Folks —
As many of you know, at the end of each year, we do a “Top 10 list” of the biggest stories in railroading for the year. Here’s what last year’s looked like.
So: Tell us what you think the Top 10 for 2010 should be.
Also, just for fun, what were the most humorous or bizarre stories for the year? Around the office, we’re talking about the angry Subway conductor in New York who threw passengers’ food out the window of moving trains.
Best,
One item I hope you include is Caterpillar owned Progress Rails’s acquisition of Electro-Motive diesel, a major boost to CAT’s locomotive sector business…
Yeah, I’m not sure there is a bigger story than Cat buying EMD. Assuming you consider Berkshire Hathaway’s purchase of BNSF as being from last year.
In no particular order:
UP’s 18,000-ft. long intermodal ‘test’ train from El Paso (?) to LA;
As noted above, Berkshire-Hathaway’s actual closing on its purchase of BNSF;
As also noted above, Progress Rail’s purchase of the ex-ABB building in Muncie for a US plant;
Rebound in rail traffic much faster than the economy in general;
Major railroads continue funding and building capacity improvements (in addition to ‘maintenance’-type replacements and repairs);
NS finishes “Heartland Corridor” clearance improvement project;
CN starts PTC installation of antennas in Wisconsin;
HSR starts and funding announced by Obama administration and states;
HSR stops and funding cancellations announced by Republicans and new state governors, including NJ’s cancellation of NJT’s new Hudson River Tunnels;
NS successfully issues $250 Million of 100-year 6 % bonds, increased from $100 Million in response to demand;
Whatever else significant happens in the remaining 8% or so of 2010 (rest of December).
Paul North.
…And hopefully, a shot in the arm here for our Muncie economy.
We have lost major, mostly automotive parts manufacturing plants / businesses here in last several decades.
The potential Progress Rail work will be greatly appreciated. Several other businesses too…Example: Brevini to manufacture gear boxes for power producing wind mills. Manufacturing facility now being prepared here in Park One.
I understand a rail spur back into Park One has been approved locally, and should {or maybe already started}, be finished by next season, and it is needed for the Brevini gear box shipments.
A few of the top railroading stories in 2010.
Governors-Elect of Ohio and Wisconsin rejecting federal funds for passenger railroad in their states.
Starting, then cancelling the construction of a new Trans- Hudson River railroad tunnel to New York.
Chinese unmodified 302 mph High Speed Train.
The world’s longest railway tunnel holed through in Switzerland, the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
Union Pacific trying to extort an outrageous amount of money from Amtrak in order to make the Texas Eagle a daily!
The defeat of Representative James Oberstar, chariman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Oberstar was working in lockstep with Senator Rockefeller to reimpose stringent economic regulation on the freight railroads. This would have diverted significant funds from the railroads and greatly limited their ability to expand and grow.
http://www.joc.com/government-regulation/oberstar-targets-rate-challenges-rail-bill
When Minnesota voters did not return Oberstar to office this threat to railroad financial health was greatly reduced.
The fact that many of us have yet to be banned from Trains.com doesn’t rank in the top 10???
Well I guess we’re hanging in there. Just don’t type in bitch or crab about it.
RIX
…Rix…Why is your avatar a red “X”…?
Quents,
It’s because I’m a little short on how to do these things. I’d like to do that as a sexy sixty transplanted Pennsylvanian and post pictures as well.
Let’s continue on the personals and evacuate this thread.
Biggest stories?
I am recently doubting the efficacy of some of the high speed rail projects but support the freight corridors.
And hooray for Muncie!!! How can you stand it out there in the flatlands?
rix.
Yes, as you know Rix, we’re former Pennsylvanian’s…Been out here 48 years plus now. Yes, it’s flat, and today, we received some snow…but not too bad, Looks like perhaps, 2.5". First this much this season.
Rix, did you see we’re getting a big business here to build EMD locomotives, and perhaps some other RR equipment…Going into our former ABB transformer plant…Well suited to such a business.
Hi Speed rail seems to finally finding it’s place in the everyday news…I’m not sure how that will go yet…Hang in there…
What about CN takeover of EJ&E, busting the bubble of all the “NIMBYS’” around Chicago. Probably the best thing to happen to break up the traffic jam around Chicago in many years.
Another one: UP’s completion of Donner Pass clearance improvement work for double-stack container trains.
Ooo, that is a big one.
How about (in no particular order):
NS announces steam program
Some of the $8B parcelled out for HSR and HrSR looks like it will be rejected.
EMD sold
NS Heartland Corridor finished, Crescent Corridor gains momentum (as do other PPPs like CREATE)
PTC required
Domestic Intermodal growth
Hunter Harrison retires from CN
Passenger trains as hot topic in Fall elections in WI and OH (and FL?)
UP’s monster train stirs up news media
Amtrak ridership sets another record
Humorous and bizzare:
Capacity-constrained Amtrak decides it needs new baggage cars as first order of business
Railroad presence on social media sites, Facebook and Twitter.
EMD locomotives remain ugly (UP’s “flared flag” SD70s were the last that didn’t look like they were built from LEGOs.)
Also like the Gotthard tunnel and Donner Pass cleared for stacks, but that makes my list go to 11.