WRP_CircusMovesByRail_Jul15_6v_Layout 1 7/2/15
number of accidents were way off from where they had been just a few years ago. Even as FRA investigators were exploring in-depth recent high-profile freight train ac- cidents in Tennessee and Pennsylvania, USA Today was reporting that freight accidents dropped nearly in half during the last decade; down to 1644 last year from 3094 in 2005.
Freight Bottom Line — Up
CSX set three all-time financial records in the second quarter of 2015. Analysts were stunned — they expected steep drops in both domestic and exported coal volumes and re- duced crude oil production, which took a hit from low prices on natural gas. CSX CEO Mike Ward says his company
won’t stop there. He’s confident this uptick in the railroad’s fortunes will accelerate. Good News Spreading? CSX’s eastern competitor Norfolk Southern issued its “cor- porate sustainability” report for 2014, claim- ing “measurable progress” on its journey in “sustainability” this past year. Such progress, according to the railroad’s government rela- tions vice-president Bruno Maestri, included — on the social side — reduction in locomo- tive greenhouse gas emissions and other en- vironmental steps. There were also economic achievements; for example, NS invested $2.1 billion in capital projects to expand the busi- ness. These are just samples that NS lists as achievements during the past year Over the Border, More Good News: Canadian Pacific was happy to break the news of its higher-than-ever net income for
the second quarter, a boost of 12 percent. Its competitor, Canadian National, reported a better-than-expected profit for the second quarter — also a boost of 12 percent. But Problems Do Persist: Back again in
the States, Kansas City Southern reported a second quarter 2015 fall of $586 million. The most conspicuous cause — overall carloads for the company were six percent lower than a year ago. In the state 0f Maine, protesters in Port-
land and Fairfield took to the streets to ex- press their opposition to moving oil tank trains throughout the state bound for the Irving Oil refinery in New Brunswick. Turns out Irving had already decided not to run any more oil through the state.
Crafting the “Big Bill”
As we were headed for the deadline bell to shut us down for another month, members of Congress were hassling over the details of what the media persistently (and mislead- ingly) labels “the highway bill.” It’s a surface transportation bill, only one of whose goals is to find the money for a cash-starved High- way Trust Fund. The measure also would add nearly another billion for transit and au- thorize $6.6 billion funding for Amtrak from 2016 through 2019. At Deadline: Another report the Chinese
are acquiring lots of new high-speed rail equipment—and also want to establish a company in the U.S. That’s all I know. Rea- sonably safe to say: No, the Chinese won’t be running the Acela.
WES VERNON IS A WASHINGTON WRITER and veteran broadcast journalist. You can reach him with questions or comments at
capitollines@railfan.com.
Moves by Rail The Circus
This Carstens Classic is the definitive book on American circus trains from the earliest days to the big, modern Ringling Brothers operations of today. Including Ringling, Hagenbeck, Wild West Shows, Clyde Beatty and others. Features 400 pages of detailed information on circus train cars, operations, rebuilding, lettering, and more. Order your copy today!
COME ONE, COME ALL!
$39.95
Plus shipping & handling Order Item #CRS-CMBR
(877) 787-2467
WHITERIVERPRODUCTIONS.COM P.O. BOX 48, BUCKLIN, MO 64631
25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68