NCDOT Mobile

North Carolina Amtrak Passenger Train Service Continues to Roll

Posted 11/1/2012 3:06:56 PM

RALEIGH — Amtrak’s Piedmont and Carolinian passenger service between Raleigh and Charlotte are operating normally, while Carolinian trains are operating normally between Charlotte and Philadelphia, Pa. with no alternate service north of Philadelphia, Pa.  Destruction left behind by the remnants of Hurricane Sandy continues to impact passenger train service in the mid-Atlantic states and on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.   The following Amtrak long distance trains that normally operate through North Carolina will operate tomorrow: Train #19, the southbound Crescent, will only operate between Washington, D.C. and New Orleans, La. with limited alternate service between Philadelphia, Pa. and Washington, D.C.;  Train #20, the northbound Crescent, will only operate between New Orleans, La. and Washington, D.C. with limited alternate service between Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Pa.; Trains 89 & 90, the Palmettos, are cancelled entirely with no connecting Amtrak Thruway bus service between Wilmington, Morehead City and Wilson; Trains 91 & 92, the Silver Stars, will only operate between Jacksonville, Fla. and Miami, Fla. with no alternate transportation;  Train 97, the southbound Silver Meteor, will only operate between Washington, D.C. and Miami, Fla. with limited alternate service between Philadelphia, Pa. and Washington, D.C.; and  Train 98, the northbound Silver Meteor, will only operate between Miami, Fla. and Washington, D.C. with limited alternate service between Washington,  D.C. and Philadelphia, Pa.  Please consult www.Amtrak.com for more detailed information about service modifications and cancellations, particularly in the Northeast Corridor.   ***NCDOT***  

Click this image to view at original resolution

View on NCDOT.gov

NCDOT and Amtrak to Celebrate National Train Day 2013

Posted 5/9/2013 12:20:22 PM

RALEIGH — Communities in North Carolina are partnering with the N.C. Department of Transportation and Amtrak to celebrate the importance of trains during the sixth annual National Train Day. On Saturday, May 11, more than 200 communities are expected to host events at local train stations, railroad museums and other locations commemorating this year’s theme, “Trains Matter.”    “North Carolina railroads play an important role in our mission of better connecting people across the state to greater opportunities” said Transportation Secretary Tony Tata. “It takes all modes of transportation, including rail, to help strengthen our economy and improve the quality of life for all of our citizens."   The Amtrak Piedmont train makes two round trips between Raleigh and Charlotte each day, and serves seven other North Carolina cities--Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury and Kannapolis. The state-supported Amtrak Carolinian train also makes one round trip each day serving the same locations.   Amtrak Piedmont train service was number one in the nation in growth within the Amtrak system during fiscal year 2012. According to Amtrak reports, March 2013 saw a 10.3% increase in Piedmont ridership over March 2012, and a 21.7% increase in revenue over same period.  The Carolinian, which saw a suspension of service for most of March last year for track work, had a 60.8% increase in ridership in March over last year, and a 90.1% increase in revenue.   Each year, more than 938,000 passengers ride Amtrak trains to and from destinations in North Carolina.  The state has more than 3,300 miles of railroad tracks used by passenger and freight trains.    On Saturday, May 11, there will be various train displays, live musical performances and ctivities for children at every passenger train station across the state to celebrate National Train Day.     You can find these activities at the following locations:   Cary Station 211 N. Academy St. (919) 462-6434 Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities will include the Chuggington Kids Depot   Charlotte Station 1914 N. Tryon St. (704) 376-4416 Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Durham Station 400 W. Chapel Hill St. (919) 956-7932 Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Fayetteville Station 472 Hay St. (910) 483-2659 Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Greensboro Station 236 E. Washington St. (336) 272-6755 Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Hamlet Station 2 Main St. (910) 417-7791 Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.   High Point Station 100 W. High St. (336) 884-0878 Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Kannapolis Station 201 S. Main St. (704) 932-1591 Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Lexington Celebration/Lexington Farmer’s Market 129 S. Railroad St. (336) 240-1984 Hours: 9 a.m. to noon   Raleigh Station 320 W. Cabarrus St. (919) 833-7594 Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Rocky Mount Station 101 Coastline St. (252) 446-3740 Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Salisbury Station 215 Depot St. (704) 639-7728 Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Selma Station 500 E. Railroad St. (919) 965-6971 Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Spencer Station North Carolina Transportation Museum 411 S. Salisbury Ave. (704) 636-2889 Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Wilmington Station 505 Nutt St. (910) 763-2634 Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Wilson Station 401 E. Nash St. (252) 246-1061 Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Burlington Station NCDOT Rail Division 101 N. Main St. (336) 570-7043 Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit bytrain.org or NationalTrainDay.com         ***NCDOT***

Click this image to view at original resolution

View on NCDOT.gov

NCDOT Delivers Rail Safety Message in Charlotte on International Level Crossing Awareness Day

Posted 5/7/2013 12:47:35 PM

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation continues its efforts to curb train-related crashes and fatalities in the state during a month Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed as “Rail Safety Awareness Month.”   Today, the department’s Rail Division conducted a Crossing Safety Blitz in Charlotte to coincide with International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD), a worldwide recognition of the importance of safety at railroad/roadway crossings, known in the United States as at-grade crossings.   The blitz helps get the word to motorists to stay off the tracks. The department partnered with local law enforcement and Norfolk Southern railroad police to distribute cards containing rail safety tips in English and Spanish to drivers at the Orr Road railroad crossing near Sugar Creek Road.   Twelve people have died on railroad tracks in North Carolina in just the first few months of this year, an unusually high number for such a short span of time.  Those who died were in motor vehicles or trespassing on the tracks.   “We are taking additional measures to protect North Carolinians on and around the railroad tracks given the state’s recent increase in railroad fatalities,” said NCDOT Rail Division Director Paul Worley. “Hand delivering rail safety information to motorists is one important way to help keep people safe on the state’s railways.”   Over two-and a-half-hours, workers handed out 1300 safety tip cards.      Last month, the Rail Division conducted a Crossing Safety Blitz in Fayetteville.  There are plans to hold at least two more blitzes in the next couple of months at some of the crossings with the highest number of train-car collisions in the state.  
View on NCDOT.gov

Railroad crossing on Potter Road in Union County will close tomorrow morning

Posted 5/6/2013 1:26:37 PM

  CHARLOTTE – Crews will be closing the CSX Railroad crossing on Potter Road north of N.C. 75 in Mineral Springs at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, weather permitting. The closure is necessary for maintenance work at the crossing, which may take up to ten days to complete.   While the repairs take place, a posted detour will take motorists from N.C. 75 to Rocky River Road to New Town Road back to Potter Road.   NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.   For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel or follow NCDOT on Twitter at www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter. Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website. To access it, type “m.ncdot.gov” into the browser of your smartphone. Then, bookmark it to save for future reference. NCDOT Mobile is compatible with the iPhone, Android and some newer Blackberry phones.   ***NCDOT***
View on NCDOT.gov

Governor McCrory Proclaims May “Rail Safety Awareness Month”

Posted 5/3/2013 11:01:37 AM

RALEIGH - Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed May as “Rail Safety Awareness Month” to encourage safety on and around North Carolina’s railroad tracks. Since the beginning of this year, 12 people have died on North Carolina’s railroad tracks, an unusually high number of fatalities in such a short span of time.   “One death on our railways is one too many, and we need to stop this troubling increase in railroad fatalities,” said Governor McCrory.  “We urge everyone to put safety first and use caution when approaching railroad crossings, avoid trespassing on the tracks and always yield to oncoming trains.”   Last month, NCDOT partnered with local law enforcement, railroad police and other officials in Fayetteville to conduct the first of several “Crossing Safety Blitzes” planned for the coming months.  During the blitz, officials passed out cards with rail safety tips and guidelines in English and Spanish to motorists at designated intersections.   “We are stepping up our rail safety efforts to help curb train-related crashes and fatalities and remind everyone that they need to stay off the tracks,” said Transportation Secretary Tony Tata.    Other safety blitzes will be held in May, June and July in Charlotte, Greensboro and Dunn, respectively, at some of the crossings with the highest number of train-car collisions in the state. The May 7 blitz in Charlotte will coincide with International Level Crossing Awareness Day, a worldwide recognition of the importance of safety at level railroad crossings, known in the United States as at-grade crossings.   In February, Secretary Tata facilitated a Rail Safety Roundtable with the state’s railroad leaders to discuss ways to keep motorists from bypassing crossing gates and pedestrians from trespassing on the tracks. He also plans to partner with N.C.Department of Public Safety Secretary Kieran Shanahan to host a Rail Safety Summit in June that will bring together law enforcement and community groups to address how to improve rail safety and help save lives.   These efforts complement NCDOT’s ongoing “Be Rail Safe” program aimed at preventing accidents and injuries on North Carolina’s railways, as well as its other safety, education and training programs.   The state is also working with the railroads and groups like North Carolina Operation Lifesaver, a public information and education program aimed at teaching rail safety to North Carolinians, to promote rail safety during the month of May and beyond.   North Carolina has more than 3,300 miles of railroad tracks used by passenger and freight trains as an important means of transporting people and goods throughout the state. 
View on NCDOT.gov