Friday, December 17, 2010

Norfolk Southern's 'Train Your Brain' public safety awareness program heads to Ohio

Received the following via email.

December 15, 2010

Norfolk Southern's 'Train Your Brain' public safety awareness program heads to Ohio

NORFOLK, VA. - It's on to Ohio in 2011 for "Brainy" and Norfolk Southern's "Train Your Brain" safety campaign after completing a two-year successful run in east central and northern Indiana.

The 2010 campaign made its own mark for attention-grabbing creativity, no small feat for a program that from its beginning has featured a costumed giant pink walking brain as its mascot. Brainy is a silent safety sentry who without saying a word helps train people to be smart around grade crossings and railroad property. Brainy made 18 public appearances in 2010, from the 13th Annual BBQ RibFest at Fort Wayne to the gridiron clash between Notre Dame and Utah, one of seven Notre Dame home games that Brainy attended. No one could miss the rotating brain perched atop the Train Your Brain tent at tailgating events. Fans had their photos taken with Brainy and viewed them on Brainy's Facebook page and on the Train Your Brain website at http://www.brainysworld.com/.

"This is great that Norfolk Southern is taking the time to give back to the community," and, "Brainy is a celebrity," are typical actual comments made by guests who visited the Train Your Brain tent.

David Julian, NS vice president safety and environmental, said a serious message is behind the campaign's whimsical approach. "Most all car-train collisions and trespass incidents, along with the resulting tragic injuries and deaths, are preventable by drivers and pedestrians being safe around railroad tracks and paying attention to highway warning signs and signals," Julian said.

The campaign was refreshed in 2010 by dramatic billboards featuring slogans such as, "I raced a train and all I got was this lousy full-body cast." Pizza patrons in Muncie, South Bend, and Fort Wayne got a side order of safety along with their pepperoni as Train Your Brain attached a lifesaving message to 100,000 pizza delivery boxes. In a stroke of good timing, the campaign's theater screen ads started running about the same time as the train crash movie "Unstoppable" started showing.

In 2010, the campaign distributed a total of 45,863 novelties, including 3,218 T-shirts, 15,300 stress brains, 12,475 puzzle sheets, 4,050 stickers, and 3,720 car decals.

Norfolk Southern launched Train Your Brain in 2007 in Memphis, Tenn., and took the campaign to Raleigh, N.C., in 2008. Indiana, traditionally a high-incidence state for car-train crashes and trespass violations, was targeted in 2009 and 2010. Next year, the campaign will concentrate in two Ohio corridors: Portsmouth-Bellevue, and Cleveland west to the state line.

Norfolk Southern's Grade Crossing Oversight Committee, an interdepartmental team that coordinates the company's overall highway-rail grade crossing and trespass prevention programs, provides direction for Train Your Brain, with support from the safety, law, operations, and corporate communications departments, and the creative team of the Archer Malmo advertising agency in Memphis, Tenn. Rick Harris, NS director corporate communications, and Bill Barringer, NS director grade crossing safety, administer the campaign.

The message is simple: Think smart at highway-rail grade crossings, and stay off railroad property and equipment. For more information, visit www.brainysworld.com. Norfolk Southern also is a longtime supporter of the national highway-rail grade crossing safety campaign, Operation Lifesaver.

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.

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Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Rick Harris, 757-629-2718 (rwharris@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Leanne Marilley, 757-629-2861 (leanne.marilley@nscorp.com)

Norfolk Southern to host investor day

Received the following via email.

December 15, 2010

Norfolk Southern to host investor day

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) will host an investor day on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at the company's state-of-the-art locomotive facility in Altoona, Pa., for active sell-side analysts and the company's largest shareholders.

At the meeting Norfolk Southern will present a comprehensive overview of marketing strategies and business growth opportunities, operating efficiency initiatives, service delivery enhancements, and development initiatives.

Event details (including simultaneous webcast details for interested investors) and registration information will be provided at a later date. Meeting registration is open to active sell-side analysts as well as NS' largest shareholders of record. Norfolk Southern's intent is to accommodate everyone who wants to attend the conference; however, attendance will be restricted if registrations exceed capacity.

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.

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Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Leanne Marilley, 757-629-2861 (leanne.marilley@nscorp.com)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Lehigh Valley Line through New Jersey

Received the following announcement via email.

LATE-BREAKING NEWS FROM THE RARITAN VALLEY RAIL COALITION
Contact: Kenneth Wedeen at 908.231.7021 / Fax: 908.707.1749 / E-mail: rvrc@co.somerset.nj.us

December 13, 2010

NJTPA Freight Planning Director
to Discuss Lehigh Line at Rail Coalition Meeting

Public Invited to Dec. 20 Meeting 

SOMERVILLE Elected officials, transportation professionals and the public are invited to the last Raritan Valley Rail Coalition meeting of 2010 on Monday, Dec. 20, at 8:30 a.m. in the third-floor freeholders’ meeting room located in the Somerset County Administration Building at 20 Grove St.

Ted Matthews, director of freight planning for the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, who will discuss the importance that triple-tracking the Lehigh Line will have on alleviating congestion and delays that result when freight and passenger service share the existing two-track railroad.

Free parking for the meeting is available in the Bernie Field Parking Deck adjacent to the Somerset County Administration Building; the entrance is off East High Street. Transit access is a short walk from NJ Transit’s Somerville train station and various NJ Transit bus routes. For NJ Transit bus and rail schedule and fare information, call (973) 275-5555 or visit www.njtransit.com

For questions, directions or more information, contact the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition at (908) 231-7021, by fax at (908) 707-1749 or by e-mail at rvrc@co.somerset.nj.us

In case of inclement weather, call (908) 281-9569 the day prior to the meeting to find out if it has been postponed.

Norfolk Southern Christmas and New Year Holiday Operations

Received the following via email.

Christmas and New Year Holiday Operations

Due to reduced shipments expected over the Christmas and New Year holiday, Norfolk Southern will curtail some train and terminal operations for a 48 hour period each holiday beginning at 7:00 AM on Friday, December 24 through 7:00 AM Sunday, December 26 and again beginning 7:00 AM on December 31 through 7:00 A.M. on Sunday, January 2. Operations necessary to protect critical shipments and to assure a rapid return to scheduled operations will continue through the period. Local train operations (pickup and delivery) during this period will be based on customer requirements.

Customers with critical shipments, particularly unit trains, where customer operations will continue through the holiday, should contact their Customer Service or Marketing Representative regarding service requirements.

Customer Service - - 800 635.5768

Where local service (pickup/delivery) will be required through the holiday period or for questions regarding specific shipments, customers are encouraged to contact their Central Yard Operations or Customer Service representative.

Central Yard Operations - - 800 898.4296

Monday, December 13, 2010

What's Wrong? FEC in VERMONT???

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


Greetings all: It has been awhile since I have sent anything out. Just haven't been motivated to do so, I guess... What better way to develop motivation than SNOW!!! Testing in the St Albans, VT area on New England Central (NECR) (Ex Central Vermont). Lots of FEC stuff up here...just doesn't seem right tho...FEC in the SNOW???!!!???!!!! That's about as bad as seeing NS in California!!!

FEC 2500 in St Albans, VT



NYSW 4052 - 4050 - 4054 at St Albans, VT



Amtrak 52 on NECR in St Albans, VT



CSOR 8530 at St Albans, VT



FEC 722 & others at St Albans, VT



CN 8801 rests under a waning moon at St Albans, VT

Here is our explanation of how FEC equipment happens to be in Vermont on the New England Central Railroad (NECR). The NECR is owned by RailAmerica, a holding company of short-line and regional railroads. RailAmerica is owned by Fortress Investment Group. Fortress Investment Group also owns Florida East Coast Railway (FEC). Rail America leases spare FEC power that was stored in Florida and uses that equipment on it various properties, including the NECR.

Friday, December 10, 2010

NS CEO named Railway Age 'Railroader of the Year'

Received the following via email.

December 9, 2010

Norfolk Southern CEO Moorman named Railway Age 'Railroader of the Year'

NORFOLK, VA. -- Charles W. "Wick" Moorman, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Norfolk Southern Corp., has been named 2011 Railroader of the Year by railroad industry trade journal Railway Age.

"Wick Moorman provides the strong leadership that has enabled Norfolk Southern to make great strides in areas that are critical to the future of the railroad industry," said Railway Age Editor William C. Vantuono. "In addition to performing solidly, controlling costs, improving productivity, and continuing to invest in growth capital in a recessionary economy, Norfolk Southern has excelled in technological innovation and development of public-private partnerships. Among the many examples of these accomplishments are the railroad's building and testing of an all-electric battery-powered yard locomotive, and opening the Heartland Corridor, a major intermodal artery developed in partnership with several states. Norfolk Southern is strongly positioned for growth and is an example of why railroads are increasingly the mode of choice for the nation's transportation needs. This is why we have chosen Wick Moorman as our 2011 Railroader of the Year."

"I am honored by this recognition," said Moorman. "It reflects on the entire Norfolk Southern team -- talented, dedicated, and committed to safety - who make our company a success. They are the very best in the business, and I am proud to be one of them."

Moorman is Railway Age's 48th Railroader of the Year. Modern Railroads magazine founded the award, one of the most prestigious in the railroad industry, in 1964 as the "Man of the Year." Railway Age acquired Modern Railroads in 1991 and has presented the award annually since then. Moorman will be honored on March 15, 2011, at Chicago's Union League Club. He follows in the footsteps of several railroad industry icons from the Norfolk Southern, Norfolk & Western, and Southern railways: Stephen C. Tobias (2008), David R. Goode (2005 and 1998), Arnold B. McKinnon (1990), L. Stanley Crane (1974), and D.W. Brosnan (1964), the first Railroader of the Year.

Railway Age will tell the story of Wick Moorman and the remarkable, innovative organization he leads at Norfolk Southern with a cover story in the magazine's January 2011 issue.

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.

Railway Age is a monthly trade magazine circulated at the management levels of North American freight and passenger railroads. Founded in Chicago, Ill., in 1856, it is the transportation industry's longest-running trade publication. Railway Age is published by the Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corp., New York.

Railroader of the Year recipients under Modern Railroads:
1964: D.W. Brosnan, Southern Railway System
1965: Stuart T. Saunders, Pennsylvania Railroad Co.
1966: Stuart T. Saunders, Pennsylvania Railroad Co.
1967: Louis W. Menk, Northern Pacific Railway
1968: William B. Johnson, Illinois Central Railroad
1969: John W. Barriger, Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad
1970: John S. Reed, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
1971: Jervis Langdon Jr., Penn Central Transportation Co.
1972: Charles Luna, United Transportation Union
1973: James B. Germany, Southern Pacific Transportation Co.
1974: L. Stanley Crane, Southern Railway System
1975: Frank E. Barnett, Union Pacific Railroad
1976: Dr. William J. Harris Jr., Association of American Railroads
1977: Edward G. Jordan, Conrail
1978: Robert M. Brown, Union Pacific Railroad
1979: Theodore C. Lutz, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
1980: John G. German, Missouri Pacific Railroad Co.
1981: Lawrence Cena, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
1982: A. Paul Funkhouser, Family Lines Rail System
1983: L. Stanley Crane, Conrail
1984: Hays T. Watkins, CSX Corp.
1985: John L. Cann, Canadian National
1986: Raymond C. Burton Jr., Trailer Train Co.
1987: Willis B. Kyle, Kyle Railways
1988: Darius W. Gaskins Jr., Burlington Northern
1989: W. Graham Claytor Jr., Amtrak
1990: Arnold B. McKinnon, Norfolk Southern
1991: Mike Walsh, Union Pacific Railroad

Recipients under Railway Age:
1992: William H. Dempsey, Association of American Railroads
1993: Raymond C. Burton Jr., TTX Co.
1994: L.S. "Jake" Jacobson, Copper Basin Railway
1995: Edwin Moyers, Southern Pacific Transportation Co.
1996: Robert D. Krebs, AT&SF, and Gerald Grinstein, Burlington Northern
1997: Paul M. Tellier, Canadian National
1998: David R. Goode, Norfolk Southern
1999: Edward A. Burkhardt, Wisconsin Central Transportation Co.
2000: The Railroad Worker (award presented as "Railroader of the Century" for 2000)
2001: Michael R. Haverty, Kansas City Southern Railway
2002: E. Hunter Harrison, Canadian National/Illinois Central
2003: Richard K. Davidson, Union Pacific Railroad
2004: Robert J. Ritchie, Canadian Pacific Railway
2005: David R. Goode, Norfolk Southern
2006: Richard F. Timmons, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association
2007: William E. Wimmer, Union Pacific Railroad
2008: Stephen C. Tobias, Norfolk Southern
2009: Michael J. Ward, CSX
2010: Matthew K. Rose, BNSF
2011: Wick Moorman, Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Leanne Marilley, 757-629-2861 (leanne.marilley@nscorp.com)

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Three Model Railroad Clubs - Last weekend to see them

Received the following announcement via email.


Three Clubs - Only one weekend left to see them this season.

The Model Railroad Club - Holiday Show
will be held at their headquarters at
295 Jefferson Ave., Union, NJ

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Dec. 10, 11, 12, 2010
Friday 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am to 8:00pm, Sunday 11:00am to 6:00pm

See the attached link at their web site for details and directions

http://www.tmrci.com/Show.html


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The two following two clubs are located right next door to each other.

Garden State Model Railway Club
will be held at their headquarters at
575 High Mountain Rd North Haledon, NJ 07508

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Dec. 10, 11, 12, 2010
Friday 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday1:00pm to 5:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm

See the attached link at their web site for details and directions

http://www.gsmrrclub.org/


The Model Engineers Railroad Club of North Jersey
will be held at their headquarters at
569 High Mountain Road
North Haledon, NJ 07508

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Dec. 10, 11, 12, 2010
Friday 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday1:00pm to 5:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm

See the attached link at their web site for details and directions

http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/merrcnj/

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Big Little Railroad Shop now on YouTube

Check out our 1 minute video on YouTube.

Title: The Big Little Railroad Hobby Shop

Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jM2Ohiyc5E

Last weekend for a holiday train show

Received the following announcement via email.

The last weekend of
The New York Society of Model Engineers Holiday Show
will be held at their headquarters at
341 Hoboken Road, Carlstadt, NJ
Only One Mile from Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
December 3, 4, and 5, 2010
Friday: 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday: 1:00pm to 6:00pm, Sunday: 1:00pm to 6:00pm

See the attached link at their web site for details and directions
http://www.ModelEngineers.org