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Published byEzra Barber Modified over 9 years ago
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A Good Year for Short Lines & Regionals Dave Mears Senior Director American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association ACACSO Conference Orlando, FL November 12-13, 2008
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October 22-24, 2008 2 A Good Year for Short Lines & Regionals Carloads Legislative Regulatory Communications
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October 22-24, 2008 3 Rail Industry Carloads 1st Half Class I's – Short Line Traffic Only RR H1 2007 H1 2008 Variance BNSF485,225 526,135 +8.4% CN 286,794 301,433 +5.1% CP 135,015 129,465 -4.1% CSX 478,960 480,586 +0.3% NS 486,052 491,427 +1.1% UP 679,716 679,275 -0.1% KCS Unavailable
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October 22-24, 2008 4 Legislative Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (HR 1424) "Short Line Tax Credit" 2 Year Extension - 2008 (Retro) and 2009 Can Be Used Against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Railroad Safety Improvement Act 2008 (HR 2095) "Safety Bill" No PTC for Short Lines on Dark Territory No PTC for Short Line Commuter Operations No Switch Indicators for Short Lines on Dark Territory Towns and Counties Cannot Petition the STB on Rail Facilities (Preserved STB Preemption) RRIF Program Loan Repayment Period Extended from 25 to 35 years Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act (HR 6707) With AAR Defeated this Bill which Created New "Public Interest" Tests for Certain Class I / Short Line Transactions
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October 22-24, 2008 5 Legislative Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 Hours of Service – Implement by 2010 Risk Reduction Program – Implement by 2012 Positive Train Control – Implement by 2015 Bridge Safety Requirements – Implement by 2010 Tunnel Requirements – Implement in 120 Days 1–800 ENS – Implement by 2010 Grade Crossing Inventory – Implement by 2009 Sight Distance Law & Regulations at Xings – Implement
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October 22-24, 2008 6 Legislative Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Cont'd) Civil Penalties $25K-$100K – Implement Radio Monitoring Authority – Implement New FRA Inspectors – Implement when $ are appropriated Dark Territory Switch Technology – Regulations in 12 months Broken Rail Service Failure Rate – Study Certify Conductors – Implement by 2010 Minimum Training Standards and Plans – Implement by 2009 Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus – Implement in 2010
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October 22-24, 2008 7 Regulatory FRA $75K Grant to ASLRRA for AREMA Bridge Inspection Handbook Purchase for All Short Lines & Regionals and Class I's Endorsed ASLRRA Bridge Program and Joined as Principals Joint Seminars and Conferences on: Track & Bridge Safety Operating Practices & HOS Power Brake HazMat Relief from Locomotive Alerter Standards for Speeds Less Than 25 MPH
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October 22-24, 2008 8 Regulatory STB Supported DOE Application to Construct & Operate the Caliente Rail Line to Yucca Mountain Spent Nuclear Fuel Depository Approved the Acquisition of the DM&E by CP Denied Shipper Request to Exclude Short Line Local Traffic from 3 Benchmark Test (Small Rate Case Methodology) In Effect, Insulates Short Line Local Traffic from STB Small Rate Case Proceedings Holds Hearings on Common Carrier Obligation Commissioners Exposed to Liabilities and Risks Short Lines Experience Moving TIH Materials Commissioners Recognize Insurance Problems for Short Lines Moving TIH Commodities STB Ruling Anticipated Before End of 2008
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October 22-24, 2008 9 Regulatory TSA Committed to Pay for FreightScope HazMat Tracking Software for 2009 $1.8M Grant to ASLRRA for Web Based HazMat Training for 2009 TWIC Rollout Coordination for Short Lines by Port Area Working Partnership on Review of Corporate Security Plansfor Holding Companies
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October 22-24, 2008 10 Regulatory FCC Implementation Timeline Established for Narrow Band Radio Conversion (July 2010-Jan 2013) Many Short Lines Currently Operate Bimode Radios (25khz / 12.5khz) Phase-In Decision Provides Sufficient Time to Acquire Radios and Adjust to New Spectrum Requirements IAW the Implementation Plan
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October 22-24, 2008 11 Regulatory EPA Short Line "Green" Equipment and Initiatives – Some Grants Gen-Set Locomotives EPA Tier IV Locomotives Hybrid Locomotives Bio Diesel Locomotives Pacific Harbor Line – EPA "Smart Way" Award Winner – Only Railroad Class III Railroads Exempted from New Locomotive Emission Standards All Pre-1973 Locomotives are Exempt and "Grand Fathered" All Post-1973 Locomotives Need Only Comply if *Rebuilt or *Refurbished * EPA Technical Definition & Specs
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October 22-24, 2008 12 American Short Line and Regional Railroads Connecting America's Communities Strengthening America's Economy Protecting America's Environment
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October 22-24, 2008 13
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