(erielack) GVT Press Release

["David J. Monte Verde" <dmvgvt_@_earthlink.net>]

GVT RAIL SYSTEMS PRESS RELEASE

July 3, 2002


Track Improvements to D-L=92s Pocono Main

With the movement today of 4 dimensional loads GVT Rail=92s 
Delaware-Lackawanna RR, saw the culmination of close to $1m in capital 
improvements done to its Pocono Main between Scranton and Portland, Pa., 
to accommodate over 25 dimensional loads bound for the Pennsylvania 
Power & Light=92s coal generating plant at Martin=92s Creek. When the 
NS=92s former Lehigh & Hudson River RR bridge at Phillipsburg, Pa. could 
not accommodate the loads PPL officials sought an alternate route, and 
they turned to the D-L.

Like in 1996, when the DL came to the rescue of Conrail to get coal 
around a flooded line to the Portland power plant, the DL again came to 
the rescue of another Northampton County power plant. Looking to expand 
their Martins Creek Plant, PPL faced a costly trucking and bridge 
building process as an alternative, so the capital improvements to the 
DL became a better option.

Work was performed on an expedited basis during April, May, and June, by 
forces from R. J. Corman and DL=92s track department. Work included the 
replacement of close to a mile of curve worn rails, jacking of an old 
Erie Railroad bridge, a 2400 feet extension of the Winton siding to a 
new station sign COBBS, realignment of the "Conrail end of the line 
curvature" at Analomink, and the replacement of ties on the Receiver 
Track east out of Scranton. The two mile rehab of this track provided 
access to the south track (former EL eastbound main track out of 
Scranton) of the Nay Aug tunnel necessary to clear the 19=926" 
dimensional loads that moved on this date.

In addition, the NS=92 Old Main under the Cut Off"s Delaware River 
bridge was centered to give the entire line a 19=926" clearance route.



D-L To Build Slateford Interchange Yard with NS



Matching funds to a Penn DOT Rail Freight Assistance Grant the D-L, 
through the Monroe County Railroad Authority, is about to enter into a 
contract to construct a modest two track interchange yard running east 
from the old Slateford Tower in the Delaware Water Gap. The tracks will 
be constructed on, the railroad south, side of the "Old Main" leaving 
room between the tower and the new construction for the reconnection of 
the Lackawanna Cut Off to New Jersey. The yard, west of Portland, will 
provide a place for the NS and the D-L to interchange cars for their 
fast growing business, while eliminating the present end to end 
interchange at Portland. The construction will open a small vista of the 
Gap from the former Cut Off overhead, as the site is cleared in 
anticipation of the construction. Work is expected to be completed by 
September.

In addition, the D-L will be matching funds to a Penn DOT Rail Freight 
Assistance Grant, obtained through the Lackawanna County Railroad 
Authority, to install over 4000 ties between Scranton and Moscow. 
Contractors will be starting the installation of these ties in late 
July, and a DL bolt tightening and replacement project, along with 
surface work will follow the tie work. This section the up Pocono Main 
up the west slope of the Poconos sees heavy traffic with the grain 
trains, the Portland Turn, and the Steamtown excursions which started 
running on July 4th.

DEPEW LANCASTER & WESTERN=92S BATAVIA DIVISION ADDS NEW CUSTOMER

Following close to a year=92s work by the GVT=92s marketing personnel, 
and competition with four other railroads, the DL&W sited Agriculture 
Products Extension, LLD (APEX) on the site of the former Lehigh 
Valley=92s Batavia depot. With the placement of this new customer, it 
brings a spark of life back to the 3-mile section of the former Lehigh 
Valley main line. APEX is presently unloading cotton seed used as a cow 
feed additive from CSXT box cars, and expects to add feed and hay 
inbound to its rail to truck transload facility. APEX expects to receive 
15-20 cars a week.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT David J. Monte Verde at 585 343-5398

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