Hershey's iconic smoke stacks...

(Train sightings at Hershey in August 2012 and May 2014.)

...loom tall over a westbound NS intermodal train on May 24th, 2014. Over a two year span, the factory that they once towered over has been demolished and produced Hershey candies has moved into a new facility in West Hershey. Gone is the aroma of chocolate that once filled the air here. 

For comparison, take note of the NS H48 that was taken on August 18, 2012 and that unknown intermodal taken on May 24. As Bob Dylan "For the times they are a changing..." 

Consignment sale of a large G-scale collection

We have on consignment a large G-scale collection that was only run indoors.  Among the items available are fifteen (15) 6-axle diesel locomotives, stainless steel track and switches, a thru girder bridge, thirteen (13) beth gons, intermodal cars with containers, and additional containers.  Stop by the store to see and better appreciate this collection.  Contact us by phone or email for more information.

Conrail 'Can Opener' Logo Designer Dies

Received the following email string about the above. 

email 1

Tony Palladino designed both of these two 'shattered' logos. As many eyes as have seen his Conrail 'Wheels On Rails' herald, his earlier one is even better known. I am sorry to hear of his passing. (Could it be observed that his life has now come...'full circle'?) 








email 2 

Designer of Conrail “can opener” logo dies

Published: May 21, 2014 - Trains News Wire

Conrail-painted Norfolk Southern heritage unit No. 8098.

Photo by Tom Danneman

NEW YORK — Many never knew his name, but that didn’t change the mark he left on the rail industry. Literally.
The designer of the famous Conrail “can opener” logo, Tony Palladino, has died at age 84, the New York Times reports.
“People don’t want to look at advertising,” Palladino is quoted in the Times. “People want to get entertained intellectually.”

Paladino grew up in East Harlem in the 1930s and ‘40s. His parents, Italian immigrants, did not speak English and he chose to not speak Italian. Because of this, he used drawings to communicate with his family. He later attended the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan, which provided his basic formal training in art. He later taught at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.
In spite of Conrail’s popularity, Palladino is best known for his work designing the typeface used on the original “Psycho” novel by Robert Bloch, which was later made into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock.

Somerset County 4-H Fair is looking for sponsors

The Somerset County (NJ) 4-H Association will have its 67th annual fair on August 6, 7 and 8th this year, and they are looking for sponsors for this event.  This is the largest free 4-H Fair under tents on the East Coast with 60,000 visitors each year, and sponsors are needed to keep it free to the public.  For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact Jan at the Big Little Railroad Shop.
Phone:  908-685-8892
email:  jan@biglittle.com

Truck-Train Accident Spills Lasagna in South Carolina

A Norfolk Southern train hit a truck stuck on a grade crossing in South Carolina, spilling lasagna everywhere.  News story with pictures at the following link:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/truck-spills-lasagna-s-article-1.1800206

NS CEO gives stockholders a confident outlook for 2014

Received the following via email. 

May 8, 2014

Norfolk Southern CEO gives stockholders a confident outlook for 2014

NORFOLK, VA. - Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman, addressing the company's annual meeting today in Williamsburg, Va., gave stockholders plenty of reasons for continued optimism following a year of record-breaking performance.

"Clearly, 2013 was a big year for us," Moorman said in ticking off records in railway operating revenue, operating income, earnings per share, and operating ratio, the latter a key measure of performance efficiency.

As for 2014, Moorman said, "We came into the new year believing that most of the strength that we saw in our markets in 2013, and particularly in the second half, would continue, and we still feel that way." What wasn't foreseen, he noted, was the most severe winter in years, which adversely affected first-quarter revenues, expenses, and service.

"However, I'm happy to report that the Norfolk Southern operating team came through with flying colors. The result is that today our operating metrics are much improved, and we are steadily progressing to the high service levels we and our customers enjoyed last year."Moorman said, "Once the cold weather departed, we saw our business rebound almost immediately," led by intermodal and energy-related markets, with the auto business also gaining strength. "I'm confident that 2014 will be another very good year for our company," he said.

"The real key to our future and the reason for my confidence is our people. I strongly believe we have the best people in the railroad business, and we're working hard every day to make sure that we capture all of their good ideas on how we can make NS better," Moorman said.

In official business, stockholders re-elected 13 directors for terms expiring in 2015: Thomas D. Bell Jr., chairman of Mesa Capital Partners; Erskine B. Bowles, senior advisor to BDT Capital Partners LLC and Carousel Capital; Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer of Amgen Inc.; Wesley G. Bush, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Northrop Grumman Corporation; Daniel A. Carp, chairman of Delta Air Lines Inc.; Karen N. Horn, a partner with Brock Capital Group; Steven F. Leer, senior adviser to the president and CEO of Arch Coal Inc.; Michael D. Lockhart, retired chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Armstrong World Industries Inc.; Amy E. Miles, chief executive officer of Regal Entertainment Group; Moorman; Martin H. Nesbitt, co-founder of The Vistria Group; James A. Squires, president of Norfolk Southern Corporation; and John R. Thompson, government relations consultant for Best Buy Co. Inc.

Stockholders ratified appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors and approved an advisory resolution on the compensation of executive officers. The stockholder proposal recommending an independent chair of the board of directors was not presented at the meeting, so no action was taken on the proposal.

Moorman's remarks to stockholders and a new video are posted in the Investor Relations section of the NS website.

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

###

Norfolk Southern contacts:

(Media) Frank Brown, 757-629-2710 (fsbrown@nscorp.com)

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

And then there were three

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

After a crazy weekend of masking and painting, followed up by an

 equally crazy Monday when we shot the last of the black paint on

 the unit, affixed the handrails, lettering, etc and on Tuesday 

they were assembled for the Big Adventure!

A quick trip behind two Delaware - Lackawanna RS-3's to the NS 

interchange at Slateford, PA and then the wait for NS.  

Successfully handed off to two NS Catfish, they continued their 

trek to Allentown, PA where they await the RDG unit from URHS.  

Also waiting for the Erie E-8 to show up before continuing to 

Harrisburg, Roanoke, and on to Spencer, NC.

A set of matched A-B-A F3's in that beautiful DL&W paint 

scheme is definitely a purty sight to see in 2014.

Hope to see y'all in Spencer, NC in a couple of weeks!!

Note: These locomotives are headed to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC, for a special event called Streamliners at Spencer featuring 25 classic streamliner locomotives of the 1930s - 1950s.  More information can be found at the following website:   
http://nctrans.org/Events/Streamliners-at-Spencer-(1).aspx 

Callaway South Industrial Park Site Receives CSX Select Site Designation

Received the following via email. 

Callaway South Industrial Park Site Receives CSX Select Site Designation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - May 8, 2014 - CSX Corporation today announced that a portion of the Callaway South Industrial Park in LaGrange, Georgia has been designated a CSX Select Site.

Select Sites are properties identified and vetted as capable locations for future manufacturing facilities along the CSX network. These sites can be developed quickly since standard land use issues and comprehensive due diligence items have been previously addressed. 

"Through the Select Site program, we can significantly reduce the time it takes for companies to evaluate a competitive site, and ultimately construct their facility and bring products to market," said Clark Robertson, assistant vice president, regional development at CSX.

CSX introduced the Select Sites program in 2012 to better serve new or existing customers on its network.  CSX partnered with The Austin Company, a nationally-known site selection and certification consulting firm, to screen candidate sites and assist communities with the application and certification process.

Callaway South Industrial Park is an established, 1,600-acre industrial park in LaGrange, adjacent to the region's Callaway Airport.  With access to rail and its proximity to Interstate 85, most of the industrial expansion in LaGrange in the last several decades has located in the north half of the park.

"The recent completion of Pegasus Parkway through the southern half of the park has opened up several hundred additional acres for industrial development along CSX's mainline," said Robertson. 

"This site is the result of good, long-term land planning," said Jonathan Gemmen, senior location consultant, The Austin Company.  "It is rare to find a rail-served, industrial property close to an interstate with utility service able to accommodate some of the largest industrial requirements."

This site is located only nine miles northeast of KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia in nearby West Point, Georgia. Callaway South Industrial Park is only the second site in Georgia to be designated as a CSX Select Site. 

"The Development Authority of LaGrange has a long history of being proactive to prepare for additional growth. Teaming with CSX and The Austin Company on this designation will open doors for significant job creation and investment in the future," said Bobby Carmichael, executive director, Development Authority of LaGrange.

To receive CSX Select Site designation, the location must meet a rigorous list of criteria, including infrastructure and utility availability, environmental reviews, appropriate zoning and entitlement, air quality permitting, rail serviceability, proximity to highways or interstates, and other attributes. Once certified, the sites are featured on a new user-friendly web portal that includes press releases, promotional materials and direct marketing to site selection professionals.

To learn more about CSX Select Sites online, visit www.csxselectsites.com

About CSX

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

n Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX). 

About the Callaway South Industrial Park and LaGrange, GA

The Callaway South Industrial Park is a 1,600+ acre industrial park located three miles off Interstate-85 off Pegasus Parkway in LaGrange, Troup County, Georgia.  LaGrange is situated at the intersection of Interstates 85 and 185 and is located only 60 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and less than 50 miles from CSX's intermodal facility in Fairburn, Georgia.  The Callaway South Industrial Park has direct rail service to the Ports of Mobile and Savannah via CSX.

###

Contact:

Kristin Seay

(904) 359-3442

CSX 2013 Annual Report Highlights

Received the following via email. 

CSX 2013 Annual Report Highlights Industry-Leading Safety, Highest-Ever 

Customer Satisfaction and Record Financial Performance

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - March 31, 2014 - CSX (NYSE: CSX) is in the midst of an 

"exciting and transformative time," leveraging the most diverse portfolio in 

company history, wrote Michael Ward, CSX chairman, president and chief 

executive officer, in the company's 2013 Annual Report delivered this past 

week.

"The CSX you see today has overcome a challenging macroeconomic 

environment while transforming itself to leverage the growth opportunities 

that exist in nearly all of its businesses," Ward wrote. "Today, CSX is a 

vibrant, healthy company that is meeting an essential need for the country 

and driving service excellence for our customers while investing in our 

infrastructure, employees and the communities that we serve."

A combination of macro forces and strategic investments propelled CSX to 

strong performance despite the challenging external environment, including 

the slowly recovering economy and transformation in the energy markets. The 

company now enjoys the most diverse portfolio in its history, as growth in the

merchandise and intermodal businesses help to offset declining coal revenue.

The company's Annual Report outlines actions to further capitalize on growth 

opportunities and meet strategic challenges, including:

- Investing to support changes in energy markets, which are creating new 

opportunities for job growth, manufacturing resurgence and energy 

independence;
- Ongoing investment in double-stack intermodal capabilities through the 

National Gateway and new or expanded regional terminals;
- Continued pursuit of record customer satisfaction through improved 

communication and collaboration;
- Consistently strong safety performance, building on CSX's performance as 

the nation's safest Class I railroad in 2013, with the fewest accidents and 

injuries; and
- Focus on improving the company's environmental footprint, increasing 

sustainable development activities and amplifying engagement with local 

communities.

CSX continues to place a high priority on investing in critically needed 

transportation infrastructure while rewarding investors through dividends and 

share repurchases. In 2013, the company invested $2.3 billion in the network and

will invest another $2.3 billion in 2014 to support long-term value creation for 

shareholders. The company is also focused on returning value to shareholders in 

the near term. In 2013, CSX paid dividends of 59 cents per share, up nine 

percent from the year before, and announced a new $1 billion share buyback 

program.

These value-creating activities build on a sustained track record of delivering 

shareholder returns. Over the past decade, CSX increased operating income by 

nearly 600 percent and improved operating ratio by more than 2,200 basis points,

while driving growth in earnings per share from continuing operations of nearly

2,000 percent. As a result, CSX shareholders have seen a total return on their 

investment of nearly 500 percent, easily outpacing the broader market.

As the coal headwinds subside, investments in intermodal and other markets 

take hold, and operations build on past success to drive efficiency and 

improving returns, CSX expects to generate double-digit earnings per share 

growth for its shareholders on a sustainable basis. In addition, the company 

continues to focus on achieving a mid-60s operating ratio long-term.

Full text of the CSX 2013 Annual Report, including Ward's letter to 

shareholders, can be found at http://investors.csx.com.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It 

provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to 

customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, 

construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 185 years, 

CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and 

industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area 

in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's 

population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more 

than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small 

farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its 

subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook 

(http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter 

(http://twitter.com/CSX).

Contact:
Melanie Cost
904-359-1702 

NS Service Alert - New Canadian Regulations on Transport of Hazardous Commodities

Received the following via email from Norfolk Southern.

New Canadian Regulations on Transport of Hazardous Commodities

New regulations were recently adopted prohibiting use of certain tank cars for transportation of hazardous commodities to, from, and within Canada.  While Norfolk Southern has very few loaded shipments into Canada, the regulation also impacts empty residue cars returning to Canada.  Consequently there is a potential for cars in transit about the time the regulation goes into effect to become "trapped" on Norfolk Southern and unable to return to Canada.  We are in the process of implementing systems to identify and hold all such cars so as to comply with the regulation and will set up processes to contact shippers or car owners for alternate routing of cars caught by the new regulation.  However, we urge shippers to review the new regulation (Canadian Protective Direction 34, issued April 28^th ; http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/orders-directives-directions-letters-7497.html)  and remove tank cars not in compliance with the regulation from service  so as to preclude unnecessary delay of cars once the regulation takes effect. 

Preston & Bessemer in Orange Race at St. Glory Road

Received the following via email from one of our correspondents in NW Pennsylvania.

At four minutes to five, this afternoon (5-3-14), the first loaded B&LE coal train to run north through here in many years had just cleared Saint Glory Road crossing on the K-O Line, as a southbound thunderstorm trails off into the distance. Steaming northbound in the grass, abeam of the third unit in the locomotive consist, is Preston (who turned 13 on Thursday) in his favorite orange t-shirt. He had just recorded a coming-and-going series on his cell camera that he was anxious to share with me. The train won the race, but he didn't mind.

At that very moment, I was cursing the slight delay of the shutter on my DROID and the fact that in my hasty effort to block neither my son nor the power on the train with the satellite dish visible in this neighbor's yard...I had managed to back up too far and get #910 with a tree shadow slapped across its nose.

Still, it was nice to again see coal heaped in hopper cars high enough for it to peek over the top chords of the sides. The normal daily routine of iron ore loads southbound and empties north these past few years all look the same (nobody heaps dense ore...and then moves an intact railcar). This new coal contract from Duquesne Wharf on the Monongahela north up to Conneaut Harbor is a nice departure from that 'same-old-same-old.'   

CSX Applauds State Task Force Announcement by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe

Received the following via email. 

CSX Applauds State Task Force Announcement by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe

Richmond, Va. - May 9, 2014 - CSX today released the following statement. 

 

"CSX appreciates Governor McAuliffe's leadership in this area and his focus on 

shared dialogue with respect to the safety and security of rail shipments, 

which is our priority." said Bryan Rhode, regional vice president - state 

government affairs.  "We look forward to participating in the task force as 

part of our ongoing collaboration with federal, state and local agencies. 

Through that collaboration, as well as customer coordination, employee training 

and substantial investment in infrastructure and new safety technologies, CSX 

seeks to continuously innovate to offer the safest, most secure movements of 

energy and other products, which are vital to U.S. competitiveness, jobs and 

manufacturing. 

 
 
CSX currently is engaged in a number of new efforts, including under the recent 

compact between the Association of American Railroads and U.S. Department of 

Transportation.  That agreement will slow speeds of some shipments through 

certain urban areas, increase track inspections, and enhance already strong 

efforts to promote strong, long-term coordination with state, local and emergency

response officials across the network." 

 

About CSX 

 

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It 

provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to 

customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, 

construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For more than 185 years, 

CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial 

development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern 

United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides.  It 

also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and 

lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike.  More 

information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at 

www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and 

follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).
 

Contact:
Melanie Cost, Corporate Communications
904-359-1702

CSX Again Recognized As Top Company for Veterans

Received the following via email.

CSX Again Recognized As Top Company for Veterans

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - May 6, 2014 - CSX Corporation (CSX) announced today that the company was ranked number one on DiversityInc’s Top 10 Companies for Veterans list for the second year in a row.

DiversityInc recognizes companies with demonstrated commitments to diverse hiring and business practices. DiversityInc’s Veterans list showcases companies with strong diversity-management initiatives that are producing the best results in recruiting and promoting veterans. The publication has recognized CSX multiple times in recent years.

“Diversity, engagement and inclusion are essential to achieving our business objectives,” said Michael J. Ward, CSX chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We’re proud to create an environment that attracts, develops and retains the best and brightest talent – including those with the invaluable experience of serving our country.”

With nearly one in five employees a veteran of the armed services, CSX recognizes the integral role that veterans play. CSX actively works to recruit and promote veterans, and is honored to be a military-friendly employer. Since 2006, G.I. Jobs has recognized CSX annually as one of the top 50 Military-Friendly Employers.

CSX has a longstanding history of promoting inclusion and diversity. Employees are encouraged to join one of the company’s many diversity and inclusion groups, which are employee-driven and focus on a shared interest. In recent years, CSX has received other honors from Diversity MBA Magazine, the Association of Diversity Councils, CollegeGrad.com, Hispanic Business and Disability Matters. Additionally, CSX is a charter member of GettingHired.com, an organization for employers and job applicants designed to help the millions of Americans living with disabilities secure sustainable employment and flourish in their careers.

The annual DiversityInc rankings are a leading assessment of diversity management in corporate America and globally, comprised of a voluntary survey that evaluates CEO commitment, human capital, corporate and organizational communications and supplier diversity. This year, 1,215 companies participated in the survey. DiversityInc’s full list of the Top 10 Companies for Veterans in 2014 can be found at http://www.diversityinc.com/top-10-companies-veterans/.

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

Contact:
Carla Groleau
(904) 359-1708

Mom's ride free this weekend!

Received the following via email. 

Mom's Ride FREE this weekend!* $10.00 off on the Winery Train for Mom's In celebration of Mothers Day, Mom's ride free on the River Train. If mom wants to visit the Ol' Susquehanna Mine and pan for Gem Stones, it is just a $5.00 for the Mine Train ticket! Feel like more of an adult trip? Join us for a ride on the Warren County Winery Train. The winery train is $10.00 off for Mom, this weekend only!   BUY TICKETS HERE     I look forward to seeing you on the train! Chris Cotty VP & GM The Delaware River Railroad Excursions Save $10.00 $10.00 off the winery train, not to be combined with any other offers. mom's only. Offer Expires: Enter E-12-2014

With only minutes to spare!

(Train sightings on 5-3-14.) 

That title best describes this image of NS's 20E passage through Three Bridges (LEHL MP 48) Main Street grade crossing around 7:23 on Saturday morning. Thanks to the Internet, the information posted about 20E indicated it had already passed through Allentown around 6:30 which made me feel comfortable that there was sufficient time for my drive from Bridgewater to Three Bridges upon leaving my house at 7 AM. Driving up Route 202, the eight traffic lights I encountered along the way seemed to work against me by being red as I approached them further slowing my trip. As I arrived in Three Bridges, off in the distance the sound of a eastbound train could be heard and shortly thereafter, a headlight could be seen down the track. It was the 20E coming my way! NS's Southern heritage unit 8099 was the leader followed by UP 6816 and BNSF 4967 on the Chicago to Croxton intermodal. 

Spring Meet - NMRA Garden State Division

Received the following via email.

Spring Meet - NMRA Garden State Division

A Joint Meet With 

The Garden State Division

and

The New Jersey Division

The Spring Meet will be dual meet with our sister Division in South Jersey

Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 9:00 am

Location

Christ Episcopal Church

90 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ

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

Meet Activities

 Clinics, Swap Tables, Layout Tour

 

Clinics

Tips and Tricks given by Bruce DeYoung

Bruce De Young, VP and AP Chair for the GSD will present a clinic “Modeling Tips & Tricks.”

Whether your interests are in scenery, construction or model building, this clinic will show you some neat “tips and tricks” to make your work easier and more pleasing to the eye. No matter your level of experience, this clinic will send you home with new ideas you want to try on your own.

 

3D building from Photos given by Jimmy Judge

Jimmy’s description of the clinic:

“Have you ever wanted to make a model of a building for your layout, but you don't feel you have enough skills to create something out of wood or styrene? Why not take some digital photos of the building, print them out and create a 3D version of it for your layout? I'll show you how with a little work on your computer to bring the building from the digital world into the real world. I'll even let you in on a little secret to get the photo editing software for free. Model railroaders like free don't they?”

 

Then two short clinics

Live Steam Basics given by George Speidel

“ Have you ever wondered what it takes to get a model live steam engine running on your garden layout?

 

Wooden Tunnel Portals given by Bob Judge

 

Swap Tables

Bring your items to sell. Remember, one man's trash is another man’s treasure!

 

Contest Theme – Diesel Locomotives

Dust off your collection of Diesel locomotives and bring a few to enter in the contest.

 

 

Layout Tours

The afternoon layout tour, we currently have about a dozen stops for you to choose from ranging from George Speidel’s live steam “G”, at least one “O”, several “HO” and at least one

“N” scale layouts.

.

 

 

Additional details about the Meet will follow. ==============================================================

The NMRA Garden State Division is at

www.nergsd.com

Check us out

CSX CFO to Address Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Transportation Conference

Received the following via email.

CSX Corporation Chief Financial Officer to Address Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Transportation Conference

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - May 1, 2014 - Fredrik Eliasson, CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) executive vice president and chief financial officer, will address the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Transportation Conference in Boston on Thursday, May 8, at 8:00 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.

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

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

Melanie Cost, Corporate Communications
904-359-1702

CSX Community Outreach Center Opens

Received the following via email. 

CSX Community Outreach Center Opens

Lynchburg, Va. - April 30, 2014 - CSX Transportation has opened a Community Outreach Center at the Wingate Hotel, 3777 Candlers Mountain Road to handle any community needs arising from this afternoon's derailment in Lynchburg, VA. CSX personnel are in the hotel's Grant Room and can help those affected with any concerns.

The community outreach center will be open until 10 p.m. tonight and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 1.

For additional information, please call TellCSX toll free at 1-877-835-5279. The Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health is also available to provide information or to answer questions. That phone number is 434-442-4642.

We are committed to fully supporting the emergency responders and other agencies, meeting the needs of the community and protecting the environment.

Contact:
TellCSX
877-835-5279

8 Lake Freighter Convoy Gripped by Lake Superior's Ice

Slightly off topic, but interesting set of pictures we received via an email string.

1st email:  From my friend Mike Rodaway who I used to sail with...all of them were taken by him from on board the Tecumseh except for the aerial one taken by Mary Ann Schallip.  They were stuck in one spot,down by the Soo for 16 days.  

2nd email:  I don't know the original source for these, but if you haven't seen them, enjoy. 

3rd email:  This record ice is why steel mill blast furnaces from Gary to Pittsburgh are starving for Minnesota taconite (iron ore) pellets. Note that two of the last three images recorded by a crew member aboard the bulk carrier Tecumseh on April 24th.  

Here are the pictures that were included in the 1st email. 

Update.  The red ship pictured above is the Canadian Cost Guard icebreaker Pierre Raddison based in Quebec.  For more information on this ship see the following web site:  http://www.marinfo.gc.ca/en/Flotte/PierreRadisson.asp 

Our 11th season starts this Saturday- Come ride the train! $2.00 off Winery Tickets

Received the following via email. 

The Delaware River Railroad Excursions Opens for our 11th Season THIS WEEKEND! $2.00 off each Winery Train ticket this weekend!   Spring must be here, because trains start running once again this weekend for our 11th season! Come on out and ride the Mine Train train and blow up the Ol' Susquehanna Mine. Once you blow the mine and get your ore we will teach you how to pan for gem stones. There are over 40 different gem stones you can collect and take home! If you are into fossils, we have ore that just has fossils and even arrow heads!   Also this week, the Warren County Winery Train starts for the season! Come ride the train to the beautiful Villa Milagro Vineyard and sample their wines!   Enjoy! The Ol Susquehanna Mine & The Mine  Train The original mine shaft is back in production.  Come tour the grounds, listen to an interactive history of the ol' Susquehanna Mine and pan for real gem stones you can take home. One person in each group  can "blow the mine" and everyone can witness the mine shaft explosion.* Gemstone Panning is a great activity for all ages.  Participants may find up to 11 ounces of gemstones in a single bag which may include amethyst, rubies, rose quartz, emeralds, crystals, and an arrowhead.  All gems are of high quality and may be suitable for cutting, polishing, and mounting.  With every mine train ticker you will  receive one bag of  mining ore from  the Ole' Susquehanna Mine. Upon arriving at the mine site your guide will tell you the story of Sylas Smith and how he found the mine and about his tragic death which left the mind uncovered until this very year! Next you will walk over the the Ole' Susquehanna mines operating sluice and learn how to pan for gem stones. once you understand how to pan give it a try and see if you can find some gems! BUY TICKETS The Warren County Winery Train Enjoy a beautiful journey along the scenic Delaware River behind New Jersey's only operating steam locomotive. Visit to one of New Jersey's most beautiful Wineries. The train will take you to the end of  our line where you will board a bus for the short trip to the winery which is located  in Finesville, New Jersey The Warren County Winery Train is operated by the Delaware River Railroad Excursions located in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. We are a Non-profit, 501 (c) 3 corporation and staffed almost entirely by volunteers. Your Journey After a Steam Train ride along the Delaware and a short bus ride through rolling farmlands, you will arrive at Villa Milagro Vineyards (www.VillaMilagroVineyards.com) . There you will learn how grapes are grown and made into wine.  Then you will sample their delicious wines and have an opportunity to purchase them at the source.  If you would like to enjoy your wine with a picnic, bring a lunch and relax at tables in tree groves at the Ol'Susquehanna Mine and Corn Maze or at the station in Phillipsburg.  You are welcome to detrain at the Mine and spend as much time as you like relaxing in the picnic grove then catch a later train BUY WINERY TICKETS HERE Looking forward to seeing you on the train!   Sincerely,   Chris Cotty VP & GM The Delaware River Railroad Excursions Join Our Mailing List!   Save $2.00 on each ticket Winery Train Ticket Save $2.00 on each ticket GOOD ONLY  FOR 5-03-14 OR 5-4-14. GOOD ONLY ON THE WARREN COUNTY WINERY TRAIN. ENTER DISCOUNT CODE "wine" at checkout. ONLY good online, not at the ticket booth.   Offer Expires: 5-5-14