BNSF News - Sioux Falls Site For Grade Crossing Safety Record

City officials join BNSF Railway to close 69th Street and mark 5,000th crossing closure across BNSF network

Officials from the city of Sioux Falls, the state of South Dakota and BNSF Railway today celebrated the closure of the 5,000th grade crossing on BNSF's rail network, setting a new national record for grade crossing closures and safety improvement.

At a ceremony near the crossing and in view of the new 69th Street overpass currently under construction, officials watched as railroad crews pulled out the old crossing surface that allowed vehicles to cross the railroad tracks on 69th Street in Sioux Falls. Removing the surface was the last step to permanently closing the 69th Street crossing and to eliminating the opportunity for any future grade crossing collisions.

"Safety is a top priority at BNSF," said Lyn Hartley, BNSF Director of Public Projects. "We have learned over time that one of the best ways to address grade crossing safety is to reduce the number of at-grade crossings. To the great credit of Sioux Falls city leaders, they recognized that the ideal solution between trains and motorists was to close this crossing and build the 69th Street overpass."

Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether said, "We are a forward thinking city in Sioux Falls always looking for opportunities to grow. However, public safety always remains as our primary goal in our quest to have the highest quality of life possible. This provides us a safer, more efficient way for vehicles to cross the tracks."

BNSF has worked cooperatively with states and communities across its 28-state network to close 5,000 crossings since the BNSF crossing closure program began in 2000. Combined with other safety initiatives, the grade crossing closure program has helped to reduce grade crossing collisions on BNSF's 32,000 mile network by 70 percent since 1995. BNSF has one of the lowest highway-railroad grade crossing collision rates in the rail industry and continues to work with the states and communities it serves to further improve grade crossing safety.

See Also: BNSF Crew Haulers Honored At Summit / Top-Scoring BNSF Locomotive Engineers Recognized With Top Gun Awards / BNSF Named Finalist As CivilianJobs.com Most Valuable Employer For Military / Railroad Photography - Saturday Afternoon At Oro Grande / BNSF Shareholders Approve Sale To Berkshire Hathaway / The BNSF Honors Three Shortline Railroads For Partnership Excellence / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

HO Scale BNSF Items: Athearn HO Scale SD75M Locomotive - Santa Fe / BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Center Fow Hopper Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Sieco Box Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Iron Horse Express Electric Train Set - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern Santa Fe / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern / BNSF

Union Pacific Railroad Invests $6 Million For Kansas Track Improvements

Source: Union Pacific (Press Release)

Union Pacific will improve part of Kansas' transportation infrastructure with a $6 million investment to its rail line that runs from Wichita to near Caldwell, Kan.

The project includes removing and installing more than 41,500 ties. Crews also will spread 33,500 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed and renew the roadway surfaces at 70 crossings. The tie replacement part of the project began March 1 and is scheduled to be completed April 5. The crossing surface renewal projects will be completed in mid-August.

Union Pacific plans to spend approximately $2.5 billion in 2010 to support America's current and future freight transportation needs and enhance the safety and efficiency of the railroad's 32,000-mile network. Investment in rail capacity benefits everyone. It allows freight rail service to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, freight trains are nearly four times more fuel efficient than trucks. Motorists also benefit from reduced congestion on highways as a single Union Pacific train can remove up to 300 trucks off our roads.

See Also: Union Pacific Railroad's Legendary Steam Locomotive 844 To Visit South Texas On A Heritage Tour / The Union Pacific Invests $5.7 Million To Improve Washington State Trackage / Railroad Photography - Saturday Afternoon At Oro Grande / Union Pacific To Sink $29 Million Into Improving Houston Infrastructure / The Union Pacific Increases Speed Through Malvern, Arkansas With Grade Crossing Improvements / Union Pacific Railroad Sets Monthly Record Moving Loaded Agricultural Unit Trains / Union Pacific Railroad's Pipeline Express Service Reaches 25,000 Rail Car Milestone / Railroad Photo Gallery - Union Pacific GP40-2 1368 (Ex Rio Grande) / The Diesel Railroad Locomotive - From Box Cabs And The SD40 To The SD70 And Gensets / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

See Union Pacific Model Trains: Proto 2000 Ho Scale Alco PA/PB Locomotive Set - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale C44-9W Locomotive - Union Pacific / Bachmann HO Scale Pacific Flyer Electric Train Set - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale GE AC4400 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Trainline HO Scale Alco FA-1 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 4-8-4 Nothern "800" Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Combo Door Box Car - Union Pacific

BNSF Crew Haulers Honored At Summit

Source: BNSF (Press Release)

Crew hauler successes in 2009 and opportunities for 2010 were the focus of the recent Fifth Annual Crew Transportation Supplier Summit.

Held in Fort Worth, Texas, the summit helps improve alignment in safety, service and efficiencies. Participants included representatives of BNSF's primary contract crew haulers; Outsource Administrators Inc., the third-party company that manages the crew haulers; and BNSF.

Greg Fox, vice president, Transportation, and Paul Bischler, vice president and chief services officer, addressed the group as part of the summit.

The summit also celebrates the successes of the past year. Awards were given to the supplier with the best safety record and the BNSF divisions with the lowest incident ratio and most improved safety performances in 2009.

* Randall West, president and chief operating officer of RailCrew Xpress (RCX), was presented the Supplier Safety Performance Award for 2009.
* Stephen Dawson, UTU safety coordinator, accepted the award for the California Division for lowest incident ratio.
* Pat Engebrecht, UTU safety coordinator, received the most improved award for the Powder River Division.

See Also: Top-Scoring BNSF Locomotive Engineers Recognized With Top Gun Awards / BNSF Named Finalist As CivilianJobs.com Most Valuable Employer For Military / Railroad Photography - Saturday Afternoon At Oro Grande / BNSF Shareholders Approve Sale To Berkshire Hathaway / The BNSF Honors Three Shortline Railroads For Partnership Excellence / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

HO Scale BNSF Items: Athearn HO Scale SD75M Locomotive - Santa Fe / BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Center Fow Hopper Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Sieco Box Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Iron Horse Express Electric Train Set - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern Santa Fe / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern / BNSF

CSX Highlights Company Achievements In 2009 Annual Report

Source: CSX (Press Release)

CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX) today announced that proxy materials for its 2010 Annual Shareholders Meeting are now available to shareholders via the Internet under the Securities and Exchange Commission's Notice and Access rules. These materials, including the company's proxy statement and 2009 annual report, can be accessed on its website at http://investors.csx.com.

In his annual report message to shareholders, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Ward said that CSX positioned itself as a "stronger and more capable company" in a tumultuous 2009.

While a 15 percent volume decline led to a 22 percent reduction in earnings per share from continuing operations, the company set records in safety, lowered full-year operating costs by 20 percent and achieved a record 74.7 percent operating ratio. These achievements were made while delivering strong customer service and maintaining a healthy balance sheet with strong cash flows for future investment and value creation.

"Our 30,000 employees didn't just let the economy happen "to" us. When the downturn began, we moved quickly to respond," said Ward. "Many of the operational changes we made are systemic and permanent." Ward reiterated the company's plans to invest $1.7 billion in its train network in 2010 and to continue to offer value to communities as well as customers. "We are holding ourselves even more accountable for tackling important issues for our nation, including the environment, traffic congestion and fuel dependency," he said.

CSX will mail printed copies of its proxy materials only by shareholder request. The company adopted this practice last year, reducing printing by 25 million pages, and expects a similar result this year. The company employed eco-friendly printing processes certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

CSX's 2010 Annual Shareholders Meeting will be held at 10 a.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at The Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.

See Also: CSX Transportation Announces 2009 Chemical Safety Excellence Award Winners / Why Is The CSX Intermodel Yard In Atlanta Named 'Hulsey'?......And Does Anybody Know? / CSX Names David Brown Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer / CSX Transportation Brings Cleaner Air To Indiana

CSX HO Scale locomotives: Athearn HO Scale C449W Locomotive - CSX

AAR Reports A Slight Shift In Carload Declines During February

Source: BNSF (Press Release)

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is reporting that U.S. freight railroads saw a 1.5 percent decline in carloads compared with the same month last year and a decline of 15.6 percent compared with the same month in 2008.

However, according to the March AAR Rail Time Indicators Report, 14 of the 19 major commodity categories that AAR tracks saw higher carloads in February compared with the same month in 2009. Carloads of coal, the single highest volume commodity carried by rail, were down. Excluding coal, U.S. rail carloads in February 2010 were up 7.2 percent compared with February 2009.

U.S. rail intermodal traffic, which covers the movement of truck trailers and shipping containers by rail, was up 10.1 percent in February compared with the same month last year, but down 10.6 percent for the same month in 2008.

"Rail traffic trends over the past few months, especially when you take out coal, are consistent with a slowly recovering economy," said John Gray, AAR's senior vice president of Policy and Economics. "Other economic indicators taken as a whole seem to be saying the same thing. Is a sustained recovery a sure thing? No, not yet, but prospects are certainly much brighter now than they were four or five months ago."

Record snowfalls on the East Coast last month made rail operations difficult and affected many rail customers' ability to originate or receive loads. The last week of February was the highest-volume week for U.S. rail carloads since December of 2008 - likely at least partly the result of "catch-up" traffic following the storms.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, U.S. rail carloads in February fell 0.1 percent compared with January 2010, while seasonally-adjusted U.S. intermodal traffic was down 3.6 percent in February compared to the prior month.

"Adjusting for seasonal issues that cause peaks or valleys in traffic - such as end of year holidays and the fall grain harvest - allows us to see more clearly the strength or weakness of the underlying demand for rail traffic," Gray said. "Over the past six months, the upward trend in seasonally adjusted rail traffic indicates an increase in underlying demand."

The Rail Time Indicators report, available at www.aar.org, comprises detailed monthly rail traffic data framed with other key economic indicators to show how freight rail ties into the broader U.S. economy.

See Also: Top-Scoring BNSF Locomotive Engineers Recognized With Top Gun Awards / BNSF Named Finalist As CivilianJobs.com Most Valuable Employer For Military / Railroad Photography - Saturday Afternoon At Oro Grande / BNSF Shareholders Approve Sale To Berkshire Hathaway / The BNSF Honors Three Shortline Railroads For Partnership Excellence / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

HO Scale BNSF Items: Athearn HO Scale SD75M Locomotive - Santa Fe / BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Center Fow Hopper Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Sieco Box Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Iron Horse Express Electric Train Set - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern Santa Fe / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern / BNSF

Norfolk Southern CEO Notes Positive Momentum In 2009 Annual Report Message To Stockholders

Source: Norfolk Southern (Press Release)

In his message to stockholders in the 2009 Annual Report, posted online today, Norfolk Southern Corporation CEO Wick Moorman (NYSE: NSC) says the company “withstood the economic shocks of 2009 to produce good economic results, and I go into 2010 with a sense of optimism for our future prospects.”

Compared to a year ago, Moorman said, “we have a much clearer picture of our own economic outlook and can act accordingly.” He cited the company’s strides in safety and service, along with disciplined cost control, continued investment in key projects, and aggressive pursuit of new business opportunities, as important indicators.

“Even in the face of the recession,” Moorman said, “we made significant gains in each of these areas, and these same strategies will drive our continuing success in 2010 and beyond. While the short-term economic outlook remains somewhat uncertain, the longer-term prospects for Norfolk Southern and the railroad industry remain very bright.

“We go into the new year with positive momentum. Our traffic levels increased sequentially in both the third and fourth quarters of 2009, and we’re confident many of the cost efficiencies we achieved in 2009 will remain in place as we see rail traffic continue to increase,” Moorman said.

The annual report is available on the company’s Web site at www.nscorp.com. Some 200,000 copies are distributed to stockholders, the financial community, news media, and libraries. Norfolk Southern’s annual report is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes environmentally responsible printing standards. To request a copy, call 800-531-6757, e-mail annualreport@nscorp.com, or write to Norfolk Southern Corp., Corporate Communications Department, Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, Va. 23510-9217.

See Also: Norfolk Southern Pumped $3.1 Billion Into Local Industries In 2009 / Norfolk Southern Joins U.S. Green Building Council / Norfolk Southern Launches Improved Investor Relations Site / Railroad Job Postings For December 2009

Top-Scoring BNSF Locomotive Engineers Recognized With Top Gun Awards

Source: BNSF (Press Release)

BNSF locomotive engineers who score in the top 5 percent of network simulator training are being honored with the Top Gun Award in recognition of their performance.

The Top Gun Program was started this year, said Shane Merritt, manager of locomotive engineer training and field simulation, Technical Training Center (TTC), in Overland Park, Kan. The award recognizes engineers who excel when they complete training on a BNSF network simulator (NetSim).

An estimated 4,000 Year "A" locomotive engineers will receive training on the simulators at about 80 locations in 2010. During NetSim training, engineers complete two 75-minute runs and one 20-minute "unusual conditions" training run. Based on the territories where they operate, engineers may complete runs that include non-mountain grade, mountain grade and/or distributed power and positive train control. Scores are based on individual train handling and rules compliance. Locomotive engineer instructors provide engineers with a briefing on the track chart, timetable and paperwork similar to the documents they receive in the field, such as Form As and Form Bs.

This year, Merritt said, engineers' performances are being tracked against their peers' NetSim scores. Engineers who score in the top 5 percent receive a "Top Gun Award" certificate from the TTC, presented to the employee by his/her road foreman of engines.

"I believe we have the best engineers in the industry," Merritt said. "This is one way of acknowledging the best of the best."

See Also: BNSF Named Finalist As CivilianJobs.com Most Valuable Employer For Military / Railroad Photography - Saturday Afternoon At Oro Grande / BNSF Shareholders Approve Sale To Berkshire Hathaway / The BNSF Honors Three Shortline Railroads For Partnership Excellence / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

HO Scale BNSF Items: Athearn HO Scale SD75M Locomotive - Santa Fe / BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Center Fow Hopper Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Sieco Box Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Iron Horse Express Electric Train Set - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern Santa Fe / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern / BNSF

CN Obtains Resolution Of Labour Issues With Locomotive Engineers In Canada

Source: CN (Press Release)

CN (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) announces that it received yesterday, and will begin implementing, Arbitrator Andrew Sims' arbitration ruling setting the terms and conditions of a new three-year collective agreement between CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), representing 1,700 locomotive engineers in Canada.

The decision, whose terms are retroactive to January 1, 2009, expires on Dec. 31, 2011. It provides a 1.8 per cent wage increase in 2009, 2.4 per cent in 2010, and 2.6 per cent in 2011, as well as dental plan benefit improvements that come into effect on April 1, 2010.

“With a secure labour agreement in place, we will now work to re-establish a positive dialogue with the TCRC, focusing on issues of common interest for the company, its employees and its customers,” said Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer.

Sims was appointed by the federal government in December 2009 to arbitrate the CN-TCRC contract dispute, after the company and union agreed to further negotiations and binding arbitration of wages and benefits if renewed talks failed. The parties' agreement ended a five-day strike by locomotive engineers.

See Also: CN Selects Children's Hospital Foundation Of Manitoba As Community Charity For 2010 CN Canadian Women's Open / CN Announces New $100-million Calgary Logistics Park / Arbitrator To Decide Wage And Benefit Issues For CN Locomotive Engineers / CN Signs Voluntary Mitigation Agreement With The Village Of Plainfield / CN Locomotive Engineers' Strike To End Immediately After Company And Union Reach Agreement / CN Makes New Offer To Locomotive Engineers' Union In An Effort To End The Strike In Canada / Talks Between CN And Locomotive Engineers' Union In Canada Break Off With No Settlement / CN Receives Strike Notice From Union Representing Locomotive Engineers In Canada / CN To Implement Wage Increase And Milage Cap For It's Canadian Engineers / CN Reaches 20th Voluntary Mitigation Agreement (VMA), Makes Substantial Strides In EJ&E Integration

Model Train Items: Trainline HO Scale EMD GP-9M Locomotive - Canadian National / Bachmann HO Scale 2-6-0 Mogul Locomotive - Canadian National

Union Pacific Railroad's Legendary Steam Locomotive 844 To Visit South Texas On A Heritage Tour

Source: Union Pacific (Press Release)

Union Pacific Railroad's historic steam locomotive, No. 844, will travel more than 3,500 miles from its base in Wyoming on a 28-day, eight-state tour to South Texas, to celebrate the railroad's history and heritage.

The "Valley Eagle Heritage Tour" will begin April 2 when No. 844 leaves Cheyenne, Wyo., and travels to North Platte, Neb. The locomotive will make overnight stops and be on display in the following cities before arriving back in Cheyenne April 29:


North Platte, Neb.;
Marysville, Parsons and Coffeyville, Kan.;
Kansas City, Mo.;
McAlester, Okla.;
Ft. Worth, Hearne, Houston, Bloomington, Raymondville, Harlingen, Palestine and Longview, Texas; and
North Little Rock and Van Buren, Ark.

"This will be the first time No. 844 has operated south of Houston and we look forward to bringing a piece of living history to this part of our rail network," said Joe Adams, vice president of public affairs for Union Pacific's Southern Region. "Our steam locomotives play a special role in our collection of historical railroad equipment, which is the largest of any U. S. railroad."

The tour was named after a Missouri Pacific Railroad passenger train that operated between Houston and Brownsville. The Valley Eagle began running in late-1948 until the train was discontinued in June 1962. Missouri Pacific merged with Union Pacific in 1982.

No. 844, also known as Union Pacific's "Living Legend," returned to service in 2005 after one of the most extensive steam locomotive overhauls in the United States since regular steam service ended. The work, which started in 2000, included overhauling the locomotive's running gear, pumps, piping, valves and springs, along with replacement of its firebox and extensive boiler work. The cab interior also was refurbished. No. 844 was the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad and was delivered in 1944. A passenger locomotive, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger.

When diesel-electric locomotives took over all passenger train duties, No. 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959. It was saved from being scrapped in 1960 and held for special service.

No. 844 has run hundreds of thousands of miles for UP's Heritage program. It has made appearances at Expo '74 in Spokane, the 1981 opening of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Los Angeles Union Station in 1989. During the 1990's No. 844 pulled several of the Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days specials and visited several Oklahoma cities during the Oklahoma Centennial in 2007.

A Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) transmitter was installed on one of the rail cars that will travel with No. 844. The GPS system has been integrated with a map on UP's Web site. Enter the word "Steam" in the search box on the homepage for a shortcut to the map.

Web site visitors will be able to access route maps with varying amounts of detail. The GPS system will update the map every five minutes showing No. 844's location. GPS updates are also available at http://twitter.com/UP_Steam.

During 2010, the Reed Jackson concession car displays a commemorative sign celebrating the National Model Railroad Association's 75 years of service to the model railroad community.

See Special: Athearn HO Scale 4-8-4 FEF-3 Locomotive - Union Pacific

See Also: The Union Pacific Invests $5.7 Million To Improve Washington State Trackage / Railroad Photography - Saturday Afternoon At Oro Grande / Union Pacific To Sink $29 Million Into Improving Houston Infrastructure / The Union Pacific Increases Speed Through Malvern, Arkansas With Grade Crossing Improvements / Union Pacific Railroad Sets Monthly Record Moving Loaded Agricultural Unit Trains / Union Pacific Railroad's Pipeline Express Service Reaches 25,000 Rail Car Milestone / Railroad Photo Gallery - Union Pacific GP40-2 1368 (Ex Rio Grande) / The Diesel Railroad Locomotive - From Box Cabs And The SD40 To The SD70 And Gensets / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

See Union Pacific Model Trains: Proto 2000 Ho Scale Alco PA/PB Locomotive Set - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale C44-9W Locomotive - Union Pacific / Bachmann HO Scale Pacific Flyer Electric Train Set - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale GE AC4400 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Trainline HO Scale Alco FA-1 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 4-8-4 Nothern "800" Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Combo Door Box Car - Union Pacific

BNSF Named Finalist As CivilianJobs.com Most Valuable Employer For Military

Source: BNSF (Press Release)

CivilianJobs.com helps veterans look for civilian employees. The MVE for Military helps military-experienced job seekers identify the top employers to target for civilian careers. MVEs are selected annually based on those employers whose recruiting, training and retention plans best serve military service members and veterans.

About 30 companies were named as finalists; CSX is the only other railroad named to the list. Other finalist companies include Amazon, Army Air Force Exchange Service, Chesapeake Energy, Con-Way Freight, General Electric, Northrup Grumman, USAA and Walmart.

"I would like to express my appreciation to all of the companies who submitted Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military 2010 surveys," said Bill Basnett, vice president, Operations, CivilianJobs.com. "This is our second year conducting the MVE for Military survey and we are pleased to have a 30 percent increase in surveys submitted for 2010. The submission responses show us that despite recent economic challenges, corporate America values the highly skilled talent and leadership ability that veterans bring to a company when hired."

The Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military 2010 was open to all U.S.-based companies. The finalists were selected based on surveys in which employers outlined their 2010 recruiting, training and retention plans that best serve military service members and veterans. Winners will be selected from the pool of finalist companies and will be announced May 2, 2010. Both winners and finalists will be recognized on the CivilianJobs.com Web site as well as in the May issue of Civilian Job News, CivilianJobs.com's world-wide military base newspaper.

See Also: Railroad Photography - Saturday Afternoon At Oro Grande / BNSF Shareholders Approve Sale To Berkshire Hathaway / The BNSF Honors Three Shortline Railroads For Partnership Excellence / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

HO Scale BNSF Items: Athearn HO Scale SD75M Locomotive - Santa Fe / BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Center Fow Hopper Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Sieco Box Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Iron Horse Express Electric Train Set - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern Santa Fe / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern / BNSF

CN Selects Children's Hospital Foundation Of Manitoba As Community Charity For 2010 CN Canadian Women's Open

Source: CN (Press Release)

CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI) announced today the selection of the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba Inc. as the official charity and beneficiary of the CN Miracle Match program that will accompany the 2010 CN Canadian Women's Open. The golf championship will be held at Winnipeg's St. Charles Country Club Aug. 23-29.

CN Miracle Match will rally the Winnipeg and Manitoba communities to make charitable donations to the Children's Hospital Foundation. Each year since 2006, CN and the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) have generated funds to support a children's hospital by matching donations made through initiatives associated with the CN Canadian Women's Open. In the past four years, this program has raised more than $3.5 million for children's hospitals.

Michael Cory, CN senior vice-president, Western Region, said: “CN has a major presence in Winnipeg, and we want to help build a safer, stronger community here. One of the best ways we can do that is raising funds to assist the Foundation's mission to improve the health and safety of children. We'll be out there in the community drumming up donations for the Foundation during the tournament and run-up to it. We hope total donations to the 2010 CN Miracle Match in Winnipeg will exceed $1 million, thus allowing our Miracle Match program to top that figure for the third straight year.”

Lesia Sianchuk, executive director of the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, said: “We are so excited to have the CN Canadian Women's Open in Winnipeg, and to build a strong partnership with the CN organization and their many Manitoban employees. It's going to be an excellent opportunity for our Foundation and community to not only increase support for, but to also enhance child health care and research in Manitoba. ”

“Along with our partners at CN, we believe it is very important that the CN Canadian Women's Open leave a lasting legacy in our local host communities,” said Scott Simmons, RCGA executive director and chief executive officer. “As a national charity program with a philanthropic mandate to raise money for children's hospitals, CN Miracle Match is a terrific initiative that helps to raise charitable proceeds in the name of Canada's National Women's Open Championship.”

See Also: CN Announces New $100-million Calgary Logistics Park / Arbitrator To Decide Wage And Benefit Issues For CN Locomotive Engineers / CN Signs Voluntary Mitigation Agreement With The Village Of Plainfield / CN Locomotive Engineers' Strike To End Immediately After Company And Union Reach Agreement / CN Makes New Offer To Locomotive Engineers' Union In An Effort To End The Strike In Canada / Talks Between CN And Locomotive Engineers' Union In Canada Break Off With No Settlement / CN Receives Strike Notice From Union Representing Locomotive Engineers In Canada / CN To Implement Wage Increase And Milage Cap For It's Canadian Engineers / CN Reaches 20th Voluntary Mitigation Agreement (VMA), Makes Substantial Strides In EJ&E Integration

Model Train Items: Trainline HO Scale EMD GP-9M Locomotive - Canadian National / Bachmann HO Scale 2-6-0 Mogul Locomotive - Canadian National

CSX Transportation Announces 2009 Chemical Safety Excellence Award Winners

Source: CSX (Press Release)

CSX Transportation (CSXT) today announced a record 73 winners of its annual Chemical Safety Excellence Award (CSEA), celebrating customers' commitment to safe hazardous material rail car loading and maintenance.
"The CSEA recipients understand the best practices of chemical safety, and they have demonstrated a commitment to those practices and strong industry leadership among their peers," said Clarence Gooden, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at CSX. "Safety is a core value for CSX, and we appreciate the winners' help in making CSX one of the safest freight transportation companies in North America."

To qualify for the award, each winner shipped 600 or more railcars during 2009 on CSXT, with no non-accidental hazardous material releases through the entire year. Shippers include companies from the chemicals, fertilizer, agriculture and metals merchandise commodity markets as well as from emerging markets.

The awards ceremony will be held today, March 17, in Baltimore, Maryland. Along with Gooden, speakers at the ceremony will include Skip Elliott, vice president of Public Safety & Environment, Dean Piacente, vice president of Chemicals & Fertilizer; Tim Male, assistant vice president of Advanced Engineering; and Bill Schoonover, Office of Safety Assurance & Compliance, Hazardous Materials Division of the Federal Railroad Administration.

At the ceremony, CSX's senior management will discuss the current operating environment and explain how CSX's safety initiatives are evolving to address changing federal policy and a continued emphasis on protecting the environment. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to tour the B&O Railroad Museum and to ride the rails to the site where the First Stone of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was laid on July 4, 1828 by Charles Carroll, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence.

This year, CSXT is proud to specially recognize shippers who have shown a five year commitment to chemical safety excellence. These winners are: BASF Corporation; BP Products North America; CF Industries, Inc.; Eka Chemicals, Inc.; Inter-Chem; Kemira Finnchem; Kinetic Resources (LPG); Nan Ya Plastics Corporation America; NGL; Targa Transport LLC; Valero Marketing and Supply, Inc.; and Westlake CA&O.

Additional winners for 2009 include: Abengoa Bioenergy US; Air Liquide Industrial U.S.; Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.; ALON USA; American Ecology Corporation; The Andersons; Arizona Chemical; Arkema, Inc.; Ascend Performance Materials LLC; ASHTA Chemicals, Inc.; Aux Sable Liquid Products; Cardinal Ethanol LLC; Cargill, Inc.; Celanese; Chemtrade Logistics, Inc.; Chevron Products Company; Citgo Petroleum Corporation; Consumer Co-Op. Refinery Ltd. (Division of Federated Co-Op. Ltd.); Countrymark Cooperative; Dominion Transmission, Inc.; The Dow Chemical Company; Dow Corning Corporation; Eastman Chemical Company; EQ Northeast, Inc.; Evonik Degussa Corporation; ExxonMobil Chemical; Glacial Lakes Energy; Granite Falls Energy LLC; Green Plains Renewable Energy; Hawkeye; Huntsman; Husky Energy Lima Refinery; INEOS Nitriles; INEOS Phenol; Irving Oil Limited; Kemira Water Solutions; Koch Sulfur Products; Koppers, Inc.; LyondellBasell; Marsulex; MHF Services; Moose Jaw Asphalt, Inc.; NorFalco LLC; Nucor Corporation; NuStar Energy L. P.; Nyrstar; Occidental Chemical Corporation; Olin Chlor Alkali Products; Patriot Renewable Fuels LLC; Platinum Ethanol LLC; Praxair, Inc.; Pursue Energy; Reagent Chemical and Research; SABIC Americas, Inc.; SABIC Innovative Plastics; Shell Chemicals Canada; Sunoco Chemicals, Inc.; Transammonia, Inc.; Tronox; United Refining Company; Utica Energy and Western Wisconsin Energy LLC.

CSX Transportation is a principal operating company of CSX Corporation. CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is a leading transportation company 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, and connects to more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.

See Also: Why Is The CSX Intermodel Yard In Atlanta Named 'Hulsey'?......And Does Anybody Know? / CSX Names David Brown Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer / CSX Transportation Brings Cleaner Air To Indiana

CSX HO Scale locomotives: Athearn HO Scale C449W Locomotive - CSX

The Union Pacific Invests $5.7 Million To Improve Washington State Trackage

Source: Union Pacific (Press Release)

Union Pacific Railroad will improve Seattle's transportation infrastructure with a $5.7 million investment to enhance its track from Seattle to Fife, Washington. Running generally parallel to Interstate 5, this section of Union Pacific track critical to the movement of goods in Washington and helps keep local and regional economies competitive. The project is underway and will continue through the middle of 2010.

Work will be taking place in and around the cities of Seattle, Tukwila, Renton, Kent, Auburn, Sumner and Fife, representing more than 28 miles of Union Pacific track. When the project is complete, crews will have installed more than 35,000 new railroad ties and spread 9,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed, improve operating efficiency and enhance railroad safety. Crews will also upgrade 42 public grade crossings as part of the project.

See Also: Railroad Photography - Saturday Afternoon At Oro Grande / Union Pacific To Sink $29 Million Into Improving Houston Infrastructure / The Union Pacific Increases Speed Through Malvern, Arkansas With Grade Crossing Improvements / Union Pacific Railroad Sets Monthly Record Moving Loaded Agricultural Unit Trains / Union Pacific Railroad's Pipeline Express Service Reaches 25,000 Rail Car Milestone / Railroad Photo Gallery - Union Pacific GP40-2 1368 (Ex Rio Grande) / The Diesel Railroad Locomotive - From Box Cabs And The SD40 To The SD70 And Gensets / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

See Union Pacific Model Trains: Athearn HO Scale C44-9W Locomotive - Union Pacific / Bachmann HO Scale Pacific Flyer Electric Train Set - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale GE AC4400 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Trainline HO Scale Alco FA-1 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 4-8-4 Nothern "800" Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Combo Door Box Car - Union Pacific

Kansas City Southern Acquires Puerta Mexico Intermodal Facility

Source: Kansas City Southern (Press Release)

Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE: KSU) announced today that it has acquired the Puerta Mexico intermodal facility at Toluca in the State of Mexico. Later this month, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) will add direct train service from Lazaro Cardenas to Puerta Mexico, providing Mexico City import and export shippers with a service alternative featuring improved consistency and reliability and better transit times.

“Puerta Mexico is well-positioned on KCS’ International Intermodal Corridor, making it a valuable enhancement for our cross border service offering,” said David L. Starling, KCS president and chief operating officer.

KCS executive vice president sales and marketing Patrick J. Ottensmeyer, added that, “The growth of manufacturing activity and international trade flows in the Mexico City area is increasing the demand for modern, multi-modal terminals in Mexico’s industrial heartland. The strategic location and modern facilities at Puerta Mexico will allow KCS to better serve these growing markets.”

With its connection to the KCS rail network, Puerta Mexico serves the industrial centers of Mexico and the U.S., several important seaports and the Toluca-Mexico City industrial corridor. The facility provides intermodal rail and truck services, warehouse storage and has the only inland customs-clearing facility in the State of Mexico.

In addition to train service, Puerta Mexico offers multi-modal terminal services and on-site customs and bonded warehousing facilities to ocean carriers, intermodal and other logistics service providers. With its direct access to KCSM’s “N” line, Puerta Mexico will become the terminal of choice for service to and from the central valley, the Port of Lazaro Cardenas and the border crossing at Nuevo Laredo/Laredo. With an estimated capacity exceeding 150,000 containers and two million plus tons of cargo per year on more than 130 developed acres, it essentially doubles the intermodal capacity available to the greater Mexican central valley region and alleviates congestion in the region.

“Since 1996, KCS has invested over $3 billion to expand and improve Mexico’s rail infrastructure. The purchase of Puerta Mexico further demonstrates KCS’ commitment to Mexico and its institutions, the appeal of Mexican markets and the viability of direct foreign investment in Mexico,” said KCSM president and executive representative Jose G. Zozaya. “Puerta Mexico is a key link in KCS’ International Intermodal Corridor, creating a continuous cycle of economic growth for Central Mexico.”

See Also: KCS Announces The Promotion Of Gene M. Goode To Vice President Administration / Railroad Job Postings For December 2009 / Goodwill And Holiday Spirit Run Kansas City Southern’s Ninth Annual Holiday Express / KCS’ Michael Upchurch To Address The Citi 6th Annual Small/Mid Cap Conference

Norfolk Southern Pumped $3.1 Billion Into Local Industries In 2009

Source: Norfolk Southern (Press Release)

Norfolk Southern Corporation participated in the location of 70 new industries and the expansion of 23 existing industries along its rail lines in 2009.

New plants and expansions represented an investment of more than $3.1 billion by Norfolk Southern customers and are expected to create 3,000 jobs in the railroad’s territory, eventually generating more than 138,500 carloads of new rail traffic annually.

Norfolk Southern assisted state and local government and economic development officials throughout 19 states in helping customers identify ideal locations for new and expanded facilities.

“The energy sector anchored our results during 2009,” said Newell Baker, assistant vice president industrial development. “Our group assisted in the location or expansion of 24 energy related facilities in 12 states across our service area. Ethanol production and distribution accounted for the lion’s share of energy projects, with 11 new and expanded facilities that began to receive NS rail service in 2009.”

The balance of other projects secured during 2009 was distributed among several of the broad product areas Norfolk Southern serves.

Norfolk Southern works with state and local economic development authorities on projects involving site location and development of infrastructure to connect customers to its rail system and provides free and confidential plant location services, including industrial park planning, site layout, track design, and logistics assistance. During the past 10 years, Norfolk Southern’s Industrial Development Department has participated in the location or expansion of 1,084 facilities, representing an investment of $23.9 billion and creating nearly 50,000 customer jobs in the territory served by the railroad.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serving every major container port in the eastern United States and providing efficient connections to western rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is North America’s largest rail carrier of metals and automotive products.

See Also: Norfolk Southern Joins U.S. Green Building Council / Norfolk Southern Launches Improved Investor Relations Site / Railroad Job Postings For December 2009

BNSF Shareholders Approve Sale To Berkshire Hathaway

Source: BNSF (Press Release)

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF; NYSE:BNI) shareholders today voted overwhelmingly in favor of the company's acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire; NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B), securing a path for BNSF Railway to continue to build upon its position as one of America's premier freight transportation companies.

In all, preliminary results show that approximately 70 percent of BNSF issued and outstanding shares not owned by Berkshire or its affiliates were voted in favor of the transaction, above the 66-2/3 percent required. Additionally, holders of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of BNSF voted in favor. Both of these votes were required under Delaware law to adopt the merger agreement and were reported at a shareholder meeting held today at BNSF headquarters in Fort Worth. Representatives of Innisfree M&A Incorporated tabulated the votes and acted as independent inspectors.

"Tomorrow begins the first century of ownership of BNSF by Berkshire Hathaway. I'm looking forward to every day of it as our railroad does its part to ensure the future prosperity of the country," said Warren E. Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway chairman and chief executive officer.

"We are at an important milestone in our 160-year history," said Matthew K. Rose, chairman, president and chief executive officer of BNSF. "This is a vote of confidence in BNSF and the future of freight rail, and it demonstrates how well our business model is aligned with our new parent company. By providing cost-effective and energy-efficient transportation that also benefits the environment, we are moving the goods that are crucial to consumers and our economy as our nation powers its way out of the recession."

The merger is expected to close on February 12.

Over the long term, the nation's demand for transportation is destined to grow. As the most environmentally friendly form of surface transportation, rail is more fuel-efficient for moving freight than using the nation's crowded highways. If just 10 percent of the freight that currently moves by truck were diverted to rail, fuel savings would exceed 1 billion gallons per year and annual greenhouse gas emissions would fall by more than 12 million tons. And as the nation's demand for transportation continues to increase, rail is an obvious solution to meet this challenge.

As a leader in environmental stewardship, BNSF can move a ton of freight an average of 470 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel. As the rail industry's intermodal leader, each BNSF intermodal train can take 280 or more long-haul trucks off the nation's crowded highways.

See Also: The BNSF Honors Three Shortline Railroads For Partnership Excellence / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

HO Scale BNSF Items: Athearn HO Scale Center Fow Hopper Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Sieco Box Car - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale Iron Horse Express Electric Train Set - BNSF / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern Santa Fe / Athearn HO Scale SD60M Locomotive - Burlington Northern / BNSF

Union Pacific To Sink $29 Million Into Improving Houston Infrastructure

Source: Union Pacific (Press Release)

Union Pacific will improve Houston's transportation infrastructure with a $29 million investment to improve the rail line that runs from Spring, Texas, to the Washington Avenue Corridor.

Work on the 23-mile stretch of railroad tracks will begin on the line that parallels the Hardy Toll Road February 18. Crews also will make track improvements to the rail line located along Washington Avenue, between downtown Houston and Hempstead Road.

The project includes removing and installing new rail, 29 track switches and more than 62,000 concrete ties. Crews also will spread 99,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed and renew the roadway surfaces at 14 crossings.

Union Pacific will use a modern track renewal train, the TRT 909, which installs rail and concrete ties in one pass. The TRT can install up to 5,000 ties in a twelve-hour day. The track renewal train consists of approximately 30 rail cars, with each car capable of carrying 210 concrete ties. Three sets of gantry cranes move the concrete ties forward for the TRT to drop into place and the machine then threads the new rail onto the ties. The old wooden ties are picked up and discarded rail is threaded out as the machine works its way down the track. A conveyor moves the removed ties into position for the gantry cranes to load them onto the cars for movement to a facility for sorting.

Union Pacific plans to spend approximately $2.5 billion in 2010 to support America's current and future freight transportation needs and enhance the safety and efficiency of the railroad's 32,000-mile network. Improved and additional rail capacity benefits everyone. It allows freight rail service to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, freight trains are nearly four times more fuel efficient than trucks. Motorists also benefit from reduced congestion on highways as a single Union Pacific train can remove up to 300 trucks off our roads.

See Also: The Union Pacific Increases Speed Through Malvern, Arkansas With Grade Crossing Improvements / Union Pacific Railroad Sets Monthly Record Moving Loaded Agricultural Unit Trains / Union Pacific Railroad's Pipeline Express Service Reaches 25,000 Rail Car Milestone / Railroad Photo Gallery - Union Pacific GP40-2 1368 (Ex Rio Grande) / The Diesel Railroad Locomotive - From Box Cabs And The SD40 To The SD70 And Gensets / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

See Union Pacific Model Trains: Athearn HO Scale C44-9W Locomotive - Union Pacific / Bachmann HO Scale Pacific Flyer Electric Train Set - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale GE AC4400 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Trainline HO Scale Alco FA-1 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 4-8-4 Nothern "800" Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Combo Door Box Car - Union Pacific

The Union Pacific Increases Speed Through Malvern, Arkansas With Grade Crossing Improvements

Source: Union Pacific (Press Release)

Drivers will spend less time waiting for trains to pass as Union Pacific increases the speed of its trains on the rail line that parallels State Highway 279 in Malvern, Arkansas. The train speed limit will increase from 35 miles per hour to 60 mph on nearly two miles of track that crosses Banks, Babcock and Cabe Streets.

Train speeds will increase in five mph increments each week beginning February 14. Trains will begin traveling at 60 mph by March 21. Recent signal improvements that increase advance warning times at grade crossing approaches will permit the higher speeds.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and provides Americans with a fuel-efficient, environmentally responsible and safe mode of freight transportation. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad emphasizes excellent customer service and offers competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America's premier rail franchise.

See Also: Union Pacific Railroad Sets Monthly Record Moving Loaded Agricultural Unit Trains / Union Pacific Railroad's Pipeline Express Service Reaches 25,000 Rail Car Milestone / Railroad Photo Gallery - Union Pacific GP40-2 1368 (Ex Rio Grande) / The Diesel Railroad Locomotive - From Box Cabs And The SD40 To The SD70 And Gensets / The Cajon Pass Railroad Museum - The Birth Of A Dream

See Union Pacific Model Trains: Athearn HO Scale C44-9W Locomotive - Union Pacific / Bachmann HO Scale Pacific Flyer Electric Train Set - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale GE AC4400 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Trainline HO Scale Alco FA-1 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 4-8-4 Nothern "800" Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale 50ft Combo Door Box Car - Union Pacific

CN Announces New $100-million Calgary Logistics Park

Source: Canadian National (Press Release)

CN today announced it plans to establish a new $100-million CN Calgary Logistics Park in Conrich, located in Rocky View County north east of Calgary.

The 680-acre park is planned to include a state-of-the-art intermodal terminal with room for customers to co-locate with CN and custom build their facility in place. The Logistics Park will be designed to include a multi commodity transload and warehouse facility, an automotive compound, and a liquid/bulk transload and distribution facility. The site is strategically located a few miles east of the Calgary Airport, on Twp Road 250/ McKnight Boulevard, providing fluid access to Stoney Trail and other major roadways.

“We are very excited about business prospects in Alberta and this investment in the Calgary area,” said Claude Mongeau, CN president and chief executive officer. This facility is part of our program to grow a network of logistics parks that provide seamless and efficient transportation and distribution capabilities for customers, linking their facilities across North America.”

“Combined with CN's superior rail service offering, this is a win-win combination,” said Mongeau.

Calgary is the third largest distribution centre in Canada and is becoming the logistics hub of Western Canada, serving a rapidly expanding market. The new site provides ample space for current and planned customer initiatives, and the park will be designed to allow easy expansion as the Calgary hub continues to grow.

The new CN Logistics Park will offer the potential for a total warehousing footprint of over two million square feet to customers who need to distribute their goods across Western Canada, whether sourced from Asia through the West Coast or coming from eastern Canada and the US. CN provides the fastest rail freight transit time between Eastern and Western Canada, which will allow customers' goods to be on the shelves within three days, a major advantage in managing inventory especially in peak season.

“This is an exciting prospect for Rocky View County and ties in well with our long-term strategic direction,” stated the County's Chief Administrative Officer, Rob Coon. “An investment of this magnitude would bring substantial benefits to both the County and the Calgary regional area.”

This project will be subject to regulatory approval, including a thorough environmental assessment and public consultation. With a scheduled opening expected in 2013, most of CN's Calgary yard operations will shift to the new Logistics Park. CN will also continue to provide quality rail service to customers along its existing lines in the City of Calgary.

Please visit www.cn.ca/calgarypark for a map of the CN Calgary Logistics Park's location.

See Also: Arbitrator To Decide Wage And Benefit Issues For CN Locomotive Engineers / CN Signs Voluntary Mitigation Agreement With The Village Of Plainfield / CN Locomotive Engineers' Strike To End Immediately After Company And Union Reach Agreement / CN Makes New Offer To Locomotive Engineers' Union In An Effort To End The Strike In Canada / Talks Between CN And Locomotive Engineers' Union In Canada Break Off With No Settlement / CN Receives Strike Notice From Union Representing Locomotive Engineers In Canada / CN To Implement Wage Increase And Milage Cap For It's Canadian Engineers / CN Reaches 20th Voluntary Mitigation Agreement (VMA), Makes Substantial Strides In EJ&E Integration

Model Train Items: Trainline HO Scale EMD GP-9M Locomotive - Canadian National / Bachmann HO Scale 2-6-0 Mogul Locomotive - Canadian National

Metrolinx Acquires Full Ownership Of Toronto-Barrie Rail Commuter Corridor

Source: CN (Press Release)

Metrolinx today purchased from CN the lower portion of the Newmarket Subdivision in central-north Toronto for C$68 million. The transaction gives Metrolinx end-to-end ownership of the 60-mile-long Barrie-Bradford GO Train corridor between downtown Toronto and Barrie, Ont. – a first for the government transit agency.

Please visit www.cn.ca/newmarket for a map of the Lower Newmarket Subdivision and CN and GO Transit rail networks in the Toronto area.

Metrolinx is the Ontario government Crown corporation responsible for delivering an integrated, multi-modal transportation network in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), from York and Durham through Toronto, Peel Halton and Hamilton. GO Transit, the operating division of Metrolinx, provides commuter rail and bus services in the GTA.

The Metrolinx line acquisition fills the rail gap between the agency's east-west Union Station Rail Corridor in downtown Toronto, its Weston Subdivision in west-central Toronto, and the northern segment of its commuter rail-line reaching Barrie.

Metrolinx President and Chief Executive Officer J. Robert S. Prichard said: “This transaction marks a milestone for the agency, giving us – for the first time – end-to-end ownership of a GO Transit rail line. This transaction with CN – an important partner of ours -- will permit improvements to service between Toronto and Barrie and points in between. Improved commuter rail and mass transit are vital to easing traffic congestion and air pollution in the GTA, while improving the productivity and economic competitiveness of the region.”

Claude Mongeau, CN executive vice-president and incoming president and chief executive officer, said: “CN is pleased to have reached this sales agreement with Metrolinx. We have close ties with GO – most of its services in the Greater Toronto Area operate over CN's network – and we see our partnership with GO and Metrolinx continuing to drive the environmental benefits of rail in the Toronto region. In addition, this line sale will generate additional value for the company.”

The line acquired by Metrolinx branches off its Weston Subdivision, acquired from CN earlier this year, in west Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood and runs north past York University to connect with the agency's existing commuter line to Barrie. That line starts immediately north of CN's main east-west freight corridor that parallels Steeles Avenue between Keele and Dufferin streets.

GO currently runs eight commuter trains daily, Monday to Friday, between Toronto and Barrie over the Newmarket Subdivision, which also accommodates a daily CN freight train and VIA Rail Canada Inc.'s transcontinental passenger train three times a week.

Under its sales agreement with Metrolinx, CN will continue to serve five freight customers on the lower Newmarket Subdivision between Highway 401 and CN's main east-west freight corridor.

Rail has a benign environmental footprint, and CN is the green, energy-efficient choice for shippers. Rail has been shown to be up to six times more energy-efficient than heavy trucks, because rail consumes a fraction of the fuel to transport one tonne of freight one kilometre. In fact, we can move one tonne of freight almost 200 kilometres on just one litre of fuel.

The company's innovative Precision Railroading model, and partnership agreements with other railroads to share assets and deliver interchange traffic at the most efficient gateways, have also reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

GO Transit recognizes the decisions we make today will have a major impact on the world we live in tomorrow. Changing attitudes and shifting mindsets are putting the environment at the forefront of GO's plans – both today and in the future. Transit is a clean, sustainable transportation option and GO believes the environment should be a key consideration for future growth strategies and development. Going green is just one of the many ways GO Transit is leading the way, both in the transportation industry and in the eyes of its customers.

See Also: Arbitrator To Decide Wage And Benefit Issues For CN Locomotive Engineers / CN Signs Voluntary Mitigation Agreement With The Village Of Plainfield / CN Locomotive Engineers' Strike To End Immediately After Company And Union Reach Agreement / CN Makes New Offer To Locomotive Engineers' Union In An Effort To End The Strike In Canada / Talks Between CN And Locomotive Engineers' Union In Canada Break Off With No Settlement / CN Receives Strike Notice From Union Representing Locomotive Engineers In Canada / CN To Implement Wage Increase And Milage Cap For It's Canadian Engineers / CN Reaches 20th Voluntary Mitigation Agreement (VMA), Makes Substantial Strides In EJ&E Integration

Model Train Items: Trainline HO Scale EMD GP-9M Locomotive - Canadian National / Bachmann HO Scale 2-6-0 Mogul Locomotive - Canadian National