May 01, 2008
First, let me welcome you to the inaugural edition of Trackside, The Newsletter; a new part of the American-Rails.com website. I had thought long and hard about creating a newsletter to go with the website since American Rails first began but I could never decide what exactly to include in it. After much consideration, though, I finally decided that perhaps the best approach was to fill the newsletter with, well, news! More specifically, however, current news and events which will be broken down into categories such as Class Is, shortlines, Regionals, preservation, etc. keeping you up-to-date on the latest on-goings around the country. And, since I usually add these news pieces to the American-Rails.com sister site, the American Rails Forums (ARF), much of the information in Trackside will be linked to topics at ARF.
So, without further ado, let’s get started! 
Being that May is here and warm weather is upon us please remember that railroad museums and tourist lines are now opening their doors for the summer season. So, if you are looking for something to do this summer or an additional side-trip to your planned vacation, you might want to consider visiting one of these places. For a complete museum and tourist line guide please check out their section below.
BNSF Railway News:
BNSF New Citizens for Rail Security Website
BNSF upgrades Seattle intermodal facility; CSXT eyes coal terminal expansion
CSX Transportation News:
CSX sets first-quarter revenue, income and operating ratio records
Kansas City Southern News:
KCS posts progress on new intermodal terminal, rehabilitated line in south Texas
Norfolk Southern News:
Elliston ideal Virginia site for Heartland Corridor intermodal facility, rail agency says
Union Pacific News:
UP marks all-time-best freight revenue, revenue per car in the first quarter
General Regional and shortline News
Napa Valley Railroad eyes freight hauling
Railroad Museum and Tourist Line Guide
Milwaukee Road "Skytop" Lounges saved!
Railroad 'eyesore' may be razed
ATSF Seligman, AZ Harvey House demolition
Bids solicted for D.C. streetcar project
Pennsylvania transportation department ponies up $5 million for five freight-rail projects
Colorado transportation department to determine feasibility of freight-rail relocation
Out'n'about: Railroad Days celebrate city's long train history
As Trackside moves forward I will look to include more topics and information within it. In any event, if you have any opinions, ideas, and/or general comments/suggestions for the newsletter please feel free to pass them my way. As with American-Rails.com I am always looking for ways to improve the newsletter to better benefit you, the reader.
For the railfans, now that good weather is here, happy hunting when trackside and stay safe out there! 
Best regards,
Adam Burns
P.S. By the way, have you ever been interested in a place to talk and discuss with others the hobby of railfanning? Likewise are you looking for a quick answer to a railroad or railroad-related question? The American Rails Forums were created basically for those very two reasons, to have fun and learn about our country’s railroads, from its history to today’s operations. Even if you do not have a serious interest in railroading the forums can be a great resource guide to find answers to any questions about trains and railroads that you may have. If you are perhaps interested in joining us please click here to visit the forums.