlstadt, then backed past PLANK onto the PB connecting track to BERRY and east. The flats were left on the tangent paralleling Paterson Plank Road by the race track. The stock cars were brought forward, crossed over from the north track to the south track at BERRY and backed to just short of the Meadowlands station.

The animals were unloaded about 3:30 per an unimpeachable source, as I had to leave.






Monday, March 08, 2010

Georgia Industrials

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his.

After an all to brief trip to the Sunshine State (Florida) , heading north a bit to Alabama to test the Alabama & Tennessee River RR out of Gadsden, AL. Spent the day following the NS line north out of Valdosta and found these two rock transfer yards with clean, well painted locos. Both operations were friendly and allowed total access to their units!

RMPX 8122 at Lenox, GA



DLSX 1254 (4038-17) at Lenox, GA



Reames & Son no# (5521-9) at Sparks, GA (3)



Reames & Son no# (5521-9) at Sparks, GA (4)

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Orange you happy?

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his.

Mosaic was interesting...the locos were not. Came across the CSXT (CR) unit on a tie train in Homeland, FL and as the title infers, lots of trucks loaded with ORANGES!!!

LLPX 2274 - 2268 at Mosaic Phosphates, South Ft Meade, FL



Mosaic Phosphates



Oranges



CSXT 2497 at Homeland, FL

Friday, March 05, 2010

Mother Seton Train Show 2010

Train Show on Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Jersey Central Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will be hosting their annual Train Show on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM at Mother Seton High School in Clark NJ. Mother Seton is located on Valley Road at the Clark traffic circle, Exit 135 just off the Garden State Parkway.

For additional details see:

http://jcrhs.org/rrshow.html

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Railroad fatality in Bound Brook, NJ

Following news article is from nj.com

Man is struck, killed by train in Bound Brook

By Jennifer Golson/The Star-Ledger
March 01, 2010, 4:43PM

BOUND BROOK -- Authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found today on railroad tracks in Bound Brook, days after detectives believe he was accidentally struck by train, authorities said.

The body was on the east bound tracks, off Vosseller Avenue, when an employee of a nearby business notified police at about 11 a.m. today, Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest said.
The prosecutor’s Crime Scene Investigation and Forensics Unit responded, along with NJ Transit Police, and investigators from CSX and Norfolk Southern railroad lines and the Regional Medical Examiners Office. Detectives believe the death was accidental, Forrest said. The man’s identity is being withheld until the family is notified.

The victim is a Hispanic man, between 40 and 45 years old. He is 5-feet, 5-inches tall and about 160 pounds. He was struck by a freight or cargo train probably during the evening hours of Feb. 24, Forrest said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bound Brook police at (732) 356-0800, the prosecutor’s office at (908) 231-7100 or Crime Stoppers of Somerset County at (888) 577-TIPS (8477). Citizens can also go online to http://www.888577tips.org/ and click "Give Tips" or http://www.scpo.net/ and click "Tips Hotline."

Georgia on my mind

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his.

The trouble with shortlines is that the nicer painted units are always around the office or switching in the yards...the ugliest, grungiest units are out on the road freights! This was the case with the Georgia & Florida in Albany, GA...The HATX 500 is for you, Eric!!!!

The Valdosta RR was done running for the day....unit 1284 is the loco of choice when running...waiting for the G&W paint brush to arrive here also!


HATX 500 (Georgia & Florida Leasing Pride) at Camilla, GA



Valdosta RR 1284 & 8371 at Clyattville



CSXT 5355 bangs across the NS diamonds in Cordele, GA



Georgia & Florida Railway 9459 at Albany, GA