Csx Transportation

For the first time since last winter's train accident in Silver Spring that left 11 people dead, representatives of CSX Transportation Inc. and the state transit agency yesterday resumed contract talks over the future of Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) service.Both sides described the discussions over the now-expired contract between CSX and the Mass Transit Administration as cordial, but inconclusive.CSX, which operates MARC for the state, suggested that the MTA and federal government pay for a third track on the CSX-owned Washington-to-Brunswick line to relieve congestion.

Reacting to criticism of the state's lax safety oversight by federal investigators probing the fatal train crash in Silver Spring, the head of the Mass Transit Administration yesterday unveiled plans to improve his agency's supervision of MARC operations."

One week after the fatal collision between MARC and Amtrak trains in Silver Spring, federal investigators have raised a dozen safety issues that could have long-term repercussions for rail travel.Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board said yesterday their inquiry into the crash that killed 11 people on the Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) train will take months. But with on-scene work finished, they have begun to more narrowly define their areas of concern."We haven't reached any conclusions yet, but we're concentrating on some specific safety issues," said Patrick F. Cariseo, an NTSB spokesman.

W. B. "Pete" Lanier, 67, always wanted to be a state trooper, but he bowed to his parents' wishes and took up a less dangerous line of work. Now that he is retired, he can fulfill at least some of that dream.As one of eight volunteers at the Maryland State Police's Glen Burnie barracks on Aviation Boulevard, he does many of the things a trooper might do. But he can't touch prisoners."We're not allowed. They don't want us to get hurt," said Mr. Lanier, a Linthicum resident who was an account executive for CSX Transportation.

CSX Intermodal plans to lay off an undisclosed number of workers at its Hunt Valley offices next week as part of a restructuring that could include shifting its corporate headquarters from the Baltimore area to Jacksonville, Fla., next year.Dan Murphy, a company spokesman, said yesterday that no final details have been worked out. But he said the layoffs are part of a companywide work force reduction of 12 percent, prompted by a recent drop in trailer shipments for the company that moves domestic and international freight.

CSX Transportation Inc. officials say Hampstead must close three at-grade railroad crossings to receive approval for one crossing that would service a new section of the North Carroll Farms development.But Martin K. P. Hill, North Carroll Farms' developer, said yesterday the decision is unfair."There is a proposal to close two and to limit access to a third and that's what they're saying doesn't meet their requirements," Mr. Hill said.The plan, offered by Mr. Hill and town officials, would close two private railway crossings and barricade Greenmount Church Road from the east, allowing access to Greenmount United Methodist Cemetery and one residence across the tracks.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- CSX Transportation Inc. said yesterday that it had ordered 300 locomotives from a unit of General Electric Co. The sale is a victory for GE in the competition for orders from railroads that are replacing their aging equipment with new technology.Terms of the sale to the subsidiary of Richmond, Va.-based CSX Corp. were not disclosed. But based on industry averages, the price was estimated to be about $575 million. Whatever the figure, it was the largest locomotive order ever placed with GE."

Ohio artist Faline Jones, originator of the Cat's Meow Village line of collectibles, has created a miniature commemorating the old Hampstead train station.The creation, a block of wood painted to resemble the station, is being sold at the Hampstead Town Office for $12.50. For each model sold at the Town Office, $2 will be donated to a fund for the restoration of the train station.The Hickory Stick, a country store in Westminster, commissioned the work, said store co-owner Cindy Raub.Hampstead Councilwoman Jacqueline Hyatt, who has oversight responsibility for the station restoration project, said the town is having trouble getting possession of the train station, which is owned by CSX Transportation.

The week-long closing of a portion of Route 30 through Hampstead next month to rebuild a railroad crossing will no doubt terribly inconvenience thousands of motorists. But this is one of those decisions in which a group of well-meaning people made the best of a bad situation.CSX Transportation, the owner of the railroad tracks, wants to reconstruct a deteriorated grade crossing near the Black & Decker distribution plant. It was repaired two years ago but needs to be fixed again. CSX wants to install a rubberized crossing that it says will last at least a decade and provide a smoother ride for drivers.

Maryland Route 30 in Hampstead will be closed to through traffic from Aug. 23 to Aug. 27 so the CSX railroad crossing at the north end of town can be rebuilt."