For a change of pace...

(Train sightings on 4-21-13.)

... I thought it would be nice to do a chase of NS's H76 on Sunday instead of photographing the mainline NS frieghts that pass over the Lehigh Line. With that in mind, I was off to Bloomsbury (LEHL MP 68.8) to see if there was a center flow car on the siding by Agway. This would be the first stop for H76 on its trip east to Manville. NS 9747 (C40-9W) would bring it three car consist to a halt just past the siding. NS 6806 (SD60M) and three center flow cars would be uncoupled from 9747, pull forward and back up onto the spur to couple up to this car.



Next stop would be at the Crop Production Service siding in Jutland to pick up two more center flow cars, one of them bearing the Norfolk & Western "NW". Following the H76 was nice since it provided me with a opportunity to photograph locations that I don't normally get a chance to see switching activity. 

NS and GreenTrees plant 2.4 million trees - so far - in 4 states

Received the following via email.

April 24, 2013

Norfolk Southern and GreenTrees plant 2.4 million trees – so far – on 4,000 acres in Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois

NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern has made substantial progress on its Trees and Trains reforestation program, planting 2.4 million trees on 4,000 acres in four states in the ecologically important Mississippi Delta.

The Trees and Trains project is a five-year reforestation and carbon sequestration project to plant six million trees on 10,000 acres in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) with GreenTrees®, the leading reforestation program on private lands in the U.S. The $5.6 million project, in its third year, is the largest carbon reforestation project in the nation. Over time, the trees will generate 1.12 million tons of carbon-offset credits, significantly offsetting the railroad’s CO2 emissions.

Considered North America's “Amazon,” the MAV is the nation’s largest watershed and a vital habitat for numerous wildlife species. Forest once covered 25 million acres of the valley, but most of the land was converted to agricultural production, and today only four million acres of forest remain. Trees and Trains calls for creating a permanent forest. Under the program, landowners receive carbon payments for planting trees instead of crops on marginal or frequently flooded land.

GreenTrees Managing Partner Chandler Van Voorhis explains, “Landowners retain the use of their acreage and can earn additional income through recreational usage, conservation tax benefits, and timber sales. These agreements encourage long-term storage of carbon dioxide in the trees, roots, and soil on the land.”

In 2008, after 50 years of farming, landowner Bobby Petrus of Monroe, La., converted his 1,162 acres of farmland from cotton, corn, and beans to hardwood trees to lock in a steady income without the seasonal risks of traditional farming.

“The trees have provided us with a more reliable source of income than the crops we had planted in the past,” Petrus says. “Our family is very satisfied with the success. The growth and survival rate on the inter-planted cottonwoods and hardwoods has been astounding.”

“Trees and trains have a lot in common,” Van Voorhis says. “The essence of a train is the efficient movement of goods across the landscape. Trees represent the most efficient distribution of ecological services and goods. Both are long-term assets that require heavy upfront capital to build. Together, trees and trains symbolize how conservation capitalism will be delivered.”

Blair Wimbush, NS vice president real estate and corporate sustainability officer, says Trees and Trains is a model for how NS plans to invest in conservation initiatives to mitigate the railroad's environmental impacts.

“While restoring former woodlands, we’re generating long-term benefits for multiple stakeholders, including residents of the communities we serve, customers, employees, farmers and family landowners, as well as Norfolk Southern.”

Trees and Trains is one of several initiatives Norfolk Southern has under way as part of its woodlands sustainability projects. NS also is supporting research by The Longleaf Alliance to restore longleaf pine forest ecosystems in the South, and American Chestnut Foundation, which is working to reestablish American chestnut trees to their native range through planting initiatives at former coal mine sites.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:

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

GreenTrees contact:
Chandler Van Voorhis, 540-253-2504 (chandler@c2invest.net)

NS CEO Moorman supports the long view before U.S. House rail panel

Received the following via email.

April 24, 2013

Norfolk Southern CEO Moorman supports the long view before U.S. House rail panel

WASHINGTON – America needs fair and clear long-term policies that encourage continued investment in railroad infrastructure, technology, and sustainability initiatives, Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman told a federal panel today.

“Industries, jobs, and taxes want to go where the railroad is,” Moorman told the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Special Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation. “In the last decade, 1,021 new and expanded facilities located along Norfolk Southern rail lines, representing $28.7 billion in customer investment and generating more than 48,000 jobs. That’s just one railroad. What an incredible incentive to support railroads everywhere.”

Moorman discussed Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor series of infrastructure improvements, as well as other initiatives, and said government should remove regulatory impediments to enhancing railroad safety and efficiency, as well reduce the deficit and put the economy on sound footing.

“Privately owned railroads are not only a barometer of the economy, but an essential element in solving this country’s freight transportation problem,” Moorman said. “We are planning for growth and investing for the future. I hope that, working with you, we all can look far ahead and do everything possible to make it happen.”

Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. (R-TN) is chair and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) is ranking member of the Special Panel, which has a six-month charter to examine the current state of freight transportation in the U.S. and how strengthening freight transportation can strengthen the economy.

To read Moorman’s full statement, click here. View slides here.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

###

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

Received the following via email.

April 23, 2013

Norfolk Southern declares quarterly dividend

NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced the regular quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share on its common stock, payable on June 10, to stockholders of record on May 3.

Since its inception in 1982, Norfolk Southern has paid dividends on its common stock for 123 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, automotive, 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)

Kent, OH B&O Depot Fire

Received the following via email.

Fri Apr 19, 2013

The old B&O depot at MP117 Summit Street in Kent caught fire this morning.

Likely caused by faulty wiring. Alot of inside damage.

CSX probably will remodel it by calling in the bulldozers.

Link to news article with pictures.
http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2013/04/19/csx-depot-in-kent-on-fire

CSX Announces Record First-Quarter Earnings, New Shareholder Distributions and Financial Targets

Received the following via email.

CSX Corporation Announces Record First-Quarter Earnings, New Shareholder Distributions and Financial Targets

Highlights:
- Record first-quarter operating income, operating ratio, earnings and EPS
- Quarterly dividend increases 7 percent to $0.15 per share
- New share buyback program targets $1 billion over 24 months

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - April 16, 2013 - CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) today announced first-quarter net earnings of $459 million, or $0.45 per share, versus $449 million, or $0.43 per share, in the same period last year.

"CSX continues to create value by supporting its customers with high levels of service in an economy that is still gradually recovering," said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "At the same time, we are prepared for the economy to accelerate and have great confidence in the long-term outlook for the business."

Revenue in the quarter was nearly $3.0 billion, essentially flat from the year before, as gains in merchandise, intermodal and other revenue offset declines in the company's coal business.

These revenues, combined with strength in operations, drove first-quarter operating income of $875 million, and an operating ratio of 70.4 percent.  These results were achieved with industry-leading safety levels.

In addition to its quarterly results, CSX announced that its Board of Directors has approved a 7 percent increase in the quarterly dividend on the company's common stock, and a new $1.0 billion share buyback program.

"These actions reflect the strength of CSX's core earning power and its confidence in the future," said Ward. "They build upon the $2.3 billion of investment CSX is making this year to meet the nation's future transportation needs and drive long-term shareholder value."

Since 2005, CSX has invested $14.2 billion in its business, increased its quarterly cash dividend 11 times representing a 29 percent compounded annual growth rate (including the dividend increase announced today), and repurchased $8.0 billion worth of shares.  These actions reflect the company's ongoing commitment to deploy cash in a balanced framework to drive near- and long-term value.

The new quarterly dividend of $0.15 is payable on June 14, 2013 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2013.  The new share buyback program is authorized to begin immediately, and it is expected to be completed over the next 24 months.  Under the buyback program, the company may purchase shares from time to time on the open market, through block trading or otherwise. The company expects to fund the repurchase program primarily through excess cash and free cash flow as the company continues to target an improving credit profile.

Consistent with its current view of the economy, the changing coal market, and its proven ability to withstand a range of business conditions, CSX said that it now expects to achieve an operating ratio in the high 60s by 2015, while remaining focused on attaining a mid-60s operating ratio longer-term.  At the same time, the company expects to produce average annual earnings-per-share growth of 10-15 percent through 2015 off of the 2013 base, which is expected to be flat to down from prior-year levels.

CSX executives will conduct a quarterly earnings conference call with the investment community on April 17, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing 1-888-327-6279 (888-EARN-CSX) and asking for the CSX earnings call. (Callers outside the U.S., dial 1-773-756-0199). Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call. In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible and presentation materials will be posted on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com. Following the earnings call, an internet replay of the presentation will be archived on the company website.

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike.  More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

Forward-looking Statements

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

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

Other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are specified in the company's SEC reports, accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the company's website at www.csx.com.

Contact:

David Baggs, Investor Relations
904-359-4812

Lauren Rueger, Corporate Communications
877-835-5279

Tickets Now Available For 2013 BRW Three Bridges Excursions

Received the following via email.

Ride From Ringoes to Three Bridges and return on the Black River & Western Railroad

Back by popular demand for 2013, we will be offering a limited number of Three Bridges Excursions on select dates!

Visit us for an approximately two hour round-trip over the entire active BR&W line between Ringoes and Three Bridges, NJ. This is a rare opportunity to ride the BR&W between Flemington and Three Bridges, a section of the railroad that is usually freight-only. Light refreshments will be available for sale (cash only) on board the train. Seating is limited - reservations required!

Don't forget to tour our museum car next to Ringoes Station! Also, ask your Conductor to tell you all about our restoration of CNJ Coach #1009! Our volunteers are hard at work restoring this historic coach for service on our passenger trains.

Click Here For More Details!


Three Bridges Excursions

 

May 25, May 26, August 31 An approximately two hour round-trip over the entire active BR&W line between Ringoes and Three Bridges, NJ. This is a rare opportunity to ride the BR&W between Flemington and Three Bridges, a section of the railroad that is usually freight-only. Light refreshments will be available for sale (cash only) on board the train. This train boards at Ringoes only. Tickets are by reservation only, and seating is limited!



Central Railroad of New Jersey Coach #1009

A few years ago, the BRRHT took ownership of former CNJ Coach #1009 from Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA. In August 2010 the coach arrived at its new home on the Black River & Western Railroad in Ringoes, NJ.

The BRRHT's plans for this coach include full restoration to operating condition for use on BR&W passenger trains...but we need your help to make this project a reality!...

 

CSX Employees, Communities Join Forces to Celebrate Earth Month

Received the following via email.

Employees, Communities Join Forces to Celebrate Earth Month

Jacksonville, Fla. - April 15, 2013 - Thousands of CSX employees will join community partners and non-profit organizations this week to kick off Earth Month celebration with events ranging from cleanup blitzes to tree planting.

"CSX's activities now and all year long reflect our longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability," said Skip Elliott, vice president-public safety, health and environment. "CSX's environmental and business goals are aligned, and that means that we work to reduce our environmental footprint and operate in a responsible way to benefit our customers, employees, shareholders and the communities in which we operate."

Through this week, CSX will host a series of employee environmental education sessions and an expo. Other activities are planned in Jacksonville and elsewhere on the company's eastern network:

- April 20 - Jacksonville, Fla.: CSX employees will volunteer at the 2013 Earth Day & Ecology Fair at the Jacksonville Landing, along with other area businesses. The company will also sponsor the City of Jacksonville's Earth Day poster contest for children to help raise environmental awareness among these future leaders.

- April 20 - Washington, D.C., and Maryland: CSX will again partner with the Anacostia Watershed Society's annual Earth Day Cleanup & Celebration. More than 2,000 volunteers plan to remove thousands of pounds of trash from 20 sites around the Anacostia Watershed in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

- Week of April 15, Various Locations: More than 5,000 CSX employees will conduct cleanup blitzes and other beautification across its network including Atlanta, Ga.; Avon, Ind.; Baltimore; Cumberland, Md.; East St. Louis, Ill.; Erwin, Tenn.; Hamlet, N.C.; Hilliard, Ohio; Huntington, W.Va.; Louisville, Ky.; Mobile, Ala.: Nashville, Tenn.; Riverdale, Ill.; Selkirk, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla.; Walbridge, Ohio; and Waycross, Ga.

In conjunction with these cleanups, CSX is partnering with local environmental non-profit organizations to plant trees as part of its "Trees for Tracks" initiative to plant one tree for every one of the 21,000 miles of CSX railroad track.

"Earth Day provides an opportunity for CSX to partner with our communities to demonstrate our collective dedication to the environment by working together on cleanup days and beautification projects," said Tori Kaplan, assistant vice president, corporate social responsibility. "Throughout the year we continue to promote environmental sustainability with our community programs, volunteer efforts and operational decisions."

For example, since 1980, CSX has improved its locomotive fleet fuel efficiency more than 90 percent through the use of technology such as ultra-low emission locomotives. The company has invested more than $1.75 billion over the last decade to improve its locomotive fleet fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

After reaching in 2011 its voluntary goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions intensity by eight percent - one year ahead of schedule - CSX renewed its goal last year to reduce GHG emissions intensity by an additional six to eight percent by 2020.

CSX has been recognized for its leadership in environmental performance. In 2012, CSX was ranked highly among the following: Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Carbon Disclosure Project Global 500 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index, S&P 500 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index, and Maplecroft Climate Innovation Leader Index.

For more information on CSX's commitment to environmental sustainability or to learn how to get involved in local Earth Day activities, visit www.csx.com or www.beyondourrails.com.

About CSX
CSX, 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, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSX's network connects more than 240 short line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

Contact:
Gary Sease
1 (877) TELL-CSX

Request for help for the Movement, Restoration and return to operation of an antiquated piece of L&NE railroad equipment

Received the following via email from Kermit Geary, Jr.

Subject: help requested with our restoration project

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1642906755/project-lehigh-and-new-england-railroad-10256-rest

Normally don't send out links like this, but... This is our announcement to the world of our recent acquisition and it's impending restoration to running condition in it's original gondola configuration. These cars ran with white clay from the mines on the Chestnut Ridge to the Cement plants in Northampton to make the World Famous White Cement.

I hope you at least read our request and hopefully make a contribution to the cause.

NS Service Alert - Flood Alerts in Central U.S. and Great Lakes Area

Received the following via email.

Flood Alerts in Central U.S. and Great Lakes Area

Major flooding is forecast for several river gauge locations along the Mississippi River in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, and we anticipate the curtailment of traffic moving over Hannibal Bridge early Friday morning, April 19, 2013.

Norfolk Southern is using alternate routes around areas of flooding, but customers may see delays of 24 to 48 hours.

The latest ETA and routing information is always available through Pacesetter and accessNS.

Customers with questions regarding specific shipments should contact the National Customer Service Center.
Customer Service Operations at 800-635-5768.
Customer Service Automotive Operations at 888-649-9273.

Customers with questions regarding local service should contact their Operations and Service Support Representative.
Operations and Service Support at 800-898-4296.

W&LE Crews Change at Chenango Road, New London, OH

Received the following via email.

On Friday (4-12-13), railroad photographer friend Ken Heyl recorded this pair of Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway westbound freights stopped for crew change at the Chenango Road South grade crossing, just east of the Village of New London, Ohio. It was a grubby day for photography in Huron County, but I am glad that Ken ventured out, anyway, and recorded this neat Wheeling image.

drove up to New London, Ohio yesterday and caught some W&LE RR action. In this photo we witness W&LE #6354 and W&LE #4025 (both westbound) as they meet east of New London for a crew change at Chenango Road. Both trains were long mixed freights.

   

Florida East Coast Rwy. revives Champion's classic paint scheme

Received the following via email.

It is not every day that the head of a prominent freight rail carrier publicly discusses heritage locomotive paint schemes, Wick Moorman of  Norfolk Southern Railway being the notable exception, last July. For 2013, add one more... 

The email also contained a link to the following article and photo from Railway Age for 3-25-13. 

FEC revives the Champion’s livery

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief

In 1939, the Florida East Coast Railway and the Atlantic Coast Line premiered new streamlined passenger trains featuring striking art-deco-style paint schemes applied to the recently introduced EMD E3A diesel-electric locomotive.

E3A 1001, FEC’s first diesel, was assigned to the Jacksonville-Miami Henry M. Flagler. Sister unit 1002, along with two Atlantic Coast Line E3As, 500 and 501, was assigned to the daily New York-Miami Champion, which had its inaugural run on Dec. 1, 1939. The FEC units wore a bright red, yellow, and silver scheme; the ACL units featured that road's purple and silver livery. Each unit pulled an identical consist of seven cars, with two sets owned by each railroad. The Champion competed with the Seaboard Air Line’s Silver Star and Silver Meteor in New York-Florida service.

FEC is reviving the Champion’s livery by applying it to four freight units. FEC 714, completed in 2011, was the first locomotive to highlight the Heritage paint scheme. Recently delivered FEC 703 (pictured) is the first of three locomotives to be refurbished in 2013 by Progress Rail’s (a division of Caterpillar, Inc.) rebuild facility in Patterson, Ga., with a matching Heritage paint scheme.

“Some have said this was the most beautiful locomotive paint scheme ever devised,” says FEC President and CEO Jim Hertwig. “Today, the paint scheme signifies the continued growth that FEC aspires to attain as a premier regional rail network serving the east coast, and I am proud to incorporate our rich heritage into our future plans. FECs founder, Henry Flagler would have been proud of this beautiful locomotive.”

“Henry Flagler’s strategy for FEC was to move freight by rail utilizing Florida’s deep water ports in conjunction with a vision for growth generated by the opening of the Panama Canal,” says FEC Senior Vice President Engineering and Purchasing Fran Chinnici. “Today’s FEC continues Mr. Flagler’s vision as it expands its infrastructure to meet the demands created by the new Panama Canal opening in 2015. We’re currently building an even stronger infrastructure. We have major construction projects under way to expand rail operations at Port Miami, Port Everglades, West Palm, and the Bowden Terminal in Jacksonville to handle increased demand. The refurbished locomotives are just one example of FEC’s investment in handling future growth.”

Brand new BNSF locomotive escapes from the new Fort Worth GE facility

Received the following via email.

This BRAND NEW GE locomotive built at the BRAND NEW GE plant in North Fort Worth, COULDN'T WAIT to get out on the track and show its stuff....

 

Even Texas locomotives NEED track. It almost made it....that's BNSF's main line between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.....

 

Pennsylvania Fish Commision rail car Susquahanna

Received the link below via email.  Article is about a special rail car used to deliver live fish from the hatcheries to the waterways.

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/anglerboater/1998/sepoct98/traincar.htm

NS earns TRANSCAER(r) national award for transportation emergency response training

Received the following via email.

April 9, 2013

Norfolk Southern earns TRANSCAER® national award for transportation emergency response training

NORFOLK, VA. -- Norfolk Southern Corporation has earned the 2012 National Achievement Award from Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER®) for its efforts to help communities prepare for and respond to possible hazardous materials transportation incidents.

This is the 13th time Norfolk Southern has received the award. NS was one of 10 transportation and chemical companies recognized. NS’ Bill Oertly, hazardous materials compliance officer, Roanoke, Va., won the TRANSCAER® Torch Award in recognition of lifetime achievement.

Norfolk Southern supports communities across its rail system by training fire and police departments and rescue and emergency medical organizations about rail safety precautions, railroad operations, initial-response procedures, and rail equipment through classroom training, hands-on activities, and table-top exercises as well as full-scale drills that include use of rail equipment to simulate hypothetical responses to emergency situations.

In 2012, Norfolk Southern provided more than 19,000 hours of rail accident response training to more than 5,000 emergency responders. NS also conducted railroad operations classes for FBI agents and railroad liaison agents from the National Joint Terrorism Task Force operated by the FBI, and participated in four drills for local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, the railroad has ongoing programs to sponsor emergency responders to attend intensive training courses at the Security and Emergency Response Training Center at the AAR Transportation Technology Center Inc., in Pueblo, Colo.

“Norfolk Southern and its employees are unparalleled in their commitment to providing training to support first responders from across our rail network,” said David Julian, NS vice president safety and environmental.

“Norfolk Southern places great importance on these proactive efforts to enhance the preparedness of communities and their emergency management agencies. In the unlikely event of an incident, TRANSCAER® training programs ensure that shared knowledge, mutual areas of expertise, and a wealth of resources can be leveraged to protect the communities we serve,” added NS System Director Environmental Protection Richard Russell.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

TRANSCAER ® is a voluntary national outreach effort that focuses on assisting communities prepare for and respond to possible hazardous material transportation incidents. TRANSCAER® members include volunteer representatives from the chemical manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and emergency response industries, as well as the government.

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:

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

Blast Furnace Construction - 1939 photo

Received a note with the following link via email. 

Check out Republic Steel Corporation's Warren, Ohio, blast furnace under construction, interior.


http://cdm16007.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15005coll10/id/3396/rec/99
   

CNJ Program at R&LHS-NY Chapter

Reveived the following via email.

This coming Friday night, April 12th, the New York Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society will be showing several films having to do with the CNJ. I would like to extend an invitation to anyone on this list who would like to attend.

The first film we'll see is a remastered version of "The Big Little Railroad," a promotional film produced almost sixty-five years ago by Jersey Central. There will also be a film shown about the famous Ashley Planes and one about the 'new' Newark Bay Drawbridge. I believe the Bay bridge film was shot at the time the bridge was put in service in the mid-1920s.

This program is part of the NY Chapter's regularly scheduled monthly meeting and is being presented by Chapter Director Jim Guthrie.

The meeting will be held at NYRRE Williamson Library in Grand Central Terminal, New York City. NYRRE Williamson is in the southeast corner of the terminal, on the first floor, above Vanderbilt Hall. Access is by elevator at the northeast corner of the concourse. Because of security at Grand Central we assemble as a group at the Track 23 gate between 6:45 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. and are escorted to NYRRE Williamson by a Metro-North employee. Meetings normally last to about 9 PM. There is no admission charge.

All I ask is that you give us a heads-up if you're planning on attending. You can reach me at mailto:tmeehan0421%40gmail.com

I hope some of the CNJ fans on this list will attend. The Williamson Library has been refurbished and is in itself worth a visit.

tommy meehan

Blog counter milestone

This morning our blog counter passed a significant milestone:  100,000.  That's 100,000 page views since 1/1/07.  Thanks to all our visitors, and please keep coming back. 

Garden State Model Railway Open House

Received the following announcement via email.

The

Garden State Model Railway Club

is pleased to announce its

2nd. Annual Spring Open House

at

575 High Mountain Road

in

North Haledon, NJ

We invite you to join us.

The Show will run two weekends

Saturday and Sunday

April 6, 7

April 13, 14

1 PM to 5 PM.

Admission is $5.00.

Children under the age of 12 are FREE but must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, please visit our website at

http://www.gsmrrclub.org

We also invite you to become a fan of the

GSMRRC on Facebook.

We thank you for your support.

We hope to see you this year!

 

Ringling Bros Red Unit Circus Train ...

(Train sightings on 4-2-13.)

... is seen passing through Manville (NJ) over NS's Lehigh Line on its 534 mile journey to Youngstown, Ohio on April 2nd after closing out their engagement in Brooklyn's Barclay Center on April 1st. The Red Unit's consist was made up of fifty-nine cars, measuring 5,235 feet and weighed in at 4,290 tons. Don't know if that tonnage included the elephant's trunks! There was to be two crew changes, one in Harrisburg (PA), a second one in Pittsburgh (PA) before this train arrived in Youngstown sometime on Wednesday afternoon (April 3rd). Motive power for this move was provided by NS 9396 (C40-9W) and NS 2653 (SD70M-2).