CSX Declares Quarterly Dividend

Received the following via email. 

CSX Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - October 8, 2014 - Earlier today, the board of directors of CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) approved a $0.16 per share quarterly dividend on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2014, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 28, 2014.

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).

Contact:

David Baggs, Investor Relations

904-359-4812

Melanie Cost, Corporate Communications

877-835-5279

Firetrucks & Trains - Ride The Great Pumpkin Train This Weekend!

Received the following via email from The Delaware River Railroad Excursions, Phillipsburg, NJ. 

In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the  Phillipsburg Fire Department, there will be a parade  on Saturday, October 11th, beginning at 12 noon. Arrive before 11:45 and watch the Parade go bye!  Ride The Great Pumpkin Train This Weekend! 877trainride.com CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS!   Upcoming Events Ride The Great Pumpkin Train This Weekend! In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Phillipsburg Fire Department, there will be a parade on Saturday, October 11th,  beginning at 12 noon. This will not affect riders on the 11 am or 2 pm trips, BUT, those riding the 12:30PM trip need to make their way to the train before 11:45 AM We suggest coming from the East. Directions from the East THIS IS ONLY FOR SATURDAY'S TRIP AT 12:30 Come watch a great parade of fire Apparatus and then ride  The Great Pumpkin Train! Ride our steam train through the beautiful fall landscape of Western New Jersey. Take the train to the pumpkin patch located in a little glade in front of the historic Carpentersville Lime Kilns dating from the 1700's. Once we arrive at the Pumpkin Patch everyone is welcome to get off the train and EVERY CHILD can pick their own pumpkin (one) for FREE.  For more family fun add the CORN MAZE & OLE' SUSQUEHANNA MINING COMPANY (for an additional charge) experience to your Pumpkin Train ride! trains leave 11 AM, 12:30, 2 ,OR 3:30 Saturdays or Sundays. NEW Now play miniature golf at the mine! It's only $3.00 per person and you can purchase at the mine office! BUY GREAT PUMPKIN TRAIN TICKETS  The Warren County Winery Train Your Journey After a Steam Train ride along the Delaware and a short bus ride through rolling farmlands, you will arrive at Villa Milagro Vineyards (www.VillaMilagroVineyards.com) .  There you will learn how grapes are grown and made into wine.  Then you will sample their delicious wines and have an opportunity to purchase them at the source.  If you would like to enjoy your wine with a picnic, bring a lunch and relax at tables in tree groves at the Ol'Susquehanna Mine and Corn Maze or at the station in Phillipsburg.  You are welcome to detrain at the Mine and spend as much time as you like relaxing in the picnic grove then catch a later train. BUY WINERY TRAIN TICKETS HERE

Amtrak Autumn Express is back by popular demand

Received the following via email.

PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP »

Take a one-of-a-kind trip through some of Pennsylvania's most scenic counties aboard the Autumn Express Due to popular demand, for a second year the Autumn Express excursion will be departing from and returning to Philadelphia 30th Street Station on Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9. Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 9 and are sure to go fast, so book your seats beginning at 10:00 am ET. Kids ages 2 - 12 save 50% per ticket and all tickets include a box lunch and free souvenir tote bag emblazoned with the "Autumn Express" logo. BOOK TODAY Terms and Conditions Valid for sale October 9 - November 7, 2014. Valid for travel on November 8 & 9, 2014 only. Valid between Philadelphia, PA (PHL) - Amtrak Autumn Express, PA (AXP). Flat price of $129 for adults and includes a boxed lunch and souvenir tote bag. For every paying adult two children ages 2 - 12 will be able to travel at half price. Children and infants must travel with an adult who is at least 18 years or older. Special excursion trains are eligible to earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points, but not available for redemption travel. Not combinable with any other discount offer or passenger type. All tickets are non-refundable.

A new station for NJT's RVL?

(Train sightings on 10-6-14.)

According to the Courier News (10/6) the Bridgewater Township Council will vote this Monday night (October 6th) whether to take the first step in asking NJ Transit to build a train station on Milltown Road. The council will conduct a hearing ordinance to purchase an option to buy a 5-acre tract at 360 Milltown Road for $1.5 million if NJ Transit finds the proposal feasible, Mayor Dan Hayes said. The option to buy the property for $1.5 million would cost the township about $15,000 over the next 18 months. Hayes noted that the train station would be next to the Vanderhaven Farms community. "It's already a transit village," he said. After the ordinance is adopted, Hayes said he would request NJ Transit conduct a feasibility study. If NJ Transit finds the project is feasible, then the township and NJ Transit would work out the details, including the design and ownership of the station. "It's a big project. It will take a long time," the mayor said. "There are a lot of options." The train station, the mayor said, would make Bridgewater more competitive in attracting 25- to 35-years-old residents, whom most major employers are looking to hire. Bridgewater already has one station on the Raritan Valley Line next to the TD Bank Ballpark in the Finderne section. The potential station location is about one and a half miles east of the North Branch Viaduct, seen here with NJT 5175 making its scheduled North Branch station stop.

Autumn's colors were on display!

(Train sightings on 10-3-14.)

With a vacation day from work, I decided to take advantage of Friday's sun and "Indian Summer" like temperatures to head trackside to catch some of fall's autumn red and golden hues. First stop of this day was Three Bridges to hopefully catch NS H76 working BR&W's interchange. On Thursday this train's power was two CN units and I was hoping this would be the same power consist for today. Alas, it wasn't to be as NS 8337 (ex-CR 6091; C40-8W) and NS 8718 (D8-40C) served as today's power consist. NS's two black diesels didn't provide much color but a tree added its red foliage to my scene.

Next stop would be Manville where CSX Q418 had two red CP units bringing this mixed freight through the ex-Reading yard in Manville. Motive power was CP 9591 and CP 9769.

The final train of the day for me was CSX K140. Its leader was BNSF 6541, its nose tinted a gold color by the late afternoon sun,  and NS 7626. It was slowing down near the waterworks grade crossing in Bridgewater prior to picking up the Philadelphia based crew members of CSX 190 to take them back to Philly. Lots of color to be seen even if it wasn't all on the trees! 

Harvest Train at The Warren County Winery Train

Received the following via email from The Delaware River Railroad Excursions, Phillipsburg, NJ.

It's Harvest Time at  Villa Milagro Winery. Ride The Harvest Train Harvest time comes to The Warren County Winery Train. Travel the scenic banks of the Delaware River on a steam engine drawn train.  Enjoy fall foliage as you pass through historic hamlets and farmland ready for fall harvest.  Then tour the vineyards of Villa Milagro Vineyards where grapes are plump and ready to pick.  Next learn how grapes are turned into the delicious elixir we call wine.  Taste wine paired with hot appetizers then re-board your train for your return trip. Buy Harvest Train/Warren County Winery Train Tickets    The Annual Tour of Historic Pohatcong Ride back in time on the Delaware River Railroad Excursions behind steam locomotive #142.  The train will take you to just North of "Pinchers Point" along the Delaware where you will board a bus on a docent guided tour of three beautiful historic houses.  You will receive an informative brochure with plenty of information about the houses. After the house tour the bus will take you to Villa Milagro Vineyards for Hors D'orvres and wine tasting, then back to the steam train for your homeward bound trip to Phillipsburg. Buy Tickets For House Tour Here

Polar Express Dates Added -The Great Pumpkin Train Starts This Weekend!

Received the following via email from The Delaware River Railroad Excursions, Phillipsburg, NJ.

The Great Pumpkin Train STARTS THIS WEEKEND Phillipsburg, N.J. 877trainride.com CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS!   Upcoming Events The Great Pumpkin Train Starts This Weekend! The Great Pumpkin Train runs from October 5th  to the end of October, weekends. Ride our steam train through the beautiful fall landscape of Western New Jersey. Take the train to the pumpkin patch located in a little glade in front of the historic Carpentersville Lime Kilns dating from the 1700's. Once we arrive at the Pumpkin Patch everyone is welcome to get off the train and EVERY CHILD can pick their own pumpkin (one) for FREE.  For more family fun add the CORN MAZE & OLE' SUSQUEHANNA MINING COMPANY (for an additional charge) experience to your Pumpkin Train ride! trains leave 11 AM, 12:30, 2 ,OR 3:30 Saturdays or Sundays. NEW Now play miniature golf at the mine! It's only $3.00 per person and you can purchase at the mine office! BUY GREAT PUMPKIN TRAIN TICKETS  The Polar Express Tickets available for sale! We have been busy working on the train and we now have additional seats to sell! There are select dates and times available, click the link below to buy Polar Express tickets. BUY POLAR EXPRESS TICKETS HERE

NS Quarterly Earnings Conference Call

Received the following via email.

NORFOLK SOUTHERN QUARTERLY EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

We cordially invite you to join us at 8:45 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, to review our third-quarter 2014 results. We will issue earnings results at 8 a.m. EDT on Oct. 22.

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 Oct. 30, 2014. The replay number is 877-660-6853 and access code 13592237.

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,

                                                          Katie Cook

                                                                        Director Investor Relations

                                                                        Norfolk Southern Corporation

NS achieves leadership in carbon disclosure with best-ever score

Received the following via email.

Sept. 29, 2014

Norfolk Southern achieves leadership in carbon disclosure with best-ever score

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) earned recognition recently from environmental nonprofit CDP as a marketplace leader in carbon disclosure, reflecting the railroad's broad integration of sustainable business practices into daily operations.

For the first time, Norfolk Southern was named to the CDP's 2014 S&P 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index. CDP cited the depth and quality of climate-change data the railroad disclosed to investors and to the marketplace through CDP, the world's only global environmental disclosure system.

Norfolk Southern's carbon disclosure score was 98, based on a scale of 100, the company's best-ever score in seven years of participating in the voluntary CDP survey and a 9 percent improvement over its 2013 score.

"Norfolk Southern strives for performance-based results to demonstrate leadership in corporate environmental responsibility, and we are happy to announce this latest example of our commitment," said Blair Wimbush, vice president real estate and corporate sustainability officer. "We choose to disclose the railroad's carbon performance through CDP to be transparent and accountable to investors, customers, and communities in how we manage and attempt to mitigate environmental impacts of our operations. We are working hard to get even better."

Companies had to score at least 97 to make the leadership index. Norfolk Southern scored in the top 10 percent of Standard & Poor 500 Index companies that disclosed information about their greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related risks and opportunities. CDP disclosure scores are provided to investors and other decision makers through various channels, including Bloomberg terminals, to help them assess corporate preparedness for changing market demands and emissions regulations. 

In addition to disclosure scores, the CDP awards performance grades to measure a company's efforts to mitigate and reduce its carbon footprint. Norfolk Southern's 2014 performance grade is B, based on a scale of A to E, matching its 2013 grade. 

In its 2014 CDP disclosure, Norfolk Southern describes strategic investments in technologies, operations programs, and network improvements aimed at reducing the railroad's carbon footprint while expanding freight capacity and providing fuel- and cost-efficient customer service. The company also reports it has achieved nearly 79 percent of a five-year goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 10 percent per revenue ton-mile, with one year remaining.

To learn more, view the railroad's CDP filing and 2014 sustainability report.

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) Jonathan Glass, 757-629-2789 (jonathan.glass@nscorp.com)

(Investors) Katie Cook, 757-629-2861 (InvestorRelations@nscorp.com)

CSX - First Responders Complete Crude-By-Rail Safety Training at State-of-the-Art Facility in Colorado

Received the following via email.

First Responders Complete Crude-By-Rail Safety Training at State-of-the-Art Facility in Colorado

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - September 29, 2014 - CSX recently hosted crude-by-rail incident response training for 40 first responders representing 30 communities around the CSX network at the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) in Pueblo, Colorado.

The firefighters and police officers from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia completed three days of training with hazardous materials specialists and instructors from CSX and the Association of American Railroads.

The training focused on preparation for and emergency response to railroad incidents involving crude oil, and included an overview of the history of crude oil extraction, chemical and physical properties of different types of crude oil currently being transported, incident site and damage assessment, and tank car design and construction. Participants also practiced specialized response techniques and incident command scenarios during mock derailments.

Capt. Kathleen Thompson, a 19-year veteran with the Grand Rapids (MI) Fire Department, said, "I believe I will make my department and the city I serve safer by attending this program. Not only did we hear some pretty extensive lectures on the science of crude oil and case histories on incidents, but more importantly we participated in multiple hands-on, crude oil live-fire scenarios. And I now have met and made connections with experts I can rely on if I ever have the need."

Commander Tim Henderson of the Nashville Fire Department Special Operations Division said, "The training we have received at SERTC over the past few years and our continued relationship with CSX hazmat professionals have been a tremendous benefit to our personnel. The training regarding crude oil movements by rail is a great experience and the information we received from CSX employees is exceptional."

"As a rural county, our ability to fund training of this caliber is nonexistent, so we are very appreciative of CSX for the opportunity to participate in this training," said Deputy Fire Coordinator Daniel Imfeld of the Chautauqua County, New York HAZMAT Team. "This training will not only help us in the event of a crude oil incident but gives us the fundamentals to respond to many hazardous materials situations."

The event marked the latest step in CSX's ongoing commitment to provide a variety of training opportunities for first responders across its network. CSX's training reaches more than 7,000 first responders each year through hands-on sessions like those operated at SERTC, classroom training at local fire stations, exercises and table-top drills, web-based and self-study training courses. The hands-on and classroom safety training helps strengthen CSX's partnership with first responders and provide a higher level of emergency readiness.

Earlier this year the CSX Safety Train: Energy Preparedness Program visited many of these communities to train more than 1,300 local first responders in partnership with the Firefighters Education and Training Foundation. The Safety Train will make several stops in the mid-Atlantic and Midwest this fall.

"This training demonstrates CSX's commitment to helping the first responders throughout our network prepare both in the classroom and in the field for potential rail-related incidents," said Skip Elliott, vice president, public health, safety and environment, CSX. "In addition to our CSX Operation Respond mobile application launched recently, the SERTC training brings the right information to the right people to help protect the communities we serve."

Participating organizations

Alabama

Atmore Fire Department

Montgomery Fire and Rescue

Georgia

Bartow County Fire Department

Illinois

City of East St. Louis Fire Department

Fairmont City Fire Department

Kentucky

Henderson Fire Department

Michigan

Grand Rapids Fire Department

Livingston County Hazardous Materials Team

North Carolina

Asheville Fire Department

Charlotte Fire Department

New Jersey

Kearny Fire Department

Bergen County Police Department

Teaneck Fire Department

New York

Auburn Fire Department

Stafford Fire Department

Buffalo Fire Department

Chautauqua Emergency Services

Chautauqua County Hazardous Materials Response Team

Kingston Fire Department

Ohio

Fostoria Fire Division

Tiffin Fire and Rescue Division

Willard Fire Department

Pennsylvania

Montgomery County Hazardous Materials Team

Philadelphia Fire Department

Trevose Fire Department

Tennessee

Nashville Fire Department

Virginia

Newport News Fire Department

Selma Volunteer Fire Department

Wise County Hazardous Materials

About SERTC

Established in 1985, the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) is operated by the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), a subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads. Its original mission was to train railroad officials to safely handle accidents involving tank cars carrying hazardous materials. The training proved to be so successful that attendance was opened up to other emergency responders. SERTC now serves not only the transportation service industry, but also the public sector emergency response community, the chemical industry, government agencies and emergency response contractors from all over the world. Since inception, SERTC has trained well over 50,000 students worldwide.

About CSX

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For 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).

Contact:

Melanie Cost

Melanie_Cost@csx.com

(904) 359-1702

Taking advantage of Saturday's sun!

(Train sightings on 9-27-14.) 

Decided to take advantage of Saturday's awesome weather by heading at along NJ's stretch of the LEHL. This marked the first time in a long time I was back this way. First stop was at Bloomsbury (NJ) where I caught NS 7560 illuminated by the sun as NS 290 passed by the Defect Detector at MP 68.8 around 8:37 AM. Not to keep one in the dark about what the second unit was in this power consist, it was NS 6944.

After 290 passed, I headed over to Pattenburg Tunnel to satisfy my curiosity about how it looked. Many of the favorable photo locations were no longer there. Vegetation and foliage had grown over and basically eliminated them. For me it was a sad sight since I had taken so many photos here in years past and, in the process, met many railfans who later became friends of mine. Heading down Route 31, I would stop at the Hamden Road grade crossing in Hunterdon County. About one hour later, NS 22V is seen approaching the Hamden Road grade crossing near the LEHL's MP 57 around 9:44 under brilliant sunshine. Note that there is a slight changing of color in the foliage, nothing though to get excited about yet.

CSX Named Sustainability Leader by Dow Jones Sustainability Index and CDP

Received the following via email.

CSX Named Sustainability Leader by Dow Jones Sustainability Index and CDP

Jacksonville, Fla. - September 25, 2014 - Building on its track record of industry-leading sustainability projects and performance, CSX was recently named to three top sustainability leadership indices: the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America, the CDP S&P 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index 2014 and the CDP S&P 500 Climate Performance Leadership Index 2014.

"Sustainable growth is critical to the long-term success of our business and to our ability to meet America's increasing need for efficient, environmentally-friendly rail transportation," said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer.  "These important recognitions highlight our ongoing commitment to conducting operations in an environmentally responsible manner and engaging actively in the communities that we serve."

CSX is the only U.S. railroad, and among just four transportation companies in total, recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America this year for leadership in sustainable business practices. In its fourth consecutive year on the index, CSX showed strong performance across the assessed criteria, specifically in the areas of customer relationship management, climate strategy, management of environmental policy issues, corporate citizenship and philanthropy, and risk and crisis management.

The index is a partnership between the Dow Jones Indexes and RobecoSAM Sustainability Assessments, which tracks the financial performance of the world's leading companies according to rigorous economic, environmental and social criteria. Launched in 1999, the DJSI is the first global sustainability benchmark for companies that prioritize environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

In addition, CSX was also recognized by CDP, the world's only global environmental disclosure system. CSX raised its Climate Disclosure Leadership Index performance score - a measure of a company's transparency on climate-related disclosures - to an all-time high this year, receiving a score of 98A. In addition, this is the fifth consecutive year that CSX has achieved a position on the Climate Performance Leadership Index, which evaluates how companies are measuring, verifying and managing their carbon footprints.

"CSX is dedicated to investing in the safe, reliable, environmentally-friendly rail network of the future to continue to drive profitable growth and shareholder value creation," said Fredrik Eliasson, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "This commitment to sustainable growth includes aggressive measurement and transparency to benefit shareholders and employees alike."

CDP's annual indices spotlight companies listed on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) that have demonstrated a commitment to managing climate change by integrating it into their business strategy and taking actionable steps to mitigate climate-related risk. This year, the CDP S&P 500 Climate Change Report 2014 presents new analysis linking S&P 500 sustainability leaders with financial performance. 

In 2013, CSX achieved record-setting fuel efficiency and has reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by 1.5 percent since 2011, bringing the company closer to its voluntary goal of reducing GHG emissions intensity by six to eight percent from 2011 levels by 2020. In addition, CSX provided more than $16 million to charitable organizations in 2013 and logged more than 25,000 volunteer hours working with national and local organizations to support safety, environmental, community and wellness initiatives across its 21,000 mile network.

To learn more about sustainability at CSX, view the company's most recent Corporate Social Responsibility Report at www.csxcsr.com.

About CSX

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For 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 ww.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

Contact:

Melanie Cost

904-359-1702

Raritan Riverfest and Rubber Duck Race

Received the following via email.

Home 3rd Annual Raritan River Fest & Rubber Duck Race We hope you'll join us for the 3rd Annual Raritan River Fest & Rubber Duck Race, Sunday September 28, 2014 from 12pm-5pm at Canal Street Park! We will be sponsoring a Doggie Fashion Show at 2 pm. No outfits needed - we will provide them! Stop by our table to say hello and to grab some goodies! 10W Chimney Rock Rd • Bridgewater • NJ • 08805

Camp Bow Wow of Bridgewater  •  10W Chimney Rock Rd  •  Bridgewater  •  NJ  •  08805 http://www.campbowwow.com/Bridgewater