Contact: Donnie Turlington 
Phone: 336-373-3769

City of Greensboro Locomotive to be Christened December 15

GREENSBORO, NC – (December 13, 2010) – The newest locomotive in the North Carolina railways system is a tribute to the City of Greensboro. Greensboro Mayor William H. Knight is set to join representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Wednesday, December 15, for the christening of locomotive No. 1810, The City of Greensboro, at 11 am at the J. Douglas Galyon Depot, 236-C East Washington St.

According to Mayor Knight, the City of Greensboro locomotive pays homage to the City’s transportation and logistical history. “This is truly a great way to commemorate the heritage of our city. These rail lines have bolstered our economy, helped build our city, provided jobs for our residents, and brought visitors to our community. While we celebrate the role rail transportation has played in Greensboro, we also recognize that transportation, infrastructure and logistics are as vital to our future as they were to our past.”

The City of Greensboro will be christened along with the City of High Point, locomotive No. 1859, during a special ceremony that features mayors from each city along with Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo and NCDOT Secretary Gene Conti. Funded through an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant, each locomotive was mechanically, electrically and structurally refurbished at a cost of $1.3 million each, and will begin daily service on the Piedmont Route, which runs from Raleigh to Charlotte, on December 20.

According to NCDOT, the $545 million ARRA grant is being used to refurbish locomotives and passenger coaches in an effort to expand service across North Carolina. The Greensboro and High Point locomotives are part of an initial $20.3 million phase that also includes the restoration of a City of Durham locomotive. In addition, NCDOT says the $20.3 million initial investment provides 34 new jobs for Amtrak train engineers and conductors, as well as mechanical personnel employed to operate and maintain the trains.

 #    #    #

The City works with the community to improve the quality of life for residents through inclusion, diversity, and trust. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a professional staff of 2,800 employees who maintain the values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City is governed by a council-manager form of government with a mayor and eight council members. For more information on the City, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov or call 373-CITY (2489).