Thursday, March 05, 2015

Just a Month Away! Don't Miss getting Tickets for The Easter Bunny Train!

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


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It's amazing to think about it, BUT, the Easter Bunny Train Ride and Easter Egg Hunt is only a MONTH AWAY!
Shake off those Winter blues and buy your Easter Bunny Train Ride & Easter Egg Hunt tickets today!


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The Easter Bunny cant wait for Spring and neither can we!
Easter Bunny Train Ride Phillipsburg NJ
                                                      & Josh Horton
Easter Bunny Train Ride Phillipsburg NJ & Josh Horton

 Ride the ONLY Easter Bunny train ride where you get off the train and have an Easter Egg Hunt!
While on the train visit with Mr. E. Bunny. Give him a hug and take a picture!
Your ride will wind along the scenic Delaware River leaving from the Historic District of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The train will travel along the river to Carpentersville and our destination will be the site of the historic Lime Kilns. In front of the 150 year old Lime kilns is a beautiful little glade filled with Easter Eggs! Once we arrive you can get off the train, take a picture with Mr. Bunny and
gather 4 Easter eggs filled with little toys ( similar to what you find in cracker jack).
 
Enjoy the cute Easter music on the train, the gift shop, the snack bar, our banjo playing Hobo and a Juggler, its fun for the whole family!

Trips run on:
March 28, 29 
and April 4th.
11am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 3:30 pm

Thomas Comes In July!
TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 14TH


JULY 10,11,12,17,18,19
Day Out With Thomas is a family event that offers children and their grownups the opportunity to ride with classic storybook friend Thomas the Tank Engine™ . Parents, grandparents and siblings join their aspiring engineers in the fun. The Day Out With Thomas experience will engineer miles of smiles for the whole family and introduce a new generation to the timeless excitement of railroading.
The train pulled by Thomas leaves every hour on the hour, 10 am to 5 pm.

You may also ride  the River Train along the scenic Delaware River  to Pinchers Point, New Jersey ( an hour and fifteen minute round trip).  For an added adventure take the River Train  to the Ol' Susquehanna Mine , enjoy the animated Mine Shaft Explosion, History and learn how to pan for Gem Stones that you can take home!.
The trips pulled by Thomas take you along the beautiful Delaware River to North Carpentersville New Jersey, a 25 minute ride.
The River Train   pulled by our STEAM locomotive #142  follows the same route  journeying further along the river to Edingers  with a brief stop at the "Old Susquehanna" gem stone mine.  At the mine you may get off , visit the mine and learn how to pan for gems.  Each passenger receives a bag of mine tiling's , a brief history of the mine and use of the  sluice to prospect for their very own gem stones they can bring home!
 You may also purchase tickets the day of the event for all trains although we advise that you purchase your tickets in advance.
Trains to  and from the mine depart every hour.  Stay at the mine as little as an hour or as long as you like!
Experience the exploding mine shaft tour-- its a hoot!
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!
TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 14TH 
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions is operated by the New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society Inc, a 501 c (3) non profit corporation.
 We are operated entirely by volunteers.


CSX and the Conservation Fund Announce Grant Recipients; Improve Access to Healthy Food in Underserved Communities

Received the following via email.

CSX and the Conservation Fund Announce Grant Recipients; Improve Access to Healthy Food in Underserved Communities

ARLINGTON, Va. (Feb. 26, 2015) - CSX and The Conservation Fund, partners in a program aimed at improving the transportation and distribution of fresh, healthy food to communities in need, announced today grant awards to 10 charitable organizations in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Tennessee. Each organization will receive $10,000 to enhance food delivery services so that they can bring fresh, nutritious food to their communities.

In many underserved communities food distribution organizations, such as food pantries, encounter difficulty getting fresh, healthy food. Many producers and organizations also face challenges retaining quality and safety as they sell, store, package and distribute fresh food. As a result, more than 23 million Americans across the country have limited or no access to fresh produce, dairy, meats and seafood.

As a leading supplier of efficient rail-based freight transportation in North America, CSX recognizes the integral role that transportation plays in connecting communities. 

"At CSX, it's our job to connect communities through transportation every day, so we are proud to work with The Conservation Fund to support the local distribution of healthy and fresh food across many of the communities where we work and live," said Tori Kaplan, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, CSX. "Partnering with local organizations helps us live our commitment to improving the health and wellness of communities across our 21,000 miles of track."

The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit dedicated to finding conservation solutions that balance environmental and economic needs, has partnered with CSX to help address gaps in local food distribution and enhance delivery capabilities.

"With CSX's partnership, we're not only helping to connect America's families to fresh fruit and produce but we're also supporting our local farmers and working farms," said Kris Hoellen, Vice President of Sustainable Programs at the Conservation Fund.  "The Healthy Food Transportation Grant Program is a clear win for American families and farmers."

The grant program supports organizations that distribute fresh produce and perishable food in the 23 states where CSX operates. Combined, the 10 recipient organizations provide nutritious food to approximately six million people per year, bringing nearly 118,000,000 pounds of food equaling 98,000,000 meals served each year.

Grant Recipients 

Capital District Community Garden, Troy, N.Y.
Capital District Community Garden will use its grant to purchase loading dock equipment for its expanded food hub distribution center, the Urban Grow Center. This will allow the organization to double the amount of fresh, affordable produce reaching urban food deserts. Capital District Community Garden has cultivated a gleaning food rescue program called Squash Hunger. They also have two mobile product markets known as the Veggie Mobile and Veggie Sprout, which sell fresh wholesale-priced product at 32 low-income inner-city market stops and an urban farm, as well as programs serving corner stores and small institutions.

Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Chattanooga, Tenn.
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank will use its funding to purchase two manual foot pedal clipping machines and associated supplies allowing them to efficiently bag bulk produce in smaller, easier to handle sizes. The organization leads a network of partners in eliminating hunger and promoting better health in its region. It purchases fresh food from local farmers in bulk since most of its partner agencies do not have the capacity to accept, transport, store and distribute 50 pound bags of potatoes, for example, nor do elderly clients and children in need have the ability to transport and cook 50 pounds of potatoes. The new machinery will allow them to package food in smaller quantities. Underserved and vulnerable populations will benefit from increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and the Food Bank's increased buying power will support local farmers and food systems.

The Deep South Community Agriculture Network (DSCAN), Darien, Ga.
DSCAN will use its grant to acquire a refrigerated truck, and insurance for aggregation and cooling space for products produced by a network of value chains in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. DSCAN is comprised of six organizations working to develop chains in the following three sub-regions: Southeast Alabama, the Mississippi Delta and a two-state sub-region of West Alabama and East Mississippi. The organization works to help African-American farmers achieve financial success. It sees agricultural value chains through capacity support, coupled with first-hand agricultural knowledge and deep relationships across communities, as a means for black farmers to combine their resources to overcome these barriers by fulfilling the increasing demand for local food in the region.

Farm Share, Inc., Homestead, Fla. 
Farm Share will use its award to acquire more donated food from farmers and businesses throughout Florida and nearby states and transport it into Florida communities to feed more low-income households. Food Share is a charitable packinghouse dedicated to distributing nutritious food for people in need. It administers a combination of produce recovery operations and USDA commodity programs, and works within a network of nearly 1,000 community groups to help distribute food to those who need it most in the state of Florida year round. The agencies receive food from Farm Share warehouses and sister organizations in Homestead, Quincy, Jacksonville and Pompano Beach, Fla., located in the heart of local farming areas. Food Share also does daily direct-to-community food distribution to Florida's food deserts and impoverished neighborhoods.

Feeding America Tampa Bay, Tampa, Fla.
Feeding America Tampa Bay will use its grant funds to purchase a forklift to support its warehouse operations and thereby increasing its capacity to load, move, and transport additional fresh food over its service area (10 counties - 9,300 square miles) in West Central Florida. The organization acts as the main hub for emergency food supplies, distributing perishable and nonperishable food throughout 10 counties of West Central Florida: Hillsborogh, Pinellas, Pasco Polk, Citrus, Sumter, Hardee, Highland, Manatee and Hernando. Its mission is possible by redirecting food that would otherwise be wasted, and providing it to organizations that can safely distribute it to those in need.

Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, Comstock Park, Mich.
The organization will use its grant to purchase a Refrigerated Straight Truck which will expand its program capacity and broaden mobile pantry distribution to additional individuals within communities in need of fresh food in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank's Mobile Food Pantry is particularly effective in areas where there is inadequate "hunger infrastructure," such as a lack of food pantries or pantries that are limited in hours or refrigerated store capacity. The Refrigerated Straight Truck will bring 21 additional new distributions of fresh food annually to more than 7,000 underserved, food-insecure individuals in the Upper Peninsula by January 2017.

Food Pantries for the Capital District, Inc., Albany, N.Y.
The grant will be used to order a greater quantity of food to support product and meat distribution to 53 food pantries serving 45,000 vulnerable and underserved people. The organization's food pantries fill a gap by providing a minimum of three days' worth of nutritious grocery items for many people on a monthly basis in Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties.

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.
Gleaners Food Bank will use its grant fund to purchase six 600-quart and one 200-quart portable food chests to increase portability and distribution of frozen protein items and fresh foods and produce to food-insecure residents through the Gleaners Mobile Pantry program and senior programming, including the pilot Senior Mobile Pantry program. Each Mobile Pantry truck is typically loaded with more than four tons of flash frozen meat, fresh product, dairy products, and high quality shelf-stable items. Clients "shop" for food items, preserving their dignity and ensuring the food they receive will be eaten.

Grow Appalachia, Berea, Ky.
The grant will be used to purchase a truck and refrigerated trailer to serve as a Grow Appalachia food aggregator, delivering perishable produce from Kentucky to markets and other hubs of distribution. Grow Appalachia supplies financial aid and technical support to 43 nonprofit organizations and will use their refrigerated truck to collect product from its growers in Kentucky and deliver it to markets, food hubs, and other centers of distribution.

Lake-to-River Food Cooperative, Youngstown, Ohio
The grant funds will be used to purchase a delivery vehicle for transporting products from member farms and processing facilities to Lake-to-River Food Cooperative locations. Lake-to-River Food Cooperative serves people, schools and workplaces in need within food deserts in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties. The cooperative has a weekly delivery to four to eight schools, ensuring that students have the chance to eat at least one healthy meal each day. One hundred percent of Youngstown schools offer free lunches.

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.

CSX is committed to helping communities it serves live healthier, greener, safer lives. The company recognizes the importance for these communities to gain regular access to locally grown, nutrient-rich, fresh food. That's why CSX is supporting these grants to enable local charitable organizations to transport and provide fresh food to people who need it, as part of a healthier lifestyle.

About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we combine a passion for conservation with an entrepreneurial spirit to protect America's most important lands and waterways for future generations. A hallmark of our work is our deep, unwavering understanding that for conservation solutions to last, they need to make economic sense. We strive to implement strategies that support sustainable economic development, spark cutting-edge conservation and bridge connections between people and the land. Top-ranked, we're advancing vibrant, healthy communities. www.conservationfund.org

Contacts:
Kaitlyn Barrett   
CSX Corporate Communications
904-359-1037       
kaitlyn_barrett@csx.com

Robin Murphy
The Conservation Fund
703-797-2507
rmurphy@conservationfund.org




Sunday, March 01, 2015

Something from the archives

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

Hard to believe that this was 15 years ago...Time flys!





CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference

Received the following via email. 

CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - February 25, 2015 - Fredrik Eliasson, CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) executive vice president and chief financial officer, will address the J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference in New York City on Wednesday, March 4, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Access to the audio webcast and presentation materials 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.

This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com.

About CSX Disclosures and the Company
CSX also uses social media channels to communicate information about the company. Although social media channels are not intended to be the primary method of disclosure for material information, it is possible that certain information CSX posts on social media could be deemed to be material. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in the company to review the information we post on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX) and on Slideshare (http://www.slideshare.net/HowTomorrowMoves).  The social media channels used by CSX may be updated from time to time.

More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX).

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. 

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

Melanie Cost, Corporate Communications
904-359-1702


NS President James Squires to address J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference

Received the following via email. 

NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 20, 2015 –Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) President James A. Squires will make a presentation during the J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference.

What:                J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference
When:              Wednesday, March, 4, 2015, 8:45 a.m. EST
Where:            383 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y.

The presentation will be posted at www.norfolksouthern.com in the Investors section.

About Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Corporation 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.

Media Inquiries:


Investor Inquiries:




###


Friday, February 27, 2015

My consolation prize!

(Train sightings on 2-17-15.)

With the Ringling Brothers Red Unit Circus train scheduled to make the 100 mile trip from Philadelphia, PA to Brooklyn, NY on Tuesday I was ready to photograph it as it made its way east over CSX's Trenton Line. Unfortunately this train once again proved to be elusive to me. No postings on the various websites that monitor rail activities did not afford any information as to the train's where abouts. As a alternate plan I decided to wait for NS 20E which had the Lackawanna heritage unit trailing behind 20E's leader. After all I couldn't afford to let Tuesday's good sunlight go to waste now. It is seen here passing a malfunctioning Valley Road grade crossing (LEHL MP 40) in Hillsborough, NJ around 12:30.



Train!!


Following photo is of a NJT train approaching a grade crossing in Gillette, NJ the morning of 2-18-15.  Sent to us via email from Deborah Schleiff.  Our thanks to Deborah. 




NS commercial on YouTube





NS Customer Service Update

Received the following via email. 

To Norfolk Southern’s Valued Customers:

I am writing to you today with two primary messages. 

The first is to direct you to our website where we have posted our February service update which outlines current resource planning, maintenance of way work plans, service metrics, an overview of our 2015 Capital Budget, and our expected return to steady state network performance early in the second half of the year.  As previously advised, these updates will continue on a monthly basis as the year progresses.

The second message is to thank you for your friendship and support over my 39 year career with Norfolk Southern.  At the end of this month I have decided to retire and transition to a slightly slower pace, unless of course, I decide a faster pace is more desirable.  It has been a distinct pleasure and privilege to work with many of you personally over this long period of time.  I extend my very best wishes to each of you for your continued success and good health and as always, thank you for your continuing business with our fine company.

Sincerely,

Donald W. Seale
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Norfolk Southern Corporation
Three Commercial Place
Norfolk, VA  23510-9216





Monday, February 23, 2015

What I got in photographing NS's Central of Georgia heritage unit...

(Train sightings on 2-15-15.)

...was cold feet and a roster shot of the Central of Georgia! I had seen various postings on the Internet and thought I'll get this heritage unit in Sunday's good sunlight. I was going to wait at the LEHL's CP SULLY (MP 40) in Hillsborough (NJ) for the 66Z but switched over to Manville's 13th Street grade crossing. The morning wind was icy cold and brutal so moving over to Manville's 13th Street grade crossing seemed like a good idea at the time. When the 66Z's headlight was seen, I could exit the sheltered warmth of my truck to get the image. That 'ol saying "...the best made plans of mice and men go astray" was appropriate as my plans were destined to go astray. 66Z took the Royce Runner (Main 1) around 10:15 and held until permission was given to head east around 3:30. It was my understanding that a truck had struck a bridge causing various delays to operations within that area until a bridge inspector could come out and check for possible structural damage. For me the best image of this day was not of 66Z's heritage unit but of NS 290 heading east through the swirling snow. From the vantage point were this photo was taken, one can usually see pretty far west. Not so in this scene since the snow kicked up by 290 and winds have drastically reduced the visibility. 








Sunday, February 22, 2015

Saturday's recap of Lehigh Line trains seen...

(Train sightings on 2-14-15.)

started out early on Saturday morning with a call from my wife who was out shopping. Passing beneath the LEHL in Hillsborough (NJ) and called to inform me that there was "...an tank car train stopped on the siding." Before hanging up she said "Happy Valentine's Day!" With that conversation ended I was out the door and heading towards Manville's 13th Street grade crossing (LEHL MP 37). Sure enough it was holding on the Royce Runner (Main 1) for NS 20E to pass. At 9:36 20E passed by with NS 9560, NS 7707 and NS 2607 as the power consist. Shortly there after, 66Z made its way down the siding. I was hoping that this 66Z would be the one with the Central of Georgia leading but that was not to be. Saturday 66Z's power would be NS 3417, UP 5624 and UP 7024. Perhaps Sunday will be the day the C of G heritage unit passes through. 



Hoping to catch NS 212 with the KCS leading, it was then off to Stanton Station for the cold wait. At 12:13 212 came through with KCS 4104 leading. Prior to 212's arrival, NS 211 would take the siding at CP 53 and hold for two more east bounders after 212. Lead by NS 9655 and NS 9086, the next east bounder to pass by was 22V @ 12:30. NS 20R was the final east bound intermodal having NS 1098 and NS 9924 as its power consist. Once 20R had cleared, 211 headed west , led by NS 7587 and NS 7655 @ 1PM. With 211's passage and the forecasted snow starting to fall,  it was time to head home and thaw out! 





Erie Railroad depot and hotel in Susquehanna, PA for sale

The 1863 Erie Railroad depot and hotel known as The Starrucca House located in Susquehanna, PA are for sale.   Susquehanna, PA is north of Scranton, near the NY border; south and east of Binghamton, NY.

Photo from Oaklands Real Estate web site.

The following description is from the roadtrippers.com web site: 


The Erie Railroad Station in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania was built by the Erie Railway (later reorganized as the Erie Railroad) in 1863. The three-story Gothic Revival structure included a large hotel, called Starrucca House, with rooms for 200 people and a 120 feet long dining room. Overall building size is 327 feet (100 m) length by 40 feet (12 m) width. The railroad converted the hotel into offices and sleeping quarters for railroad personnel c. 1903. Alterations were made to the building in 1913 and 1917. The Erie Railroad merged into the Erie Lackawanna Railroad in 1960, which ended passenger train service over the former Erie Delaware Division through Susquehanna in 1966. All remaining passenger service on the former Lackawanna route via Scranton, PA, was discontinued on January 6, 1970. The station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. 

This description is from the Oaklands Real Estate web site: 

http://www.flexmls.com/share/EITB/165-DEPOT-ST-Susquehanna-PA-18847-

Once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the most unique properties in Pennsylvania. The Susquehanna Rail Depot aka the Starrucca House, built in 1863 by James P. Kirkwood for the Erie Rail Road, it was the epicenter for entertaining. This property is ripe for development, featuring 13,040 sq.ft. of space as well as railway accesses the property has endless opportunities. 

The real estate web site also has about 100 current photos of this property, mostly of the interior. 

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Sunday afternoon at one of my favorite LEHL photo locations...

(Train sightings on 2/8/15.) 

One of my favorite locations along NS's LEHL is the S-curve at Stanton Station (NJ). It is just west of MP 53, adjacent to the Stanton Station Road grade crossing and affords a good photo location for afternoon eastbound trains. Sunday proved to be good despite gray skies. First train worth mentioning was NS 66Z (Chicago, IL to Linden, NJ). It had two "showroom clean" SD70ACes, NS1163 and NS 1140, as its motive consist. They had served as the power for an empty oil train 67Z that went west on Friday (February 6th) over the LEHL. The second catch was NS's Go Rail 6963 teamed with NS 9083 to serve as the power consist for 18N (Fostoria, OH to Doremus, NJ). It was worth the wait for these two images...







Newark Penn Station Solari Board

Received the following via email. 

Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 11:47:32 -0500
Subject: Newark Penn Solari Board


To all:

NJ TRANSIT is replacing the Solari big board at Newark Penn Station and will be disposing of the existing flap style board that is currently in place (although obviously not original to the station).  While the unit cannot be removed in one piece, if any parties would like to receive any of the station name flaps for preservation or display we will be happy to work with you to arrange for such disposition of pieces of the old board.  Please note, however, NJ TRANSIT is unable to provide transport of these items.  If you have any interest please let me know and I will arrange for you to meet with someone from our information technology staff.  Also – if you know of other organizations that might wish to receive this notification, feel free to pass this message along.  Dara

Dara Callender, P.E.
NJ TRANSIT
Environmental Services Unit
One Penn Plaza East
Newark, NJ 07105-2246
Phone: 973-491-7205
E-Fax:   973-863-4538
E-Mail: dcallender@njtransit.com

Note:  This Solari board is a split-flap display used to show train arrivals and departures.  It is named after the manufacturer, Solari di Udine from Udine, Italy. 


Wednesday, February 18, 2015

NS - Winter Storm Octavia Impacting Operations in the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas

Received the following via email.

Winter Storm Octavia Impacting Operations in the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas

Norfolk Southern operations in the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas are expected to be impacted over the next several days by heavy snow, blizzard conditions and sub-zero temperatures in association with Winter Storm Octavia.  Customers should expect delays of 24-48 hours on traffic moving through these areas.    

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

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

Customer Service Operations at 800-635-5768.
Customer Service Automotive Operations at 888-649-9273.


Customers with questions regarding local service should contact their Operations and Service Support Representative.

Operations and Service Support at 800-898-4296.




NS 212's colorful trio of motive power!

(Train sightings on 2-4-15.)

NS 212, an Atlanta, GA to Croxton, NJ intermodal, with a trio of KCS diesels (4568, 4609 and 3932) is headed east on the Lehigh Line MP 40 @ 10:37 as it approaches the Valley Road grade crossing in Hillsborough (NJ).




CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address Barclays Industrial Select Conference

Received the following via email. 

CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address Barclays Industrial Select Conference

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - February 11, 2015 - Fredrik Eliasson, CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) executive vice president and chief financial officer, will address the Barclays Industrial Select Conference in Miami, Florida on Wednesday, February 18, at 8:05 a.m. Eastern Time.

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.

This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com.

CSX also uses social media channels to communicate information about the company. Although our social media channels are not intended to be the primary method of disclosure for material information, it is possible that certain information we post on social media could be deemed to be material. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the social media channels listed below. This list may be updated from time to time.

CSX on Twitter (http://twitter.com/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:
David Baggs, Investor Relations
904-359-4812

Melanie Cost, Corporate Communications
904-359-1702




NS chief financial officer to address Barclays Industrial Select Conference on Feb. 19

Received the following via email.

Norfolk Southern chief financial officer to address Barclays Industrial Select Conference on Feb. 19

NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 6, 2015 – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer Marta R. Stewart will make a presentation during the 2015 Barclays Industrial Select Conference.

What: Barclays Industrial Select Conference
When: Thursday, Feb. 19, 9:45 a.m. EST
Where: Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami, Fla.

The presentation will be posted at www.norfolksouthern.com in the Investors section.
           
About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation 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.

Media Inquiries:

Investor Inquiries:




Monday, February 16, 2015

Win Tickets For The Easter Bunny Train Ride & Easter Egg Hunt 2015

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


ENTER THE EASTER BUNNY TRAIN AND
 EGG HUNT SWEEPSTAKES 
WIN A FAMILY 4 PACK OF TICKETS
OR 



Ride the ONLY Easter Bunny train ride where you get off the train and have an Easter Egg Hunt!
While on the train visit with Mr. E. Bunny. Give him a hug and take a picture!
Your ride will wind along the scenic Delaware River leaving from the Historic District of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The train will travel along the river to Carpentersville and our destination will be the site of the historic Lime Kilns. In front of the 150 year old Lime kilns is a beautiful little glade filled with Easter Eggs! Once we arrive you can get off the train, take a picture with Mr. Bunny and
gather 4 Easter eggs filled with little toys ( similar to what you find in cracker jack).
 
Enjoy the cute Easter music on the train, the gift shop, the snack bar, our banjo playing Hobo and a Juggler, its fun for the whole family!

Trips run on:
March 28, 29 
and April 4th.
11am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 3:30 pm

Thomas Comes In July!
TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 14TH


JULY 10,11,12,17,18,19
Day Out With Thomas is a family event that offers children and their grownups the opportunity to ride with classic storybook friend Thomas the Tank Engine™ . Parents, grandparents and siblings join their aspiring engineers in the fun. The Day Out With Thomas experience will engineer miles of smiles for the whole family and introduce a new generation to the timeless excitement of railroading.
The train pulled by Thomas leaves every hour on the hour, 10 am to 5 pm.

You may also ride  the River Train along the scenic Delaware River  to Pinchers Point, New Jersey ( an hour and fifteen minute round trip).  For an added adventure take the River Train  to the Ol' Susquehanna Mine , enjoy the animated Mine Shaft Explosion, History and learn how to pan for Gem Stones that you can take home!.
The trips pulled by Thomas take you along the beautiful Delaware River to North Carpentersville New Jersey, a 25 minute ride.
The River Train   pulled by our STEAM locomotive #142  follows the same route  journeying further along the river to Edingers  with a brief stop at the "Old Susquehanna" gem stone mine.  At the mine you may get off , visit the mine and learn how to pan for gems.  Each passenger receives a bag of mine tiling's , a brief history of the mine and use of the  sluice to prospect for their very own gem stones they can bring home!
 You may also purchase tickets the day of the event for all trains although we advise that you purchase your tickets in advance.
Trains to  and from the mine depart every hour.  Stay at the mine as little as an hour or as long as you like!
Experience the exploding mine shaft tour-- its a hoot!
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!
TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 14TH 
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions is operated by the New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society Inc, a 501 c (3) non profit corporation.
 We are operated entirely by volunteers.

Playing in the Snow 2-3-2015

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

After the Stupid Bowl Blizzard of 2015, Took Monday off due to being snowed 
in.  Tuesday (today) had to work a job in Pocono Summit.  Got off just in 
time to catch the Delaware Lackawanna's Portland train heading east.  Always
wanted a nice snow plow shot, but never was in the right place.  Hope y'all 
are warm and dry.











Sunday, February 15, 2015

CSX Customer Service Advisory - CSX Prepares for Possible Canadian Strike

Received the following via email.

Customer Service Advisory - CSX Prepares for Possible Canadian Strike

CSX is preparing for possible impacts to its Canadian operations as a result of unresolved negotiations between the CP and CN railroads and the TCRC (Teamsters) and Unifor unions, which represent several transportation and mechanical operating crafts.

CP Canadian rail workers could go on strike if a deal is not reached by 12:01 a.m. on February 15, 2015. A strike could result in halted or delayed shipments to and from Canada. CSX expects traffic would be most impacted in Buffalo and Detroit, where CSX interchanges with CP. At this point, normal CN operations are expected to continue.

CSX is intensely focused on continuing to serve customers' needs and is closely monitoring the situation while preparing contingency plans that would be activated in the event of a strike.


Customers with questions about shipments can contact the Customer Service Center via www.shipcsx.com or by calling 1-877-ShipCSX (1-877-744-7279) options 5, 6. Customers can sign up to automatically receive service advisory notifications on ShipCSX. 


Saturday, February 14, 2015

It was a long cold wait for NS's PRR 8102

(Train sightings on 1-29-15.) 

A broken rail in Three Bridges (NJ) at LEHL MP 48 would disrupt Thursday morning's traffic along NS's Lehigh Line. 11J would hold what was once referred to as the Royce Runner, now designated as Main 1, at 10 o'clock to wait for three eastbound trains. Two intermodals and a 66Z would pass before the 11J was finally allowed to proceed west on Main 2 at 12:27. It is seen here at CP SULLY near the Roycefield Road grade crossing in Hillsborough (NJ). Motive power was NS heritage unit PRR 8102 and NS 7239, ex-UP 8009 SD90MAC. NS 11J is a Doremus (NJ) to Detroit (MI) daily train that consists of empty autoracks. After my two and one-half hour wait and 11J passage, it would be time to head to the nearest deli for some hot coffee in order to warm up.