February 2005 in rail transport

This article lists events related to rail transport that occurred in February 2005.

Events

• February 3 – Nagpur level crossing disaster – A crowded trailer being towed by a tractor was hit by a train near the village of Kanan, 20 km from Nagpur in Maharashtra, India. 55 people died.
• February 9 – BNSF Railway announces that it has begun planning for the construction of a new intermodal container transload facility near the port of Los Angeles, California.
• February 15
  • – Construction begins on the first light rail commuter line in Phoenix, Arizona; it is scheduled to open in December 2008.
  • – Juan Manuel Alvarez enters a plea of not guilty at his arraignment hearing for his involvement in the Glendale train crash.
  • – The city of Washington, DC, enacts legislation that bans railroads from transporting hazardous materials through the city.
• February 25 – Bombardier is awarded a contract to build 361 passenger cars for a new Chinese rail line to Lhasa, Tibet; due to the destination's altitude the cars will include special UV-filtering glass and a unique oxygen enriching system.
• February 26 – Ground is broken for a new light rail commuter service in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Deaths

• February 12 – Vernon L. Smith, mechanical engineer for Lima Locomotive Works in the 1930s, superintendent of motive power for the Belt Railway of Chicago in the 1970s, and noted railroad author (born 1912).

References

• Associated Press (February 15, 2005), Man pleads innocent in Calif. train wreck. Retrieved February 16, 2005.
• Associated Press (February 16, 2005), Phoenix begins work on light rail. Retrieved February 16, 2005.
• BNSF (February 9, 2005), Port of Los Angeles begins discussions with BNSF Railway Company on new intermodal facility. Retrieved February 10, 2005.
• CSX Transportation (February 16, 2005), CSXT Files Federal Suit on D.C. Hazmat Ordinance. Retrieved February 23, 2005.
• Trains News Wire (February 28, 2005), Bombardier awarded Chinese passenger car contract. Retrieved March 10, 2005.
• Trains News Wire (March 2, 2005), Charlotte, N.C., breaks ground for light-rail line. Retrieved March 10, 2005.