Monday, October 19, 2015

A Sasquatch sighting along CSX's Trenton Line!

(Train sightings on 8-30-15.)  

On Sunday (August 30) I saw reports that CSX's 418, a Camden, NJ to Selkirk, NY mixed freight, was reported have as its power two leased units. That made it worth my time to head trackside and try to photograph them as they passed through Manville on their way north to Selkirk. Working the Manville yard was CSX C946-30. Its motive power was CSX 2707 (GP38-2; ex-SCL 6056), CSX 6244 (GP40-2; ex-B&O 4345), CSX 6158 (GP40-2; ex-WM 4259) and CSX 6151 (GP38-2; ex-B&O 4252). As this train slowly went down the Trenton Line, I could not believe my eyes what I was seeing! It was a creature that has been widely reported to exist mostly in the forested regions of the northwest United States but there is no definitive proof to collaborate its existence! As the KCS boxcar 129397 made its way slowly past my vantage point, this Sasquatch was looking down the tracks and never once glanced in my direction. Perhaps you are skeptical of what I saw but attached is an image of the Sasquatch I saw...




Click on the picture to see it enlarged.  Then use your browser's BACK button to return here. 



Unabashed request for members - Railroad Historians of the Lehigh Valley

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. 

Pictures below are from Lehigh Lines, Fall 2015 (Vol. 60, Issue 3) a quarterly magazine of the Railroad Historians of the Lehigh Valley. 



The box at the bottom contains the following text:  


Copies of the magazine are available for $6.  A $25 yearly membership with the Railroad Historians of the Lehigh Valley provides four quarterly magazines (print or electronic), discounted rates on railroad publications, access to work on society-owned equipment, and our monthly meetings.  For additional details or a membership application, contact president Jim Rowland at Century430@hotmail.com.  We welcome new members interested in any facet of the railroad industry and history.   




CSX and the Conservation Fund Team Up with West Virginia Families and Farms to Facilitate Healthy Eating

Received the following via email.  

CSX and the Conservation Fund Team Up with West Virginia Families and Farms to Facilitate Healthy Eating

Healthy Food Coupons, Mobile Markets And Hands-On Nutritional Education Available

ARLINGTON, Va. (September 3, 2015) - CSX and The Conservation Fund have teamed up for a second year with the West Virginia's Department of Agriculture and local organizations to promote healthy eating habits and increased access to local produce for hundreds of children and families in McDowell, Roane and Mingo counties.

The program is providing coupons to help make locally-grown fresh foods more convenient for purchase, financial assistance for mobile and school-based farmers markets, and nutrition and healthy eating classes. New this year, classes will also be held on vendor recruitment, customer service and basic accounting to assist with the long-term viability of the farmers markets.

Throughout the summer and fall, children and their parents in McDowell and Roane County can shop for local produce using "Kids Koupons" and participate in food tastings and nutritional demonstrations at farmers market events at their local schools. Families with children who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars will receive double the amount of healthy food vouchers for every dollar spent at the markets on healthy food. Around 250 children from each county will receive the vouchers.

Through additional program funds, farmers markets will team up with the federal SNAP to provide cooking demonstrations and distribute recipes and information on cooking, storing and preparing fresh, seasonal food. This will provide opportunities for kids to sample and become familiar with how to prepare new foods, so that the families can learn healthy recipes and incorporate them into their normal eating habits. Mobile markets in Mingo County will also bring fresh fruits and vegetables to residents in eight communities through Farm Fresh 4U.

"This summer we have already reached over 100 families in Mingo County with our Farm Fresh 4U Voucher program," said Maria Arnot, Director of Community Agriculture with Mingo County Diabetes Coalition. "Also this year, we have started a double bucks incentive program that will encourage families to use their SNAP benefits at our mobile farmers markets. By matching what they spend up to $10, we hope to gain and retain customers."

The Conservation Fund works with West Virginians by protecting natural resources, which in turn support local economies and business owners and improve the lives of residents.

"The overall health and well-being of our children is directly affected by what they eat, and for many low income families in food deserts, healthy options are oftentimes simply out of reach," said Kris Hoellen, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Programs for The Conservation Fund. "By expanding access to fresh produce and giving children opportunities to shop, taste and learn how food goes from the farm to the table, we're creating markets for local farmers, and most importantly giving children and their families the opportunity for a long-term healthy lifestyle. We're proud to partner with CSX in this important and impactful program."

As one of the nation's premier transportation companies, with an important role in transporting agricultural and food-service products, CSX recognizes that there are communities across its network that lack the fresh foods that are essential for human health.

"Our partnership with The Conservation Fund has helped us create actionable, solution oriented programs - like the Kids Koupons - to address the critical issues facing the communities where we live and work," said Randy Cheetham, regional vice president for state government and community affairs, CSX. "West Virginia is an important piece of the CSX network, so we're especially proud to be able to have programs like this to give back to the state that has supported our success with its businesses and skilled employees."

This program is part of a broader effort between CSX and The Conservation Fund to improve Americans' access to fresh, healthy food. The partnership also created The Grant Program for Transporting Healthy Food, which aims to help improve delivery capabilities of fresh produce and perishable food to farmers markets and communities in need. Charitable entities in 22 states can apply for a grant through September 18. More information is available at http://www.conservationfund.org/partner-with-us/business/csx. A video on the program can also be viewed here: 

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.  More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter  (http://twitter.com/CSX). 

About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are re-defining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states since 1985 to protect more than 7.5 million acres of land. www.conservationfund.org

Contacts:

Kaitlyn Barrett
CSX Corporate Communications
904-359-1037

Ann Simonelli
The Conservation Fund
703-908-5809




NS chief financial officer to address 2015 Citi Industrials Conference on Sept. 16

Received the following via email.  

Norfolk Southern chief financial officer to address 2015 Citi Industrials Conference on Sept. 16

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 3, 2015 Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer Marta R. Stewart will make a presentation during the 2015 Citi Industrials Conference.

What: 2015 Citi Industrials Conference
When: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, 2 p.m. EDT
Where: The Ritz Carlton, Boston Common, Boston, Mass.

The presentation will be posted at www.norfolksouthern.com in the Investors section.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 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, automotive, and industrial products.

Media Inquiries:

Investor Inquiries:




NS streamlines executive reporting structure in two key areas

Received the following via email.  

Norfolk Southern streamlines executive reporting structure in two key areas

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 2, 2015 – Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) said it is realigning the reporting structure for two key departments.

Effective Oct. 1, 2015, NS’ Strategic Planning department will report to James A. Squires, president and CEO, and NS’ Information Technology department will report to Cindy C. Earhart, executive vice president administration.

The Strategic Planning and Information Technology departments previously reported to Deborah H. Butler, executive vice president planning and chief information officer, who announced her retirement effective Oct. 1, 2015.

“We seek opportunities to streamline our structure at every level throughout the NS organization,” Squires said. “These changes employ our resources to the best advantage while maintaining the full capabilities of our planning and IT teams.”

Earhart joined NS in 1985 and has served in positions of increasing responsibility in accounting, IT, and human resources. She was named executive vice president administration in 2013.

John H. Friedmann, vice president strategic planning since 2008, and Fredric M. Ehlers, vice president information technology since 2013, will report to Squires and Earhart, respectively, under the new structure.

Butler’s retirement comes after a 37-year career centered on transportation, customer service, planning, technology, and sustainability.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 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, automotive, and industrial products.

Media Inquiries:


Investor Inquiries:





CSX Chief Financial Officer to Address Cowen and Company's 8th Annual Global Transportation Conference

Received the following via email.  

CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address Cowen and Company's 8th Annual Global Transportation Conference

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (September 2, 2015) -  Fredrik Eliasson, CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) executive vice president and chief financial officer, will address Cowen and Company's 8th Annual Global Transportation conference in Boston on Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Access to the webcast will be accessible through http://investors.csx.com.  A replay and accompanying audio will be available following the conclusion of this event.

This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com.

About CSX and its Disclosures

This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com. CSX also uses social media channels to communicate information about the company. Although social media channels are not intended to be the primary method of disclosure for material information, it is possible that certain information CSX posts on social media could be deemed to be material.

Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in the company to review the information we post on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX) and on Slideshare (http://www.slideshare.net/HowTomorrowMoves).  The social media channels used by CSX may be updated from time to time.

More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com and on Facebook(http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX).

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.

Contact:
David Baggs, Investor Relations
904-359-4812

Melanie Cost, Corporate Communications
904-359-1702




Railroad trespassing survivor tells story of life-changing accident in Norfolk Southern video

Received the following via email.  

Railroad trespassing survivor tells story of life-changing accident
in Norfolk Southern video

Mark Kalina Jr. says the biggest lesson he learned: ‘I am not invincible.’

NORFOLK, VA., August 31, 2015 -- Mark Kalina Jr. survived being run over by a freight train, but he lost both legs in the accident. In a gripping new safety video produced by Norfolk Southern, Kalina warns of the tragic consequences of trespassing on railroad tracks.

"I'm kind of a shock-and-awe story because I can physically show people what can happen if they trespass on railroad tracks,” Kalina says. "I hope when people hear my story, they will learn from my mistake so they don't make the same one."

Norfolk Southern is encouraging colleges and universities with campuses situated near railroad tracks to share the video with students. “If we could make more people aware that it’s not only illegal, but very dangerous, to walk on railroad tracks, I think we could save a lot of lives,” Kalina says.

In the video, Kalina recalls the October 2012 night when he decided to take a shortcut home across the railroad tracks near The Ohio State University, where he was a civil engineering student. As he walked around a stopped train, he slipped on some gravel and snagged his shirt on a rail car -- just as the train started moving. Unable to free himself, Kalina climbed onto a ladder on the car but lost his balance and fell. His body was pulled underneath the train.

“I covered my head with my hands as the train rolled over me,” he says. “It felt like hours till the train passed, and when I turned over, I saw my left leg was cut off.”

Lying on the tracks, Kalina used his cell phone to call for help. The video uses the actual recording of his 911 call as he directs a helicopter to his location. It also features a re-enactment of the accident.

The train severed both of Kalina’s legs and most of one pinky finger. He spent 17 days in a hospital and then weeks in rehabilitation learning to walk on prosthetics.

Since then, the 25-year-old Twinsburg, Ohio, resident has dedicated himself to promoting railroad safety. He travels across the country as a spokesperson for the rail safety organization Operation Lifesaver, supporting its See Tracks? Think Train! trespasser prevention campaign. Last year, 495 people across the United States lost their lives while trespassing on train tracks, a 15 percent increase compared with 2013, according to Federal Railroad Administration statistics. An additional 415 people were injured.

Currently attending Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, Kalina is also the founder of the nonprofit Mark Kalina Jr. Foundation, which supports others who have lost limbs due to traumatic accidents.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 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, automotive, and industrial products.

View the video on Norfolk Southern’s YouTube channel: 

Media Inquiries:

Investor Inquiries:




Water Train Inc. - Water Test Train for Agricultural or Groundwater Recharge Use

Received the following via email from our correspondent in NW Pennsylvania.  

I wondered how long before someone tried hauling fresh water to California and elsewhere. A 75-car unit tank train would be able to transport over 2 million gallons at a time.   ---N.     

 "Water Train Inc., an operating unit of Modoc Railroad, began solicitations of private entities and municipal governments to participate in the operation of a water test train. The test train will contain 190,000 gallons of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved, treated and cleaned water designed for agricultural or groundwater recharge use. Although the train will arrive too late in the year for most row and stone fruit crops, it will give potential water train users time to identify and develop unloading and distribution sites, company officials said in a press release."


Special Norfolk Southern locomotives help Atlantans breathe easier

Received the following via email.  

Special Norfolk Southern locomotives help Atlantans breathe easier

ATLANTA, Sept. 1, 2015 -- With Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on hand to celebrate the success of a public-private partnership for cleaner air, Norfolk Southern today unveiled the nation’s first of a new class of rail yard locomotives developed with federal funding assistance to reduce emissions in urban areas.

“Norfolk Southern has been a valued partner for economic growth in Georgia for many years,” said Gov. Deal. “I applaud the company’s environmental consciousness and its work to achieve public benefits through cooperative efforts with municipalities and government agencies like the one we celebrate here today.” 

Gov. Deal and Mark Manion, Norfolk Southern’s chief operating officer, dedicated five of the locomotives during a ceremony at Norfolk Southern’s Inman Yard, a major hub of interstate commerce and intermodal transportation just northwest of downtown Atlanta.

The engines are branded “Eco” locomotives for their operating efficiencies in reducing emissions and fuel consumption. The 3,000-horsepower engines meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s strict Tier-3 emissions standards for locomotives. Norfolk Southern’s Atlanta yard eventually will put to work 10 low-emissions Eco locomotives this year. Annually, the 10 units will account for 6.6 fewer tons of particulate matter and 155 fewer tons of nitrogen oxides pollutants generally associated with smog and acid rain. As more Eco units are delivered to Atlanta in 2016, the clean-air benefits will be even greater.

The Eco units were designed and built by Norfolk Southern at its Juniata, Pa., locomotive shops using components from locomotive builder Electro-Motive Diesel, a division of Progress Rail Services, a Caterpillar company. The project was funded in part by grants from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ). The Eco units unveiled today feature a stylistic green paint scheme with a Georgia-shaped icon and the slogan “Working Together for a Cleaner State.”

Additional CMAQ grants will lead to future placement of Eco locomotives at Norfolk Southern’s rail yards at Macon and Rome, Ga., and at Chicago.

“In addition to lower emissions and fuel savings, benefits include operating efficiencies, as each Eco unit can replace two older, less-efficient locomotives,” Manion said. “Over the last five years, we have significantly lowered greenhouse gas emissions of our locomotive fleet, achieving an 8.5 percent reduction per revenue ton-mile. Rollout of the Eco units demonstrates Norfolk Southern’s continuing commitment to industry leadership in sustainability best practices and environmental partnerships. Our transportation operations at Atlanta are central to serving customers throughout our network and beyond. We consider it a corporate responsibility to mitigate the environmental impacts of our rail operations, and we thank the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Division, the city of Atlanta, and other cities and customers all along our lines that partner with us to achieve this goal.”

“Through a phased implementation of lower emissions standards for locomotives, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has worked with the rail industry to bring about cleaner air for communities,” said Beverly Banister, division director of EPA’s Region 4 based at Atlanta. “The Eco units supported by grants from CMAQ will help ensure that yard switcher locomotives adhere to cleaner, healthier air quality standards.”

In Georgia, Norfolk Southern employs 4,735 people and operates a network of 1,779 rail miles. The company annually transports 1.3 million shipments by rail in the Peach State alone, totaling 55 million tons of freight for some 1,200 customers. Together with industrial development activity that brings new business, jobs, and investment to Georgia, and service to the state’s ports, Norfolk Southern’s rail network connects Georgia communities to the marketplaces of the world.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 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, automotive, and industrial products.

Media Inquiries:


Investor Inquiries: