Month: May 2012

Norfolk Southern Attitude Adjustment Submitted by Chuck Hinrichs

May 20, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Chuck Hinrichs

chuckNORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern is making it easier for communities, businesses, and informed observers such as rail fans to report issues relating to public safety and security to the railroad’s police force. The NS announcement is a significant expansion of the community-based rail security initiative started by BNSF Railway.

Everyone with a stake in rail operations is invited to join Norfolk Southern’s new “Protect the Line” reporting program, an online resource that directly connects you with NS Police. By becoming a Protect the Line member at the new (http://www.protecttheline.com/) website, observers can report immediately to NS Police any suspicious activity relating to equipment maintenance, track obstructions, trespassing, vandalism, suspicious items and vehicles, and terrorism.

NS’ Protect the Line and BNSF’s Citizens for Rail Security are part of an industry-wide initiative that works to include everyone with an interest in railroads.
“Community awareness and participation are critical to keeping the railroad line safe and secure,” said David Julian, NS vice president safety and environmental. “Through Protect the Line and Citizens for Rail Security, the public can work directly with us to prevent and mitigate situations that jeopardize the railroad line and those whom we serve.”

Mark Sinquefield, NS director of police, said, “Protect the Line members will be doing their part to safeguard America’s critical commerce network by serving as responsible additional eyes and ears for railroads and our
employees.”

“More than 10,000 citizens have joined the Citizens for Rail Security effort and are making the rail network a safer place by reporting potential trespassers, stolen equipment, and suspicious behavior near the tracks,” said Duwayne Pennington, BNSF’s assistance vice president of Resource Protection.

Interested people can access the Protect the Line website a number of different ways: directly at  (http://www.protecttheline.com/), through the Norfolk Southern website at  (http://www.nscorp.com/), and through BNSF’s Citizens for Rail Security website at (http://www.citizensforrailsecurity.com/).

Visitors are encouraged to register by clicking Protect the Line and providing contact information. The Protect the Line website explains more about the program, including a link to BNSF’s site.

Citizen reports can be made to the NS Police at 800-453-2530 and nspolice@nscorp.com  (mailto:nspolice@nscorp.com) and to BNSF Police at
800-832-5452 and (http://www.citizensforrailsecurity.com/), either directly or through the website. Stay tuned. NS is developing an update to its smartphone app, NS Corp, that will include access to Protect the Line, with enhanced communications capabilities.

The NS and BNSF police forces are charged with safeguarding people and freight shipments over the systems. They work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to protect railroads and communities.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/Tearsheet.ashx?c=69040) (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles (http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/map.html) 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 and industrial products.

BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,000 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of grain, consumer goods, industrial goods and low-sulfur coal that help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. And we are working continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at (http://www.bnsf.com/).

 

Ricky’s Replies for May 2012

May 20, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Rick Bivins, Ricky's Replies

Hello fellow Western Kentucky Chapter, NRHS Members.

Here we are in the merry month of May. May, for our Chapter of course means we will be meeting in Hopkinsville KY. Our Hop’town friends and members annually host’s the Chapter’s monthly business meeting and always has a great meeting planned. This year is no different.

We will be gathering at the Former Hopkinsville KY Louisville & Nashville Railroad Passenger station in downtown Hopkinsville along Route 68/80.  Take exit #9, turn to the West and proceed to the traffic Islands, then make a right. The meeting place is just ahead about two blocks. The station will be on the left at the railroad crossing. Our program will be split into two parts. Everyone needs to be in attendance at the hour of 7:00 PM. We will promptly proceed across the street and track to the former L&N RR Freight House for a tour of the facility. So as to make the best use of day light we must be “on the advertised” of 7:00 PM. Then we will return to the Passenger Station for a short business meeting, refreshment and the second half of the program. This is sure to be a not to be missed event.

If you missed last month’s meeting, well, you missed a fine program from Tom Johnson on Illinois Central steam as well as the 1992 Steam trip over the ICRR KY. Division behind NKP #765. Several members were on hand and/or on the train that memorable day in September. Many of the Steam era scenes of ICRR action were readily recognized by members. After all, the Illinois Central is or was, a “Home Road”. Tom also brought the refreshments last month!

Bill Thomas wishes to revive the “for sale” portion of the newsletter. I feel this is a good idea. Check with Bill as he has the “rules” for posting any items you wish to sell or search out to purchase. Our program organizer, Thomas Bryan has come to me with “a plan” for trips etc. I have instructed Thomas to set dates, make plans and move forward. We cannot accommodate everyone when making plans so get with Thomas and put your “two cents worth” in on trip planning. Our proposed trip to Paducah and/or Mayfield hinges on the completion of the 68/80 bridge in Trigg County.

And that leads me to this! The first Friday Night Live is next month! We have made a commitment to the City of Madisonville to attend. We have plans for: Wally to set up his steam engines; to have a TV/DVD playing some sort of train video and to have a Gauge One train running on Bill Thomas’ trailer. Bill is stepping up (AGAIN) to the plate here people and putting forth a large effort. We need volunteers to help build, set up, run trains and converse with attendee’s at the three events. I humbly ask our members to “suck it up” and help out. No one has said “don’t do this” when the events were discussed at meeting time, so everyone should be a part of at least one of the events.

I will close with this: Have you presented a program or brought refreshments to a meeting? Would you?

Rick Bivins

 

Rail Flicks: Workin’ on the Railroad

May 20, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Rail Flicks, Tommy Johnson

By Tommy Johnson

Title Workin’ on the Railroad
Producer Pentrex
Format Full Screen
Playing Time 1 hr 35 min
Purchased From TrainVideoDepot.com
Date Purchased 6/13/2011
Price Paid $24.95

This DVD was interesting, informative, and entertaining; it was well worth the purchase price. The action takes place between 1995 and 1998.

We watch Norfolk Southern’s “Timber and Surface Gang 1” as they use tie cranes, spike pullers, spike loaders, anchor spreaders, tie pulling machines, tie insertion machines, tie plate machines, spike driving machines, anchor machines, ballast regulators, and a tamper machine. It is a fascinating process to watch.

We get so see an undercutting machine in operation a little later in the DVD. This machine pulls the ballast out from under the rails and uses a vibrating machine to separate and remove the dirt and debris. The good ballast is redistirbuted and the dirt is piled alongside the tracks.

Things get even more interesting when we see the P-811 concrete tie laying machine in operation. This machine, the flat cars hauling new concrete ties, and the flat cars used for collecting and hauling the old wooden ties that have been removed make up a work train.

The DVD gives us a break from maintenance of way action and takes us to the NS car re-body shop in Roanoke, VA, where gondola cars are stripped down to the center beam and the trucks and are given completely new bodies.

We also visit the NS Pochahantas Division Dispatch Center in Bluefield, WV. The Chief Dispatcher is a guy by the name of Tommy Johnson. With a name like that, you know he just has to be one very cool dude, right?

This DVD will make a great addition to your collection. I think it will be one that you will watch several times over the years.

Truck vs. Train – Train Wins

May 20, 2012 Jim Pearson No Comments Photo Section

PEMBROKE (KY) — The driver of a tractor-trailer hauling farm equipment thought he had enough time to get across the train tracks to avoid being hit by the (CSX) train Thursday evening, but the trailer was struck In the rear, spinning the cab of the truck around and causing damage at the railroad crossing on Main Street in Pembroke. Excerpt by David Snow, Eagle Post.PEMBROKE (KY) — The driver of a tractor-trailer hauling farm equipment thought he had enough time to get across the train tracks to avoid being hit by the (CSX) train Thursday evening, but the trailer was struck In the rear, spinning the cab of the truck around and causing damage at the railroad crossing on Main Street in Pembroke.  Excerpt by David Snow, Eagle Post.