Conrail's Office Car Special will depart Toledo, OH today as OCS-501 bound for Philadelphia, PA. After returning the passengers to Philly, the train will go back to Altoona.  OCS-501 is powered by all three E8A's 4022, 4021 and 4020 with six business cars.  You can get to the schedule by clicking on the link at the top of the page. -Kevin Burkholder

CIR-301 was operating over an hour ahead of schedule during the night and will be on the Harrisuburg Line to Hershey, PA.  The train is scheduled to arrive for unloading this morning at 08:00 ET. The equipment cars will be set-out at Derry Road for unloading, while the animal cars will be unloaded along Park Avenue for the "Circus Walk".  Conrail SD40-2 6461 and GP40-2 3370 were the power for the 55 car Blue Unit train.  You can get to the schedule by clicking on the link at the top of the  page.
 
Upon completion at Hershey on May 25, the train will again be loaded and depart in a reverse routing from which it arrived.  The train will arrive in Albany, NY on May 26. -Kevin Burkholder

SD70MAC TRACK
 

As we told you last week, CPR will be operating several passenger trains in honor of the D&H Railroad's 175th Anniversary, CPR is sending Beaver Logo SD40-2 5647 to assist D&H-painted 7309 on a string of Employee Appreciation Passenger Specials.  CPR will also be using the train to host Norfolk Southern officials next week for a trip to Albany, NY.  The train consist will include four CPR Business Cars, two Green Mountain Railway passenger cars, and four NYS&W business cars.  Two legs of the trip will be operated between Dupont Jct. on the Reading & Northern and Conrail to and from the Philadelphia-30th Street Amtrak station.  The southbound trip will carry Conrail symbol OCS-701 and the northbound trip will carry OCS-702.  The trips kick off on May 20 and 21 with a run from Binghamton to Philadelphia. Also on the return trip from Philly, the train will be tied down at Scranton for employee families to enjoy Steamtown on May 23. You can see the full schedule by clicking on the link at the top of the page. -Mike Collins, Kevin Burkholder

Amtrak announced that it has reached agreements with CSX Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation on the way the national passenger railroad and the two freight railroads will use one another's tracks and facilities after the proposed acquisition of the Consolidated Rail Corporation's (Conrail's) operations by CSX and Norfolk Southern.

Amtrak agreed to support the proposed CSX/Norfolk Southern transaction to operate the routes and assets of Conrail, which is pending before the Surface Transportation Board (STB), while the two freight railroads agreed to ensure that intercity passenger and commuter rail interests are protected and indicated their willingness to help Amtrak improve its passenger rail service at certain points outside the Northeast Corridor (NEC). A separate accord with Norfolk Southern also provides for Amtrak express shipments over present Norfolk Southern lines.

Amtrak's acting president and CEO George D. Warrington said, "These agreements permit significant economic development in the Northeast while still preserving the highest level of safety and on-time performance for commuter and Amtrak trains. They represent a committed partnership between America's intercity passenger rail service and two of the nation's major rail freight carriers. Our separate agreement with Norfolk Southern for carrying express on its lines signals the beginning of what I expect will be a strong partnership in a joint venture in the express market."

A major provision of the accords is Amtrak's agreement regarding access by both freight carriers to the Washington-New York segment of Amtrak's high-speed Washington-Boston Northeast Corridor (NEC) route. This access is contemplated as part of the proposed Conrail transaction. Conrail currently has freight rail service rights to that segment of the NEC.

The agreements also contain provisions to improve Amtrak services on CSX and Norfolk Southern rail lines outside of the NEC, including current Conrail lines. CSX and Norfolk Southern have agreed to STB oversight of the on-time performance of Amtrak trains on the affected lines for three years following the transaction. This provision is to ensure that Amtrak passenger trains will continue to receive priority while operating on affected CSX and Norfolk Southern lines outside the NEC as the transaction is implemented.

Additionally, Amtrak and Norfolk Southern entered into a separate agreement that will allow Amtrak, on an interim basis, to carry certain express shipments on Amtrak trains that operate over Norfolk Southern lines while Amtrak and Norfolk Southern pursue negotiations over a possible joint venture for the handling of express.

Amtrak also agreed to cooperate in Norfolk Southern's and CSX's plans to provide improved freight service on the NEC, provided that there is no adverse impact on safety or on Amtrak and commuter rail services, and without cost to Amtrak.

The contemplated freight service improvements include Norfolk Southern's plans to increase Amtrak clearances in Maryland to permit double-stack trains to serve the Port of Baltimore. At the same time, the parties agreed to negotiate differential rates for day and night freight usage of the NEC to encourage nighttime scheduling of freight trains.

"We are very pleased to have earned Amtrak's support for the Conrail transaction. Enhancing service and meeting the needs of current and future rail passengers and rail freight customers for safe, efficient operations along the Northeast Corridor has always been a priority. This agreement does that and therefore marks a very important milestone for our future customers and for Amtrak's passengers," said John W. Snow, CSX Corporation's chairman and CEO.

"Our new agreements with Amtrak are positive steps toward expanding competition and increasing the efficiency and growth potential of rail operations in the Northeast," said David R. Goode, Norfolk Southern chairman, president and CEO. "We are pleased to have Amtrak's support for the Conrail transaction, and we look forward to continuing our long and productive relationship." The two freight carriers have also agreed to cooperate in publicly funded efforts to achieve high-speed service on Amtrak's route in Michigan between Chicago and Detroit and between New York City and Buffalo, N.Y.

Amtrak's NEC is the heaviest traveled railroad in North America, with 1,400 trains operating over some portion of the Washington-Boston route each day. Amtrak operates approximately 120 of these trains, while the bulk of the remainder are commuter trains operating in D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Approximately 20 through freight trains operate on portions of the NEC daily, while another 50 local freights serve the 165 industrial customers adjacent to NEC tracks. The vast majority of this freight train activity occurs on the southern, New York-Washington segment of the NEC. -Amtrak

AMTRAK POLICE OFFICER WINS AWARD

Officer Samuel H. Bell, of New Orleans, has been selected as the Amtrak Police Department's Officer of the Year 1997. Officer Bell's initiative to reduce crime through proactive policing and the development of an Employee Watch Program has improved the safety of Amtrak's customers and employees.

"Officer Bell consistently performs his duties in a diligent and conscientious manner, striving to promote the professional image of the Amtrak Police Department," said Amtrak Police Chief Ernest R. Frazier.

Officer Bell made 40 arrests during his midnight tour in New Orleans in 1997. Officer Bell's performance during the year was directed toward positive service and performance, as well as fostering the Police Department's goals.

"Officer Bell is consistent in his performance and diligence, is self motivated and is one of the department's very best at Community Oriented Policing," Chief Frazier added.

Officer Bell joined the Department in 1996 in New York and subsequently transferred to New Orleans. He has earned a Performance Excellence Award and received the Officer of the Month Award for June 1997, as well as numerous letters of commendation and appreciation.

An awards ceremony will be held in Officer Bell's honor on May 15 at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans. This week, May 11- 15, is National Police Week as proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy on October 1, 1992. During this week, ceremonies and activities recognize the service given by the men and women who night and day stand guard in our communities.

The Amtrak Police Department, headquartered in Philadelphia, was authorized by Congress in September 1974, and employs 314 sworn peace officers and 21 civilians in 29 field locations across the country. Amtrak officers have four main areas of responsibility: the stations, the trains, the railroad right of way and the maintenance facilities. -Amtrak

RIDERSHIP INCREASES IN THE EAST

NORTHEAST
Amtrak ridership in the Northeast continued on the rise in April, growing seven percent over April 1997 and breaking the million mark for the fourth time in the last seven months.

More than 1.03 million riders boarded Amtrak trains in the Northeast, compared to 943,000 in April 1997. Since the start of Amtrak's 1998 fiscal year last October, monthly ridership has broken the million mark four times -- in October, December, March and April. Total ridership for October through April was 6,856,376, an increase of 8.5 percent over the first seven months of FY1997.

In addition, more than 90 percent of Amtrak trains in the Northeast arrived on time during April. The 90.2 percent on- time performance marks the fifth straight month that on-time arrivals have exceeded 90 percent.

Amtrak's Northeast services account for more than half the railroad's total ridership and revenue and include premium Metroliner Service between New York and Washington, NortheastDirect Service linking major cities between New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Tidewater Virginia, Empire Service connecting major cities in New York State and Keystone Service in eastern Pennsylvania.

Every scheduled service Amtrak operates from Vermont to Virginia showed improvement during April, including:

• Metroliners, up 3.1 percent, with 193,675 passengers;
• NortheastDirect, up 2.9 percent, with 500,199 passengers;
• Keystone Service, up 33.8 percent, with 71,990 passengers;
• Clocker commuter trains between Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York, up 15.1 percent with148,832 passengers;
• Empire Service, up 14.5 percent, with 98,798 passengers;
• The New York-Montreal Adirondack, up 6.4 percent, with 6,611 passengers;
• The Vermonter, up 2.6 percent, with 6,813 riders, and;
• The Ethan Allen Express, up 23.4 percent, with 2,947 riders.

NORTH CAROLINA
The state-supported rail passenger services operated by Amtrak in North Carolina have shown ridership increases for the first half of Fiscal Year 1998 (Oct. 1997-March 1998). Both the Piedmont, operating between Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., and the Carolinian, operating between New York and Charlotte, also now have exclusive features to make travel even more interesting and comfortable for passengers.

Piedmont ridership was up 9.7 percent in the last six months, when compared with the same period last year, including a 14.8 percent increase for the Jan.-March period. Carolinian ridership was up .2 percent in the last six months, when compared with the same period last year, including a 1.4 percent increase for the Jan.-March period.

"We are getting ready for the peak summer travel period and are looking forward to continuing to outpace last year's ridership increases," said Jay McArthur, the North Carolina- based Amtrak product director in charge of the Piedmont and the Carolinian. The full Amtrak fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

Unique Piedmont "Weekend Club Service" Introduced
Starting this month, the only full-length glass-top dome car in regular passenger service begins weekend service on the Piedmont route. Originally built in 1952 for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, the car now named the Mount Mitchell will debut on the Piedmont as a feature of new "Weekend Club Service."

The dome car is named for North Carolina's highest mountain and will host "Weekend Club Service" every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, through August. For a surcharge of $8 to the regular train fare, passengers can reserve seating in the dome car. Additional "Weekend Club Service" amenities include complimentary beverages, newspapers and magazines on-board.

Capacity on the special car is limited to 50 people and is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with reservations required.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) purchased the car from the Union Pacific Railroad for $110,000 and spent $560,000 to refurbish it, including rebuilding and modernizing the electrical and mechanical systems.

"We are excited about this service enhancement, which includes a rail car that is only available on the Piedmont," McArthur said. "The views from this classic car will be outstanding on this route."

The Carolinian continues to offer "Carolina Club Service," which is also unique in the Amtrak system by offering at-seat music and video entertainment in a non-overnight train, at a small surcharge over regular rail fares.

The Piedmont uses rail passenger equipment owned by the State of North Carolina and both the Piedmont and the Carolinian are operated by Amtrak under contract with the NCDOT. -Amtrak

RailAmerica, Inc. announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 1998. The Company reported record first quarter revenues, carloadings, operating income, income from continuing operations and net income.

Operating revenues for the first quarter of 1998 were $14.4 million, up 65% from the $8.7 million reported in the first quarter of 1997. Operating income increased 103% to $2.0 million, from $1.0 million in 1997. Income from continuing operations for the 1998 first quarter rose to $667,878, or $.07 per basic share, on 9.2 million weighted average common shares, versus $112,668, or $.01 per basic share, on 7.5 million weighted average common shares in the 1997 quarter. Net income for the first quarter of 1998, after the loss from discontinued operations of the Company's motor carrier segment, was $602,637, or $.07 per basic share, an increase of $550,000 over the $50,988, or $.01 per basic share, reported in the comparable 1997 period.

Revenues from rail operations for the quarter rose 30% to $5.6 million, from $4.3 million in 1997. Rail freight carloadings totaled 19,878 in the first quarter of 1998, a 42% increase over the 13,952 reported in the first quarter of 1997. The growth in carloadings was primarily attributable to the inclusion of the Company's railroad in Chile acquired in February of 1997.

Revenues at Kalyn/Siebert, Inc. ("KSI"), RailAmerica's wholly-owned specialty truck trailer manufacturing subsidiary, were up 111% in the first quarter of 1998 to $8.6 million, versus $4.1 million in the 1997 first quarter. The increased revenues were primarily due to the commencement of business under several new government contracts and the inclusion of the newly-acquired Canadian manufacturer, Fabrex.

Gary O. Marino, RailAmerica, Inc. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased with these excellent results. Driven by superb performances at Ferronor, our Chilean railroad, and our manufacturing group, first quarter revenues, income and cash flow exceeded the Company's business plan. More importantly, these results provide the momentum for even stronger growth throughout the next three quarters. In particular, we anticipate that our domestic railroads will benefit from strong product demand and should realize higher traffic for the balance of the year, especially in grain carloadings, which were depressed in the first quarter due to lower grain prices. In March, Ferronor commenced shipments under its new five month, $2.5 million El Algarrobo mine contract. Additionally, Ferronor is scheduled to initiate rail service this summer under two previously-announced transportation contracts totaling more than $230 million over the next 20 years. Finally, KSI's record backlog of orders, combined with strong demand in the specialty trailer business, both in the U.S. and Canada, should produce solid results in the trailer manufacturing group for the foreseeable future. Based upon our results to date, coupled with our strong business prospects for the balance of the year, we believe that 1998 has the potential to be RailAmerica's best year ever."

RailAmerica, Inc. is a diversified international transportation holding company operating 11 railroads over approximately 2,450 route miles in seven U.S. states and the Republic of Chile. The Company holds an 11.4% minority equity interest in the Great Southern Railway Limited consortium, which operates the 4,000 mile transcontinental Australian passenger rail service. The Company also owns Kalyn/Siebert, Inc., a specialty truck trailer manufacturer with production facilities in Gatesville, Texas and Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.-RailAmerica