Railroaders place to shoot the shit.

"Since its rehabilitation in 2007, the Staten Island Railroad has exceeded all expectations," said NYCEDC President Seth W. Pinsky. "Introduction of a new, dedicated intermodal service will create even greater success for the Railroad, demonstrating yet again the benefits that public and private investment in our rail system brings to New York City."

"CSX's intermodal rail service to the New York Container Terminal has been great news for the entire region," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler. "By connecting Staten Island's container port to the national rail network, Staten Island residents and workers -- as well as residents throughout New York City -- are now enjoying the benefit of 45,000 fewer truck trips on their streets each year. That means 45,000 fewer truck trips clogging local streets and bridges, and 45,000 fewer truck trips emitting carbon dioxide into the air.

"As a longtime proponent of rail freight service in our region, I am proud to have been part of this project's development. I congratulate Mayor Bloomberg, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, CSX and the New York Container Terminal for their great efforts in revitalizing this once forgotten rail network."

Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro said, "I am pleased that the New York Container Terminal continues to grow, and that we have been able to reduce truck traffic and pollution on Staten Island thanks to the use of the freight rail lines."

CSX is now able to offer dedicated intermodal service due to the high volume of traffic seen on the intermodal trains. The new service operates five days a week westbound and four days a week eastbound. Service is offered daily to Chicago, Ill., Columbus, Ohio, and Detroit, Mich., and on alternate days to Cleveland, Ohio, East St. Louis, Ill., Kansas City, Mo., and Worcester, Mass.

Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward said, "The success of the rail business at this port terminal is good news for the port, the motoring public and the environment. By transporting more cargo containers from the port by rail, we're getting trucks off the bridges and highways in this densely populated urban area, and we're also being good environmental stewards. The rapid growth of this rail service is clear evidence that our $600 million investment in on-dock rail is paying dividends now."

"The introduction of the dedicated Intermodal Train will help to continue to remove trucks from the streets and bridges of Staten Island allowing Islanders to travel more easily and reduce air pollution as well," said Council Member Michael McMahon. "It will also make the New York Container Terminal more attractive to shippers and allow us to continue to expand and increase the number of good paying jobs in our area. I am honored to be here today to celebrate the dedication of this great service."

"CSX is proud to be a major supporter of growth at NYCT and the region's port," said CSX Assistant Vice President, Terminal Operations and Design, Wilby Whitt, "We are working to align with the port's vision by investing in rail infrastructure and expanded capacity for the safe, efficient and environmentally friendly movement of goods. Together, our cooperative efforts will help realize the enormous potential of the port and the economic benefits it brings to the region and nation."

The Staten Island Railroad (SIRR) was reactivated in 2007 after the completion of a $75 million dollar rehabilitation project jointly funded by NYCEDC and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

SIRR provides service to New York Container Terminal and the Department of Sanitation's Staten Island Transfer Facility. Since reopening, SIRR has removed more than 125,000 trucks from New York's roadways.

One intermodal train can eliminate up to 300 truck trips. Since the beginning of October, the dedicated intermodal service from CSX has taken over 5,000 trucks off the road. New York Container Terminal currently handles approximately 16 percent of the container traffic in the Greater New York harbor.

"The establishment of direct intermodal rail service between New York Container Terminal and several inland locations is a tremendous benefit to the terminal, its customers and all of Staten Island," said New York Container Terminal President, Jim Devine. "Not only does this rail service expedite the movement of international commerce but it also frees up capacity at the terminal and removes truck traffic from Staten Island's roads and bridges."