CN Railroad Helps Neighborhood

January 3, 2015 by Charlie London

In the video, CN locomotives clear snow off of the tracks with a large plow. CN also clears the way for many non-profits all over North America by donating millions each year to many worthy causes. Canadian National Railway gave the maximum grant available to employees and their spouses to the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association in 2014. CN authorized $ 1,250 dollars for the volunteer work of Charlie and Brenda London.

CN took note of the hundreds of hours Charlie puts into FSJNAdotORG as well as the neighborhood Facebook and Twitter pages. Charlie also sends out subscription-only (no cost for subscribers) emails from Charlie’s Neighborhood News. Charlie’s Neighborhood News provides information on community events. Charlie also provides free promotional services to several neighborhood non-profits whose missions are to improve or preserve the quality of life for all residents in our area.

CN was impressed with Brenda’s contribution to the many outreach events in the neighborhood as well as her four years as the previous Treasurer of the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association.

Many thanks to CN for their generous donation of $ 1,250 to the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association each year for the last 4 years! CN donates millions each year to many worthy causes all over North America!

Filed Under: More Great Posts! Tagged With: activism, activists, bayou st john, Brenda London, canadian national, Charlie London, cn, community, community service, donation, faubourg st john, New Orleans, rail, rail road, railroaders in the community, railway, volunteer

Safety is a Train of Thought

April 30, 2014 by Charlie London

For more than 20 years, CN employees at all levels of the company, as well as retirees, have been promoting rail safety at highway crossings and discouraging trespassing on or near railroad property. Help us put an end to accidents. Learn the safety rules. Click on any graphic in this post for more information.

cnsafety504
cnsafetykidsweb
PrintTake the time to stop-look-listen and use caution at all railroad crossings.

Be prepared to stop and obey the signals at railroad crossings. crossbuckwebiconLook for the crossbuck sign, lights or gates at crossings.

Listen for warning bells and whistles.

Wait for the crossing gate to be fully raised before crossing the railway tracks and then look both ways before crossing the tracks.

Only cross tracks at designated areas. Never take short cuts across tracks or through railway property – don’t let a shortcut cut your life short.

Walking, playing or running on or beside railroad tracks is dangerous (and illegal): any time is train time.

Please remember that tracks and recreation do not mix. No pedestrians, bicycle or car is a match for a train.

Learn more about CN’s ALL ABOARD FOR SAFETY program at www.cn.ca/safety

10 TIPS TO SAVE YOUR LIFE

crossbuckwebicon Never walk or play on train tracks. It’s dangerous and illegal.

crossbuckwebiconBe prepared to stop at crossings.

crossbuckwebiconCross train tracks at designated highway/railroad crossings.

crossbuckwebiconLook for the crossbuck sign, lights or gates at crossings.

crossbuckwebiconListen for warning bells and whistles.

crossbuckwebiconObey the signals.

crossbuckwebiconWAIT for the train to pass through the crossing, then wait again, to be sure a second train is not approaching on any track in any direction.

crossbuckwebiconObey the directions of a police officer or member of a train crew directing traffic at a crossing.

crossbuckwebiconCross the tracks in low gear; do not change gears while crossing.

crossbuckwebiconStalled vehicle? Get out quickly and move far away from the vehicle and tracks.

Safety is a train of thought!

 

 

 

Stay focused around railroad tracks.

 

 

Train_pic_(2)

It’s important to THINK TRAIN
even in New Orleans City Park!

 


About City Park:
City Park is distinguished by its large menu of sports and recreational activities, attractions for children, and its natural beauty. City Park holds a special place in the hearts of generations of New Orleanians and is a must-see for visitors to the city. As a popular place to picnic, play a favorite sport, wander through its gardens or take a boat ride, the Park receives millions of visit each year. It is located in the heart of the city and is the largest recreation area in the entire metropolitan area.

Attractions include: New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Putt, Storyland fairytale playground, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and numerous athletic venues. The 1,300 acres of parkland provide enjoyment for young children playing on our playgrounds and walkers, joggers, and bicyclists navigating the winding paths through the Park’s streets and trails.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: accidents, canadian national, cn, illinois central, New Orleans, rail, safety, safety is a train of thought, tracks, train

New Orleans Rail Gateway Program

February 8, 2012 by Charlie London

CLICK HERE for the February 9, 2012 article in the Times Picayune.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Federal Railroad Administration will conduct and open forum meeting on upgrades to New Orleans Rail Gateway Program in Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m., Joseph S. Yenni Building, Council Chambers, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Elmwood.

Notice is hereby given that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Federal Railroad Administration will conduct open-forum public meetings for:

State Project No. H.005168
Federal Aid Project No. DE-9208(500)
New Orleans Rail Gateway Program
Jefferson and Orleans Parishes, Louisiana

A public meeting will be held tonight:

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Joseph S. Yenni Building
Council Chambers
1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard
Jefferson, LA 70123

The purpose of the public meeting is to present an overview of the New Orleans Rail Gateway (NORG) Program and the study process for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate environmental and related impacts of upgrading NORG and infrastructure in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes; and to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to express their views. All comments received during the public meetings and written comments post-marked within ten (10) calendar days of the meeting will become part of the official public record. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may mail your comments to the address listed below.

New Orleans Rail Gateway
c/o The Hawthorne Agency, Inc.
818 Howard Avenue, Suite 300
New Orleans, LA 70113

Interested persons or their representatives are invited to be present at the above time and place to review the study materials and will be afforded an opportunity to express their views concerning the information presented. Information on the Program can also be viewed at http://www.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/NORG/.

For more information and to download a map of the proposed project, please visit the link below:
http://www.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/norg/

CLICK HERE for the February 9, 2012 article in the Times Picayune.

Filed Under: More Great Posts! Tagged With: administration, crossings, department, development, federal, FRA, gateway, louisiana, New Orleans, program, rail, railroad, transportation

1905: First Spike for New Orleans Public Belt

December 10, 2011 by Charlie London

research by Charlie London

On July 18th, 1903, the Times Picayune scolded the New Orleans Public Belt Commission for inaction. Almost exactly two years later on July 1st, 1905 the first spike was driven to build the twenty miles of the New Orleans Public Belt. It would be two more years before the New Orleans Public Belt would begin operation on October 1st, 1907.

Click on the bond for a larger view and photo credit.

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Wilkes Barre Times
July 10, 1905

An innovation in the matter of providing transportation facilities for a great city under public ownership and control was inaugurated at New Orleans on July 1, what the “first spike” was driven in the ties of the Public Belt Railroad. This railroad, which is to be twenty miles long, will encircle New Orleans, connecting all lines of railway and all docks and wharves, rendering the handling of that city’s growing commerce a simpler and more economical problem than ever before, and apparently placing New Orleans on par as regards freight handling with the best situated cities in this or any other country. The speakers at the ceremonies attending the formal beginning of this work all spoke hopefully and confidently of the great benefits to accure to New Orleans trade and industry from the working of this railroad, which is looked upon as likely to cheapen the cost of handling of freight, open large areas of waste land to settlement, attract great numbers of manufacturing enterprises to the city, and give to New Orleans the absolute command and management of a large part of the vast incoming and outgoing commerce of the Mississippi valley.

Click here to read the original Wilkes Barre Times article from July 10, 1905.

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Photo courtesy the NOPB website. Click on the photo to go to the NOPB’s website.

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TIMES PICAYUNE
July 18, 1903

THE ALLEGED PUBLIC BELT RAILROAD


The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commissioners, or Board of Managers, had a meeting yesterday. This body had not been heard from for so long a time that few citizens knew of its existence, but, nevertheless, there is such a body.
It does not appear that anything was accomplished by the meeting save the asking of some questions. The city has $50,000 to be devoted to the building of the road, but matters are in such a condition that it is doubtful if th Board can do anything or that it possesses any functions.
The road, as far as it is built, is virtually under the control of the New Orleans and San Francisco Railroad alias the New Orleans Terminal Company, or something of that sort, but doubtless that concern would not object to the city spending $50,000 in construction or other benefits for that Company.
The actual construction of the road should not cost more than a couple or three thousand dollars a mile, but below the head of Elysian Fields Street there is private property that would have to be bought to secure a right of way. The cost of this would probably be far beyond the immediate ability of the city to pay. But the Belt Road has become so seriously entangled through the city ordinance and the decisions of the courts that in order to discover and determine what, if any, rights and functions may survive to the Belt Railroad Board, further litigation may be required. It seems, however, that there is nothing for the city to do but to wait the pleasure of the double-headed corporation that has been given control of the matter.

Click here to view the original Times Picayune article from July 18, 1903
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New Orleans Item
August 8, 1907
OFFICIAL NOTICE – Office of Public Belt R.R. Commission, Rooms 21-22, City Hall, New Orleans, LA, Aug. 1, 1907.
To the Public:
Notice is hereby given that the Public Belt Railway owned by the City of New Orleans will begin operation on the river front of the City of New Orleans in the section extending from Jefferson Parish line to Montegut street on the first day of October, 1907.
MARTIN BEHRMAN
Mayor of New Orleans and President
Public Belt R.R. Commission
Click here to see the original New Orleans Item newspaper page from August 8, 1907 where this article was found.
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Montgomery Advertiser
August 5, 1908

AT A STANDSTILL

NEW PUBLIC BELT RAILROAD of NEW ORLEANS IDLE

New Orleans, Aug 1 – Although it was supposed to have begun operations yesterday morning the new Public Belt Railroad remains at a standstill, owing to the big trunk systems entering this port having refused to turn cars over to the city’s road unless it is recognized by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
The Public Belt road failed to conform with the rules of the commission in filing its tariffs and the trunk lines decline to co-operate for fear of getting into trouble. It was decided tonight that City Attorney Gilmore of New Orleans should go to Washington and confer with the members of the Interstate Commerce Commission with a view to adjusting matters.

Click here to view the original Montgomery Advertiser article from August 5, 1908.
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Times Picayune
June 14, 1910

THAT THE RAILROAD COMMISSION MAY SIT
IN NEW ORLEANS.

The Louisiana State Railroad Commission was intended to be an extremely important factor in the public administration and economy of the state. It was modeled generally upon the plan of the United States Interstate Commerce Commission, being charged with much the same duties as the national commission, with the difference that the functions of one are wholly confined to the settlement of controversies between railroads and complainants strictly within the state, while the other’s jurisdiction extends to interstate, and national relations of the railroads with parties concerned with them.
Article 263 of the State Constitution, which creates the Railroad Commission, provides that the said body shall have its office and domicile at Baton Rouge, but “may meet and hold regular or special hearings at such other places as they may find necessary,” and it would seem to be entirely within the right and duty of the State commission to emulate the example of the national body, which holds such hearings in various cities of th Union.
To this end there had been submitted to the Legislature now in session a concurrent resolution, setting forth that whereas regular hearings or sessions of the Railroad Commission in said City of New Orleans would be of great benefit to the city and port of New Orleans and the state at large, it is the sense of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana that the Railroad Commission of Louisiana be requested to hold regular hearings or sessions in the City of New Orleans four times each year, said sessions to begin on the first Monday in January, April, July, and October, and to continue until all matters brought before said commission are disposed of.
As the City of New Orleans does not wish, even if it were possible, to monopolize the services of the commission, it is entirely willing that the resolution proposed should embrace Shreveport and such other cities of the state as might really need the presence of his important body to have hearings there, but it must be remembered that the commission is a constitutional body and is subject to no statutory control in this matter, but is allowed to exercise its discretion in holding such local hearings.
But the Picayune believes that the members of the commission are wholly devoted to promoting the public welfare in the discharge of their duties and that they would find it to their own advantage as well as that of the state in holding such sessions and hearings. For instance, in such a hearing, it often is the case that witnesses must testify and records be examined, and it is far from convenient to have them all on hand at Baton Rouge when some of them may be required here in the performance of their regular functions.
There is no question that the national commission finds its work greatly facilitated in holding sessions at the localities where controversies have arisen, and doubtless so would our state commission.
It is therefore, of great importance that the Legislature should give an expression on the subject without undertaking the serious action of providing for an amendment of the Constitution, and confidence is warranted in believing that the commission would recognize the general desire so expressed.

Click here to read the June 14, 1910 article in the Times Picayune about the Railroad Commission.
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Photo courtesy Karen Reuther Smuck
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today (December 15, 2011) that 46 transportation projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico will receive a total of $511 million from the third round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s popular TIGER program, including $16,738,246 for the Port of New Orleans that “will rebuild a specialized rail yard at the Louisiana Avenue terminal along the Mississippi River. The overall project has two components: construction of a new 12-acre freight rail intermodal terminal; and resurfacing and fortifying a 4-acre storage yard that is used for ultra-heavy project cargoes.The project’s objective is to reduce congestion, facilitate the movement of marine and rail cargo, stimulate international commerce, and maintain an essential port asset in a state of good repair.”

Also announced was $9,814,700. The project will deploy Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) improvements on and around four highway bridges that span the Mississippi River in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The bridges include the Helena Bridge (US-49, MS & AR); the Greenville Bridge (US-82, MS & AR); the Vicksburg Bridge (I-20, MS & LA); and the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge (US-84, MS & LA). The improvements include dynamic messaging signs, vehicle detection devices, closed-circuit television, highway advisory radio, and other fiber optic connections that will coordinate communication across the bridges. The project will also include real-time river monitoring systems that will provide information for barges traveling beneath the bridges.

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2011/dot16511a.html

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2011/FY2011TIGER.pdf

Filed Under: HISTORY Tagged With: belt, commission, New Orleans, nopb, public, rail, railroad, road

The Little Engine That Could

October 10, 2011 by Charlie London

Earlier this week a car pulled in front of an oncoming train. We’ve all heard of such things before but never in New Orleans’ City Park or with the childrens’ City Park train!http://blog.nola.com/interact/2011/10/head-scratcher_of_the_day_city.html

Ever stopped to consider the dangers involved with crossing highway-rail grade intersections or trespassing on railroad property? At Operation Lifesaver, we have.

We know that injuries and fatalities that occur at highway-rail crossings or on railroad property are a real, but often preventable, problem. Few people realize that in America, a person or vehicle is hit by a train roughly every three hours, and that’s a reality we’re determined to change. Welcome to Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit organization providing public education programs to prevent collisions, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway-rail grade crossings.

Please click on the crossing signal above to learn more!

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: accident, beat the crossing, city park, New Orleans, rail, safety, train

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