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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

(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

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...

(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

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...

("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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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...

(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

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

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

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.