May 2009 in rail transport

2008, 2009, 2010

This article lists events related to rail transport that occurred in May 2009.

Events

May 8

– Following a period of heavy flooding Companhia Vale do Rio Doce declares force majeure on its closed 905 km (562 mi) Carajás line in northern Brazil. The severe weather closed the line on May 4 and may further force the company to stop all mineral shipments from the Carajás Mine and to extend the force majeure to export contracts for a few months. Approximately 43 percent of Vale's total [ron-ore production originates from the Carajás Mine.^[1]

May 21 – Restored Welsh Highland Railway officially reopens from Caernarfon in North Wales via Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass to a temporary southern terminus at Hafod y Llyn. Track is in place through to Porthmadog Harbour railway station but full extension of passenger services over this remaining section is expected to be delayed until 2011.^[2]^[3]^[4]

^ Carlos Caminada and Adriana Brasileiro (May 8, 2009). "Vale May Halt Carajas Railroad for Months on Flood (Update2)". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aptydy6CknQs&refer=latin_america. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
^ "Project Rheilffordd Eryri". http://whr.bangor.ac.uk/whr.htm. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
^ "WHR not fully open until next Easter". Heritage Railway 125: 7. 11 June–July 6 2009.
^ "Porthmadog opening further delayed". Heritage Railway 128: 6. September 3–30 2009.