Sunday, February 26, 2017

NMRA GSD Winter Meet on March 4

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GSD Winter Event Reminder:
Saturday, March 4, in Union
Greetings!
After several years, the Garden State Division is returning to the The Model Railroad Club in Union, NJ, on March 4th, for it's next event. The meet will feature two clinics , awarding of prizes to Fred's Boxcar Challenge winners, and Bring 'n Brag in the morning session.  

After a quick lunch on your own at one of the many local eateries, come back to the club for an operating session on their HO layout.  This is a chance to have some fun, learn about operations, and really get a feel for the club's large layout.
Donuts and coffee will also be served in the morning.  Maps for the local restaurants will be available at the end of the morning session.
Please join us at 9 AM at the The Model Railroad Club located at 295 Jefferson Avenue, just off of Route 22 East, behind the Home Depot. 
To closely view the location on Google Maps and get directions, click on the map or the button.

Time to put the tools, glue, and paint away.  It is time to bring your entry for Fred's GSD Boxcar Challenge to the Winter Meet.
 
All entries will be placed on display during the meet and everyone will get the opportunity to choose which ones they like most.
 
Prizes will be awarded to the winners in this popular vote contest.

Did you forget to read the latest issue of the Whistle Post?  The issue contains more information about the upcoming GSD event in Hillsborough.  And, it also contains articles on the last GSD event in Morristown, the Achievement Program, Fred's Boxcar Challenge, and more.  To get your copy, just click on the newsletter image!

Feel free to pass this information on to others by clicking on the image to the left OR you can just click your forward key and send it on.

Please do so.  This e-mail is our Number One tool for spreading the word.
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NMRA Garden State Division, 537 Malcolm Road, Union, NJ 07083

Thursday, February 23, 2017

CSX Appoints Fredrik J. Eliasson as President

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CSX Express
February 21, 2017
CSX Appoints Fredrik J. Eliasson as President

CEO Michael J. Ward and President Clarence W. Gooden Both Announce Retirement Effective May 31, 2017

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 21, 2017 – CSX Corporation (NASDAQ: CSX) today announced the decisions of Michael J. Ward, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Clarence W. Gooden, President, to retire from the Company effective May 31, 2017. Fredrik J. Eliasson, a 22-year veteran of the Company and its current Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, has been appointed as President of CSX effective February 15, 2017, replacing Mr. Gooden, who will assume the role of Vice Chairman until his retirement. Mr. Eliasson will maintain his current responsibilities in his new position. The changes are part of an orderly transition of the company’s senior leadership that the Board has been considering for more than a year.  The appointment of Mr. Eliasson as President is not intended to preempt or otherwise affect any discussions CSX may continue to have with Mr. Hunter Harrison and Mantle Ridge regarding Mr. Harrison becoming the CEO at CSX.

“Fredrik has played a vital role in CSX’s progress in recent years and in the development of the next phase of its strategic plan, and he was a natural choice to help the Company continue to advance its CSX of Tomorrow strategy,” said Mr. Ward. “He has the vision, leadership abilities and deep understanding of our business to help CSX’s future leadership achieve its long-term strategic goals.”

“On behalf of CSX’s Board of Directors, I want to thank Michael and Clarence for their many years of dedicated service and contributions to our Company,” said Edward J. Kelly, III, CSX’s Presiding Director. “Michael has helped build CSX into one of the nation’s leading transportation and logistics companies, and Clarence has similarly provided valuable leadership across CSX’s sales, marketing and operations teams. We wish both the best in their retirements.”

Mr. Eliasson commented, “This is a dynamic and important time at CSX, and I look forward to continuing to work with the management team to implement the best ideas to drive growth across the organization and deliver a compelling future for our Company and our shareholders.”

Mr. Eliasson, 46, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at CSX since September 2015, where he is responsible for overseeing all customer service activities, growing rail-served markets and developing strategic plans for long-term revenue growth at the Company. He was previously CSX’s Chief Financial Officer, from 2012 to 2015, and he has held several leadership roles across the Company’s finance and sales and marketing departments since joining CSX in 1995.

About CSX and Its Disclosures

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.

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).


Forward-Looking Statements

This information and other statements by CSX may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act with respect to, among other items: projections and estimates of earnings, revenues, margins, volumes, rates, cost-savings, expenses, taxes, liquidity, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases or other financial items, statements of management’s plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, and management’s expectations as to future performance and operations and the time by which objectives will be achieved, statements concerning proposed new services, and statements regarding future economic, industry or market conditions or performance. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “preliminary” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and CSX undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. If CSX updates any forward-looking statement, no inference should be drawn that CSX will make additional updates with respect to that statement or any other forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual performance or results could differ materially from that anticipated by any forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statements include, among others; (i) CSX’s success in implementing its financial and operational initiatives; (ii) changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including those affecting the transportation industry (such as the impact of industry competition, conditions, performance and consolidation); (iii) legislative or regulatory changes; (iv) the inherent business risks associated with safety and security; (v) the outcome of claims and litigation involving or affecting CSX; (vi) natural events such as severe weather conditions or pandemic health crises; and (vii) the inherent uncertainty associated with projecting economic and business conditions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

CSX Corporation (“CSX”) intends to file a proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) with respect to the special meeting of shareholders.  CSX SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ ANY SUCH PROXY STATEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

CSX, its directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CSX shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the special meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.  Information about CSX’s directors and executive officers, and their direct and indirect interests in CSX, is available in CSX’s proxy statement, filed March 28, 2016 for its 2016 Annual Meeting.  To the extent holdings of CSX’s securities by such directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts included in the 2016 proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on reports filed with the SEC in accordance with the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  More detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the special meeting.  Shareholders will be able to obtain any proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to any proxy statement and other documents filed by CSX with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.  Copies also will be available free of charge at CSX’s website at www.csx.com or by contacting CSX Investor Relations at (904) 359-4812.

Contact:

Investors:
 David Baggs
 CSX Investor Relations
 (904) 359-4812

Media:
 Gary Sease, Corporate Communications
 (904) 359-1719

Monday, February 20, 2017

Easter Bunny Express Tickets Available!






Easter Bunny Express Tickets Available!
Steam Locomotive #60 operates on April 8-9!
Tickets for the Easter Bunny Express are now available, and they're going fast.

This year, for the first time, some of our Easter Bunny Express trains will be pulled by steam locomotive #60! That's right! All departures on April 8 and 9 will feature steam power!

BR&W's annual Easter Bunny Express event features a relaxing round-trip train ride from Flemington to Ringoes and return. On board the train kids will briefly meet Peter Cottontail and receive a treat! The Bunny will pose for photos upon request.

For complete details, times, and tickets click here to visit our website.

Birthday Parties Now Available!
There's not usually much going on around the railroad during our "off-season" of January through early May, but this year we're offering special rates on birthday parties for up to 20 guests! Our new rates are perfect for small groups, and feature caboose rides and our newly renovated Ringoes Station! Contact us at info@blackriverrailroad.com for more information.




Norfolk Southern opens new locomotive maintenance and repair shop in Chicago

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Norfolk Southern opens new locomotive maintenance and repair shop in Chicago
New facility supports reliability, efficiency, and customer service

CHICAGO, Feb. 14, 2017 – Norfolk Southern today opened a new locomotive maintenance and repair facility in Chicago to enhance operational efficiency for trains moving through the nation’s largest rail hub.

The company’s $9.5 million investment expands Norfolk Southern’s locomotive repair capabilities in the Chicago region. Previously, locomotives needing more extensive maintenance were transported to other repair shops on the rail system. In addition to the new facility, NS in Chicago operates a locomotive shop for minor repairs at its Calumet Yard intermodal facility and mobile rapid-response crews inspect and service outbound locomotives.

“The new facility is strategically located on Norfolk Southern’s primary rail line serving Chicago, and it will allow NS to rapidly make repairs to locomotives moving freight to our major terminals,” said Don Graab, Norfolk Southern vice president mechanical. “The investment is part of NS’ commitment to provide timely and reliable service and will enable us to move goods even more efficiently across the Chicago gateway and benefit intermodal customers shipping freight to East Coast markets.”

The 16,300-square-foot shop, located at the railroad’s 47th Street intermodal facility, is equipped with a 125-ton drop table to inspect, repair, or replace locomotive traction motors; a mobile, 7.5–ton overhead gantry crane to hoist heavy engine components; and a 77-foot-long inspection pit to make repairs to the underside of locomotives. Four locomotives can be worked on indoors at one time.

At full capacity, the shop will employ 25 craft workers around the clock. Across the greater Chicago area, NS employs about 600 people in all aspects of rail operations.

As the nation's largest rail center, Chicago plays a vital role in Norfolk Southern's rail network. NS operates six rail yards in the city, moving more than 100 trains daily to connect Chicago and Illinois businesses to markets throughout the nation and world. In Illinois, Norfolk Southern employs 1,450 people and operates a network of 1,256 rail miles.

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 19,500 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.

Multimedia: View this video on the new Chicago locomotive shop.

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