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Freelanced Railroad News Bulletins

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Posted by GDRMCo on Saturday, October 9, 2004 12:47 AM
Competition Closed
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The competition between the three major builders has finished and the new locomotives are new Clyde-EMD-GDRMB JT42ACeMC's. The order will be for 100 new locomotives and they will take the rolls of the aging fleet of second hand locomotives and rebuilds.

ML

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Posted by GDRMCo on Friday, October 8, 2004 11:46 PM
New Locomotives for PNQ
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The PNQ has started a competition between the major
locomotive builders for a 66 million contract to construct
the PNQs fleet of general purpose locomotives. These
locomotives must be able to reach 130kmp/h, reach a
peak hp of 6000hp, generate enough power for high
speed slugs, have dual cabs so that the locomotives
do not require wyes or turntables and must have a light
axle loading. The competition finishes in 1 day as it has
been running for 1 week 6 days.

ML

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 8, 2004 9:24 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by MAbruce

Bizarre Train Collision Claims Life of Unknown Animal

UPI – Belmar Valley WV. Investigators in this sleepy whistle stop valley are still guessing at what a Norfolk & Western express freight train struck yesterday. According to officials, the lead locomotive of a fast moving freight train struck and killed an animal that was in the tracks approximately 50 yards inside a tunnel leading into the Belmar Valley. Exactly what they struck remains a mystery.

“We were close to the end of the tunnel at the maximum posted speed when we felt a thud.” Clarence Jones, the Engineer explained, “I put the train into full emergency and stopped a couple minutes later. We walked the train but only found remains of something scattered all over the place. It couldn’t have been a person because it was too big a strike. The nose of my engine was a mess, and I understand the shop is still pulling the guts of something out of the lead trucks.”

Local police and state animal control specialist examined the remains at the scene a short time later. They confirmed it was not a person, but were unable to identify the animal involved. “My first guess is a cow, but there hasn’t been a working farm around here in many years.” Explained police Sergeant Iam Blind, “But there was no red blood, just tan goo all over the place.”

State animal control specialists denied finding any odd body parts, and offered no explanation for their special armed SWAT escort in the tunnel.

“There be some awful strange things on that there mountain.” A local resident reluctantly explained, “This is not the first time this has happened. They had a whole [expletive deleted] Marine battalion here the last time.

A search of local news stories failed to turn up any account of previous animal strikes. The investigation continues.



This is by far the best one, LOL. I love this stuff, keep going, this is better than the real news!
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Posted by GDRMCo on Friday, October 8, 2004 8:51 AM
Hooray for me!!!

ML

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  • From: St.Catharines, Ontario
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Posted by Junctionfan on Friday, October 8, 2004 8:49 AM
Great Lakes and Atlantic appoints Mick Legg to Board
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Chairman and CEO of Great Lakes and Atlantic has announced that it will be appointing the CEO of the Pacific North Queensland to the G&A board of directors and continuing his services as CEO of the new subsidiary.
Andrew
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Posted by GDRMCo on Friday, October 8, 2004 8:46 AM
As CEO of PNQ I will provide free use of our logo until Monday

ML

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Posted by GDRMCo on Friday, October 8, 2004 8:34 AM
Great Lakes & Atlantic merge with Mine Rail Pty Ltd
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G&A have signed the final documents to the takeover of Queensland Australia's second largest RR. This comes about with a discussion between the two CEOs of each company on the Trains Magazine Forums this week. The new subsiadry is to be called Pacific North Queensland Transportation. The new RR is part of Pacific North, the main subsiadry of G&A Transportation and the CEO of this new company quoted that this might help bring new products to Australia and help the nation with export produce. Mitchell Legg, the CEO of Pacific North said "It all started when we recieved the bad news from the CEO of GDRM&MCo. 'GDRM&MCo Rail to be sold' this was terrible but thanks to the support of G&A Transportation Mine Rail has become a great RR and we are pleased to have been bought by such a wonderful RR." An innaugral train was run from Cairns to Townsville pulled by two of the newest locomotives, Comeng, Rocklea CL629s, and the trip ran flawlessly. During the trip the CEO of G&A announced this new RR be kept up to date and as friendly as it was when he rode the train.
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ML

  • Member since
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  • From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed
  • 4,240 posts
Posted by Fergmiester on Friday, October 8, 2004 6:32 AM
The Board of Directors of the Musquodoboit, Eastern Shore & Sydney was pleased to announce the aquisition of "new" rolling stock. The President and Director of Operations was ecstatic over the new arrivals and was quoted as saying the delivery of these four 70 Ton Ballast Cars Manufactured by the Atlas Company along with the recent arrival of six boxcars mark a new milestone in the companies "Beg, Borrow, Haul & Steel" policy and would allow the M.E.S.S. more flexibility and recognition as these new cars will be re-marked with the MESS's logo. When asked as to why the new arrivals were already emblazened with Missouri Pacific markings the President just shrugged and made no comment.

The CFO could not be reached for comment but it is rumoured that she is not aware of the new aquistions as of yet. Speculation has it, that it could be a chilly fourth quarter.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 7, 2004 1:52 PM
It has been decided that the Sooner State Rocket will be extended to Denver, Colorado. The train will switch power in Clarksvill, just outside of oklahoma city it will then continuse to dallas.
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  • From: Barranquilla, Colombia
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Posted by RedLeader on Thursday, October 7, 2004 11:45 AM
From The Silver Creek Mercury:

MAYOR GONZALEZ ACCUSED FOR "SQUANDERING" CITY FUNDS IN WORN AWAY STRUCTURE.

Silver Creek, USA. During a press conference held by John H. Adam, president of Silver Creek's Chamber of Comerce, publicly accused city mayor Jose Gonzalez of "squandering" city funds in building what seems to be an old, worn away engine shop. "I can't beleive mayor Gonzalez has spent money from this city's tight budget to build an old, filthy and what looks like a worn away structure" "I beleive he (the Mayor) has been squandering city funds to build various structures to the railroad, and there is not even a school in our city, just industries and railroad tracks". Said Mr. Adam referring to the new engine shop erected at the northern end of Silver Creek's main industrial yard. "It is time for the Mayor to stop thinking so much on "his" trains and more on poeple."

In an offcial notice, Mayor Jose Gonzalez stated: "Silver Creek's rail system is the only means of economical sustainability of this town, neglecting the needs of the railroad, is negleting Silver Creek's people. As for Mr. Adam's accusations, the new engine shop is not a "worn away structure" it is brand new, built with the highest specifications".

The controversy arosed since Mayor Gonzalez signed with PFV, a local building contractor, to build the new structures in the northern industrial yard. "PFV has been constructing industrial structures since the 1920's, and all with the highest standards and using state of the art technology (like the new liquid cement used to bond large pieces of extruded plastic). The design was clear, we had to use special chalks and paints to give it that 'weathered look' stated Ms. Jordan Sinclair, chairperson of PFV on a letter sent to the SCM offices yesterday afternoon.

The new engine shop was comissioned by the mayor about a week ago, due to "the lack of a place to mantain and repair engines". The blue styrene structure stands at the end of the engine yard facilities of SC industrial yard. "It looks good to me, something shiny wouldn't match local architecture, besides the yard looks a lot more 'prototypical' (whatever that means)" stated architect Viktor Neutra. Although, not all locals are happy with the new structure, or any other, like Mr. Earl Smith one of the employees of a local industry: "Everything in this darn town looks old, even the new! I keep repainting my house, and suddenly the next day it is all filthy and grimmy. I don't care what them architects say, but I just don't like that style".

Silver Creekeans are aware of the new architectural tendencies, specialy for the one now days known as "realism" which require that all new buildings and vehicules look like if they have been used for a long period of time. Perhaps Mayor Gonzalez is taking this to far. We all just have to wait until the new Flour Mill construction ends next month to see "how it looks".

 

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  • From: St.Catharines, Ontario
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Posted by Junctionfan on Thursday, October 7, 2004 9:06 AM
Great Lakes and Atlantic sacks director of board!
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Little announced that the board of directors has sacked Charles Swinburn from the board. This move comes after attempting to help a hostile take over of the company with CN rail.

Charles Swinburn was formal chairman and CEO of Rail America until the formation of the Great Lakes and Atlantic Railroad.

The company will be taking Swinburn to court and sewing for rights to buy all of his shares back.
Andrew
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 7, 2004 7:42 AM
Eastern RR says today that Its Corridor Limiteds and it other Express trains from Melboune and Darby are running at a full load of passengers. More Corridor limiteds will be added.
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 3:13 PM
Notice! The Deere Valley & Western had an unusual visitor. Union Pacific Big Box #4013 was seen pulling a 4 car passenger consist up the 4% grade at Hays after stopping briefly at the station and water tower. The Big Boy is a rare visitor to these parts, though Challenger #3985 is seen regularly, though usually with a freight consist. Many of the local towns people of both Deere Valley and Hays turned out for this event!
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 4, 2004 10:57 PM
Freelance news 10-3-04

Plans for a northeast Ohio line have been announced today by the investment firm of Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe. The as yet to be named Railroad will serve northeast ohio with freight and possible passenger service. Analist have come out to remind all that this is only the planning stage and since little rail is actually laid it could be some time for this to happen. Willie Makit and Betty Dont of the Tranportation Dept are both speculating that this venture will pardon the pun "never get rolling". A spokeman for the Line who would only give his screen name "Polizi" said and we quote " We have secure funding for this line and the full backing of the WIFE FUND we will be under way in less then 1 year". We will update information as it becomes availible.
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Posted by darth9x9 on Thursday, September 30, 2004 8:00 PM
Nothing to report as the Chessie's trackwork is 100% reliable and the operators are professionals who know how to get their job done while making employee safety first priority.

BC

Bill Carl (modeling Chessie and predecessors from 1973-1983)
Member of Four County Society of Model Engineers
NCE DCC Master
Visit the FCSME at www.FCSME.org
Modular railroading at its best!
If it has an X in it, it sucks! And yes, I just had my modeler's license renewed last week!

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Posted by GDRMCo on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 7:30 PM
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Mine Rail Regauging/Electrification Program Started
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The first phase of the regauging/electrification program has been started and the first of the new locomotives have been delivered. These locomotives are tthe same as the Queensland Rail 35/3900 Class except they have 6000hp. These locomotives will sport the new Mine Rail coporate logo and 'Executive III' paint scheme similar to that applied to the GDRM&MCo SD70MACs.
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ML

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 6:40 PM
BNSF Power to be Leased by Conrail:

Conrail will be leasing motive power from the BNSF until October 1st on it's Delaware Line, until this time, Conrail GP38's, GP40's, and GP40-2's on this line, SD80MAC's are expected to be delivered shortly.
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Posted by GDRMCo on Friday, September 24, 2004 2:28 AM
The GDRM&MCo has just announced its order for 50 EMD-GE-GDRMB EFS55MACTs, the production series of the EFS50MACW (PH I & PH II) and the EFS50MACe. These locomotives feature all the latest equipment from all three companies that built these locomotives including the new truck from GDRMB. The other two companies put in prototype trucks for each of the prototype locomotives. 15 of these locomotives have been equiped with the narrow gauge version of the GDRMB HASSTC-III, the HASSTC-IIIN. These locomotives have proved popular with crews that have not been assigned to the AC24000FBDD.

ML

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  • From: St.Catharines, Ontario
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Posted by Junctionfan on Thursday, September 23, 2004 8:44 PM
G&A secures contract with UPS
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Tonight the Great Lakes and Atlantic Railroad has announced it will be running 6 daily UPS intermodal trains between Chicago and Worchester MA. This was announced after long talks between the railroad and courier heads.

"UPS is a wonderful example how confident our customers feel that we can maintain on-time or even under-time service for with a price that is exceptable to both parties" said the chairman.

The Great Lakes and Atlantic Railroad has announced that it has set aside some of their F-40s for this task.
Andrew
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 5:09 AM
Eastern RR, Say as of Sept.26,1950 that is will run the Corridor Limiteds. A all first class coach train from Milbourne to Darby. A 6 trains daily service. A talk of a new train and service to Lester is in the wild.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 17, 2004 7:03 PM
Riverton, NJ--The first train to operate on Conrail's new Delaware Line operated today, the local, WPRT-1, consisted of Conrail GP38 7894, 15 frieght cars, and a caboose.
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  • From: St.Catharines, Ontario
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Posted by Junctionfan on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 1:39 PM
G&A announces aid to Louisiana.
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In response to the mayhem of Hurricane Ivan, the Great Lakes and Atlantic is proud to announce that is will be offering to evacuate all shortline equipment in the Louisiana area to its secondary yard in Detroit for 1/4 of normal price and help evacuate citizens from New Orleans for no charge. It also says it will help bring in emergency equipment into the state should it be needed and no cost as well.

The chairman and ceo said that "humanitarian aid is the responsibility of all and we are no exception".

Andrew
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  • From: Brunswick MD
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Posted by timthechef on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 8:41 PM
The T & SE short line would like to report the the tunnel construction is proceeding on schedule. We also have a road going up the mountain and will be building company houses up there. The tenents should have a nice viewe of the mill and the rest of the town from their front porch.
Life's too short to eat bad cake
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 4:07 PM
The WRRM has managed to secure a rare NYC Baldwin "Sharknose" diesel loco for their growing fleet. The Shark (as it's already been nicknamed!) will be joining our NYC Fairbanks-Morse C-Liners to form an A-B-A set. Delivery is expected to take place within the next day or two, and the loco will enter service after some minor inspection and adjustment. This lash-up will make an impressive sight operating on our passenger services, and will also provide valuable heavy haulage power for our freight work.


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Posted by CBQ_Guy on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 3:39 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by clinchvalley

Originally posted by Junctionfan

Do you mean another sub-forum in the model railroader forum?


There already is, the PFMSig group on Yahoo. If anyone here has not checked out all the different groups over on Yahoo, you're in for a real big surprise. There are litterally 100's of them.
Yup!
"Paul [Kossart] - The CB&Q Guy" [In Illinois] ~ Modeling the CB&Q and its fictional 'Illiniwek River-Subdivision-Branch Line' in the 1960's. ~
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  • From: St.Catharines, Ontario
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Posted by Junctionfan on Friday, September 10, 2004 4:40 PM
G&A awards contract to Trinity Railcar
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As the Great Lakes and Atlantic Railroad will be increasing the trash hauling business as the railroad has ordered 150 trash service covered gondolas from Trinity Railcar. This was outlined in the budget due to the increase business from Detroit, Montreal, Boston and now Toronto for trash haulage. The railroad and municipal governments secured the contract with each other through ECDC Environmental Industries.
Andrew
  • Member since
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  • From: St.Catharines, Ontario
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Posted by Junctionfan on Thursday, September 9, 2004 10:40 AM
G&A watches for floods
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With flood warning around south western New York state, the Great Lakes and Atlantic is monitoring its ex Buffalo and Pittsburgh lines for signs of floods. The railroad has informed customers involved with the line to be ready for the possibility of the temperary closure of the lines should the flooding reach the lines.
Andrew
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 8, 2004 6:07 PM
From the North Country Times:

Unusual Locomotive Abandoned
New-fangled machine to be converted to steam

The strange locomotive that found its way to the tracks of the Muddy Creek Railroad and caused great consternation among the crew is today facing the cutting torch. The machine was apparently abandoned on company property some time ago and the train crew and mechanics attempted to place it in service with little success.

The machine, fueled by a petroleum-based substance and similar in design to one championed by the late inventor Rudolph Diesel has never proved itself to be useful to the train crews. "The trucks are pretty good, but the rest of the thing was just too damn tricky to run and getting fuel up here in the woods was impossible. We tried converting it to run on corn-squeezins but no luck there," reported engineer Bud "Steamer" O'Toole. "We took a vote & the result was either the damn thing goes or we go."

Following management's decision that the crew can go, a compromise was reached and the strange machine, whose builder's plate indicates it is a class SW9/1200, will be converted into a reasonable facsimile of a Class A Climax locomotive and sent to join the roster of geared locomotives working in the woods north of Muddy Creek. Though pleased with the addition of the new boiler, Engineer O'Toole conceded that the open wooden cab configuration of the new Climax would not have the comforts of the strange machine from which it is being transformed. "That thing was pretty weird, even for 1917, but damn, those seats were a mite comfortable and I'm gonna miss them windows."
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  • From: St.Catharines, Ontario
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Posted by Junctionfan on Wednesday, September 8, 2004 3:53 PM
Great Lakes and Atlantic releases 3rd quarter
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The Great Lakes and Atlantic Railroad announced today that the 3rd quarter came short by $12 dollars due to aggressive investing. The Chairman and CEO of the company said that the fouth quarter would be very profitable because of such a small loss in the third. He predicted that profits will almost double if not double by the end of it. He said that the increase demand on the company to be aggressive against the class 1s was the culprit but promised that the shareholders would not be sorry. As a result, today's stocks on the S&P went up by 0.09 cents a share. Last year they made 46 million U.S in profits but the final quarter predictions are 89.91 million.

The Chairman and CEO said that his final investment for this year is to invest in more steel loading cars, trash gondolas and hire more track gangs.
Andrew
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 8, 2004 3:31 PM
Yet another atempt to dieselise the Hootervill Cannonball ( running between Oklahoma City and Hootervill first over the RI then over the Hootervill and Chapel Hill RR ) failed. I was proposed that the train use RDC cars, howver this proposal did not go far.

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