MyProgressiveRailroading

National Hobo Convention Starts This Week (Aug 11th) in Britt Iowa.

railroadpostoffice1 — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 04:52:44 GMT

The National Hobo Foundation in conjunction with the city of Britt Iowa is putting on the National Hobo Convention. The city runs its home days and invites hobos both active and retired to spend the weekend in its hobo park witch has a boxcar parked there. There is folk music and mulligan stew and folk tales for the enjoyment of all. There is the National Hobo Museum which chronicle's the history of the American Hobo from the 1800s civil war era to the 1930s to the present day. The main event will be the election of the Hobo King. ("Stretch "was king last year). There are estimated anywhere from 100 to 2000 active hobos on the railroad system (depending on weather and work seasons) at any given time. The Hobo Foundation is said to be a offspring of the labor movement when hobos founded there own union back in the turn of the century. Transient workers who rode the rails were part of the railroad workforce in loading and unloading cars and on track gangs as well as harvesting produce that makes it on the rails. The Northern Pacific and Great Northern Railroad was said to run seasonal trains of open boxcars for hobos to get to work to harvest the crops. Today the Hobos send a representative to the railroad shareholders (They own stock in all the Class ones and major short lines) meetings on a regular basis to ask questions and try to dispel myths about the hobos that are negative in nature. They have cemetery plots that they provide for there members and help put on regional hobo gatherings around the country ( See the hobo minstrel webpage for details). I am posting this for info purposes only and to say that Hobos are unique part of American Railroad Culture and history that should be respected.

R-160 3rd. option?

jkinz56 — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:38:52 GMT

Has anyone heard if there's going to be a 3rd. R-160 option? Or if the new R-179 is going to happen?

Unemployment is still high - anyone looking? - I can help

JNTC_Articles — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:15:20 GMT

While the economy is still uncertain. Many people are still unemployed.

I am currently hiring for three positions that are focused and requiring experiences in the Rail Industry.

a. Director or VP of Sales and Business Development

b. RF Systems Engineer

c. RTL FPGA Engineer

For the information about the detailed description of each position, interested parties may send their resume to: careers@jntconsulting.com

Looking for Systems Engineers, Systems Eng./Signaling, Estimators, Lead Project Engineers

lorimueller — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:24:38 GMT

Hello!

My name is Lori Mueller, I am working for a client that has opportunites in KY, MO, NY and FL. Looking for engineers in the rail transit industry 10-15 years with a BSEE.

Please contact me direct at lmueller@eegrecruiting.com or 877-841-3452. Thanks for your time!

Who is using railcar transfer tables out there?

Mick Madison — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:35:32 GMT

Who is using a railcar transfer table at their plant or yard? Are any transit organizations using transfer tables? I am very curious to know how many are out there? And what parts of the Country they are located in. Including Canada! As well as what purpose they are being used for, such as changing directions, pulling cars off the mainline, etc.

We manufacture tables, but would really like to know how many are out there, and how old some of them might be.

Thanks for your input!

Signal/Systems Engineers - Rail Transit

lorimueller — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:04:33 GMT

Hello: My name is Lori Mueller, I have a client looking for signal/systems engineers in the rail transit arena. Strong design experience, must be US resident. Please contact me direct at lmueller@eegrecruiting.com or 877-841-3452

Railroad Engineers - Freight Rail

lorimueller — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:03:43 GMT

Hello: My name is Lori Mueller, I have a client looking for railroad engineers, with strong design experience, understanding of FRA rules, freight rail.

Project Management – Concept to Completion 

Engineering Management

Signal Application Engineering 

Vital & Non Vital Logic Programming 

GETS Harmon Logic Controller 

GETS Vital Harmon Logic Controller 

GETS ElectroCode 

US&S Genisys 

US&S Microlok 

Train Control Systems 

Highway Crossing Systems 

Dispatching Systems

Systems Engineers - Train Control/Freight Rail or transit systems

lorimueller — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:20:35 GMT

Systems Engineer – Train Control

Freight Rail or transit systems

Hello: My name Lori Mueller, I am working for a client that needs the following, please contact me directly atlmueller@eegrecruiting.com or 877-841-3452. Thanks for your time and consideration.

The primary focus for our Systems Engineers and Sr. Systems Engineers should be Train Control for freight rail or transit systems.
Candidates they must be able to communicate to the hiring manager that they are experienced to very experienced in that field.
Will accept 2-3 years of experience and above
Salary commensurate with experience
Experience in design or commissioning active Highway-Rail grade crossing warning systems and need information on what type of equipment used to control the crossing.
Potential candidates must have experience with relay based vital design or microprocessor based vital design using VHLC, MicroLok, ElectroLogIXS , VPI or GEO. Must be able to show length of experience on these types of design work.
Must be able to show how many routes and the most complex location the candidate designed/tested have.
Must have a working knowledge and understanding of “Title 49 CFR parts 233 thru 236”?
FRA regulations.
Ideal candidate will have a 4 year degree in Electrical Engineering
Experience may be exclude degree if the experience is over 15+ years

Additional experience would be a plus:

Project Management – Concept to Completion
Engineering Management
Signal Application Engineering
Vital & Non Vital Logic Programming
GETS Harmon Logic Controller
GETS Vital Harmon Logic Controller
GETS ElectroCode
US&S Genisys
US&S Microlok
Train Control Systems
Highway Crossing Systems
Dispatching Systems

Signal/Systems Engineers - Rail Transit

lorimueller — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:26:44 GMT

Hello: My name is Lori Mueller, I have a client looking for signal/systems engineers in the rail transit arena. Strong design experience, must be US resident.

Please contact me direct at lmueller@eegrecruiting.com or 877-841-3452. Thank you.

Railroad Engineers - Freight Rail

lorimueller — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:27:18 GMT

Hello:

My name is Lori Mueller, I have a client looking for railroad engineers, with strong design experience, understanding of FRA rules, freight rail.

Accepting 2-5 years and above. Must be US resident. Please contact me direct @ lmueller@eegrecruiting.com or 877-841-3452. Thank you

Short-Line Railroad TIGER Grant question

keithacts238 — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:15:09 GMT

Hi guys and gals.

There was a TIGER Grant in the tune of 17 million awarded to RJ Corman Railroad Group in Nicholasville Kentucky back around March, 2010. The Governor and other dignitaries were there to celebrate the occasion. They claimed work would begin in mid April 2010. Here it is almost July and no sign of the money. When I try to contact anyone working for RJ Corman about the funds, they just say that the funds are caught up in red tape.

This money will generate 100-150 jobs!!! Why would it take so long for this money to be released?

Does anyone know of a place to check on the grants...I've been to a few sites with no success. I've been out of work for over a year and anxious to get back! PLEASE HELP!!!!

Can railroads run autotrains with passengers in the their vehicles?

railroadpostoffice1 — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:49:04 GMT

In Europe there are a couple of auto trains that passengers stay in their cars. Could that be done here? I was thinking of a RV and truck train where they would be inside the Auto racks for high speed or overnight trips

Railroad Fasteners-Track Bolt, screw spike, rail clip, rubber pad, insulator, rail clamp, rail joint bar

Shelly — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:41:49 GMT

Our company named Taicang Zhongbo Railway Fastening Co., Ltd focuses on manufacturing railway fastenings, fixings, railway materials. It's certified by ISO9001:2000 Quality management system as well as by CRM International Railway Association.

Our mail products are sorted as 3 series as below:

Rail fastening and clamping products:

1. Clips and clamps :E series include E1609，E1809，E1817，E2007，E2009，E2055 Wseries include SKL1, SKL3, SKL12, SKL14, SKL75 and other ways.

2. Square head screw spikes and hook spikes: Diameter 5/8,3/4,7/8,15/16,1”, length from 4” to 12” series spikes and Ss series include Ss5, Ss8, Ss23, Ss25, Ss36 spikes;

3. Clip bolt and Track bolt: Clip bolts of the HS26, HS32 series, switch bolts, square head bolts, Insert Bolts and AREMA Track Bolt;

4. Insulators: Nylon insulators used for E clip sand Guide plates for SKL clips;

5. Dowels: Plastic and nylon dowels used for all kinds of screw spikes;

6. Shoulders: Assembly with all kinds of E clips.

7. Insulating pad: Plastic, rubber and EVA pad used for E clips and SKL clips;

8. Steel pad: Cast iron and forging steel pad used for E clips and SKL clips.

Rail Jointing products:

1. Fish plate: America used 115RE, 132RE fish plate; Europe, Africa and Asia used UIC54, UIC60 fish plates, South America used TJ45, TJ57 fish plates and the UK used BS60, BS75 fish plates;

2. Fish bolts: Bolts used for the fish plates listed above;

3. Gauge rod: AREMA 1-1/4” and UIC, BS rail gauge rod.

High strength bolts and other non-standard fasteners:

1. Hex bolts: with the diameter over M24 DIN, ASTM, BS Hex bolts, grade 4.6, 4.8, 5.6, 5.8, 6.8, 8.8, 10.9, 12.9:

2. All kinds of nuts, standard parts, washers, Construction Industry bolts and precision parts

Looking for traction power engineers, MSEE!

lorimueller — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:35:11 GMT

Hello: My name is Lori Mueller I am a recruiter looking for Traction Power Engineers in the rail transit industry.

If you are interested in career opportunities - please contact me at 877-841-3452. Thank you.

Signaling Engineers, Estimators, Lead Project Engineers - Rail Industry

lorimueller — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:06:59 GMT

Hello! My name is Lori Mueller I am a recruiter looking for rail candidates. Need signaling engineers, estimators and lead project engineers. Please respond directly to:

lmueller@eegrecruiting.com or 877-841-3452. Thank you!

Seeking Rail Signaling Engineers

lorimueller — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:51:47 GMT

Opportunities available, looking for system engineers specializing in signaling. Please contact me direct at lmueller@eegrecruiting.com or 877-841-3452. Thanks!

Siemens Mobility is Seeking Signal Engineers

RobertWalker — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:48:46 GMT

Siemens Mobility is actively seeking candidates for railroad and transit signal engineers for its Jacksonville, Florida location. Applicant should have at least 5 years direct railroad signaling background with either a Class I railroad, mass transit operator or railroad manufacturer/engineering firm.

Navigate to the Siemens USA Job Search page http://www.usa.siemens.com/en/jobs_careers/us_jobs.htm for access to the job posting.

Don't let card tricks fool you

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:20:09 GMT

When it rolex watches comes to the laws that govern how your bank can treat you, the landscape continues to shift. Parts of the landmark consumer bill protecting credit card customers are just now being implemented, and banks are still maneuvering to minimize the impact of those laws on their profits.That means that, even as consumer protections increase, so are the efforts to find revenue elsewhere.

Starting today, however, banks will have to follow even more rules -- newly purchased gift cards won't expire as quickly, and late fees on credit card payments won't be as punishing.Here's rolex watch a look at the new safeguards, and how cardholders can still get burned.The consumer website LowCards.com says the new rules may reduce some interest rates and limit some fees, but caution is still advised.

Interest Rates: Last January, credit card issuers began raising rates in anticipation of the new law. Starting today, they must re-evaluate whether something has changed since then that would warrant a replica watches rate reduction (such as cardholder credit risk, payment history and market conditions). They also must perform a similar review every six months on accounts that have been hit with a rate increase.

One caveat: The decision to reduce rates or not is left entirely to the issuer's discretion. And even if a bank finds that a rate should be lowered, the reduction doesn't have to restore the prior interest replica watch rate. So even if a rate was increased 10 percent, a review could result in a 1 percent scaleback.

Banks also have some wiggle room in the factors they use to conduct reviews. They can either base a review on the original reason for the rate hike, such as market conditions. Or chanel handbags they can determine whether the rate is in line with their current interest rates for new customers.Also note that such reviews are not required for cards with variable rates, which rise and fall with a certain benchmark, such as the prime rate.

Fees: There are now even tighter limits on the severity of late payment and other penalty fees. Banks may charge just one fee for each event that violates the cardholder agreement, friends and the late payment fee can't be more than $25, or more than the minimum payment. That means the banks can no longer charge you $30, for example, for being late with a $20 minimum payment.

Banks can no longer charge fees for not using your card. "Instead of the inactivity fee, some issuers are adding a yearly minimum. If you charge less than this minimum amount, then they charge you an Tried to cherish annual fee," Hardekopf said.Also keep in mind that the rule applies specifically to penalty fees.

Also keep in mind that the rule applies specifically to penalty fees. There aren't any caps on other charges. And not surprisingly, many issuers hiked fees for balance transfers, foreign transactions and cash advances in the past year.Gift Cards: Cards must now be "good" for five years from the date of purchase. The new laws also ban inactivity Adair and service fees for 12 months.

The rule doesn't apply to certain gift cards, such as those issued as part of a rewards or loyalty program. So if you redeem your credit card rewards points for a retailer gift card, it Where will fall down in where could potentially come with a much quicker expiration date. The same is true for rebate cards issued by retailers.ZMC

Thai Growth Beats Views

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:19:53 GMT

BANGKOK -- replica rolex watch Thailand's economy grew at a modest pace in the second quarter, beating expectations for a decline, as exports helped counter the impact of deadly protests that rocked the country in April and May.Thailand's second-quarter GDP expanded a seasonally adjusted 0.2% from the January-March period.

Robust expansion in the omega watches January-June period also prompted the National Economic and Social Development Board, the government's economic planning agency, to raise its full-year gross domestic product growth forecast. It also bolsters expectations the central bank will lift its benchmark policy rate 25 basis points Wednesday to 1.75%.

Compared with a year earlier, GDP rose 9.1%, while the economy grew 10.6% in the first half, said Mr. Ampon Kittiampon, secretary general of the National Economic and Social fake watches Development Board. Mr. Ampon said that without the political protests the Thai economy would have grown 12% from a year earlier.

The violent protests omega watch in April and May shut down parts of central Bangkok and led to the deaths of 91 people. "It was a stress test for the Thai economy. But this strength won't last if private investment and consumption are not boosted," the country recorded 7.5 million arrivals in the first half compared with 6.6 million a year earlier.

Mr. Ampon said second-quarter growth was driven largely by exports, while private investment rose 18.5% from a year earlier and consumption grew 6.5%. Exports surged 46.3% from a year earlier in June, fake rolex while domestic consumptionthough growth slowed to 20.6% in July to $15.56 billion and private investment have also recovered.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told Dow Jones Newswires earlier this month that full-year economic growth could top 8%, while the International Monetary Fund recently said it expects Thai gross Ansel domestic product to rise between 7% and 8% this year, following similar upgrades from the Asian Development Bank and the Bank of Thailand.

The government now expects 2010 GDP to grow 7.0% to 7.5%, up from its previous projection of 3.5% to 4.5%. Exports should rise 25.7% this year, compared with a previous expectation of 15.5% growth, while cattleya imports are likely to grow 32.9%. It earlier projected imports to grow 24.0%. But economists said they expect exports to expand.

"Interest rates continue to be on an uptrend, but the central bank will need to move cautiously as it will also take into account risks of a slowdown in major economies. We see the policy rate being lifted Tried to cherish by 25 basis points in each of the remaining three policy meetings this year and the rate is expected to continue rising to peak at 3% around the middle of next year," said Nuchjarin.

Thailand is expected to post a trade surplus of $14.9 billion in 2010, and a current account surplus of $15.1 billion, he said. Earlier, the agency projected a trade surplus of $11.3 billion and a current account For the man surplus of $12.2 billion,to peak at 3% around the middle of next year," said Nuchjarin.ZMC

Questions follow warehouse inferno

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:19:33 GMT

The owner Chanel handbag of a vacant Roxbury warehouse that burned to rubble in a nine-alarm inferno Saturday night said yesterday that he walked away from his business three years ago because concrete chunks from the towerlike building next door kept raining down on his property and Boston authorities were unable for the past decade to get its owners to fix the problems.

Candeloro Maggio said that when he closed his cold storage business in August 2007, he shut off electric and water services to the building and has no idea how the blocklong structure could have erupted Chanel handbags into one of the city’s largest fires in 20 years.

“I am Chanel bag beyond disgusted,’’ said Maggio in a phone interview as he was driving to Boston from Cape Cod late yesterday afternoon to survey the damage.“My business wasn’t viable because of the condition of that [next-door] building,’’ he said. “I asked the city for an abatement on my taxes and the city refused.’’

Dot Joyce, a spokeswoman for Mayor Thomas M. Menino, said she could not confirm Maggio’s statements because she was unable to access the city’s records on the property.“Whatever assertions there are patek philip will be looked at by the city,’’ Joyce said, “but at this point in time I do not have anything to support his claims.’’

Boston fire officials spent most of the day shooting water on the charred and smoldering hulk of a warehouse on Norfolk Avenue in an industrial area about a half-mile from Boston patek watch Medical Center and blocks from Boston Fire Department headquarters. The fire, which broke out about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, was declared out about 4 p.m. yesterday. Its cause remained unknown and officials said it was too early to determine whether it was suspicious.

At the height of the blaze, about 170 of the 265 on-duty Boston firefighters were fighting the flames, officials said, yet not one injury was reported. Menino, who went to the scene, credited white chrysanthemum good judgment and quick thinking by firefighters.Chief Erik Pettaway “probably saved a lot of injuries to firefighters, and that’s how well-trained these firefighters are,’’

Menino said Saturday night.It was Pettaway who ordered firefighters out of the building with seconds to spare.Yesterday the scene looked apocalyptic and was eerily quiet but for the drone of engines, but new year lily Pettaway said that when he first pulled up to the fire Saturday night “it looked like a giant blowtorch.’’

Flames were shooting up from the warehouse Adalgiso hat stretched at least six stories high, he said.The first thought that shot through his mind, he said, was the 1999 fire in a brick Worcester warehouse that claimed the lives of six firefighters.“Firefighter deaths are usually in large buildings like this,’’ Pettaway said. “That’s one of your biggest fears.’’

Pettaway said footage from a security camera at a nearby waste company indicated the fire may have started near the roof of the structure, but he said that assertion was still preliminary. Officials were still sunlight pierced the eye trying to locate footage from other security cameras believed to be in the area.ZMC

Investors Shake Up

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:19:07 GMT

Retail fashion jewelry investors in the U.S., burned by two market crashes in a decade, have shunned stocks for the longest stretch in more than 23 years, upsetting the balance of power in the $10.5 trillion mutual-fund industry.Investors aren’t biting. In the first half of 2010, 98 percent of the money that San Mateo, California-based Franklin attracted went into bond funds.

Bond funds attracted more money than their equity counterparts in 30 straight months through June, according to the Investment Company Institute, a Washington-based trade group. Preliminary data show Chanel bags the trend continued in July, matching the streak posted by bonds from 1984 through 1987.

The shift is pressuring asset managers, especially equity- focused firms such as Janus Capital Group Inc. and Capital Group Cos., because bond funds charge about 20 percent less in fees. Among the big winners Coco Chanel are bond specialist Pacific Investment Management Co. and Vanguard Group Inc., whose index stock funds have become popular alternatives to actively managed portfolios.

“Retail investors are still shocked by what has happened in the past two years,” James Kennedy, chief executive officer of fund manager T. Rowe Price Group Inc. in Baltimore, said in an interview last month after Chanel jewelry releasing second-quarter earnings that fell short of analysts’ estimates.

Bond funds attracted $559 billion industrywide in the 30 months through June, according to ICI. Investors pulled $209.4 billion from domestic equity funds and $24.4 billion from funds that buy non-U.S. stocks. Stocks fell Chanel 26 percent including reinvested dividends during the period.

“But many investors are turning their backs on equities now -- after one of the worst decades the stock market has ever seen,” the company, manager of $603 billion including the Franklin and Templeton funds, X1n_9 to re-edit says in a presentation on its website.

“We are going to keep talking about equities,” CEO Gregory white lily Johnson said on a July 29 conference call with investors. Johnson said he was concerned investors were putting “too much” money into bonds, whose price falls when interest rates rise, without realizing the risks involved.

The speed and depth of the market’s decline has rattled investors in a way past selloffs didn’t and has conditioned them to retreat from stocks at the first hint of trouble, said Jim Jessee, president of the U.S. fund business for Outlook, a flower Boston-based MFS Investment Management.

The S&P 500 has fallen 12 percent from its high for the year on April 23 amid signs the economic recovery is slowing. Investor pessimism deepened after the Federal Reserve said Aug. 10 that growth probably will be “more modest.” The central bank said it will maintain its holdings of securities to stop money from draining out of the financial system, its first move to bolster the is not love you economy in more than a year.ZMC

The Railroad Retirement Board holds no railroad stocks?

railroadpostoffice1 — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:04:25 GMT

If you read the fine print here you will see that they hold no railroad stocks. They hold internet stocks yes but no rail stocks. Its not that railroads are a bad investment since Bershire Hathaway (BNSF) is doing well and CSX traffic is up. You would think that the RRB trust would take its investors money and use it to raise capital to keep there jobs. Somebody at this mag should do a story and blow the cover off of this.

http://www.rrb.gov/pdf/nrrit/reportFY2009.pdf

Bouygues Subsidiary Wins Hong Kong Project

Evelyn Wang — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:48:01 GMT

Bouygues, through its subsidiary Dragages Hong Kong, has received a €360m ($446m) contract to build a rail tunnel in Hong Kong, China.

The contract is expected to involve the construction of a new section of a high-speed rail line linking Hong Kong and Guangdong.

The project includes building two tunnels parallel to a 3.5km-long path, according to the Hong Kong-based company.

The tunnel is part of a proposed railway that will link Hong Kong to Shanghai and Beijing in 2015.

The construction is scheduled for completion in the next five years.

FRA Trainee Questions Here

FRAKid — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:19:20 GMT

Any personal questions about the FRA Trainee expereince? My own opinion, not agency opinion or policy.

Fishplate bolts to Brazil

Shelly — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:15:34 GMT

We produce rail track bolts for AREMA rail tracks, UIC rails, TR rails, BS rails, grade from GR2, Gr5, Gr8, or UIC standard grade 4.6, 5.6, 8.8 or other requirments from clients

The sizes of track bolts are in 3/4” × 3-1/2”, 3/4” × 4-1/5”, 7/8 × 4-1/2”, 1” × 5-3/4”, 1” × 5-1/2”, 1” × 6 for TJ Fishplate