California High-Speed Train Adopts Zero Emissions Strategy

Sep 15, 2008 A leading energy specialist has reported to the California High-Speed Rail Authority that the state's proposed high-speed train system can run with zero greenhouse gas emissions.

The zero emissions strategy report was presented by Navigant Consulting Inc, a consultant on the energy, electric power and natural gas industries at the Authority's most recent board meeting held in San Diego. At the meeting, the Board adopted a renewable energy/zero emissions strategy for the high-speed train project. Read more...

BN says fuel's decline may spur consumer cargo

Sep 12, 2008 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp said shipments of consumer goods may rise as falling fuel prices leave people with more money to spend. Oil prices that peaked at the $145-a-barrel close on July 3 were too high for the Fort Worth -based railroad to benefit from the fuel-efficiency edge that railroads have over trucking companies, chief financial officer Thomas Hund said today in New York at a Dahlman Rose & Co. transportation conference. Read more...

Kathryn McQuade appointed EVP and CFO of Canadian Pacific

Sep 05, 2008 CALGARY, Sept. 4 -- CALGARY, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (TSX/NYSE: CP) today announced the appointment of Kathryn McQuade to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Ms. McQuade will assume responsibility for all functions currently reporting to the CFO: comptroller, treasury, investor relations, internal audit, and corporate planning. She will also retain responsibility for Business Information Services and Strategic Sourcing Group. Read more...

Commissioners approve $500,000 matching grant for P&N Railroad

Sep 02, 2008 A matching grant needed to secure funding to restore the old Piedmont & Northern Railroad through Gaston County received approval from the Gaston County Board of Commissioners Thursday. A $5 million grant recently approved by the N.C. General Assembly required the $500,000 match, which was unanimously approved as part of the consent agenda without discussion. Commissioners expressed support for restoration of the P&N Railroad at their July meeting. Read more...

CN: Joliet OK with railroad deal

Aug 27, 2008 Canadian National Railway Co. said Monday it has reached agreement with the city of Joliet over the company's proposed acquisition of part of a railway company. The company said the agreement settled Joliet's concerns over quiet zones and other issues surrounding CN's acquisition of a major portion of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co. CN said it will meet its promises within three years. Read more...

Woman accused of selling stolen rail parts

Aug 16, 2008 An investigation involving police and five railroads resulted in the arrest Tuesday of a female scrapper who allegedly tried selling up to a ton of stolen, new repair parts for train tracks, the Telegraph reports. Police said she sold the parts, some still in manufacturers' bags, to Mullins Salvage, 8 Cut St., on Monday, then returned Tuesday to sell more of the stolen metal pieces. Read more...

Railroad Rebound: Signs point to resurgence

Aug 13, 2008 As fuel prices continue to rise and the nation's highways become more congested, transportation experts believe the United States is headed toward a railway resurgence. In a January research report, R.W. Baird & Co. financial analysts Jon A. Langenfeld, Michael Halloran and Benjamin J. Hartford wrote that U.S. railroads face "favorable long-term secular rail dynamics," such as sustained pricing power and increased international trade. Read more...

Drug smugglers frustrate railroads

Aug 10, 2008 Violent Mexican drug cartels are using every means possible to get cocaine, marijuana and heroin into the United States, including false compartments on rail cars hauled by Omaha-based Union Pacific Corp. and other railroads. Drug smuggling on railroads drew little public interest until last week's revelation that a federal agency had fined Union Pacific nearly $38 million for allowing drugs into the country. Read more...