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Woodland Scenics Fire Update

2012-01-26T08:40:00.001-05:00

The following is from the Woodland Scenics dealers newsletter for January, 2012.

Fire Update

Out of the Ashes...

Many of you may have already heard that we had a fire at our manufacturing plant in Linn Creek, Missouri on Thursday, January 5, 2012. We have much to be thankful for.

We are most grateful that no one was hurt. Our employees followed evacuation procedures to the letter, getting everyone out of here, accounted for and shutting down power sources.

The Osage Beach Fire Department and several other responding fire departments were amazing. They responded quickly and their professionalism and tireless efforts successfully contained the fire.

The determined cause of the fire was the failure of an electrical motor, and the fire took eight percent of our total facilities. Manufacturing and shipping operations in other buildings continued even as the firefighters fought the blaze.

Several of us returned to work Friday morning to assist with clean-up and get business operations up and running. We took orders and shipped product, and some of us even worked through the weekend to make sure that we were all back to work Monday morning, January 9.

We are so grateful for the outpouring of support we received from our friends and customers. We heard from folks from all over the world. We are very appreciative and humbled by all the encouragement, prayers and offers to help. Thanks again!

We still have some clean-up to do, but we are back to business as usual!

Also see our post for Friday, January 06, 2012, titled Woodland Scenics Update: Fire.

NS increases dividend

2012-01-26T00:15:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

January 24, 2012

Norfolk Southern increases dividend

NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern Corporation announced that its Board of Directors today voted to increase the regular quarterly dividend on the company’s common stock by 9.3 percent, or 4 cents per share, from 43 to 47 cents per share. The increased dividend is payable on March 10, to stockholders of record on Feb. 3. Since its inception in 1982, Norfolk Southern has paid dividends on its common stock for 118 consecutive quarters.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

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Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 (susan.terpay@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

NS reports 2011 fourth-quarter and full-year results

2012-01-26T00:09:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

January 24, 2012

Norfolk Southern reports 2011 fourth-quarter and full-year results

For 2011 vs. 2010:

NS set the following fourth-quarter records:
· Railway operating revenues reached $2.8 billion, up 17 percent.
· Net income increased 19 percent to $480 million.
· Diluted earnings per share rose 30 percent to $1.42.

NS set the following records for the year:
· Railway operating revenues reached $11.2 billion, up 17 percent.
· Income from railway operations climbed 20 percent to $3.2 billion.
· Net income was $1.9 billion, up 28 percent.
· Diluted earnings per share increased 36 percent to $5.45.

NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported record fourth-quarter net income of $480 million, 19 percent higher compared with $402 million for the same quarter of 2010. Diluted earnings per share were a record $1.42, up 30 percent compared with the $1.09 per diluted share earned in the same period a year earlier.

For 2011, net income increased to an all-time record $1.9 billion, 28 percent higher compared with $1.5 billion for 2010. Diluted earnings per share for the year increased 36 percent, or $1.45, to a record $5.45, compared with 2010.

“Norfolk Southern achieved all-time records for revenues, operating income, net income, and earnings per share during 2011, and set fourth-quarter records for revenues, net income, and earnings per share,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “In 2012 we will remain committed to enhancing our service product, maintaining the safety and quality of our rail network, improving operational efficiency, and supporting growth.”

“Our strong capital program of $2.4 billion will include substantial investments along our Crescent Corridor, a public-private partnership to create a high-capacity, truck-competitive intermodal freight rail route between the Gulf Coast and Northeast,” Moorman said. “As part of this program of projects, we plan to open intermodal terminals in Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee later in the year. Facilities such as these relieve congested freight lines and highways, and are proven centers for creating jobs and economic development.”

Railway operating revenues increased to $2.8 billion, a fourth-quarter record, up 17 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. For 2011, railway operating revenues set an all-time record $11.2 billion, 17 percent higher compared with 2010. The improvements were the result of increases in revenue per unit of 11 percent for the quarter and 12 percent for the year and higher volumes that were up 6 percent for the quarter and 5 percent for the year.

General merchandise revenues rose to $1.4 billion, up 13 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2010. For 2011, general merchandise revenues increased to $5.6 billion, 12 percent higher compared with 2010. Traffic volume increased 1 percent in the quarter and was even for the year compared with the same periods of 2010.

Coal revenues in the fourth quarter were $850 million, up 24 percent compared with the same period last year. For 2011, coal revenues were $3.5 billion, 27 percent higher compared with 2010. Traffic volume increased 3 percent in the quarter and 4 percent for the year compared with the same periods of 2010.

Intermodal revenues were $554 million, up 18 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2010. For the year, intermodal revenues were $2.1 billion, up 19 percent compared with 2010. Traffic volume increased by 11 percent in the quarter and 10 percent for 2011 compared with the same periods of 2010.

Railway operating expenses were $2 billion for the fourth quarter, 14 percent higher compared with the same period a year earlier. For 2011, railway operating expenses were $8 billion, up 16 percent compared with 2010. The increases were primarily driven by fuel expenses, which rose by $95 million in the fourth quarter and $510 million for the year, and higher costs associated with increased traffic volumes.

Income from railway operations increased 25 percent for the quarter to $800 million and improved 20 percent to a record $3.2 billion for the year, compared with the same periods of 2010.

Fourth-quarter 2011 results included $11 million in deferred income tax benefits attributable to state tax law changes. The year included $68 million of favorable, non-recurring income tax benefits.

The fourth-quarter railway operating ratio improved by 2 percent to 71.4 percent compared with the same period last year. For 2011, the railway operating ratio improved by 1 percent to 71.2 percent compared with 2010.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

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Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 ( fsbrown@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

Extension of Heartland Corridor from Columbus to Cincinnati, Ohio, benefits Port of Virginia

2012-01-23T23:47:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

January 19, 2012

Extension of Heartland Corridor from Columbus to Cincinnati, Ohio, benefits Port of Virginia

NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern has cleared the way for more double-stack intermodal trains to use its Heartland Corridor with the opening this week of a newly improved double-stack rail line between Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. The Heartland Connector will reduce transit times by one to two days and increase service reliability for double-stack freight traveling to and from the Port of Virginia and Cincinnati and Detroit.

The improvements also will provide Norfolk Southern with the potential to connect Ohio Valley markets to other major East Coast container ports.

The Heartland Connector project is a public-private partnership among Norfolk Southern, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Rail Development Commission, and Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Council of Governments to upgrade the NS rail line to accommodate double-stack trains. Previously, containers only could be single-stacked on trains moving over the connector.

The project included raising clearances at five locations along the 124-mile route between Cincinnati and Columbus and adding tracks at Norfolk Southern’s Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal near Columbus. Prior to the upgrades, double-stack intermodal trains leaving the Port of Virginia for Cincinnati and Detroit followed longer routes through Tennessee or Pennsylvania. Now, double-stack trains bound for Detroit use a route that is 212 miles shorter, and trains traveling to Cincinnati travel 69 fewer miles and save up to two days transit time.

Financial support for the $6.1 million project included $3.6 million from the federal government combined with matching contributions from Norfolk Southern and the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Council of Governments.

“The Rail Commission is very happy to have been able to facilitate this very important infrastructure project that builds on previous investments and further solidifies Ohio’s position in the global supply chain,” said Matthew Dietrich, executive director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission.

“Routing trains over the Heartland Connector improves transit times and allows Norfolk Southern to provide more reliable service and handle additional intermodal freight,” said Jeff Heller, NS group vice president international intermodal marketing. “The Heartland Connector is significant for the Port of Virginia because it increases the efficiency of the Heartland Corridor to move goods to and from Ohio and other Midwest consumer markets and adds to the competitiveness of the Hampton Roads region.”

Norfolk Southern’s Heartland Corridor is the shortest, fastest double-stack route from the Port of Virginia to the Midwest. A single NS intermodal train takes up to 300 trucks off America's highways, reducing traffic congestion and repair costs. In addition, rail transportation is nearly four times more fuel efficient than trucking, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

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Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Customers) Chris Luebbers, 757-823-5279 (chris.luebbers@nscorp.com)
(Media) David Pidgeon, 717-541-2247 (david.pidgeon@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

Who says CSX isn't interesting???!!!

2012-01-23T01:18:00.000-05:00

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

Been working the past week on CSX between Cleveland, OH and Buffalo, NY and will be between Hamburg and Rochester this next week on the SRS 956. Saw some real interesting trains and locomotives.

The UP 5471 led the Selkirk-North Platte unit Reefer train west at Bergen, NY today...1/20/2012

The CSXT 999 (you could smell the paint!) led an intermodal eastbound at Corfu, NY...1/20/2012

CSXT 8351 - 8040 (TWO Standard cab EMD'S) on an eastbound multilevel train...1/20/2012

Freightliner 70019 was on a QTTX car Westbound thru Cleveland, OH on its way to Philadelphia and a ship to England. 1/19/2012. Seems like a long way to get to Philadelphia....

UP 5471 & train at Bergen, NY

CSXT 999 - 998 at Corfu, NY

CSXT 8351 - 8040 stopped at East Churchville, NY for a stuck brake

Freightliner 70019 at Cleveland, OH

NS's Pier 6 handles largest coal loading in its 50-year history

2012-01-15T01:18:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

Jan. 13, 2012

Norfolk Southern’s Pier 6 handles largest coal loading in its 50-year history

NORFOLK, VA. -- Norfolk Southern has loaded the largest volume cargo in the history of its Pier 6 coal transloading facility at Lamberts Point in Norfolk.

Early yesterday morning, Norfolk Southern finished loading 159,941.45 net tons (145,097.931 metric tons) of metallurgical coal into the M/V Cape Dover, destined for China. That quantity can be used to make about 207,000 tons of steel – enough to build 230,000 automobiles. The coal was shipped by Xcoal Energy & Resources in conjunction with CONSOL Energy, from mining operations in Virginia, in 1,561 railroad coal cars. T. Parker Host was the ship agent/broker.

Norfolk Southern employees loaded the 951-foot vessel in fewer than 48 hours in order to accommodate a tight schedule for the receiver. “This is the kind of capacity and service that makes Pier 6 the preeminent coal transloading facility on the East Coast,” said Mark H. Bower, NS group vice president, export, metallurgical, and industrial coal marketing. “Worldwide demand for U.S. coal for utilities and coke plants continues to grow, and the railroad is the reliable and safe link that, with our coal production and sales partners, brings that energy to market around the globe.”

The loading of the M/V Cape Dover eclipsed the former record of 157,645 net tons for the M/V Irongate in 1998 as well as the 155,522 net tons into the M/V Cape Provence in December 2010.

Norfolk Southern has been transferring coal and coke from railroad cars into ocean-going export and domestic vessels in the Lamberts Point area since 1884, when it opened Pier 1. In the first half of the 1900s, new Piers 2-5 featured improvements in speed and capacity and even loaded coal into a number of famous vessels, such as those used in Admiral Byrd's 1933 Antarctica expedition.

Pier 6 opened for business in 1962 as the hemisphere's largest, fastest, and most efficient transloading facility. In 1999, Pier 6 dumped its billionth ton of coal and became the only facility in the world to have reached that milestone.

Most of the coal moving through Pier 6 originates in Southwest Virginia, Southern West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. It is shipped to several dozen countries as well as to coastwise domestic receivers. Pier 6 is situated with access to Hampton Roads' deep 50-foot channel that allows modern vessels to make productive use of their large holds.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:

(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

CSX Offers Rail-Ready Sites for Industrial Development

2012-01-12T22:31:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

CSX Offers Pre-Certified, Rail-Ready Sites for Fast-Track Industrial Development

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - January 10, 2012 - CSX has introduced a new program, CSX Select Sites, offering customers an easy way to access certified, rail-ready properties for a variety of industrial uses.

The company invites interested parties to view its new web page with easy-to-use, GIS-enabled search features that show high-resolution views of topography, rail and road layouts, and other significant characteristics of each Select Site parcel. For detailed profiles of CSX Select Site properties, search "Select Sites" at the company's web site at http://www.csx.com/. Or click the "Customers" tab, then "New to CSX or Rail?" followed by "Regional Development."

The CSX Select Site designation indicates "green light" properties along the CSX network where projects can move forward rapidly because all known risk factors have been identified and potential issues resolved.

"Ultimately, these sites will represent many of the best manufacturing properties along CSX's rail network in the eastern U.S.," said Clark Robertson, CSX Assistant Vice President-Regional Development. "The Select Site designation promotes shorter decision timelines, increased speed to market and lower up-front development risk for companies seeking industrial property to place their manufacturing operations.

"All of the data suggest manufacturers prefer certainty in their selection of new plant locations," Robertson said. "We intend to assist communities across the network to identify sites that can provide certainty and compete effectively for these new investments and jobs."

To receive the CSX Select Site designation, the sites - from 100 to 1,000 acres - must meet a rigorous list of key criteria, including infrastructure and utility availability, environmental reviews, appropriate zoning and entitlement, air quality permitting, rail serviceability, proximity to highways or interstates and other attributes. CSX has partnered with The Austin Company, a nationally known site selection and certification consulting firm, to screen candidate sites and assist communities with the application and certification process.

"The web site's simple navigation and stable of pre-qualified rail ready sites make this the new gold standard in certified site programs," said Don Schjeldahl, Vice President of The Austin Company. "The program certifies rail ready and development ready properties of various sizes and features them on a website that is refreshing in its simplicity and a competitive leader in delivering information."

CSX welcomes inquiries about candidate sites from industrial property owners and economic development organizations. Thus far, five sites have been certified and 11 are in the certification process. Click on the "Have a Site?" button on the Select Site homepage to submit your property characteristics and request consideration for the Select Sites program. Designated CSX Select Sites will benefit from increased marketing exposure via the web site, press releases and promotion materials, and direct marketing to site selection professionals.

CSX has previously partnered with McCallum Sweeney Corporation to certify "Mega" sites - properties over 1,000 acres targeted to appeal primarily to automobile manufacturers. To date, CSX has assisted five communities across its network with a Megasite certification. A listing of CSX Certified Megasites can also be found on CSX's website.

About CSX
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.csx.com/. Follow CSX on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX).

Contact:
Gary Sease, Corporate Communications
1-877-TellCSX (877-835-5279)

NYS&W Slide Show Presentation

2012-01-11T01:01:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

You are invited!

NYS&W Slide Show Presentation

The Oldest Model Railroad Club in America
The New York Society of Model Engineers (NYSME) will be hosting noted rail historian and author Bob Mohowski as he comes to speak about the New York, Susquehanna, and Western Railroad. Bob will be giving a presentation which will feature photos of the NYS&W taken by John Treen. Mr. Treen worked as an employee for the railroad for over 40 years. John often has his camera with him to record the daily operations on the Susie Q. The presentation will be a combination of slides and digital photos.

Date & Time: Friday, January 13, 2012 at 8:00pm. Doors open 7:30pm
Location: Rutherford Ambulance Corps Meeting Room
44 Ames Ave., Rutherford, NJ
There is a parking lot directly across the street or if you come by train, one block from the Rutherford Train Station.

Additional Details: http://www.modelengineers.org/

Admission: FREE

The location is only ½ mile from the Meadowlands Sports Complex and Giants / Jets Stadium. (Now MetLife Stadium)

Feel free to pass this on to others.

====================================================================

Founded in the early part of the 20th. Century and incorporated in 1926, the New York Society of Model Engineers is the oldest model railroad club in the United States and possibly the world. Located within our 5,000 square foot building are two large model train layouts, "HO" and "O" scale, a fully equipped machine shop and large library. The Society is located at 341 Hoboken Road , Carlstadt , NJ less then 1 mile from the Giants and Jets Stadium. (Now MetLife Stadium)

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in model trains or just trains.

CSX Statement - Northwest Indiana

2012-01-08T23:20:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

January 06, 2012

CSX Statement - Northwest Indiana

Three CSX trains collided in Porter County in Northwest Indiana, about 2:15 p.m. (EST) Friday. Two employees on one train had non-life threatening injuries and have been taken to an area hospital. The trains carried a wide variety of freight including 3 rail cars of flammable products. Also in the incident are a number of empty hazardous materials cars.

The company's primary focus is public safety and working closely with responders to bring this situation under control.

We are working to determine the total number of derailed cars. No significant leaks or spills of hazardous materials appear to have occurred but inspections of all loaded and empty hazardous materials cars are under way.

We deeply appreciate the rapid and thorough response of the area's police, fire and other first responders.

Woodland Scenics Update: Fire

2012-01-06T18:20:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email from Woodland Scenics.

Dear all,

As you may have heard we have experienced a fire here at Woodland Scenics and there is good news and bad news. The good news is that no one was hurt during the fire or evacuation process. The bad news is that it took out a couple of our manufacturing buildings. However, and fortunately, there is more good news than bad.

We encompass multiple buildings that are spread out all over the town of Linn Creek. We only lost two of those buildings and those two contained just a small portion of our manufacturing facilities. Our shipping department, warehouse and corporate offices were spared any damage, as were most of our manufacturing buildings, so it is business as usual.

Thanks for all your concerns.

Respectfully,

Gale Cousins
Director of Sales & Customer Service
Woodland Scenics

Here is a link to a news story from a TV station in Springfield, MO about this fire.

http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-story-woodlandscenics-010511,0,444951.story

CSX Express - Customers Locate on CSX in 17 States in 2011

2012-01-06T00:26:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

Customers Locate on CSX in 17 States in 2011
New or Expanded Facilities Create Jobs and Economic Stimulus

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - January 5, 2012 - Customers across manufacturing, consumer goods, energy and other markets committed to 124 new or expanded facilities on CSX and its short line railroad partners in 2011, driving job growth and other economic benefits in 17 states.

The new or expanded facilities represent nearly $1.4 billion in customer investment.

"Despite ongoing economic uncertainty during 2011, our customers continue to demonstrate strong interest in rail service and CSX in particular," said Clark Robertson, Assistant Vice President-Regional Development. "It is testimony to the underlying value proposition that rail offers."

The facilities will be built or expanded on CSX lines and on some of the more than 240 short lines and regional railroads that connect to CSX. Ultimately, these facilities will contribute more than $230 million in
annual revenue to CSX, Robertson said.

For many customers, railroad fuel efficiency is an important factor when it comes to choosing transportation, and CSX trains are capable of moving a ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a gallon of fuel. That means significantly lower carbon emissions than trucks. Another factor is connectivity to marine ports, and CSX reaches more than 70 ocean, lake and river ports.

CSX also offers its certified Select Site program to manufacturing firms seeking new plant locations along CSX's network, as well as track design and logistics expertise. The company's TRANSFLO transload services offer a way for non-rail served shippers to connect to the North American rail network. Contact a regional development expert by clicking on the Customer tab on http://www.csx.com/.

Here are the states in which new or expanded facilities will be built, the jobs expected, and the investments made by customers.

State - Jobs Created - Customer Investment
Alabama - 115 - $8,220,000
Florida - 180 - $165,586,000
Georgia - 157 - $69,550,000
Illinois - 0 - $3,750,000
Indiana - 27 - $73,000,000
Massachusetts - 17 - $3,281,000
Maryland - 100 - $600,000
Michigan - 242 - $70,150,000
North Carolina - 348 - $385,220,000
New Jersey - 27 - $2,804,100
New York - 63 - $9,540,000
Ohio - 258 - $43,900,000
Pennsylvania - 5 - $822,000
South Carolina - 152 - $30,300,000
Tennessee - 5 - $1,000,000
Virginia - 8 - $2,000,000
West Virginia - 77 - $515,000,000

About CSX
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.csx.com/.
Follow CSX on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX).

Contact:
Gary Sease, Corporate Communications
1-877-TELLCSX (1-877-835-5279)

NS to host fourth-quarter 2011 earnings conference call

2012-01-06T00:13:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

January 4, 2012

Norfolk Southern to host fourth-quarter 2011 earnings conference call

NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern Corporation will present its fourth-quarter 2011 earnings on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. EST via teleconference and live Internet webcast. The company will issue its earnings results shortly after market close on Jan. 24.

Those interested in participating via teleconference may dial 877-869-3847 several minutes prior to the call. An audio replay will be available until Jan. 31, 2012, following the live broadcast, by dialing 877-660-6853, using PIN 2861, and replay number 385544.

In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible, and presentation materials will be posted at www.nscorp.com under the Investors section. Following the earnings call, an Internet replay of the presentation will be archived on the company's website. In addition, the replay will be available for download to a portable audio player or computer as an MP3 - or podcast - file. Both the replay and MP3 file can be found on the website in the Investors section.

For electronic notification of earnings events, subscribe to NSInvest, Norfolk Southern's e-mail distribution list for news releases on earnings and issues pertaining to the financial performance of Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

Some D&H nostaglia from the 80's...

2011-12-20T01:11:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

Going through some scanned in slides, I came across these two D&H scenes from the 1980s. Even though the nose clearly shows these are D&H diesels, there is no mistaking what these two units heritage is by their green and yellow paint scheme. Detail are sketchy regarding what these train symbols were.

-The first slide was taken in August, 1982 at East Deerfield, MA with D&H 7412 (GP39-2) leading three other unidentified diesels. Those black spots in 7412's exhaust are scratches on the slide!

- In the second scene, D&H 7410 is seen passing through Olyphant, PA in April, 1981 with its load of mixed frieght. As a side note, D&H 7410 still labors on today as CSX 4316 according to information found on the Internet.

NS plan to expand Harrisburg intermodal operations moves forward

2011-12-16T01:20:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

December 15, 2011

Norfolk Southern’s plan to expand Harrisburg intermodal operations moves forward with $15 million federal TIGER grant

HARRISBURG, PA. – Norfolk Southern is moving forward this week with plans to expand operations at its Rutherford Intermodal Facility near Harrisburg, Pa., after the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $15 million TIGER III grant to the project.

The $60.5 million project – expected to finish in 2014 – will help Norfolk Southern meet growing demand for intermodal freight transportation in the Harrisburg region. When completed, expanded operations could result in about 400 new direct and indirect jobs in Swatara Township and the surrounding Dauphin County community, in addition to construction jobs beginning as early as 2012.

Intermodal transportation involves the use of two or more transportation modes (train, truck, ship) to move shipping containers and trailers from origin to destination.

“Growing demand for intermodal rail transportation means more jobs for the Harrisburg region and fewer long-distance trucks on congested interstate highways,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “This project and the TIGER grant will help Norfolk Southern meet that demand and provide a boost to the local economy. Expanding the Rutherford Intermodal Facility will result in tremendous economic development for Central Pennsylvania, as well as environmental benefits. Railroad locomotives can move a ton of freight 484 miles per gallon of fuel. That’s 75 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared with moving freight by truck.

“We are grateful for the support of Gov. Tom Corbett and PennDOT. They are committed to improving transportation in Pennsylvania, and they recognize railroads are a vital part of that. We also would like to thank Secretary Ray LaHood, Sen. Bob Casey Jr., U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, state Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, and state Rep. John Payne for their leadership and advocacy on behalf of the Rutherford project,” Moorman said.

The Rutherford intermodal facility and the Harrisburg region are key routing points for freight rail traffic moving east-west and north-south through Central Pennsylvania. The Harrisburg region also is an important part of an existing 2,500-mile rail network called the Crescent Corridor, stretching from Louisiana to New Jersey, where the railroad company has identified $2.5 billion in infrastructure improvement projects. These projects would link key markets in the Northeast and Southeast with high-quality intermodal rail service and should support some 73,000 jobs, remove long-distance trucks from the highways, lower emissions damaging to the environment, and boost the economy.

When completed, the Rutherford project will:

Add about 400 permanent jobs to the local economy. These include crane operators, truck drivers, and service industry employees.
Expand intermodal capacity by 50 percent.
Alleviate traffic problems on Grayson Road and Mushroom Hill Road by moving the Triple Crown Services truck entrance about a mile east to avoid a private grade crossing.

“The Commonwealth will continue to work with the federal government and Norfolk Southern to both create jobs and reduce long-haul truck traffic on our interstate road system,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett said. “Efficient freight movement is important to Pennsylvania's economy, and this project will further enhance our abilities to move freight through the Commonwealth.”

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. said, “This project is a great boost for the economy of south central Pennsylvania. By reducing the number of long-haul trucks on Pennsylvania’s roadways by 600,000 a year, this project will benefit not only the local economy but drivers on interstates across the Commonwealth as well.”

The Rutherford expansion is one of three significant economic projects Norfolk Southern has slated for Central Pennsylvania. The other two are a new $96.9 million intermodal facility under construction near Greencastle in Franklin County, and a $28 million expansion of operations at the Harrisburg intermodal terminal on Industrial Road.

“I am pleased that the Rutherford Intermodal Terminal will be receiving $15 million in the form of a TIGER III grant,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Holden. “This money will expand the terminal, allowing the Harrisburg area to meet its growing demand of freight traffic. In addition, this money will result in over 900 well-paying jobs for both the construction and administration of the terminal. This award is a win-win for the region.”

For more information about the Crescent Corridor, visit http://www.thefutureneedsus.com/.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:

(Media) Dave Pidgeon, 717-541-2247 (david.pidgeon@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

December Steam

2011-12-15T00:57:00.000-05:00

Received the following set of pictures via email from Kermit Geary, Jr. Photos and captions are his. These were taken last weekend on the Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania.
To view a picture full size, merely click on it. Then use your browser's BACK botton to return here.

Strasburg 90 heads back to Strasburg from Leaman Place, PA

Strasburg 90 at Cherry Hill, PA

Strasburg 90 crossing new bridge outside of Paradise, PA

MPA 20 'William Moedinger' at Cherry Hill, PA

Strasburg 89 follows the path of the 90 at Leaman Place, PA

Strasburg 89 works uphill past new bridge west of Paradise, PA

Raritan Valley Line (MP36) @Raritan, NJ in 1981 and 2011...

2011-12-13T00:59:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

August, 1981 found me crossing over the Anderson Street grade crossing in Raritan, NJ. Looking west I noticed a train's headlight approaching and thought I would wait around to see what was coming. In the lead was CR 2170 (GP30; ex-RDG 3602) leading a mixed freight. Still familiarizing myself with a new 35 mm camera, I photographed it as it approached the grade crossing. In this scene, NJT's engine facility can be seen off to the left in the background.

Now fast forward to December 11, 2011. It is around 8:15 AM as the "Santa Claus Train", sponsored by the Jersey Central Railway Historical Society, approaches the Raritan station. With the exception of the signals being obvious, other changes that have occurred over the thirty years between these two scenes are rather subtle.

NS Christmas Holiday Operations

2011-12-13T00:41:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

Christmas Holiday Operations

Due to reduced shipments expected over the Christmas holiday weekend, Norfolk Southern will suspend most train and terminal operations beginning Saturday afternoon, December 24 with normal operations returning by 7:00 AM Monday, December 26. 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 representative regarding service requirements.

Where local service (pickup/delivery) will be required through the holiday period, customers are encouraged to contact their Operations and Service Support representative.

National Customer Service Center- - 800 635.5768
Operations & Service Support - - 800 898.4296

More Lionel & O-scale consignment items

2011-12-09T17:28:00.000-05:00

Lionel collectible items.

We have received more Lionel "pre-owned" collectible items for consignment sale. These are new in-the-box items from a collector, not directly from the manufacturer, hence the designation "pre-owned." They include a number of animated or operating cars, regular cars, and a few locomotives. We also have some O-scale animated modules. These are being sold on a first come first sold basis, and it is highly unlikely that we will ever have any of these items again. The best way to find out more about this equipment would be to come into the store. Otherwise, you can phone or send an email. Contact information is at the top of the sidebar on the left.

Also see our post dated Friday, November 11, 2011.

Documentary film - Deluxe: The Tale of the Blue

2011-12-09T16:48:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

Attention, railroad fans! The documentary Deluxe: The Tale of the Blue Comet , about the iconic New Jersey train of the 1930s, will be shown at the Alexander Library in New Brunswick on Thursday December 15th at 4:30 pm. Filmmaker Robert A. Emmons Jr. will be on hand to introduce the film and answer questions. Take this opportunity to see or revisit All Aboard: Railroads and New Jersey, 1812-1930 , the exhibition on display at the Special Collections and University Archives Gallery in the Alexander Library. For more information, please see

http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/news/11/11_blue_comet.shtml

--

Fernanda H. Perrone
Special Collections and University Archives
Rutgers University Libraries
169 College Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1163
voice: 732 932 7006 x363
fax: 732 932 7012
email: mailto:hperrone%40rulmail.rutgers.edu

Hershey (PA) railroading variety...

2011-12-07T01:43:00.000-05:00

(Train sightings on 12-4-11.)

Spending the weekend in Hershey to see the Hershey Bears skate against the Portland Pirates in ice hockey, I managed to get out and take in some of the railroading variety that this area had to offer before and after this game. What follows is some of the highlights of what I saw...

Photo 1- There was a O-gauge layout set up in the Derry Township Historical Society's building that I went in to see. It was quite an impressive seeing it in operation. Seen here is the "Hershey Special" featuring rolling stock of various Hershey products. That was only one of the many trains running simultaneously.

Photo 2- Was taken at the Elizabethtown AMTRAK Station on Sunday morning just as Train 664 was pulling into the station to pick up five passengers. Since 1985, I have been photographing the changes this station has undergone. With renovations now complete, I will say this is one of the nicer stations I have seen.

Photo 3- With my wife waiting patiently in the car, I wanted to capture this one image that showed those Hershey lettered smokestacks. Bless her heart and patience with me for allowing me to get this image of what I think was NS 21M!

Hampton Roads CEOs, three cities explore shared services

2011-12-07T00:33:00.001-05:00

Received the following via email.

December 5, 2011

Hampton Roads CEOs team up with three cities to explore pilot shared services project

NORFOLK, Va. - The chief executive officers of the region's Fortune 500 companies and the mayors of the three largest South Hampton Roads cities are teaming up to explore how the region could benefit from potentially sharing public services. The Hampton Roads Partnership is organizing the pilot Hampton Roads Shared Services Project (SSP) with Management Partners, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based management-consulting firm that specializes in helping local government leaders.

This joint public-private venture combines the business expertise of the top executives from Amerigroup, Dollar Tree, Huntington-Ingalls, Norfolk Southern Corporation, and Smithfield Foods with the municipal government acumen of the leaders of Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach to analyze those services that offer the greatest opportunity for successful integration to reduce service delivery costs while providing the best service quality.

"With multiple adjacent cities in the Hampton Roads area, there are opportunities for cities to share services and avoid the costs of providing those services separately," said Wick Moorman, CEO of Norfolk Southern and chair of the SSP. "The ability of business leaders in the region to work successfully with government leaders offers a particular opportunity to take advantage of shared services and reduce the cost of local government."

Management Partners recommended the Hampton Roads Partnership take the lead role in organizing shared services projects as part of a coordinated regional initiative. The first pilot project includes the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Results will determine potential future projects.

The steering committee guiding the project held its first meeting Nov. 30. The steering committee includes E. Dana Dickens, III, president and CEO of Hampton Roads Partnership; William Harrell, Chesapeake City Manager; Rick West, Chesapeake City Council; Marcus Jones, Norfolk City Manager; Barclay Winn, Norfolk City Council; Jim Spore, Virginia Beach City Manager; Glenn Davis, Virginia Beach City Council; James Fothergill, chief people officer of Dollar Tree; Jeff Gough, Smithfield Foods vice president for Human Resources; and Tina Gill, Amerigroup vice president for External Relations Operations. Jim Hixon, Norfolk Southern executive vice president-Law and Corporate Relations, serves as chair of the steering committee, which plans to meet monthly. Cost of this pilot project is $150,000, shared equally among the participating cities and five Fortune 500 companies.

"We all know that government at every level is trying to figure out how to maintain and even improve services under difficult budget conditions," said James G. Carlson, chairman and chief executive officer for Amerigroup Corporation. "We are certainly happy to help, especially when we see local leaders willing to put aside boundaries in search of more affordable and effective services for their constituents. This makes sense for all involved."

The team will scan each of the three cities' organizations to identify public services for further analysis, assess which of those services are the most likely candidates for sharing among jurisdictions, analyze the costs and benefits of integration and identify the steps required to integrate them.

"The ultimate objectives of the project are to save taxpayer money and improve government efficiencies," said Dickens, "which could also establish a basis for future sharing and improvement of services for citizens."

"This project will not solve every budget problem, but it's a great start using collaboration, cooperation and consensus," said Management Partners president and CEO Jerry Newfarmer. "Sharing services is not a new idea; it's as old as local government itself. The Hampton Roads' project has real potential, though, with this trailblazing partnership of city governments and the business community."

Targeted for completion in early 2012, the team will produce a report, which municipal leaders could use to implement shared delivery of specific services and potentially make a positive impact on their budgeting process. Management Partners has recommended this approach based on its extensive experience in helping a large variety of governments under different circumstances take advantage of opportunities to consolidate or share in service delivery.

Find more information including project progress at http://hrp.org/Site/sharedservices .

The Hampton Roads Partnership is a public-private nonprofit organization formed in 1996 and represents ten cities, six counties and one town in Southeastern Virginia, equaling nearly 1.7 million citizens. Comprised of the chief elected officials of all seventeen communities as well as community leaders from the private business sector, education, military, and labor from both south Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula, the Partnership is the only organization in Hampton Roads that focuses on the region's strategic issues for enhancing its competitiveness in today’s global economy with resulting income and job growth for its citizens. Led by the Hampton Roads Partnership and the Planning District Commission, the first region-wide comprehensive economic development strategy, Vision Hampton Roads, created a roadmap of strategies and actions - to engage citizens and embrace ongoing region-wide economic development practices.

http://hrp.org/
http://visionhamptonroads.com/

Management Partners, founded in 1994 by president and CEO Jerry Newfarmer, provides clients with the expertise of professionals with extensive experience in all aspects of local government management and the full range of city and county services. Staff includes former city managers, analysts, department directors and other public service professionals with experience in a variety of program areas. Newfarmer is a national leader in local government performance management, having led his firm to nationally recognized expertise in municipal development review processes, strategic planning, budgeting and finance, and organizational analysis.

http://managementpartners.com/

###

SSI Media Contacts:

Missy Schmidt, Hampton Roads Partnership, (757) 625-4696 ( Missy@HRP.org )
Jerry Newfarmer, Management Partners, (513) 861-5400 ( JNewfarmer@ManagementPartners.com )
Mark Cox, City of Chesapeake, (757) 382-6241 ( MCox@CityOfChesapeake.net )
Bob Batcher, City of Norfolk, (757) 664-4338 ( Bob.Batcher@Norfolk.gov )
Mary Hancock, City of Virginia Beach, (757) 385-4436 ( MHancock@VBgov.com )
Maureen C. McDonnell, Amerigroup Corporation, (757) 473-2731 ( mmcdonn@amerigroupcorp.com )
Tim Reid, Dollar Tree Stores, (757) 321-5284 ( mailto:TRied@DollarTree.com)
Gerri Dickseski, Huntington Ingalls Industries, (757) 380-3552 ( Gerri.Dickseski@hii-co.com )
Robin Chapman, Norfolk Southern Corporation, (757) 629-2713 ( Robin.Chapman@NScorp.com )
Keira Lombardo, Smithfield Foods, (757) 365-3050 ( KeiraLombardo@SmithfieldFoods.com )

CSX Introduces Improved Carbon Calculator

2011-12-01T00:27:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

CSX Introduces Improved Carbon Calculator

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - November 29, 2011 - As millions of Americans head to stores or make online purchases, CSX has launched an improved Carbon Calculator aimed at helping consumers and businesses better understand the key role freight rail plays in a sustainable supply chain.

"CSX's online Carbon Calculator not only helps our customers make smart supply chain decisions, it also helps educate consumers about the path items take to get to store shelves or their front door," said Carl Gerhardstein, assistant vice president, environmental systems and sustainability. "This tool demonstrates our commitment to responsible business and helps consumers understand how freight rail positively affects the life-cycle of the goods they buy."

To demonstrate the efficiencies of CSX's network, the calculator compares the carbon emissions generated by freight rail to those of long-haul trucks over similar routes. Consumers are able to choose from a number of variables - from the type and volume of goods transported to the length of the route - to estimate the average carbon emissions reduced by shipping via rail.

The tool also plays an important role for businesses, helping them optimize their supply chains as they bring goods to market more sustainably than ever before. The calculator provides shippers an opportunity to better understand the environmental benefits of shipping their goods via rail. The tool shows how intermodal shipments - combining both truck and rail transport to maximize efficiency - can drastically reduce carbon emissions.

Check out CSX's enhanced carbon calculator on http://www.csx.com/ to learn how freight rail can reduce the environmental footprint of businesses and consumers alike.

About CSX

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.csx.com/.

Follow CSX on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX).

Contact:

Lauren Rueger
1 (877) TELL-CSX

Brand-new (2011) Concrete Arch Bridge: Strasburg RR in PA

2011-11-30T01:56:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email. The photographer was not identified. First picture was taken on 11/2/11 and last 2 pictures on 11/18/11.

Construction and in-service photographs of just-completed Closed Spandrel Concrete Elliptical Arch Bridge project on the historic Strasburg Railroad (now in its 180th year). The line has been operated as a steam-powered tourist attraction near Lancaster, PA for over a half-century. The blue-sky day photo of Great Western #90, a steam locomotive built in 1924 crossing the newly-opened span, with its 2011 build date cast into the concrete of the arch's crown, is a bit of a chronological mind-bender!

Santa Trains on the Black River & Western RR - 2011

2011-11-26T09:08:00.001-05:00

The Black River Railroad Historical Trust will be operating Santa Trains out of Flemington, NJ on the next 4 Sundays: 11/27, 12/4. 12/11, and 12/18. Santa and his elves will go through the train greeting each child and present them with a candy cane. Round-trip trains depart the Flemington PRR station each day of operation at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. The round-trip is approximately 85 minutes. For more information, please see the following web site.

http://www.brrht.org/eventSantaExpress.html

Black Friday 2011 - Christmas Shopping at the Big Little Railroad Shop

2011-11-20T01:29:00.000-05:00

Avoid the crowds at the malls by coming to the Big Little Railroad Shop in downtown Somerville on "Black Friday." We have all sorts of wonderful model railroad items from full sets to individual cars, locomotives, track, buildings, scenery supplies, etc. If you don't know exactly what to get your modeler, we have gift certificates. We also carry books, videos, and calendars. We have items in all the popular scales: G, O, HO, and N. And, if we don't have what you want in stock, we probably can order it for you.

In addition to a full line of model railroading "stuff," The Big Little Railroad Shop carries plastic model kits for airplanes, ships, automobiles, and military vehicles. We also have Ninco slot cars. New this year, we have a variety of science kits.

We are located at 63 West Main Street in Somerville, NJ. Phone: 908-685-8892.

Visit our web site at: http://www.biglittle.com/

For your holiday shopping convenience we are open the following hours through Christmas:

Tuesday - Wednesday 11AM - 7PM

Thursday - Friday 11AM -8PM

Saturday 11AM - 5PM

Sunday 12noon - 4PM

Somerville's Downtown Dollars Sweepstakes - 2011

2011-11-20T01:16:00.001-05:00

Received a flyer via email about above titled sweepstakes. Tried to reproduce the flyer for this blog post, but it didn't turn out too well. To see the flyer full size, click on the picture. Then use your browser's BACK button to return here.

Shop and Dine at Downtown Somerville this holiday season and
YOU COULD WIN !

For more information see the following web site:

http://www.findsomerville.com/pub/gen/holiday2011

NS 30th Anniversary special photo train

2011-11-18T01:56:00.033-05:00

Received the following set of photos via email. This special train was assembled to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the railroad merger that created the Norfolk Southern Corporation. The train ran on the old N&W Shenandoah division between Roanoke and Glasgow, Virginia on Sunday, 10/23/11, primarily so NS could obtain publicity photos. The train was made up of 4 locomotives wearing NS heritage paint schemes, a string of brand new hopper cars, and a Norfolk & Western caboose. The locomotives were as follows:

Norfolk Southern SD40-2 #6103 from NS Corp.
Norfolk & Western GP30 # 522 from the Roanoke Chapter of the NRHS
Southern Railway GP30 #5294 from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
Conrail GP30 #2233 from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Unable to determine the source of the N&W caboose.

Don't know exact locotations of photos.

Believe the photographer was Casey Thomason, a NS employee.

To see a photo full size, click on it. Then use your browser's BACK button to return here.

CSX Named Top Military Friendly Employer in Transportation Industry

2011-11-16T01:10:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

CSX Named Top Military Friendly Employer in Transportation Industry

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - November 14, 2011 - CSX was recognized today as the number three military-friendly employer on G.I. Jobs' 2012 Top 100 Military Friendly Employers list, ranking first in the transportation industry. Holding the overall number three spot for the second year in a row, CSX has
been included on the G.I. Jobs annual ranking, which recognizes businesses that emphasize the recruitment of U.S. military veterans, since 2006.

"Hiring veterans is both an honor and a patriotic duty for CSX, and something we are committed to continuing," said Michael Ward, CSX chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Our military veterans prove themselves exceptional employees, and their hard work helps us to continue delivering quality service to our customers."

With nearly one in five employees a veteran of the armed services, CSX recognizes the integral role that veterans play. With their leadership, critical thinking, technical and problem solving skills, veterans typically have the invaluable skills CSX actively recruits. Earlier this year, CSX was also one of 15 recipients, and the only two-time recipient, of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, chosen from more than 4,000 applicants. This award recognizes employers that support active duty reservist employees.

CSX's relationship with U.S. troops extends beyond the hiring of America's servicemen and women. The military is also a valued customer, as CSX serves more military installations than any other Class I Railroad.

The annual G.I. Jobs rankings examine more than 5,000 American businesses with more than $500 million in annual revenues. G.I. Jobs ranks these businesses based on dedication to military hiring, percentage of new veteran hires, and internal recruitment programs, among other outreach activities.

To view the full list of G.I. Jobs' 2012 Top 100 Military Friendly Employers, please visit http://www.gijobs.com/2012Top100.aspx?i.

About CSX
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.csx.com/.

Contact:
Carla Groleau
1 (877) TELL-CSX

Greenbrier Express Done?

2011-11-16T00:55:00.000-05:00

Following article is from The Pottstown Mercury newspaper serving Pottstown, PA.

Luxury rail car project put on hold; 21 laid off

Friday, November 11, 2011

By Evan Brandt

POTTSTOWN — Work on refurbishing passenger rail cars for the luxurious Greenbrier Express has stopped, and 21 of the workers there have been laid off, the entrepreneur in charge of the project has confirmed.

Ross Rowland, who in February began hiring workers to refurbish 15 passenger cars in a portion of the former Bethlehem Steel plant to be used on an exclusive luxury rail line between the resort and Washington, D.C., confirmed the news this week.

Crews had just about finished all the demolition work on the inside of the cars and were getting ready to prepare the cars for the second phase, installing the new interiors.

He said 21 workers have been laid off, but 17 have been kept on to do “engineering work.”

The problem, Rowland said, is rules issued by the Federal Railroad Administration that require that the equipment and furnishings in the cars be designed to withstand extremely high impacts.

Rowland said Jim Justice — the West Virginia billionaire who owns and is restoring the 710-room, 200-year-old resort at Greenbrier — “decided to put the project on hold” until the impact of the regulations can be fully analyzed.

The engineering workers are being kept on, re-designing the interiors of the rooms to meet the new regulations, for when — or if — the project gets a green light to move forward.

“They’re getting things ready,” said Rowland, who has been involved with railroads all his life and is perhaps best known for helping stage the American Freedom Train.

During the 21 months surrounding America’s bicentennial, the 25-car American Freedom Train, packed with more than 550 original documents, artifacts and memorabilia on loan from the National Archives and 285 lenders, brought American history along 25,000 miles to 138 cities and seven million paid visitors.

It was government regulations, and not the economy, that put the brakes on the project, said Rowland, who added “there have been people who said we should not be launching a luxury railroad in this economy, but the product was going to determine that. Either the market would accept it or it wouldn’t.”

Rowland, who knew presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, said the work stoppage is “absolutely” an example of government over-regulation costing jobs.

One of those jobs was held by welder and fabricator Mark Carlson of Honey Brook.

“I joined up for one reason and that was to do something great,” said Carlson.

“I wanted to be a part of history and I passed up other opportunities to take this job,” said Carlson, who said, “I’ve worked on the space program, ships, bridges and power plants and I wanted to put a piece of history back on the tracks.”

Carlson said he already has interviews lined up but “if my phone rings and they want me back, I’ll be there in a New York minute,” but then added, “but I’m not holding my breath.”

Showcasing Railroad History Through Various Events

2011-11-12T23:06:00.001-05:00

Showcasing Railroad History Through Various Events

By Elena Lathrop – Railroad.net

Railroads have been a vital component of American history ever since their invention. They symbolize industrialization, human ingenuity, migration, trade, exploration, and much more. Americans value this greatly, and they show this through the vast array of museums, preservation efforts, festivals, and events dedicated to railroads and railroad history. For instance, the National Railway Historical Society holds an annual convention in various cities around the nation where attendees can take heritage tours of local sites, among many other activities. In 2012 it will be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from June 18th-24th. Snoqualmie, Washington also holds an annual event titled Railroad Days, which occur around the historical Snoqualmie Depot train station. This festival not only teaches participants about the history of the vintage Snoqualmie railroad, it also allows them to experience it firsthand through train rides to the Snoqualmie Falls viewpoint. On Labor Day weekend of this year, the Norfolk Southern Corporation and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum joined forces to bring steam engines back to the Norfolk Southern Rails in the “21st Century Steam” program, featuring passenger excursions on the restored Southern Railway 630 steam locomotive. Similarly, at the 2011 Rail Fest event in North Platte, Nebraska, Union Pacific’s classic Steam Locomotive No. 844 made an appearance. Additionally, it was made a part of New Mexico and Arizona’s state centennial celebrations which took place this year. It was built in 1944 and later made obsolete by the diesel-electric train, but Union Pacific decided to bring it out of retirement in 2000 for historical, commemorative purposes. Amtrak has also put on historical railroad events, such as an exhibit on the importance of railroads in the Great Migration. This period in the early 20th century witnessed heavy migration of blacks from the Southern states to northern cities to seek employment in the new, booming industrial job market. The migrants traveled mainly by passenger train or by hopping on freight trains. Amtrak’s exhibit consisted primarily of historical documents and photographs showcasing the strong connection between this era and the railroad industry. To celebrate its own history, Amtrak created an exhibit train with a museum inside of it, chronicling the company’s history and displaying memorabilia. The train toured the United States to mark Amtrak’s 40th anniversary.

These events highlight just how much effort is put into preserving, restoring, and showcasing historical trains, railroads, and train stations – all for the sake of allowing Americans to experience railroad history and learn its importance in the most authentic way possible. It is also done in a fun, accessible manner. As railroads represent so much of what America stands for and is all about, these efforts are highly pertinent and warranted. If you are a railroad enthusiast, you are certainly in luck when it comes to finding events to attend to pursue your interest in the subject.

Large consignment of Lionel equipment available

2011-11-11T00:43:00.000-05:00

We have acquired a large consignment of "pre-owned" Lionel equipment - about 200 pieces. Some of these items are still in unopened, original boxes. A few of the items are from the MPC/General Mills era (1969 -1986), but most are from 1987 up to today. The best way to find out more about this equipment would be to come into the store. Otherwise, you can phone or send an email. Contact information is at the top of the sidebar on the left.

NS’s virtual inventory system delivers real savings for ethanol shippers

2011-11-11T00:24:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

November 7, 2011

Norfolk Southern’s virtual inventory system delivers real savings for ethanol shippers

NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern is supporting ethanol shippers with a new virtual inventory management and delivery system that can cut in half the time it takes to transload shipments at Thoroughbred Bulk Transfer (TBT) facilities.

The new system, the first of its kind in the rail industry, combines ethanol shipments from multiple customers into a single inventory in a process called comingling. This expedites transloading operations by enabling trucks to access ethanol from any rail car when they arrive at the terminal.

Since the system was implemented in October 2010, NS has increased the efficiency and capacity of its TBT comingling facilities. For example, at Alexandria, Va., the transload process dropped from an average 90 minutes to just 30 minutes.

“By creating a virtual inventory, we are taking the variability out of service, increasing flexibility and accessibility to the product, and decreasing the time it takes to get the product to blending and storage facilities,” said Charlie Brenner, NS assistant vice president market systems and development. “We visualize it as a ‘rolling storage tank’ that streamlines access to a customer’s ethanol supply.”

Customers can access real-time information on shipments through the enhanced NS Ethanol Dashboard, a component of the new inventory system’s software developed by NS’ e-commerce team. The Web-based application tracks the quantity of ethanol each shipper uses and automatically updates inventory levels, monitors shipments in transit, and provides access to historical data. Truck arrival and departure times also are recorded. In addition, NS monitors each customer’s supply chain, sends automated alerts if inventory levels are low, and in some cases assists with purchasing.

OSAGE Inc., the largest independent distributor of motor-fuel grade ethanol in the Southeast, has been using the new dashboard since the beginning of 2011. “The operational change at the rail siding from segregated inventory to comingled inventory has improved efficiency and reduced incurred demurrage charges to almost zero,” said OSAGE Chief Financial Officer Wes Spruill. “This represents real cost savings to our business. With the NS Ethanol Dashboard and comingled storage, the Pineville rail siding has now become one of the simplest distribution points with which I work on a regular basis.”

So far, more than 150 million gallons of ethanol have been transloaded using the new system at Norfolk Southern TBT facilities at Doraville (Atlanta), Pineville (Charlotte), N.C., and Alexandria, and Petersburg, Va. NS also will offer the new inventory system at its recently opened TBT at Pottstown, Pa., and in Roanoke, Va., scheduled to open in January 2012.

Norfolk Southern serves 22 ethanol production plants that manufacture 2.16 billion gallons of ethanol annually. In 2010, NS transported 2.13 billion gallons of ethanol, about 16 percent of the total U.S. production, through a network of 75 facilities strategically located to serve suppliers and consumers in the eastern and southern U.S.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:

(Media) Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 (susan.terpay@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

NS plans to hire 500 employees in eight states

2011-11-10T00:20:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

November 3, 2011

Norfolk Southern plans to hire 500 employees in eight states.

Job openings for entry-level and experienced applicants in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia

NORFOLK, VA. -- Norfolk Southern Corporation plans to hire 500 employees in eight states by the end of 2011 to meet the growing demand for freight rail service and to replace employees retiring in coming years.

The railroad is seeking applicants as conductors, freight car repairers, machinists, signal maintainers, and track workers in the following locations:

Illinois: Chicago, Decatur
Indiana: Fort Wayne, Princeton
Maryland: Baltimore*
New York: Buffalo
Ohio: Cincinnati
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Knoxville
Virginia: Manassas*, Roanoke
Pennsylvania: Altoona, Harrisburg*, Pittsburgh

*Employment information sessions are scheduled at these locations.

“These jobs offer excellent pay and benefits and the opportunity to build a long-term career at a company that has been vital to the U.S. economy for more than 180 years,” said Cindy Earhart, NS vice president of human resources. “Norfolk Southern has hired more than 3,500 employees so far this year and anticipates adding 2,600 employees in 2012.”

Most of the jobs involve working outdoors and at night, on weekends, and holiday shifts. Substantial travel might be required to help keep Norfolk Southern’s 2,000-plus trains per day running across the railroad system.

Job descriptions

Conductor: You'll start as a conductor trainee, operate track switches, couple cars, and work on freight trains in rail yards or travel with trains. Significant travel may be involved, and you might spend a day or more per week away from your home terminal. Watch this video to learn more. This job leads to becoming a locomotive engineer.

Machinist: You will inspect, repair, and maintain the engine and mechanical components of the railroad’s 4,100 diesel locomotives. Experience with welding, hydraulics, or equipment maintenance is beneficial.

Signal Maintainer: This job involves the construction, repair, and maintenance of 6,000 railroad signals in 22 states. Electronics training is useful.

Freight Car Repairer: You'll inspect, repair, and maintain Norfolk Southern’s fleet of more than 87,000 freight cars. Experience in welding or mechanical repairs is preferred but not necessary.

Track Worker: Employees inspect, maintain, and repair 36,000 miles of main line and yard tracks across the Norfolk Southern network.

Interested individuals can learn more about careers in the railroad industry at three employment information sessions for job openings in Baltimore, Harrisburg, Pa., and Manassas, Va. During the sessions job candidates will complete an application and assessment and may be selected for an interview.

Harrisburg, Pa.
Nov. 29, 2011
8 a.m.
Holiday Inn Harrisburg East
4751 Lindle Road
Harrisburg

Baltimore
Nov. 30, 2011
8 a.m.
Marriott Hunt Valley
245 Shawan Road
Hunt Valley, Md.

Manassas, Va.
Dec. 2, 2011
8 a.m.
Best Western-Culpeper
791 Madison Road
Culpeper, Va.

To apply for positions at other locations, visit Norfolk Southern’s careers website and complete an online application. Our employment team will notify you if you are selected to participate in the next step of the recruiting process. If you have specific questions or need assistance with the online application, call our Human Resources Help Desk at (800) 267-3313. Applicants must be at least 18 and have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Those who receive a job offer are required to successfully complete a medical exam, drug test, and background investigation.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:

(Media) Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 (susan.terpay@nscorp.com)
Media can request tours of local rail yards and interviews about job openings.

(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

Best place to buy a watch in 1880

2011-11-09T23:41:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

pssst......you wanna buy a watch?

If you were in the market for a watch in 1880, would you know where to get one? You would go to a store, right? Well, of course you could do that, but if you wanted one that was cheaper and a bit better than most of the store watches, you went to the train station! Sound a bit funny? Well, for about 500 towns across the northern United States, that's where the best watches were found.

Why were the best watches found at the train station? The railroad company wasn't selling the watches, not at all. The telegraph operator was. Most of the time the telegraph operator was located in the railroad station because the telegraph lines followed the railroad tracks from town to town. It was usually the shortest distance and the right-of-ways had already been secured for the rail line.

Most of the station agents were also skilled telegraph operators and that was the primary way that they communicated with the railroad. They would know when trains left the previous station and when they were due at their next station. And it was the telegraph operator who had the watches. As a matter of fact they sold more of them than almost all the stores combined for a period of about 9 years.

This was all arranged by "Richard", who was a telegraph operator himself. He was on duty in the North Redwood, Minnesota train station one day when a load of watches arrived from the east. It was a huge crate of pocket watches. No one ever came to claim them.

So Richard sent a telegram to the manufacturer and asked them what they wanted to do with the watches. The manufacturer didn't want to pay the freight back, so they wired Richard to see if he could sell them. So Richard did. He sent a wire to every agent in the system asking them if they wanted a cheap, but good, pocket watch. He sold the entire case in less than two days and at a handsome profit.

That started it all. He ordered more watches from the watch company and encouraged the telegraph operators to set up a display case in the station offering high quality watches for a cheap price to all the travelers. It worked! It didn't take long for the word to spread and, before long, people other than travelers came to the train station to buy watches.

Richard became so busy that he had to hire a professional watch maker to help him with the orders. That was Alvah. And the rest is history as they say.

The business took off and soon expanded to many other lines of dry goods.

Richard and Alvah left the train station and moved their company to Chicago -- and it's still there.

IT'S A LITTLE KNOWN FACT...

...that for a while in the1880's, the biggest watch retailer in the country was at the train station. It all started with a telegraph operator: Richard Sears and his partner Alvah Roebuck!

CSX, State of Florida Close on SunRail Transaction

2011-11-09T23:32:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

November 03, 2011

CSX, State of Florida Close on SunRail Transaction

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - November 3, 2011 - CSX Corporation today completed the previously announced transaction with the State of Florida to sell a 61-mile rail corridor for the SunRail commuter railroad.

The commuter system is expected to begin initial operations in 2014 in a corridor along Interstate 4. SunRail will serve the Orlando area as well as Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties. Under the agreement, CSX will retain an exclusive freight easement to operate on the SunRail line in order to continue to provide all common carrier services to its customers.

"Today's closing represents a significant milestone in this public-private partnership that accommodates Central Florida's need for a transportation alternative to congested highways, while preserving and expanding environmentally friendly and efficient freight rail capacity," said Louis Renjel, vice president-strategic infrastructure.

Over the next eight years, CSX and its affiliates plan to invest $500 million into Florida rail infrastructure to support economic growth and job creation in the state. This investment is primarily supported by proceeds
from the transaction.

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.csx.com/.

Contact:
Gary Sease
Corporate Communications
1-877-835-5279

CSX Corporation Exec to Address Baird's 2011 Industrial Conference

2011-11-09T23:23:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

November 02, 2011

CSX Corporation Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to Address Baird's 2011 Industrial Conference

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (November 2, 2011) - Oscar Munoz, CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) executive vice president and chief financial officer, will address Baird's 2011 Industrial Conference in Chicago on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. CST/10:30 a.m. EST.

Access to the audio webcast will be available on CSX's website at http://investors.csx.com/. A replay and accompanying audio will be available following the conclusion of this event.

About CSX
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.csx.com/.

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

Lauren Rueger, Corporate Communications
877-835-5279

CSX offers new iPhone app

2011-11-09T23:15:00.000-05:00

Received the following via email.

October 31, 2011

CSX Offers New Convenience to Customers with iPhone Application

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - October 31, 2011 - CSX today announced the release of a new iPhone application, ShipCSX. The application allows CSX customers to track freight shipments and trains across the CSX network. It also provides customers with specifications of rail cars such as equipment dimensions and weights. The app is a highly anticipated addition to CSX's e-commerce tools, and bolsters the company's commitment to provide reliable service to customers.

"The ShipCSX application makes planning and tracing shipments easier than ever, enabling customers to better plan for the arrival of scheduled shipments" said Eddie Chesser, director e-business CSX. "Designed with our supply chain and logistics-conscious consumers in mind, this application continues our commitment to make rail the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to move freight."

The ShipCSX app provides CSX customers anywhere/anytime access to updates on the status of their rail shipments via a simple smartphone interface. Customers can retrieve up-to-date information about their shipments, including estimated times of arrivals and movement history. The ShipCSX app will allow customers to better plan operations surrounding the arrival and use of the goods shipped via CSX rail lines.

The application is available for free through the iTunes store, and currently works on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices, and more options are soon to come. "CSX is working to add more functionality to the app, as well as an Android-compatible version," said Steve Watkins, director of technology applications, CSX.

ShipCSX is designed for CSX customers only, and requires a secure login ID and password to access information. For more information on obtaining a login and password, customers can contact the ShipCSX team at 1 (877)-ShipCSX or at http://www.shipcsx.com/.

About CSX

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line and regional railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.csx.com/.

Follow CSX on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX).

Contact:
Carla Groleau
1-877-835-5279

Norfolk Southern reports third-quarter 2011 results

2011-10-28T00:30:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

October 26, 2011

Norfolk Southern reports third-quarter 2011 results

For 2011 vs. 2010, Norfolk Southern achieved the following records:

· Income from railway operations improved 26 percent to $938 million.
· Net income increased 24 percent to $554 million.
· Diluted earnings per share rose 34 percent to $1.59.
· The railway operating ratio improved by 2.1 percentage points to 67.5 percent.

NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported record third-quarter net income of $554 million, 24 percent higher compared with $445 million for the same period of 2010. Diluted earnings per share were a record $1.59, up 34 percent, compared with $1.19 per share in the third quarter of 2010.

“Norfolk Southern produced another outstanding quarter, setting all-time records for income from operations and earnings per share, while also establishing third-quarter records for net income and operating ratio,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “We continue to see modest improvement in most of our business groups, and we remain focused on the long-term enhancement of our franchise.”

Railway operating revenues of $2.9 billion rose 18 percent compared with the same period of 2010, primarily as the result of a 14 percent increase in revenue per unit.

General merchandise revenues were $1.4 billion, 12 percent higher compared with third-quarter 2010 results. Coal revenues increased 27 percent, to $899 million, compared with the same period last year. Intermodal revenues were $551 million, 19 percent higher compared with the third quarter of 2010.

Railway operating expenses for the quarter were $2.0 billion, 14 percent higher compared with the same period of 2010, primarily due to increased fuel expenses, which rose by $126 million, and compensation and benefits costs.

Income from railway operations climbed 26 percent to an all-time record $938 million compared with the same period last year.

The railway operating ratio improved by 2.1 percentage points to a third-quarter record 67.5 percent compared with 69.6 percent during third-quarter 2010.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 ( fsbrown@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

NS declares quarterly dividend

2011-10-28T00:19:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Oct. 25, 2011

Norfolk Southern declares quarterly dividend

NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced the regular quarterly dividend of 43 cents per share on its common stock, payable on Dec. 10, to stockholders of record on Nov. 4.

Since its inception in 1982, Norfolk Southern has paid dividends on its common stock for 117 consecutive quarters.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 (susan.terpay@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

CNJ Blue Comet Anniversary Lunch on TV

2011-10-25T14:33:00.000-04:00

Received the following information via email and web search.

The CNJ veteran employees held a luncheon recently in the former Blue Comet obsevation car Biela which is located at the Clinton Diner (NJ). This meeting was covered by News 12 New Jersey, a cable TV channel. The story will air on Wednesday, 10/26/11, at 15 minutes past the hour between 5 AM and 5 PM and at other times through the night. News 12 New Jersey is a cable only channel, so you won't find it if you use satallite or FIOS or over-the-air. Cablevision channel 12, Comcast of NJ channel 62, and Service Electric (of Sussex and Warren Counties, NJ) channel 12.

Finally some LEHL autumn colors!

2011-10-24T00:59:00.000-04:00

(Train sightings on 10-22-11.)

Those hard to find splashes of autumn's colors were finally found on this Saturday morning in Three Bridges (NJ). The orange and yellow hues that seemed to dominant the foliage at this time of the season were finally seen! Some of those colors were courtesy of a rather unusual source. NS 22V and NS 290 added to the scene with their "contribution" of fall's colors to that tree's foliage which was adjacent to the LEHL. Behind 22V's motive power of NS 9372 and NS 7549 was a string of pumpkin-colored COFCs. adding their autumn color to this scene.

Later on around 12:45, NS 290's leader was UP 3927. Its presence helped to brighten up a suddenly overcast sky with its armour yellow paint in this fall setting.

RR Overpass vs. Deere Excavator arm

2011-10-21T02:43:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email. Photographer was not identified.

There aren't very many times I have ever been inclined to exclaim (as the younger generation now so often does) "Whoa...DUUUDE !!" This, however, would have been enough for me to do it, had I come upon this scene on the Yellowhead Highway in Saskatchewan. This unintended highway clearance project was abrupt and...LOUD! I cannot imagine the truck driver came through the sudden stop entirely unscathed. I'll bet he sure wished he'd paid closer attention to the yellow clearance sign posted on the span. Had there been a pair of 415,000-pound CP Rail locomotives crossing that span at that moment, the extra mass would have tilted the F = MA equation outcome a wee bit more in the bridge's favor. The railway was just lucky no train was approaching this spot, right then, or the outcome would have been much, much worse.

This is not an unheard of event: at the beginning of January, a truck rolled one and displaced a second RR overpass on the CN's Bessemer Subdivision, just one mile from our house here in Greenville, PA. Fortunately, the active third track bridging the road at that location was unharmed. That truck and culprit have yet to be found.

Pictures illustrate need to know your load heights. This happened on 10/11/11 to a CPR bridge at Lloydminster, SK, Canada.

Note: click on a photo to see it full size. Then user your browser's BACK button to return here.

Two NS 'ol soldiers labor on...

2011-10-18T01:25:00.000-04:00

(Train sightings on 10-15-11.)

...was out along the LEHL at Three Bridges (NJ) on Saturday in search of some fall colors and only found splashes of color here and there. What I did find though was two NS diesels with a combined age of seventy-seven years working the local at BR&W's interchange. Waiting for Saturday morning's parade of NS trains 11J, 21M, 212, and 18G, NS 3201 and NS 5324 would wait on the siding for over an hour for this parade to clear. When 18G finally passed around 10:39, these two diesels would head west with six cars in a push pull mode. NS 3201 (SD40-2) is of Southern heritage and was built in 1972. NS 5324's (GP38-2) was built back in 1973 when it was PC 8151 and later would become CR 8151.

NS 18G comes east with its consist of mixed freight at 10:39. Motive power was NS 2765 and NS 8986.

NS 3201 prepares to head west to Bethlehem (PA) with six cars of mixed freight and NS 5324 at 10: 51.

NS 5324 brings up the rear on this blustery autumn morning.

Railroads in New Jersey exhibit opens Oct. 27

2011-10-15T13:08:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

All Aboard: Railroads in New Jersey, 1812-1930 , a major exhibition at the Rutgers University Libraries, will open on Thursday, October 27, 2011. The exhibition, which will be on display at the Special Collections and University Archives Gallery until January 6, 2012, features rare broadsides, pamphlets, and images documenting the history of railroads in the Garden State from Rutgers University Libraries’ collections.

Lorett Treese, author of Railroads of New Jersey (2006) will speak at the exhibition opening, which will be held at 5:00 p.m. in the Remigio U. Pane Room at the Archibald S. Alexander Library in New Brunswick. For more details about the exhibition and program or to RSVP, see http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/news/11/09_nj_railroads.shtml

--

Fernanda H. Perrone
Special Collections and University Archives Rutgers University Libraries
169 College Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1163
voice: 732 932 7006 x363
fax: 732 932 7012
email: hperrone@rulmail.rutgers.edu

Railroading, back then and today...

2011-10-12T01:45:00.000-04:00

("Train" sightings on 10-8 & 9-11.)

...is what is being talked about here, one image shows what is current compared to a second image that shows what once was in railroading. The here and now is what I observed while at my Three Bridges trackside location on Saturday morning. Three eastbound NS intermodal trains would pass by in fairly quick succession. They were NS 22V, NS 24Z and NS 202 were all carrying a wide array of assorted COFCs and TOFCs bearing the names of various transportation companies. Those NS intermodal trains represented how railroads continue to be an integral cog in bringing these manufactured goods to today’s markets.

NS 24Z, a Chicago to Croxton intermodal, is seen passing through Three Bridges (LEHL MP 48) on Saturday morning at 11:18. Motive power consisted of NS 9892 and NS 9689.

On Sunday, I toured the Bethlehem Steel Plant, a facility in which an in-plant railroad was also considered vital in the production of their steel products. In 1943, employment peaked at 31,523 men and women for the war effort. During the course of this walking tour, I observed the remnants of a very extensive in-plant railroad system estimated to have 300 miles of tracks. Looking out a window at the Sands Casino, I observed what remained of the high line tracks. These were the tracks that hoppers carried raw materials to the blast furnaces used in the production of making steel. Walking past another building I assumed to be Bethlehem Steel’s No 2 Machine Shop, a orange inter-plant switcher could be seen. Alas, a chain link fence combined with this switcher’s location made it impossible to get a good photo of this relic from the past.

The "High Line" as seen from the second floor window of the Sands Resort and Casino. Those tracks would carry the raw materials needed for making steel to the blast furnaces which are seen off to the right.

One of the blast furnaces into which those raw materials would be mixed. They have stood cold for such a long time that a tree is growing. It can be seen on the furnance's left side about half way up.

Those two days provided a glimpse into how railroads contributed and continue to contribute to this country's economic growth and movement of finished goods to market.

Illinois Railnet

2011-10-12T00:27:00.000-04:00

Received the following from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text, photo, and caption are his.

Some of the older power still in service today on the Illinois Railroad.

Illinois Railnet 5 at Peru, IL

NS and The Washington Post host transportation infrastructure summit

2011-10-12T00:19:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

October 10, 2011

Norfolk Southern and The Washington Post host transportation infrastructure summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Norfolk Southern and The Washington Post are convening leading thinkers in transportation, urban planning, and finance to discuss the problems and potential of the nation’s railroads, highways, bridges, and transit systems.

The summit, titled “Fixing America’s Foundation: Rebuilding Transportation Infrastructure,” will take place Oct. 14 in Washington. It is part of the Washington Post Live series of forums on key issues. (Click here to register.)

Speakers are scheduled to include U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood; U.S. Rep. John Mica, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and Senior Fellow Robert Puentes of the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mary Jordan, editor of Washington Post Live, which organizes political debates, conferences, and other news events, will moderate the day-long discussion.

“The nation’s transportation infrastructure is at a tipping point,” said Wick Moorman, Norfolk Southern CEO. “We need to chart the way ahead with resolve, and with concrete, achievable plans. It’s a critical discussion -- for every mode of transportation -- and the idea of bringing together top thinkers with broad perspectives is both timely and very useful.”

Norfolk Southern also is a sponsor of the CG/LA Third Annual North American Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum, Oct. 11-13 in Washington, titled “Visualizing Competitiveness: What’s Real? What’s Not?” Darrell Wilson, NS assistant vice president government relations, will participate on panels discussing public-private partnerships.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

TV news story about the Kadee Company

2011-10-10T00:57:00.000-04:00

Following link is to a TV news story about the Kadee Quality Products Company that makes model railroad products right here in the USA.

http://kdrv.com/news/local/226703

Conrail and Apple Computer: April 1, 1976

2011-10-08T20:31:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

On April 1, 1976, Jobs and Wozniak formed Apple Computer.

On April 1, 1976, Conrail began operations at 12:01 a.m. .

"...you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. " ---Stanford University Commencement address delivered by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer on June 12, 2005

I never connected these two significant corporate 'birth/start dots' in American business history.

Lehigh and New England Slide Show

2011-10-03T16:52:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

The Oldest Model Railroad Club in America invites you.

Lehigh and New England Slide Show By Richard Taylor

Friday, October 7th, 2011 at 8:00pm

The New York Society of Model Engineers will be hosting a Slide Show covering the Lehigh and New England Railroad by noted rail photographer Rich Taylor.

Numerous never before seen slides taken by Mr. Taylor and historic photos from his collection will be presented. This is your chance to see this great railroad in operation. While presenting his show Rich will be discussing the history, facilities, and operations of this famous road. ALCO FAs! Don't miss the opportunity to learn about this unique railroad.

Admission is free. All are welcome.

The presentation will be given by noted rail photographer Rich Taylor.

Date & Time: Friday, October 7th. 2010 at 8:00 pm - Doors open 7:30 pm

Due to the strong response to previous Rich Taylor slide shows this show has been moved from NYSME HQ to larger location permitting even more people to attend.

Non-NYSME members are welcome!

Location:

Rutherford Ambulance Corps Meeting Room

44 Ames Ave., Rutherford, NJ

Right in downtown Rutherford.

There is a free parking in a lot directly across the street.

You can come by train, only one block from the NJT Rutherford Train Station.

Additional Details: http://www.modelengineers.org/

Admission: FREE

If you know where the Giants and Jets play. The location is only 1 mile away.

Feel free to forward this invitation to your friends

NS QUARTERLY EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

2011-10-03T16:44:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Sept. 29, 2011

NORFOLK SOUTHERN QUARTERLY EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

We cordially invite you to join us on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. EST to review our third-quarter 2011 results. We will issue earnings results shortly after market close on Oct. 26.

For those interested in participating, we will broadcast via teleconference that will be available by dialing 877-869-3847 several minutes prior to the start of the call. At the conclusion, you may listen to an audio replay, which will be available until Nov. 2, 2011. The replay number is 877-660-6853, using PIN 2861, and access code 380050.

In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible, and presentation materials will be posted on the company's website at www.nscorp.com under the Investors section. Following the earnings call, an Internet replay of the presentation will be archived on the company’s website. In addition, the replay will be available for download to a portable audio player or computer as a MP3 - or podcast - file. Both the replay and MP3 file can be found at www.nscorp.com in the Investors section.

For electronic notification of future earnings events, we invite you to subscribe to NSInvest, Norfolk Southern’s e-mail distribution list for news releases on earnings and issues pertaining to the financial performance of Norfolk Southern. To subscribe, please follow directions on our website under the Investors section.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Hostutler
Director Investor Relations
Norfolk Southern Corporation

Updated NS Exhibit Car Highlights Benefits of Rail

2011-10-03T16:39:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Sept. 21, 2011

Updated Norfolk Southern Exhibit Car Highlights Benefits of Rail

NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk Southern Exhibit Car rolls out of the company's Juniata Shops this week for a multistate public tour, newly equipped with enhanced displays showcasing the railroad transportation network.

The Exhibit Car is a restored 1926 Pullman passenger car that was converted to a mobile museum in 1971. In its 40 years of service as a display car, it has traveled to hundreds of cities across Norfolk Southern's railway system and has been viewed by more than 1.5 million people.

The car took a break from its tour schedule this summer for installation of high-definition monitors, digital players, a new audio system, and other upgrades to enhance the experience for guests. New backlit panels illustrate the variety of freight commodities Norfolk Southern transports across its 22-state network, opening up worlds of possibilities for the railroad's communities and customers. A diorama brings added realism to a continuously running model train showing the types of rail cars in the Norfolk Southern fleet for serving the diverse needs of the American economy.

Everyone's favorite display - the locomotive simulator - remains in the car, complete with throttle, brake, and horn putting guests in control of a virtual freight train. Upgrades to the car were completed at Norfolk Southern's Juniata Shops at Altoona, Pa., one of the largest railroad mechanical complexes in the world.

The Exhibit Car will tour from now through November on the following schedule:

· Sept. 24: Inman, S.C., 30th Annual Harvest Day Festival
· Sept. 30, Oct. 1: Gordon, Ga., Fall Line Festival
· Oct. 8, 9: Appomattox, Va., Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival
· Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23: Winnsboro, S.C., South Carolina Railroad Museum Steam Train Event
· Nov. 3-6: Duluth, Ga., Southeastern Railway Museum Model Train Days
· Nov. 18-20; Strasburg, Pa., Thomas The Tank Engine at Strasburg Railroad

Prior to its summer break for upgrades, the Exhibit Car made several other stops, visiting the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at Chattanooga, Tenn., for National Train Day; the Virginia Museum of Transportation on Roanoke Rail Day; Pulaski, Va., for rededication of the town's restored railway station; and Windber, Pa., for the Rosebud Mining Coal Miners' Memorial Weekend.

"It was amazing having the Exhibit Car here," said Bev Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation. "People loved it, and from a museum perspective, it was extremely well done. This really helped make our day."

Norfolk Southern provides the Exhibit Car at no cost for community events throughout its service territory. To request the car for 2012, click here.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contact:
(Media) Rick Harris, 757-629-2718 ( rwharris@nscorp.com )

RARITAN VALLEY RAIL COALITION MEETING - CNJ Bus Rapid Transit study

2011-09-21T13:40:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

NJ Transit is looking at converting the former CNJ easat of Cranford into a busway. Ouch!

The fourth Raritan Valley Rail Coalition Meeting for 2011 has been rescheduled to Monday October 3 at 8:30 a.m. in the Freeholders Meeting room located in the Somerset County Administration Building.

The featured presentation at the meeting will be Mr. Tom Schulze, Senior Director, Capital Planning, NJ Transit. Mr. Schulze will provide an overview of the soon to start Union County BRT Study. The study will examine operating BRT service along the old CNJ rail line. Updates for other projects will be provided at the meeting.

NS CFO Squires to address 2011 Citi Global Industrials Conference

2011-09-21T01:52:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Sept. 15, 2011

Norfolk Southern CFO Squires to address 2011 Citi Global Industrials Conference

NORFOLK, VA. - James A. Squires, executive vice president finance and chief financial officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation, will address the 2011 Citi Global Industrials Conference at 10:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, in Boston.

Interested investors can listen via simultaneous webcast at http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/citigroup/industrials2011/74104336.cfm.
The presentation will be posted at http://www.nscorp.com/.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 ( susan.terpay@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

CNJ - This date in history - September 15

2011-09-21T01:47:00.000-04:00

A little late with this item. Sorry.

CNJ Railroad

September 15, 1958

A Central New Jersey train crashes into Newark Bay, killing 48. Investigators find that the engineer, Lloyd Wilburn, ran through three warning signals, missed the raised drawbridge, and did not attempt to apply the brakes until the train was eight feet away from the edge. It is one of the worst crashes in the Northeast U.S.

Steaming Into Fall - Steam Boat & Train Ride - Saturday, Sept 24 2011

2011-09-19T01:01:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

The United Railroad Historical Society Presents

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Steam down the Delaware on the The Delaware River Steamboat “SPLASH”
and ride the picturesque New Hope & Ivyland Railroad

Steam Boat – 90 Minutes, Train Ride – 60 Minutes

Trip #1: Boat Ride 10:30 am, Train Ride 2 pm
OR
Trip #2: Train Ride 11 am, Boat Ride 1:30 pm

Lunch Break 12 pm - 1:30 pm

Trip #1 to be sold first before filling seats on Trip #2

Tickets $50 per person but seats are limited!

Rain Date: Sunday, September 25, 2011

Order tickets now. Free Parking
________________________________

Trip will run from Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA.

For more information & to reserve your seats please visit:

http://www.urhs.org/ or call 973-238-0555

Steaming Into Fall Trip – $50

Steam up and down the Delaware on the Delaware River Steamboat SPLASH, then relax as you travel through the rolling hills and valleys of historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania aboard the picturesque New Hope & Ivyland Railroad.

The boat ride will depart from Lambertville, NJ and the train ride from New Hope, PA, which is just a short walk over the Delaware River Bridge. Between trips enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many restaurants on either side of the river.

Tickets are $50 per person. Due to the size of the boat, there is a limit of 45 passengers per trip, with 2 trips being offered, one in the morning and one in the early afternoon. Tickets for the morning boat trip will be sold first. Parking for the day is free and is available at the boat launch in Lambertville. Exact directions and information will be included with your tickets.

The boat does not run if it is raining, so the rain date is September 25th. In the event of rain, passengers will be notified on Friday evening September 23rd. No refunds will be offered after September 19th.

PS: We realize that this fund raising event may not be directly on topic for this group. But, many of us have families and have need for rail related activities that are fun for the rest of the family, not just the rail buff! Some may have a friend who is not as into fanning as you and would appreciated this trip. Please forward to them!

If the buttons don't click - go to http://www.urhs.org/SteamingIntoFall.html

Copyright © United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, Inc., 1999-2011. All rights reserved.

9 11 a day the railroad will remember forever!

2011-09-19T00:47:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Let us never forget 9-11.

This day 10 years ago we preparing to run Dunellen Railroad Days.

The tragedy that is 9-11 changed all of our lives forever. We were busy moving the train to Dunellen for our yearly Dunellen Railroad Days. The events of that Tuesday not only delayed the event but In fact, it set in motion events that would make Philipsburg our permanent home. On Sunday remember our friends and family that we lost that day, and say thank you to those who assisted in the rescue efforts ( some of our train crew was there).

It was a day that changed us all forever....

The Delaware River Railroad Excursions

1 Market Street
Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08812

VISIT 877TRAINRIDE.COM

Norfolk Southern, GE Transportation sponsor symposium on sustainability

2011-09-19T00:36:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

September 9, 2011

Norfolk Southern, GE Transportation sponsor symposium on sustainability

NORFOLK, VA. - Demonstrating a commitment to industry leadership in corporate sustainability, Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) and GE Transportation (NYSE: GE) today are sponsoring the first Railroad Sustainability Symposium.

More than 50 U.S. and international rail industry leaders and outside experts in sustainability are attending the inaugural event to share insights into how sustainability can be incorporated into core business strategies and overall performance. The event is being held at GE's John F. Welch Learning Center in Ossining, N.Y.

Planned as an annual gathering, the symposium is designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices in sustainability. It positions Norfolk Southern and GE Transportation at the forefront of industry efforts in sustainability, the practice of mitigating the effects of railroad operations on the environment while improving business efficiencies.

"We all understand that rail transportation is the most environmentally friendly means to move freight, and that we can reduce highway congestion and greenhouse gases by doing so," said Blair Wimbush, Norfolk Southern vice president real estate and corporate sustainability officer. "Given our use of diesel fuel for locomotive power, we also understand the need to improve our fuel economy. This symposium is a great opportunity to learn how to better measure and communicate the environmental impact of rail operations in order to take our sustainability efforts to an even higher level."

"With domestic and global railroads, industry influencers, and sustainability thought leaders in attendance, this is an ideal forum to have a candid dialogue on where the industry is from a sustainability perspective, where it can be, and what it takes to get there," said Pete Lawson, ecomagination leader at GE Transportation. "It's about economic growth and competitiveness and improving the environmental footprint of not only our own operations but also of our customers' operations."

Speakers and panelists at the symposium are covering topics such as best practices in carbon, energy, and water management; ways to leverage sustainability to increase profitability, efficiency, and business value; and how to effectively communicate the sustainability message to customers, employees, and the public.

The symposium coincides with Norfolk Southern's release of its fourth annual sustainability report, which is available online at http://www.nssustainability.com/.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, mining, and wind power industries. GE Transportation provides freight and passenger locomotives, signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions, marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality replacement parts, and value added services. GE Transportation is headquartered in Erie, Penn., and employs approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.getransportation.com/.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Rick Harris, 757-629-2718 (rwharris@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

GE Transportation contact:
(Commercial Marketing Leader) Robert W. Donahue, T 814 875 2755,
M 814 392 7606, F 866 836 5699

Flooding in Eastern Pennsylvania and New York Impacting Some NS Operations

2011-09-19T00:27:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Flooding in Eastern Pennsylvania and New York Impacting Some Operations

Flooding in areas of eastern Pennsylvania and New York due to heavy rains and the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, are impacting operations over Norfolk Southern's Southern Tier line between Buffalo and Binghamton, New York. Shipments moving into areas on this line and to points north and east will encounter delays. This includes shipments to and from points in eastern New York and Massachusetts, and shipments to connecting carriers in this area.

Also affected is the line between Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland. Shipments to locations on this line and to points on the Delmarva Peninsula will encounter delays.

Updated ETA and routing information is always available through Pacesetter (Norfolk Southern's web based pipeline management tool), and accessNS.

Customers with questions regarding specific shipments should contact the National Customer Service Center.
Customer Service - - 800 635.5768

Customers with questions regarding local service should contact their Central Yard Operations Representative.
Central Yard Operations - - 800 898.4296

NS files objections to OSHA findings

2011-09-19T00:15:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

September 8, 2011

Norfolk Southern files objections to OSHA findings

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern has filed objections with the Chief Administrative Law Judge of the U.S. Department of Labor to Aug. 8, 2011, findings of a Regional Administrator of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In the involved findings, OSHA concluded, after an investigation, that Norfolk Southern's 2009 dismissal of a maintenance-of-way employee was retaliation for his reporting a workplace injury and thus in violation of the Federal Railroad Safety Act.

The filing of objections by Norfolk Southern means that an Administrative Law Judge will consider de novo, in a full evidentiary proceeding, OSHA's findings of retaliation in the instant individual complaint, findings with which Norfolk Southern strongly disagrees.

Norfolk Southern takes very seriously its legal and ethical obligations for accurate injury reporting and fair treatment of employees.

Norfolk Southern has set forth in its detailed objections the bases for its complete disagreement with OSHA's decision, including its disagreement with the altogether unjustified aspersions OSHA has cast on Norfolk Southern's strong safety record in its findings and in a press release accompanying its findings.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 ( fsbrown@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

NS 2011 report details strengthened connections through corporate sustainability

2011-09-19T00:11:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

September 7, 2011

Norfolk Southern 2011 report details strengthened connections through corporate sustainability

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) has made significant strides in its corporate sustainability program, including achieving nearly 40 percent of its five-year greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal during the first year.

The company's progress is detailed in its fourth annual sustainability report, issued today on its environmental website, Footprints, at http://www.nssustainability.com/. The 2011 report describes the strategic efforts involved in reducing the company's carbon footprint and tracks ongoing initiatives to achieve industry leadership in fuel conservation, emissions reduction, efficient energy use, recycling, use of renewable materials, and environmental partnerships.

"We recognize that our continued ability to thrive as a business is connected to the health of our communities, our environment, our employees, and our economy," notes CEO Wick Moorman. "In acknowledgement of this common future, we are strengthening our connections with communities and the environment to ensure that the impact we leave - social, economic, and environmental - will be a positive one for years to come."

Blair Wimbush, vice president real estate and corporate sustainability officer, writes that the company made gains in its four areas of primary focus. Chief among them was reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 3.9 percent per revenue ton-mile of freight in 2010. The goal is to lower emissions by 10 percent per revenue ton-mile by 2014, with a focus on improving the fuel economy of its locomotive fleet, the railroad's largest source of emissions. In addition, the company improved the energy efficiency of its office and railroad facilities, saw an increase in employee-led recycling programs, and launched an initiative to plant more than 6 million trees in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, which will serve as a model for future carbon mitigation efforts.

"Looking ahead, we're mindful that we can do something beyond fuel-efficiency gains to have a positive impact on the environment and the communities we serve," Wimbush said. "We've decided to make reforestation a central component of our carbon mitigation strategy."

Moorman praises employees for the sustainability advances: "Our corporate success - whether in safety, service, or sustainability - is a reflection of the dedication, talent, and hard work of our people. They are the connections that make our network strong now and for future generations."

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Jon Glass, 757-629-2789 ( jonathan.glass@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

The new Route 206 bridge update...

2011-09-18T23:56:00.000-04:00

(Train sightings on 9-5-11.)

Continuing to document the progress of the new Route 206 bridge being built over CSX's Trenton Line in Belle Mead, here is the latest as of September 5th, 2011. CSX Q439, with CSX 942 and CSX 4807, passes beneath the new Route 206 bridge being built over CSX's Trenton Line at MP 50 @ 3:30. Note that the new bridge has a chain link fence that curtails any railroad photography from the bridge's walkways. Those trees along the ROW certainly don't help growing where they are either. On a line that is lacking railroad photo locations, another location has fallen victim to the dreaded chain link fence and overgrowth! Still needing to be done are the roadways leading up to the bridge. As for the old bridge, its demolition will occur possibly in the late fall or early winter. Stay tuned for further developments as they occur...

NJT's images of Hurricane Irene's damage

2011-09-18T23:47:00.000-04:00

twenty images of the damage Hurricane Irene inflicted on its system and equipment.

http://www.njtransit.com/var/var_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=HurricaneIreneTo

Stolen model RR equipment

2011-09-18T23:45:00.000-04:00

This is not as timely as it should be. I hope the stolen items have been recovered by now, but I don't know.

A gentleman, Gordon Williams, from South Plainfield, was drying his O gauge trains in his yard after Irene, and someone came along and took a PRR Lionel 0-6-0 and a MTH PRR tender. Would anyone having any information concerning this please call 908.561.0407.

Catching-up

2011-09-18T23:41:00.000-04:00

Your Big Little RR Shop blogger has been having computer problems. I am going to try to catch up now. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

NJT Bridgewater Station- not the first flood it has faced!

2011-08-31T01:14:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Hurricane Irene is not been the first tropical storm that NJT's Bridgewater (NJ) station has had to endure. It is quite ironic that back on August 27 1971, Bridgewater had to deal with the excessive rains of tropical storm Doria. It caused the Raritan River to crest at Bound Brook at a reported peak of 37.47 feet. Needless to say, the damage was excessive. The Bridgewater station, seen as the little shelter off to the left of the bridge, remained standing.

Fast forward to July 2, 2007 when the Lancaster Barnstormers were playing the Somerset Patriots. NJT 4202's engineer catches a glimpse of the game as the passengers disembark at the station located behind the scoreboard.

It is now August 28, 2011 and an unknown photographer snaps this image of Hurricane Irene after she left her calling card of flood waters in the stadium. It is quite ironic that almost forty years to the day, Bridgewater's station is dealing with another massive flood.

Update on NS Service Restoration Following Hurricane Irene

2011-08-31T00:52:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Update on Service Restoration Following Hurricane Irene

Norfolk Southern continues to make good progress in restoring operations following Hurricane Irene. Operations in North and South Carolina and Virginia have generally returned to normal, with a few areas where power has yet to be restored.

On the Delmarva Peninsula, high water and power outages remain in a few areas around Edgemoor, but trains have begun moving into the area.

In the Philadelphia/South Jersey area, normal operations have generally been restored, however, some track areas are still under repair. Flooding along the Raritan River has receded, allowing operation of trains into the North Jersey area.

Repair work on washouts continues in the area around Binghamton, New York, impacting Norfolk Southern shipments into areas of New England. An embargo of some shipments in this area will remain in effect until repairs are completed later this week (Embargo No. NS000811; information available at https://aarembargo.railinc.com).

Customers with shipments moving into these areas should continue to expect delays for the next few days, as the backlog of shipments moves into the area. Updated ETA and routing information is always available through Pacesetter (Norfolk Southern's web based pipeline management tool), and accessNS.

Customers with questions regarding specific shipments should contact the National Customer Service Center.
Customer Service - - 800 635.5768

Customers with questions regarding local service should contact their Central Yard Operations Representative.
Central Yard Operations - - 800 898.4296

CR's Shared Assets LEHL versus Hurricane Irene - No Contest!

2011-08-30T10:37:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

That is what this proved to be when Mother Nature, a/k/a; Hurricane Irene, sent 8 1/2 inches of rain over Central NJ. CR's Shared Assets LEHL came out second best in this bout. This image, which was taken from the I-287 bridge which spans the LEHL, shows some of the devastation from the swollen waters of the Raritan River. You are looking west towards the waterworks in Bridgewater (NJ). Hope that you were spared from Irene's fury.

NS Service Areas Affected By Hurricane Irene

2011-08-30T10:24:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Service Areas Affected By Hurricane Irene

Norfolk Southern operations are being restored following Hurricane Irene. The storm made landfall Saturday morning and impacted operations along the east coast, from the Carloinas northward. As expected, the primary impact on operations has been debris, power outages, and flooding.

Mainline operations in North and South Carolina and Virginia are clear. Some areas remain without power. Branch lines are generally clear and awaiting final inspection but should be open later today.

On the Delmarva Peninsula, flooding, particularly in the area around Edgemoor, is impacting operations and in some areas water remains over top of rail.

Flooding and power outages are also impacting operations in several areas along the eastern seaboard from Philadelphia and northward. In the Philadelphia/South Jersey area, all main and secondary lines have been inspected and most are clear; some washouts are being repaired. Some flooding problems remain in the vicininty of the Delaware River and power outages remain in several areas.

Flooding along the Raritan River is currently precluding access to service areas in the North Jersey area. Restoration of service is largely dependent on how quickly flood waters recede.

Customers with shipments moving into these areas should expect delays. Updated ETA and routing information is always available through Pacesetter (Norfolk Southern's web based pipeline management tool), and accessNS.

Customers with questions regarding specific shipments should contact the National Customer Service Center.
Customer Service - - 800 635.5768

Customers with questions regarding local service should contact their Central Yard Operations Representative.
Central Yard Operations - - 800 898.4296

L&WV Sentimental Journey Slideshow

2011-08-29T01:20:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr.

Hi folks, be sure to mark Nov. 5 on your calender for the L&WV Sentimental Journey Slideshow. (Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley) This year is going to be another great line-up of presenters highlighting the railroads of Eastern Pennsylvania. Below is the associated information. See you in November!

The Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter of the NRHS invites you to our third annual Sentimental Journey Slideshow on Saturday November 5, 2011. Join us for a day of food, fun, and camaraderie as we take a look back at our area’s rich railroading history. The slideshow will be held at the Jenkins Township Fire Company (same location as last year). Doors open at 9 a.m. for a social hour with coffee and donuts. Slides start promptly at 10 a.m. and go to 5 p.m. This year’s presenters include:

· Jim Hertzog- The RDG East Penn Branch
· Mike Bednar – Mixed Bag
· George Gula – Wilkes-Barre Transit
· Bob Mohowski –
· The John A. Rakowski Collection – Penn Central in eastern/central PA
· John Gabriel – Wyoming and Lackawanna Valley Rails before Conrail

Ticket Price is $20 and includes all-day refreshments (coffee, water, soda), donuts, lunch (pizza, wings, Stromboli and salad), cake-dessert and door prize entries. Your name tag will be your ticket and can be picked up at the door. Door prize donations are being solicited. Please donate that unused dvd, book, or other item.

Forward payment to:
Ed Philbin
36 East Cole St.
Pittston, PA 18640

Make checks payable to L&WV Chapter, not Ed! Be sure to include an email address or phone number for confirmation.

Need additional info? Contact:
Ed Philbin: 570-954-7981 edlvrr@gmail.com

Tony Verbyla Jr.:570-760-4344 crjeep9@yahoo.com

Directions: I-81S and PATurnpike to Pittston /Wyoming Valley exits. Route 315 south then right onto Oak Street, Pittston Township (From 81N make immediate left onto Oak St.). At the end of Oak St. left onto Pittston Bypass. Immediate right onto Columbus Ave. At light(S. Main St.,Pittston)turn left. Bear right at road fork towards Wilkes-Barre. Make sharp left at City Line Plaza-Tony’s Pizza onto Welsh Street. Make immediate right; firehall is on left.

Jenkins Township Fire Co. ( Same Place as last year)
2 Second St.
Jenkins Township, PA 18640

Note: Pittston and Jenkins Twp. are between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.

NS CMO and COO to address transportation conferences

2011-08-29T01:02:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

August 26, 2011

Norfolk Southern CMO and COO to address transportation conferences

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Donald W. Seale, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mark D. Manion, will participate in two upcoming transportation conferences.

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011: Seale will address the Dahlman Rose and Company Global Transportation Conference in New York City at 3:45 p.m. EDT. Interested investors can listen to a simultaneous webcast at http://wsw.com/webcast/dahlman8/nsc/.

Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011: Manion will address the Credit Suisse 2011 Automotive & Transportation Conference in New York City at 8 a.m. EDT. Interested investors can listen to a simultaneous webcast at http://cc.talkpoint.com/cred001/090711a_ah/?entity=9_LBYYID6.

Each of the presentations will be posted at http://www.nscorp.com/.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:

(Media) Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 ( susan.terpay@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

NS Planning for Hurricane Irene

2011-08-27T01:28:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Planning For Hurricane Irene
Norfolk Southern is closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Irene. The storm is currently expected to impact operations along the eastern seaboard from the Carolinas and northward over the next few days. As a precautionary step, we are holding shipments moving into this area at inland terminals west of the impacted area. We are also giving priority to shipments currently on hand in the region to move out of the areas expected to be impacted. Material, equipment, and personnel are being staged to move into the area after the storm passes, to address power outages, debris, flooding, and other issues associated with the storm.

Local service will be curtailed 24-48 hours in advance of approaching weather conditions as the storm progresses northward. Some train operations in the affected region are likely to be discontinued as conditions warrant.

Updated ETA and routing information is always available through Pacesetter (Norfolk Southern's web based pipeline management tool), and accessNS.

Customers with questions regarding specific shipments should contact the National Customer Service Center.

Customer Service - - 800 635.5768

Customers with questions regarding local service should contact their Central Yard Operations Representative.

Central Yard Operations - - 800 898.4296

New Jersey Railroad History Exhibit

2011-08-25T00:49:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

All Aboard: Railroads in New Jersey, 1812-1930 , a major exhibition at the Rutgers University Libraries, will open on Thursday, October 27, 2011. The exhibition, which will be on display at the Special Collections and University Archives Gallery until January 6, 2012, features rare broadsides, pamphlets, and images documenting the history of railroads in the Garden State from Rutgers University Libraries’ collections. Lorett Treese, author of Railroads of New Jersey (2006) will speak at the exhibition opening, which will be held at 5:00 p.m. in the Archibald S. Alexander Library in New Brunswick. More details about the exhibition and program will be forthcoming.

---

Fernanda H. Perrone
Special Collections and University Archives Rutgers University Libraries
169 College Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1163
voice: 732 932 7006 x363
fax: 732 932 7012
email: hperrone@rulmail.rutgers.edu

Announcement from National Association of Railroad Passengers

2011-08-21T01:45:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

August 15, 2011

Tell Your Members of Congress to Fight for Trains!

We need your voice! ;This is the most urgent need we have faced in years.

As you know, the recent debt ceiling deal creates intense pressure to reduce all federal spending. In addition, Chairman John Mica (R-FL) of the House authorizing committee has urged 25% cuts to Amtrak’s operating grant in both 2012 and 2013. Thus, the need for passenger train supporters to speak up is as clear as it has ever been.

Please ask your U.S. representative and senators to support—and work for—annual funding of $2.2 billion for Amtrak and $2.5 billion for the High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail program. These are, respectively, what Amtrak requested for 2012 and what was originally appropriated for the high speed rail program in 2010.

Click here to find a draft letter. Please individualize this letter by adding and deleting text to have the best impact on your legislators and to make clear why trains are important to you personally. If you have time, please also urge local political and business leaders to make the same request of your legislators.

Also, Congress is out of session until Labor Day with many legislators in their home districts or states. You be able to meet with one or more of them individually or to speak at one of their “town meetings.”

You have been with us all along – please be with us this time! As always, we thank you and the American traveler thanks you.

--Robert J. Stewart, Chairman and Ross B. Capon, President & CEO
National Association of Railroad Passengers

Take Action

'21st Century Steam' Launches Labor Day Weekend

2011-08-21T01:29:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

'21st Century Steam' Launches Labor Day Weekend

Aug. 19, 2011

NORFOLK, Va., and CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - September will mark the return of steam to Norfolk Southern rails as Norfolk Southern Corporation and Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum launch a limited schedule of steam locomotive passenger excursions Labor Day weekend.

The excursion program, "21st Century Steam," will operate two trains each day Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3 and 4, powered by recently restored Southern Railway Locomotive 630. Launch of the excursion program coincides with TVRM's Railfest commemorating the museum's 50th anniversary.

"For everyone interested in the history and romance of the railroads, the return of steam-powered excursions is like a dream come true," said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. "People are fascinated by Norfolk Southern's past and the infinite possibilities for our future in supporting jobs, a clean environment, competition, and the economy." Moorman will be the featured speaker during TVRM's 50th anniversary banquet to be held at the Chattanooga Choo Choo at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1.

"TVRM is proud to bring steam back to Norfolk Southern. For 50 years, we have provided our guests the opportunity to experience the golden age of passenger travel behind steam. This new venture with Norfolk Southern will extend that opportunity to people throughout their system," said TVRM President Tim Andrews.

Tickets for the inaugural trains at Chattanooga are available through TVRM's website at http://www.tvrail.com/ as part of the Railfest package. Future steam excursions will be announced as they are scheduled.

Norfolk Southern has launched a new website at http://www.21stcenturysteam.com/, loaded with information about the excursion program as well as the rich legacy and modern contributions of today's railroads.

The company's band, the Norfolk Southern Lawmen, marks the steam program's debut with a music video performance of an original song, "Rollin' Out Again," written by Briz. The Lawmen will perform the song live during TVRM Railfest appearances at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5. Click here to see the video. The song and video will be available soon on iTunes.

Norfolk Southern and TVRM last year announced plans to launch "21st Century Steam," saying it would highlight milestones in rail history and provide an opportunity for audiences to learn about today's safe and service-oriented freight railroads. In addition to the 630, the program contemplates operation of two additional steam locomotives, Southern Railway 4501 and Tennessee Valley Railroad 610. The 4501 now is being rebuilt in the same TVRM Chattanooga shops where the 630 was restored.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum was founded in 1961 in Chattanooga to create an interpretive operating museum of historic equipment and artifacts in an authentic setting. Today it operates an extensive schedule of historic and scenic trains in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, supported by its East Chattanooga locomotive and car shop complex. TVRM is the largest operating historical excursion railroad in the Southeast.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts
Media | Rick Harris | 757-629-2718 | rick.harris@nscorp.com
Media | Susan Terpay | 757-823-5204 | susan.terpay@nscorp.com

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum contacts
Media | Tim Andrews | 423-894-8028 | tandrews@tvrail.com
Media | Steve Freer | 423-331-4501 | sfreer@tvrail.com

A plan comes together!

2011-08-15T01:17:00.000-04:00

(Train sightings on 8-13-11.)

My plan for Saturday was that once I was finished with my scheduled platelet donation, I would check the internet to see what the progress was of NS's 056 that was scheduled to come east to Manville. Normally this high and wide load of a heat exchanger are done in the afternoon so as not to interfere with the morning rush of intermodal traffic. I figured that with a 9:30 platelet donation, that would leave me sufficent time to donate and then head trackside to see this move.

Going on the internet I read where it was still in the Bethlehem area around CP Richards around 10:30. My arrival at Three Bridges around 12:19 would mark the start of a long wait. It was something I didn 't mind since it was a fairly nice day to be trackside. Shortly after my arrival, the block signal would change to indicate a eastbound was coming but when? Time seem to drag after that, perhaps the anticipation of seeing 056. Finally around 1:45, a headlight would appear off in the distance. It was NS 056. Motive power was NS 3421 (ex-CR 6515; SD40-2) and NS 5612 ex-SOU 2823; GP38-2).

After Three Bridges, it was on to Manville's 13th Street grade crossing for a few more images of this train. Seeing that heat exchanger, estimated to be about 145 feet long, was impressive and definitely a challenge to photograph due to its immense size. After passing through Manville, I opted for one final shot of this train pulling into Manville yard where another surprise would await. CSX's Q300-13 had leased power as its leader. HLCX 7181 (ex-BN7181) and CSX 5480 was heading east through Manville yard. By now the platelet donation left me fatigued and I decided to call it a day. My dual plan to donate platelets to help someone in need and photograph NS 056 contributed to accomplishing my goals for this day. I like it when a plan comes together.

Norfolk Southern's Heartland Corridor project wins award

2011-08-14T09:39:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Norfolk Southern's Heartland Corridor project wins railway design award

August 10, 2011

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern has received a technical infrastructure commendation for its Heartland Corridor project in the 2011 Brunel Awards International Railway Design Competition.

The Heartland Corridor project, one of the most extensive railroad engineering projects in modern times, was an initiative to raise the vertical clearances of 28 railroad tunnels and remove 24 overhead obstructions in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio to allow the passage of double-stack container trains. The project began in October 2007 and was completed in September 2010. The Brunel Jury was impressed with the overall magnitude of the Heartland Corridor project and the long-term positive impact it will have on the environment by eliminating more than 300 miles of travel between the Port of Virginia and the Midwest.

The Brunel Awards are presented tri-annually by the Watford Group of International Railway Designers to recognize the best in railway architecture, engineering, landscape and environmental design, product design, locomotive and car design, graphic arts, and corporate branding among the world's railways.

The competition is named after the 19th Century British railroad pioneer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), founder and builder of the Great Western Railway.

Forty-three projects in 11 nations won awards in the competition. The 2011 Brunel awards will be presented Oct. 14, in Washington, D.C.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Robin Chapman, 757-629-2713 ( robin.chapman@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

In search of the elusive CP 38Z...

2011-08-12T00:51:00.000-04:00

(Train sightings on 8-6-11.)

After scouring the internet on Saturday morning I learned that CP 38Z was on duty at 8 AM in Bethlehem. Ahhh... that would mean an early morning run down the LEHL to Oak Island. Couldn't ask for any better sunlight than what NJ had this past Saturday either. Blue skies and ample sunshine make for a good combination when it comes to photography! So with that knowledge in hand, off I headed to Three Bridges to wait for 38Z. While waiting, a eastbound NS intermodal, lead by NS 7561, would pass by around 8:50.

Around 9:26, the block signal changed to indicate another NS eastbound train was coming. Could this one be the 38Z I was waiting for? The question was answered around 9:40 when NS 8802 led its consist of autoracks and intermodal cars past my vantage point.

What would occur first, seeing 38Z or giving up and heading home to do those put off tasks that were starting to call me. At 11 AM, once again the signal indicated a eastbound train was coming. I made a vow this would be my last train for the day even if it wasn't the 38Z. That vow would soon be rubbish as NS 64J, a/k/a; "the trash train" come into view. After it passed by, I headed home to tend to those neglected chores. In my travels to do these chores, I was crossing over the Roycefield Road grade crossing and noticed a headlight coming east on the LEHL. Ahhh... probably another NS train I thought. As the train drew closer, I could see it wasn't NS black but CP red. Finally, CP 38Z arrived in Hillsborough at 12:45 as it headed to Oak Island. On the point was an ex-CP unit DM&E 6087 (SD40-3), ICE 6446, CP 5737 and ICE 6210 with three empty hoppers in tow. As to what the delay was, guess that would be a story for the television show "Unsolved Mysteries".

Reading locomotives at Steamtown shops

2011-08-11T01:34:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email from Richmond Bates. Text and photo are his.

The following picture, taken on Friday, 8-5-11, at Steamtown, shows a group of Reading locomotives parked together outside the shops, which is not the normal situation. The Reading FP-7 #902 is owned by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society. The FP-7 behind it, #903, is owned by the Philadelphia Chapter, NRHS and is leased to the RCT&HS. These diesels have been on display at Steamtown, usually parked near the roundhouse, for about a year and are sometimes used on excursions. They are at the shop awaiting work on their springs. Reading #2124, a 4-8-4, is usually on display near the Steamtown entrance. It is at the shop following asbestos removal work (which has been going on much of this year) waiting to be repainted.

Pacific Limited - Day 3

2011-08-10T01:19:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his. Day 3 was Sunday, 8-7-11.

After leaving Meadville, PA in the dark rainy morning, the train progressed down the Oil City Branch of the WNYP to Franklin, PA where the WNYP 430 & 421 pulled it back under the capable hands of Engineer Chris Southwell. The weather improved, the later it got....from Rain to eventually a beautiful SUNNY day!

PRR 5711 through a light mist in Cochranton, PA

PRR 5711 at Utica, PA

PRR 5711 at Sugar Creek, PA

PRR 5711 West of Franklin, PA along US 322

PRR 5711 at Franklin, PA

WNYP 430 approaching Foster Corner, PA along US 322

Just south of Buchanan Junction, PA

Arriving back in Meadville, the WNYP crew cut away and the NS pilots boarded the train. And the chase was on...following the Erie/Erie Lackawanna's Mahoning Division to Hubbard, OH. Thanks to a good friend of ours, Bob Brooks, we were able to catch the train at a number of scenic locations.

PRR 5711 preparing to leave Meadville, PA for Hubbard, OH

PRR 5711Leaving Meadville Yard, PA

PRR 5711 at MP120, Atlantic, PA

We close today's offerings with a few scenes along the EL's Mahoning Division.

Thanks to Bennet Levin and Eric Levin (Juniata Terminal) for the beautiful train;

To Carl Belke and Gene Blabey and all the great employees of the WNYP for
access and assistance along the railroad;

To the crews and employees of the NYSW who were helpful with location and time information.

PRR 5711 crosses B&LE at Shenango, PA

PRR 5711 & Train at Shenango, PA

PRR 5711 passes ex EL train station (brick building on right) at Sharon, PA

PRR 5711 passes ex Carbon Limestone 6 ( 38'' Gauge Porter) at Hubbard, OH

PRR 120 brings up the rear of Pacific Limited II at Transfer, PA

Pacific Limited - Day 2

2011-08-09T00:34:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his. Day 2 was Saturday, 8-6-11.

A long tiring trip from Bath, NY to Cambridge Springs, NY. Alternating
between pouring rain and sunshine with very high humidity and lots of
crazier than me drivers....

Leaving Avoca, NY

Passing Bath Ladder Co, Bath, NY

Street Running in Painted Post, NY

Leaving Gang Mills, NY

at CP CASS. The Eastern end of the WNYP

Heading up the WNYP

Passing Almond Reservoir, NY

Crossing lake at Andover, NY

Belmont, NY

Cuba, NY

Carrollton Village, NY

Salamanca, NY

Photo Runby at Jamestown, NY

Corry, NY Diamond

Arriving at Cambridge Springs, NY

Pacific Limited - Day 1

2011-08-07T23:26:00.001-04:00

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary Jr. Text, photos, and captions are his. Day 1 was Friday, 8-5-11.

Out with JR chasing the Erie's Pacific Limited II with the Juniata Terminal's restored PRR E8A's from Starucca to Youngstown, OH.

On Starucca Viaduct

Arriving Binghamton, NY

Westbound through Waverly, NY

Wellsburg, NY

Arriving at Painted Post, NY

Street Running in Painted Post, NY

Approaching Savona, NY

B&H at Bath, NY

PRR 5711 at Bath, NY

NS bridge replacement in Northwest Pennsylvania

2011-08-04T01:04:00.000-04:00

Received a couple of emails from a regular correspondent from Greenville, PA, which is in Northwest PA, about 20-25 miles north of Sharon, PA. It seems Norfolk Southern is going to replace a railroad bridge in the area, and they had offered it for sale to anyone who would dismantle it, move it, and reassemble and preserve it. Apparently nobody stepped forward. He also discusses how a railroad bridge is replaced with minor interruptions to service by a horizontal jacking process. Interesting stuff. Here are the emails.

Subject: ERIE RR Shenango River Lattice Truss Bridge Replacement Project Update at Shenango, PA
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011

Noted over the weekend, as I drove by the CN/B&LE Shenango Yard along PA Route 18 south of Greenville, that the cab and boom of a large crawler crane is now at the adjacent bridge replacement project site, with the boom partially assembled. The erection of the new Norfolk Southern Railway span behind the B&LE yard must be about to begin. I hate to see the historic structure have a date with a steel furnace, but I am very pleased to see the NS making millions of dollars of capital investment in the Meadville Line.

The method of bridge replacement at Shenango is to be the same as that which NS employed in 2001 when replacing another similar, but shorter former Erie RR, single-track through-truss bridge over Little Yankee Run on the NS Meadville Line between Sharon, PA and Hubbard, OH. There, to minimize the out-of-service time of the main track, NS structures engineers used a time-honored process that has been used to replace many railroad bridges: jacked spans. Once the replacement bridge is constructed on temporary abutments, parallel to the truss bridge, the existing truss spans will then be slid sideways out of line from the main track and away from the new bridge, again, on temporary abutments. The new spans will be moved into place (the vacant former location of the original bridge), connected with the Meadville Line trackage and placed in service. The 100+ year old, quadrangular Warren through-trusses will be razed and cut up for scrap, and the temporary abutments removed. The attached has a link to contractor Seidler Engineering's web page and a dozen project photos and narrative documenting the November 9, 2001 cut-over between old and new bridges near Hubbard in under nine hours.

Bennett Levin's pair of E8 locomotives that will cross the truss bridge at Shenango on Sunday, August 7 with a westbound private passenger excursion will thus become the last pair of E8As to ever pass through the existing truss structure. And, the patrons aboard that excursion train will become the last passengers to ever cross the Shenango River via that old iron, and will have an exceptionally rare notation to make in their rare-mileage rail travel chronicles!

Subject: Bridge Replacement: Jacked Spans - Little Yankee Run and Allegheny River
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010

Attached is a link to Seidler Engineering's web page narrative and a dozen project photos documenting the November 9, 2001 replacement by Norfolk Southern Railway of the former Erie Railroad single-track, 147' 7 through-truss bridge over Little Yankee Run east of Hubbard, Ohio. For a full century, all Erie RR, Erie Lackawanna, Conrail and Norfolk Southern freight trains moving on this busy line via Youngstown, OH and Sharon, PA, and every Erie/EL through-line passenger train that operated between New York City and Chicago, had passed through the portals of this truss near the Penn/Ohio state line. To minimize the out-of-service time of the NS Meadville Line main track, the actual transition between using the old and new structures took less than 9 hours, using a time-honored process that has been used to replace many railroad spans.
http://www.seidlerengineering.com/project_details.asp?idproject=11

The new, through-girder replacement was erected upon the upstream side of a temporary structure built beneath and extending beyond both sides of the existing bridge. When the new bridge was ready, the track of the retired through-truss was disconnected and the old bridge was jacked sideways on the temporary structure beneath it, out of its long-time alignment, to a clear point downstream from the railroad centerline. The new spans were then jacked over, also moving downstream along the temporary structure, and permanently secured in place to new abutments on the original railroad alignment.

The adjoining land-side tracks were then connected with those built with prefabricated panels on the new bridge, and rail traffic resumed. The temporary structures and retired truss were then removed without creating conflict with passing trains. The contractor's 're-use of scrap material' from earlier bridge projects to assist on this one, as described in the narrative, even involved girders from highway bridge replacement projects, judging by photos showing the non-railroad paint, thereon:
http://www.seidlerengineering.com/project_details.asp?idproject=11

The above two bridges are relatively small structures, but much, much larger and higher rail spans have been similarly replaced using this build-jack-and-raze method. One with which anyone traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike over the Allegheny River at Oakmont, PA in daylight would be familiar is the former Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad's own Allegheny River crossing, just upstream from the Turnpike bridge.

The B&LE completed a new double-track bridge, soaring 160' above the river, in 1918. It first was erected right alongside the existing single-tracked structure. In preparation to do so, the substructure contractor extended the width of the five main piers beneath the river spans (though a new south abutment was required). The river spans, all of continuous truss design, range from the shortest, at 272'-0", through two of nearly 350', to the longest, at 520'-1" over the river's main channel. All were jacked downstream into place on the piers, once the retired structure was moved into the clear. "This structure not only introduced new silicon steel to American bridge construction, but also helped revive continuous truss design."

"American Bridge Company fabricated the new superstructure and erected it atop the completed piers. The company used cantilever erection, working outward from the piers to meet at mid-span over the river channel. Old and new structures shared the piers until the new structure was completed and the old one removed. Crews then shifted the new structure sideways to occupy the center Line of the piers."

Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad, Allegheny River Bridge: HAER No. PA-508
http://pghbridges.com/articles/haer/blerr_PA508/blerr_HAER508.htm

Subject: PennDOT Marketed Norfolk Southern's former ERIE RR Shenango River Lattice Truss Shenango River Bridge at Shenango, PA in March, 2010 (+ DEP Permit)
Date: Thursday, July 28, 2011

PennDOT Marketed Norfolk Southern's 1895 former ERIE RR Shenango River Lattice Truss Shenango River Bridge on the Meadville Line at Mile Post 130.35 at Shenango, Mercer County, PA (near Greenville) in March, 2010.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Cultural Resources Management Program: Bridge Marketing, put up this web page (link, below) in March, 2010 on behalf of Norfolk Southern Railway to seek a party to acquire the historic, two-span double-intersection Warren through-truss "(also known as a Warren Quadrangular Truss), which has a distinctive crosshatched appearance".

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdCulturalResources.nsf/CultResHomepage?OpenFrameSet&Frame=main&Src=%2FInternet%2FBureaus%2FpdCulturalResources.nsf%2FNorfolk%2520Southern%2520Bridge%3FOpenForm%26AutoFramed

Here is the "Water Obstruction and Encroachment" permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection for this project, as published on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in The Pennsylvania Bulletin:

http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol40/40-21/942c.html

E43-347, Norfolk Southern Corporation, 1200 Peachtree Street NE, Box 142, Atlanta, GA 30309. Bridge MI-130.35, in Hempfield and West Salem Townships, Mercer County, ACOE Pittsburgh District (Greenville West, PA Quadrangle N: 41° 23` 02"; W: 80° 23` 36").

To remove the existing superstructure and support pier and to construct and maintain a three span, through-plate-girder railroad bridge (Bridge MI-130.35) having a three clear spans of 105.0 feet, 42.0 feet and 105.0 feet respectively and a maximum underclearance of approximately 16.0 feet across the Shenango River approximately 2,000 feet NW of the intersection of Hamburg and Methodist Roads. Project includes: 1) repair of existing abutments; 2) construction of a temporary stone causeway and bents temporarily impacting approximately 0.248 acre of the Shenango River and associated back channel and scour pool; 3) permanent impact of 0.009 acre of the Shenango River and 0.005 acre of Shenango River back channel; and 4) impact of 0.011 acre of PEM wetland.

A new look at an old location...

2011-08-02T00:50:00.000-04:00

(Train sightings on 7-30-11.)

On Saturday's trip up to Three Bridges, I pondered the thought as to what a image would look like taken in the grassy area by the old LV Station of an eastbound train. A majority of the images taken at this location are almost always from the west side of the tracks. Would the scene taken by the station be too cluttered or tight for images of a early eastbound train? That question was answered on Saturday morning as in fairly quick succession I was able to photograph two trains in nearly ideal conditions. NS 202, with NS 7602 as its leader, was photographed at ground level at 8:03 AM.

At 8:11 AM the rumble of another approaching eastbounder could be heard. I positioned my eight-foot step ladder in that same grassy area to give this scene an elevated view. After all it is said elevation is everything. As for that second eatbound train, it was NS 214. Motive power would be NS 9372 and NS 8835.

So in your opinion what image is better. The first one taken at ground level or the second one taken from a elevated position?

A Black Speckled Bird

2011-08-02T00:31:00.000-04:00

Received the following from Kermit Geary, Jr. Text and photo are his.

Some early attempts at graffiti as seen during the early daze of Conrail.
While uncommon then, today it seems that it is accepted norm .... unfortunately.

CR 9844 at Elizabethport, NJ (ex CNJ shops)...from my collection

Support the railroad Monday evening, 8/1/11

2011-07-31T18:22:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Tomorrow, 8/1/11, at 9:00 PM we will go before the Warren County Department Of Land Preservation in Oxford, New Jersey.to apply for a grant to rebuild the Riegelsville Station.
A STRONG SHOWING OF PUBLIC SUPPORT IS NEEDED!

Attend & Show Support for The Rebuilding of the Riegelsville Train Station
Tomorrow night, 8/1/11, at 9:00pm we will be making a presentation in front of the Warren County Department of Land Preservation as we are applicants for a grant to reconstruct the Riegelsville station. The construction of this station would be significant for both Pohatcong Township and our railroad. It would mark the far south end of our line, and also provide space for the Pohatcong Historical Society.The meeting tomorrow will be held at 500 Mt. Pisgah Avenue, Oxford New Jersey. We have been requested to make a strong showing of support.

If you are able, please stop by so that the directors can see how important this is to our members and the community.

Thank you!
Chris Cotty
Vice President & General Manager
The New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society inc.
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions

Lost Railroad Movies

2011-07-31T00:44:00.000-04:00

The following are three "lost" railroad movies that historians would like to locate for preservation. Anyone with information about these films please email John Kilbribe, President, Camden & Amboy Railroad Historical Group at jktrr@msn.com. Also, feel free to copy and re-post or email to anyone you think can help find these films.

1. Title of the first I think is, "One Minute's Wait," a hilarious movie of only about an hour, made in b&w in the UK (in I believe the early 1950s) about a little narrow-gage train in Ireland that's about ready to depart a tiny Irish station in the bog country. But, over & over again, some absurd or LOL incident occurs (among the funniest - an escaped dog, the pet of a boarding passenger; misplaced luggage; and perhaps the sotted engine crew in the pub inside the depot [it's Ireland] -- after about a half-dozen of these delays). And so, time & again, the stationmaster on the platform hollers in Irish brogue, "there'll be just one minute's wait," with ever-increasing frustration. There's a snooty & arrogant English couple riding in the last and only 1st-class car on the little train who become the butts of much of the humor -- even at the very conclusion of the film: in a 5-second shot, a hand (you only see the hand) of a railway man closes the vacuum brake line and quietly pulls the pin on the last car ... in the following & last shot, the train tootles off, leaving the snooty English couple behind (remember, it's Ireland), and "The End" (looking of course at the receding "new" rear end of the train) ... and, roll the post-film credits.

2. The second, and I'm pretty sure of the title, "A Steam Train Passes," made in color in Australia, in I believe the 1970s. It's an historical documentary style re-creation (about 30 minutes long, if I recall it right) using fully authentic period yard & engine house scenes, scenics, stations, and costumes of the 1940s during WWII. The storyline revolves around a day in the life of a streamlined, bullet-nosed, coal-fired Pacific - steaming in the roundhouse, its crew arriving in the pre-dawn & getting the fire up for a run, warming coffee or tea on the backhead, taking coal & water, getting its train as the sun rises, and running thru the countryside (gorgeous long shots, shots from the locomotive, shots of the loco from the loco, and pan shots), while stopping at stations for passengers leaving or getting on, some of whom are Aussie soldiers. At the last, the loco rolls slowly with its hostler into its roundhouse stall and to the engine house crew's care well after dusk. There's no narration, and there's not much dialogue you can actually hear - just the sound of conversations (in the roundhouse, in the cab, in waiting rooms, aboard the train, on platforms) that are just far enough away or masked by other natural or train and depot sounds, such that you can't make out most of the words. Even friends in Australia can't place it. It's a drop-dead gorgeous film, and a real "time-machine."

3. The third film is a silent movie that featured a trip on the Camden and Amboy. It was named something like "My Train Voyage", and was very funny. Believed to have been shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York about 20 years ago.

Go Fly a Kite

2011-07-30T16:42:00.000-04:00

In addition to trains, planes, ships, etc., we have KITES. Kites can be great fun on vacations or weekend get-aways, or just about anytime. We have a wide selection of high quality and reasonably priced kites from Premier that will be the hit of any summer excursion. A "must have" activity for the beach but also at home or with any vacation outing, kites are classic way to make great memories with everyone in the family. Stop in and check out our selsection; and if you don't find what you want, we can special order one for you. Below are pictures of the kites available from Premier.

Note: you can click on either picture to see it enlarged. Then use your browsers BACK button to return here.

Robert A. Bradway elected to Norfolk Southern board

2011-07-30T01:12:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

July 26, 2011

Robert A. Bradway elected to Norfolk Southern board

NORFOLK, VA. - Robert A. Bradway has been elected a director of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC), Chairman and CEO Wick Moorman announced today.

Bradway has been president and chief operating officer of the biotechnology company Amgen since May 2010. He is responsible for the company's global commercial operations, manufacturing operations, information technology, global government affairs, and worldwide compliance and business ethics organizations.

Bradway joined the company in 2006 as vice president operations strategy and became executive vice president and chief financial officer in April 2007.

Prior to joining the company, he was a managing director at Morgan Stanley in London where he had responsibility for the firm's banking department and corporate finance activities in Europe. Bradway joined Morgan Stanley in New York as a health care industry investment banker in 1985 and moved to London in 1990 where he served as head of the firm's international health care investment banking activities until assuming broader corporate finance management responsibilities.

Bradway holds degrees from Amherst College and Harvard University.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 ( susan.terpay@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

NS increases dividend

2011-07-28T00:30:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Norfolk Southern increases dividend

July 26, 2011

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corporation announced that its Board of Directors today voted to increase the regular quarterly dividend on the company's common stock by 7.5 percent, or 3 cents per share, from 40 to 43 cents per share. The increased dividend is payable on Sept. 10, to stockholders of record on Aug. 5.

Since its inception in 1982, Norfolk Southern has paid dividends on its common stock for 116 consecutive quarters.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 ( susan.terpay@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

NS reports second-quarter 2011 results

2011-07-28T00:26:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

Norfolk Southern reports second-quarter 2011 results

July 26, 2011

For second-quarter 2011 vs. 2010:
· Net income increased 42 percent to a record $557 million.
· Diluted earnings per share rose 50 percent to a record $1.56.
· Railway operating revenues increased 18 percent to $2.9 billion, a second-quarter record.
· Income from railway operations improved 19 percent to $875 million, a second-quarter record.
· The railway operating ratio improved to 69.5 percent, a second-quarter record.

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported record second-quarter net income of $557 million, 42 percent higher compared with $392 million during the same quarter of 2010. Diluted earnings per share were a record $1.56, up 50 percent compared with $1.04 per diluted share earned in the same period last year. These results reflect favorable, non-recurring income tax-related benefits totaling $63 million, or $0.18 per share.

"Norfolk Southern delivered excellent financial results in the second quarter, setting all-time records for net income and earnings per share, as well as second-quarter records for revenues, operating income and operating ratio," said CEO Wick Moorman. "We're seeing opportunities in the global economy, and we are moving forward with initiatives to drive business growth, productivity, and efficiency across our company."

Railway operating revenues increased to $2.9 billion, a second-quarter record, up 18 percent compared with the same period of 2010, primarily as the result of a 14 percent increase in revenue per unit.

General merchandise revenues were $1.4 billion, 12 percent higher compared with second-quarter 2010 results. Coal revenues increased 28 percent to $893 million compared with the same period last year. Intermodal revenues were $540 million, 20 percent higher compared with the second quarter of 2010.

Railway operating expenses for the quarter were $2.0 billion, 17 percent higher compared with the same period of 2010, primarily due to increased fuel expenses and compensation and benefits costs.

Income from railway operations set a second-quarter record, climbing 19 percent to $875 million compared with the same period last year.

The railway operating ratio improved to 69.5 percent, a second-quarter record, compared with 69.8 percent during second-quarter 2010.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

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Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 ( fsbrown@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

All gussied up for work...

2011-07-26T01:15:00.000-04:00

(Train sightings on 7-23-11.)

...was hoping to photograph CP 38Z as it passed through Three Bridges (NJ) on NS's LEHL on Saturday morning. Alas, stopping for a cup of coffee caused me to see this train pass by just as I was approaching the Main Street grade crossing. I guess it was the heat that NJ has been experiencing to cause me not to be thinking about getting there first. After all why would anyone want a cup of coffee on a morning when the thermometer is already pushing the high 90s? However my trip wasn't a total loss as I managed to see BR&W's 8142 (ex-CP 8142; SW1200RS) working what was once a CNJ branch line wearing red, white and blue bunting on its rails. Guess my trip here wasn't a futile one after all. Stay cool...

Visiting some 'ol familiar PA haunts...

2011-07-24T00:53:00.000-04:00

(Train sightings on 7-17-11.)

...was out in the Elizabethtown and Hershey area on Sunday after watching the Harrisburg Senators lose to the Akron Aeros in a baseball game by the score of 11 to 5. On the drive back home, our route took us into Elizabethtown where I had an opportunity to check out Amtrak's station renovations. Work has been completed and was very well done. In my opinion, it is one of the nicer stations to be seen along this corridor. While I was there, Amtrak's Keystone Service train 664 made its stop on the way to Philadelphia. Amtrak 936 could have used a run through the wash rack.

Next stop would be Hershey (mmm... real good chocolate!) where I managed to catch NS 10N (Conway, PA to Allentown, PA) general merchandise freight. NS 9488 and two other unidentified diesels were bringing this mixed consist east.

There were a couple of "fallen flags" mixed in this train. First one to pass by was a Rio Grande hopper wearing RBMX markings. Two boxcars from the northwest corner of the United States also passed by. The first one was still wearing Oregon Northwestern RR; and finally, bringing up this train's marker was a Seattle & North Coast boxcar.

This boxcar wore the marking "CIC 8018" which means it is now owned by Cedar Rapids & Iowa City RR. I was able to photograph that car. Looking at that image, I had to wonder if that floor-less roller coaster would make a good photo location? After all it is said elevation is everything. All in all, not a bad road trip on this go around...

Great Train Robbery - July 30th & 31st, 2011

2011-07-22T18:59:00.002-04:00

Received the following via email.

Here is your copy of the Great Train Robbery event flyer.

Make a copy, or two, or three and pass it to your co-workers , friends, neighbors, anyone.

You can easily help advertise this event by passing it along via e-mail as well.

If we can pass jokes along to one and all, why not our flyer? This is your opportunity to excel.

Thanks in advance.

Note: Click on the flyer to see it full size. Use your browser's BACK button to return here.

NS named one of "40 Best Companies for Diversity"

2011-07-22T18:42:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

July 21, 2011

Norfolk Southern named one of "40 Best Companies for Diversity"
by BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine

NORFOLK, VA. - BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine today announced that Norfolk Southern has been named to its 2011 list of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity. This is the second consecutive year that Norfolk Southern has made the list. The company was cited for the diversity of its senior management.

"Norfolk Southern is proud to be recognized by BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine as a company that sets the standard in diversity for American businesses," said Cindy Earhart, vice president human resources. "We recognize that a diverse workforce and inclusive business practices provide us with a competitive advantage and are keys to our future success. At Norfolk Southern, our employees are our most valued asset. We have many programs and processes in place to assist us with developing and leveraging the diversity of talent within our organization."

BLACK ENTERPRISE's seventh annual list is based on the results of a survey of 1,000 major publicly traded corporations and 100 leading global companies with significant U.S. operations. The survey focused on the overall participation of African Americans and members of other ethnic minority groups in four areas: board representation, employee base, senior management, and supplier diversity.

NS has been recognized as a leader in workplace practices by other publications. G.I. Jobs magazine ranked Norfolk Southern among the top 20 companies in its America's Top 100 "Military Friendly Employers" list for 2011, and BusinessWeek magazine named Norfolk Southern as one of the 50 Best Places to Launch a Career in 2010. The U.S. Navy Reserve has recognized the company for outstanding support of employees serving in the reserves.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

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Norfolk Southern contacts:
(Media) Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 (susan.terpay@nscorp.com)
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 (michael.hostutler@nscorp.com)

NS completes major track work project in Pennsylvania

2011-07-20T23:40:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

July 20, 2011

Norfolk Southern completes $16 million of track work in eight days in Pennsylvania

NORFOLK, VA. - During eight days earlier this month, Norfolk Southern completed $16.2 million in track, bridge, and signal improvements in southwestern Pennsylvania's Monongahela Valley. The rail infrastructure improvements are critical to the region's coal-mining industry and to meeting the electricity needs of households and businesses across the Northeast and Midwest.

Some 30 trains daily operate on Norfolk Southern's Mon Valley rail network, which serves five coal mines that shipped 41.4 million tons of coal in 2010.

"The coal industry in that part of the country is vital to jobs and to U.S. energy security, and it's essential that we maintain and improve our track infrastructure to provide solid and dependable service," said Tim Drake, NS' vice president engineering.

For many years in early July, the railroad has undertaken an intensive effort to overhaul the Mon Valley rail lines during the coal miners' annual summer break, July 3-10. This year more than 400 NS maintenance of way and structures department employees from across the railroad's 22-state system laid 29 miles of new rail, resurfaced nearly 69 miles of track, and replaced three bridge decks, among other improvements. Four work trains and 95 pieces of large machinery were used.

Under normal operating conditions, the work would have taken approximately three months to complete, with significant disruptions in service.

"There's an extraordinary amount of planning, organization, and teamwork that goes into making this a success," Drake said. "Our employees worked under extreme conditions and hot weather and did it safely."

"It's amazing the amount of work that gets done in such a short amount of time," said Butch Phillips, an NS track laborer from Waynesburg, Pa., who participated. "We take a lot of pride in it."

"It's a big makeover, like a facelift," said Drew Laird, an NS machine operator. "We want to put the track in the condition required to move the trains faster and safer."

Drake said the Mon Valley project is an example of how NS is investing in its rail infrastructure to support jobs and the nation's economic recovery.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway 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 and industrial products.

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Norfolk Southern contacts:

(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 ( fsbrown@nscorp.com )
(Investors) Michael Hostutler, 757-629-2861 ( michael.hostutler@nscorp.com )

NS-CN/B&LE Over/Under Shot

2011-07-17T23:34:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

What a catch!! My son, Jon, finally pulled off recording what so many (including me) have long tried to do, but mostly have never even seen, let alone photographed! While I have witnessed freight cars in moving trains passing over/under one another at Conneaut a number of times (and I have been on an N&W unit leading across that trestle above a B&LE train when I was accompanying High & Wides in the early Eighties), I have never caught a nice over/under 'power meet', there. And, Jonathan and his Nikon D5000 put it into pixels. All GE power, upstairs; all EMD, down below. Nice reflection of both roads off the creek's mirror surface, too. Some guys have all the 'luck'!

http://members3.boardhost.com/Bessemer/msg/1310758547.html

Note: follow the links to the picture, then click on the magnifying glass on the right above the photo, and then click on "View all sizes" at top right of screen to see this shot at maximum size.

The Medina Railroad Museum ...

2011-07-15T02:21:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email.

... Is a place that is worth more than a passing visit for any railroad enthusiast that visits Medina. The museum has an extensive collection of railroad memorabilia and a fire fighting exhibit that includes an estimated 400 fire helmets. These are only two of the many exhibits on display. All of this is housed in one of the largest (301 ft. by 34 ft.) last surviving wooden freight depots in the United States. The depot was built in 1905 by the NYC Railroad. Adjacent to the depot on a siding is New York Central E-8 diesel locomotives NYC 4068 and NYC 4080 heralding a rich railroading heritage associated with this museum.

Other static displays found within include Lionel's 1928 "The States" train set in standard gauge, a collection of scratch-built, scale model ships, model warplanes, Bell aircraft and a showcase that contains over 200 scale model ships from World Wars I and II. Whatever one’s interests are in modeling, this museum certainly has it.

My favorite display was what I considered the main reason for visiting Medina’s railroad museum. It was the 204 foot long by 14 foot wide HO train layout. Museum director Martin Phelps and a group of dedicated volunteers have made what I considered one of the most realistic layouts I have seen. At times deciding what to look at first on this layout was overwhelming for a first time visitor like me. It definitely was easy to overlook something.

There were some scenes that rated as my favorites. One in particular was the iron ore ship Edmund Fitzgerald docked and being loaded. This was the ship that sank on November 10, 1975 in Lake Superior. Its final voyage was sung about by Gordon Lightfoot in his ballad “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. Perhaps those iron ore railroad cars I saw on the dock were loading the “Fitz” for its final voyage from Superior (WI) with 26,116 long tons of taconite ore pellets.

Trains that were operating during my visit passed through a variety of landscapes, bridges built over wide chasms, through tunnels, farmlands, small towns, massive freight yards and cities. The buildings that populated these various landscapes exhibited a great amount of detailing, patience and perseverance in constructing each structure by the person who built them. Looking at some of these dwellings also provided me with some modeling ideas that I hope to incorporate for my own layout.

What does it take to make the museum’s trains run as smoothly as they do? Here are some of the track specifics: 800 feet of code 83 mainline track, 200 feet of branch lines, 100 feet harbor line, 100 feet 4-track siding (receiving / departure tracks), 75 feet hidden staging (12 tracks, 100 cars per a track) and 28 track hump/classification yard.

Signals, switches and turnouts are as follows: twenty custom built signal bridges / ninety-five searchlight signal heads and one dual arm semaphore signal mast. There are also 250 turnouts (Code 83 Shinohara and MicroEngineering) and 250 Tortoise Switch Motors. Decoders are: NCE, MRC, DIGITRAX and QSI. The software used to run this entire operation is Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) and Decoder Pro.

This is a museum I would highly recommend visiting should one be in the Medina area. The museum’s hours of operation are 11 AM to 5 PM on Tuesday through Sunday. Perhaps you to might also be fortunate to receive an invitation from museum director Martin Phelps like I did to have a cup of coffee while talking about the various aspects of railroading, whether it be real or HO trains. The coffee was good and our conversation was even more enjoyable!

Note: Medina, NY is located between Buffalo and Rochester, about 15 miles north of I90 and 10 miles south of the shore of Lake Ontario.

The web site for the museum is: http://www.railroadmuseum.net/

A Trenton Line Saturday morning surprise...

2011-07-13T00:37:00.000-04:00

(Train sightings on 7-9-11.)

Saturday morning found me heading down to Belle Mead to check on the progress of the Route 206 brigde construction project. Not much has changed since my last visit as progress is slow but inevitable. A few minutes pass and I see a northbound headlight approaching my location. Hmmm... must be CSX's Q300 heading to Manville to drop off or pick up some cars. My scanner soon informs me of my incorrect assumption with the annoucemnt "K634, Belle Mead...". It is an ethanol train that orginated in Bensenville, IL and is headed for Sewaren, NJ. This was a reroute due to CSX's train accident in East Syracuse, NY on Wednesday. The crash happened shortly before 12:30 p.m on Wednesday July 6th. One train reportedly rear-ended another, and some train cars were jammed together and are partially resting on top of each other. CSX spokesman Bob Sullivan said one train was travelling from Cincinnati to Selkirk, New York with two locomotives and 58 freight cars. That train was hit from behind by a second train headed from Chicago to South Kearney, New Jersey, carrying two engines and 46 cars. A total of two locomotives and four freight cars were dislodged from the tracks. Both trains were headed in the same direction. Seen here bringing its consist north at 47 mph is CSX 7340 followed by CSX 55, Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) 6094 and Iowa Chicago & Eastern "City of Algona" (ICE) 6216.

NYSW Mixed Lashups

2011-07-11T23:52:00.000-04:00

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

The Southbound train bound for New Jersey was photographed today (7-7-11) at Jamesville Lake, NY with these two leasors on-line in consist.

NYSW 3022 & train at Jamesville Lake, NY

CEFX 3108 at Jamesville Lake, NY

CEFX 3143 at Jamesville Lake, NY