Newswire
PORT OF VANCOUVER RAIL PROJECT TO GENERATE JOBS, PRIVATE INVESTMENT: The $275-million West Vancouver Freight Access project at the Port of Vancouver, Washington, will enlarge the port's internal rail yard and build a new entrance and loop track. The project will create about 4,000 construction jobs and about 1,000 permanent ones in five to 10 years. [The Columbian website report, 6-30-12]
HUNTER HARRISON APPOINTED PRESIDENT, CEO OF CANADIAN PACIFIC: Canadian Pacific has appointed E. Hunter Harrison president and chief executive officer. He also will serve on the board. Harrison formerly was president and CEO of CN from January 2003 to December 2009, and CN’s chief operating officer from 1998 until 2003. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-29-12]
BOMBARDIER TO SUPPLY 14 LIGHT-RAIL CARS FOR WATERLOO- KITCHENER- CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO: Officials from Ontario's Waterloo-Kitchener-Cambridge metropolitan area, southwest of Toronto, say they will place an add-on order with Bombardier Transportation for 14 light rail transit (LRT) vehicles to facilitate the region's plans for LRT. [Railway Age website report, 6-29-12]
WABTEC GETS $25-M COMPONENTS ORDER FOR DENVER TRANSIT CARS: Wabtec Corp. has obtained contracts valued at $25-million to provide components, including onboard positive train control (PTC) equipment, for 50 new transit cars being built for commuter-rail lines for the Denver Regional Transportation District. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-29-12]
BOMBARDIER TO SUPPLY 210 DOUBLE-DECK COMMUTER CARS FOR PARIS: Bombardier Transportation will supply 210 double-deck passenger cars for line A of the RER, the greater Paris commuter-rail network. The new order is an option under a contract signed in April 2009 for an order of 60 MI09 trains. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-29-12]
WEEKLY U.S. RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported gains in weekly rail traffic for the week ending June 23, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 288,730 carloads, up 1.4 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 6-28-12]
NEW AMTRAK STATION OPENED IN LINCOLN, NEBRASKA: A new $1.3-million Amtrak station opened in Lincoln, Nebraska, June 28, serving the California Zephyr. Amtrak says 11,756 passengers were served in Lincoln in 2011, [Amtrak, 6-28-12]
VIA RAIL 'MODERNIZING' ITS SERVICE: VIA Rail Canada is introducing improvements to its operations, including tracks, stations and trains, better interconnectivity with other carriers, enhanced customer experience and e-services. This next phase of VIA's modernization includes adjusting frequencies on specific routes to better reflect customer demand, while maintaining service on all current routes. These service adjustments will unfold from July to end of October and are part of steps to modernize Canada's national passenger rail service. As a result of this announcement, VIA's unionized workforce is expected to be reduced by some 200 full-time positions, a decrease of about 9 pct. [VIA Rail, 6-27-12]
PAN AM RAILWAYS TO SERVE NEW PROPANE TERMINAL IN MAINE: Minnesota-based CHS will construct a propane rail terminal in Biddeford, Maine, that can move about 20 million gallons of propane per year. "This is a collaborative effort designed to help propane retailers serve New England homeowners and businesses with a safe, reliable and competitive supply of propane primarily from North American sources," said CHS. Pan Am Railways will serve the terminal. [Portland Press Herald website report, 6-27-12]
CHICAGO UNION STATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT COMPLETED: Amtrak has completed a $25-million improvement project at Chicago’s Union Station. Mortenson Construction restored the station’s Great Hall and its attached eight-story office building. Amtrak is working with the building’s property manager to market the rest of the available office space as well as 60,000 square feet of upgraded retail space surrounding the Great Hall. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-27-12]
BNSF TO SPEND $92-M IN TRACK UPGRADES IN OKLAHOMA: BNSF plans to invest $92-million in its rail infrastructure in Oklahoma. Work will include signal upgrades, track resurfacing, undercutting, and replacement of 29 miles of rail and nearly 200,000 ties. [KJRH-TV website report, 6-27-12]
ALABAMA PORT AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE GENSET LOCOMOTIVE: R.J. Corman Railpower Locomotives has obtained a contract to provide an RP14BD GenSet switcher to the Alabama State Port Authority's Terminal Railway, scheduled for delivery later this year. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-27-12]
WILLIAM KENNEDY DIES, EXPERT IN TUNNEL VENTILATION: William D. Kennedy, 69, an internationally recognized expert on tunnel ventilation who was instrumental in the development of tunnel ventilation systems for road and rail tunnels worldwide, died on June 23. [Railway Age website report, 6-27-12]
TWO IOWA TOWNS ADDED TO UNION PACIFIC’S TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: State Center and Jefferson, both in Iowa, have been awarded membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Union Pacific, 6-27-12]
MITSUBISHI FACTORY IN PITTSBURGH TO BUILD HVAC SYSTEMS FOR RAIL INDUSTRY: Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. has opened a 50,900-square-foot factory near the company’s headquarters outside Pittsburgh. The new plant will produce heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for the rail industry. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-26-12]
FOUR LOCOMOTIVES ORDERED FOR COMMUTER SERVICE IN BRAZIL: Sygnet Rail Technologies has entered into an agreement with EIF Locomotivas of Brazil to assist in the supply of four EIF2000 locomotives to Sao Paulo Metropolitan Train Co. (CPTM), a Brazilian commuter-rail company owned by the Sao Paulo State Secretariat for Metropolitan Transports. CPTM has an option to acquire additional locomotives. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-26-12]
BART EXERCISES OPTION FOR 150 ADDITIONAL RAIL CARS FROM BOMBARDIER: Bombardier Transportation has affirmed an option order worth about $266-million placed by Bay Area Rapid Transit for 150 additional rail cars. BART earlier this month had signaled its intent to exercise the option, adding to its earlier order for 260 new cars. [Railway Age website report, 6-26-12]
RICK GEORGE RESIGNS FROM CPR BOARD: Rick George has resigned from the Canadian Pacific Railway Board of Directors. At this time the board does not intend to fill the vacancy. [Canadian Pacific, 6-26-12]
UNION PACIFIC LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE AD CAMPAIGN: Union Pacific is launching a nationwide advertising campaign to highlight the importance of railroads to the future of the country. The effort is part of the railroad’s 150-year anniversary celebration. [New York Times website report, 6-25-12]
NEW RAIL TUNNEL PLANNED IN NORWAY: NCC Construction Norway has obtained a $177-million contract to construct a rail tunnel with accompanying evacuation tunnels between Larvik and Porsgrunn, southwest of Oslo, for the Norwegian National Rail Administration. The total tunnel length is 5.5 miles, including the evacuation tunnels at 2.5 miles. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-25-12]
AMTRAK NAMES NEW CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER: Amtrak has named Jason D. Molfetas as the company's new chief information officer, reporting to Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman. [Railway Age website report, 6-25-12]
CSX PROVIDES CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT: CSX has offered its 2011 Corporate Social Responsibility Report outlining its operations, environmental, social and financial performance. The company notes its role as a major economic contributor and employer, infusing capital and community investment and creating jobs. CSX hired approximately 4,000 employees in 2011, nearly one quarter of which were military veterans. [CSX, 6-25-12]
UNION PACIFIC SUBSIDIARY ACQUIRES RAIL YARD PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM PROVIDER: PS Technology (PST), a wholly owned subsidiary of Union Pacific Corporation, has acquired the Yard Control Systems division of Ansaldo STS USA. The acquisition boosts PST's enterprise management capabilities by adding rail yard process control and automation solutions. Based in Norristown, Pa., Yard Control Systems is one of the leading railroad classification yard automation and control systems providers in North America. [Union Pacific, 6-25-12]
UNION PACIFIC TO UPGRADE 34-MILES OF LINE IN ILLINOIS: Union Pacific Railroad is enhancing Illinois' transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $25-million in the rail line that runs between Fults (about 30 miles south of Dupo) and near Chester. The 34-mile project includes replacing most of the rail in both the main lines, as well as renewing the surfaces at 73 road crossings. [Union Pacific, 6-25-12]
BNSF RESTORES WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA SERVICE FOLLOWING FLOODING: Rail service for a major line between iron ore mines in Minnesota and the Allouez port in Wisconsin has been restored after heavy rains caused flooding in along the western shores of Lake Superior, according to BNSF. [Fox Business News website report, 6-24-12]
FEDS GRANT $21-M TOWARD AMTRAK SERVICE IN RALEIGH: Construction of a new Amtrak intermodal rail station in Raleigh, N.C., moved closer to reality with a $21-million TIGER IV grant. The funding award will enable the city to start track and signal work to accommodate Amtrak trains. [Assn. of American Railroads SmartBrief, 6-22-12]
VIRGINIA APPROVES FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS: Virginia’s Transportation Board has approved $11.4-billion in allocations for transportation improvement projects over the next six years, including $2.4-billion for rail, transit and other improvements. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-22-12]
EMD ENTERS JOINT-VENTURE IN AFRICA: Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. (EMD), a subsidiary of Progress Rail Services Corp., and Barloworld have formed a joint venture, Electro-Motive Diesel Africa (Proprietary) Ltd. The joint venture will provide locomotive products and services, including access to diesel and emissions technology, to rail and transit customers in South Africa and neighboring countries. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-22-12]
BNSF BEGINS WORK ON DEVIL FORKS BASIN LINE: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad work crews have started work on a 15 mile stretch of rail in North Dakota’s Devil Forks Basin. This preserves the route both for Empire Builder and BNSF’s growing energy business. Crews will raise the track an average of five feet this year and five additional feet next year, and will also raise two bridges along the route. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 6-22-12]
ORLANDO AIRPORT RAIL SERVICE ENDORSED BY AVIATION AUTHORITY: The board of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has endorsed a plan to develop the first passenger rail service from Orlando International to Miami by 2015. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 6-22-12]
RAILS HELP FUND CORPUS CHRISTI PORT EXPANSION: BNSF, Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific and Genesee & Wyoming will help pay for an $18-million expansion at the Port of Corpus Christi. The port recently received a $10-million TIGER-IV grant. "This critical piece of supply chain infrastructure will benefit not just the port and South Texas, but agriculture, energy and industrial producers and consumers along BNSF's MidCon Corridor from Texas to the Canadian border," said BNSF Chairman and CEO Matthew Rose. [Corpus Christi caller-Times website report, 6-22-12]
SOME HUDSON LINE EMPIRE SERVICE TO BE ADJUSTED STARTING JULY 2: Beginning July 2, schedules for some trains operating along the Hudson Line between Albany and New York will be adjusted to accommodate track work being performed by Metro-North Railroad. July 4 schedules will also be revised. [Amtrak]
RAILROADS ACCUSED OF ILLEGAL PRICE-FIXING: A lawsuit alleging that major U.S. freight railroads conspired to drive up shipping costs by fixing fuel surcharges, generating billions of dollars in extra revenue, may move forward as a class action case. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman of the District of Columbia court certified a consolidated case involving eight shipping companies who claim they were ‘subjected to an endless string of rate increases’ between 2003 and 2008. [Reuters website report, 6-21-12]
TIGER-IV GRANTS ANNOUNCED FOR ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, TENNESSEE: Recipients in the latest round of TIGER-IV grants include Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee. A $14.9-million grant will go to Memphis for a multimodal project. West Memphis, Arkansas, will be given $10.9-million for rail infrastructure development at the West Memphis Port. Mobile will get $12-million to help with funding the Garrows Bend Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. [Assn. of American Railroads SmartBrief, 6-21-12]
STUDY SAYS HIGH-SPEED RAIL FROM ATLANTA TO JACKSONVILLE IS FEASIBLE: Running high-speed, passenger rail lines between Atlanta and Jacksonville, Louisville and Birmingham is economically feasible, according to a study by consultant HNTB. Three routes were studied after an earlier study showed the feasibility of a route from Atlanta to Charlotte. That project is now in the stage of estimating the environmental impact of possible paths. [Florida Times-Union website report, 6-21-12]
REGIONAL AGREEMENT REACHED TO FUND CALTRAIN MODERNIZATION: The city of San Jose has approved what amounts to the last endorsement needed for a regional agreement to fully fund Caltrain’s modernization. The agreement will leverage local, regional and federal funds to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in state high-speed rail dollars, Caltrain officials said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-21-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending June 16, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 287,036 carloads, down 2.5 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 6-21-12]
ALASKA R.R. TO CUT 52 POSITIONS: The Alaska Railroad has announced it will eliminate 52 positions statewide as a result of decreased fuel shipments from a North Pole refinery to Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage. [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner website report, 6-21-12]
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR SCRAPS IDEA TO SOFTEN ENVIRONMENTAL EXCEPTIONS FOR BULLET TRAIN: After encountering criticism from environmental groups, California Governor Jerry Brown signaled that he plans to withdraw his proposal to protect the bullet train project from injunctions sought by environmental lawsuits. [Los Angeles Times website report, 6-21-12]
TIGER-IV GRANTS ANNOUNCED FOR ILLINOIS, MISSOURI, VERMONT: Illinois, Missouri and Vermont are among the winners of TIGER IV grants. Illinois will get a $10.4-million grant that will complete a $370-million funding package for 15 CREATE projects in the Chicago area. Joplin, Missouri, will get a $12-million grant towards building train overpasses to alleviate congestion. Vermont will use its $7.9-million grant to finish rail upgrades from St. Albans to the Canadian border. [Assn. of American Railroads SmartBrief, 6-20-12]
NEW CROSSTIE PLANT TO BE BUILT IN ALABAMA: Boatright Companies is building a crosstie plant in Chilton County, Alabama, a $55-million investment that includes plans to employ 100 workers there by the end of next year. The plant will have the capacity to season, treat and distribute up to 2 million railroad ties annually. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-20-12]
NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL R.R. GETS GRANT FOR UPGRADES: The New England Central Railroad between St. Albans, Vermont, and the Canadian border is going to be upgraded with help from a $7.9-million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. [CBS News website report, 6-20-12]
VRE NAMES ACTING CEO: The Virginia Railway Express Operations Board has appointed Richard Dalton actingh CEO effective July 1. Current CEO Dale Zehner will retire on June 30. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-20-12]
BUTLER, WISCONSIN, ADDED TO UNION PACIFIC’S TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: Butler, Wisconsin, has been awarded a membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Union Pacific, 6-20-12]
BNSF TO INVEST $80-M IN TRACK PROJECTS IN COLORADO: BNSF Railway Company plans to invest an estimated $80-million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement and expansion projects in Colorado this year. The projects include construction of a new maintenance of way facility, signal upgrades for positive train control, 325 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, and the replacement of 50 miles of rail and about 211,000 ties. [BNSF, 6-19-12]
BNSF TO INVEST $60-M IN TRACK PROJECTS IN WYOMING: BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) plans to invest an estimated $60-million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in Wyoming this year. The program will include 1,115 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, and the replacement of 31 miles of rail and about 36,000 ties. [BNSF, 6-19-12]
WASHINGTON METRO TO ADD TO GREENBELT MAINTENANCE FACILITY: Skanska has been awarded a $66 million contract from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to design and construct a test track, commissioning facility, parking garage and other facilities near Greenbelt Maintenance Yard in Prince George’s County, Md. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-19-12]
FEDERAL GRANT TO HELP FUND TRACK WORK ON BNSF LINE IN WASHINGTON STATE: An additional $10-million TIGER grant to the North Spokane Corridor project in Washington state will help with the expenses of realigning BNSF's mainline and spur tracks in the area. Funding packages are still needed to complete the $1.3 billion NSC project, according to local officials. [Spokane Spokesman-Review website report, 6-19-12]
RAIL CRUDE SHIPMENTS SURGE OVER 50 PCT IN N.D.: The capacity of crude-by-rail shipments in North Dakota climbed more than 50 pct in June due to the flexibility of railroads to reach markets not served by pipelines. BNSF carries about 75 pct of crude oil shipments in the state. [Fargo Forum website report, 6-19-12]
AMTRAK TO ADD MOTOR COACH SERVICE TO EASTERN N.C.: Amtrak plans to expand its Thruway Motor Coach service to eastern North Carolina as part of an effort to expand access to rail services. The proposed expansion will provide service to the Amtrak station in Wilson, N.C., where passengers can connect with the Palmetto, which operates between New York City and Savannah, Ga. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-18-12]
U.P.’S CHICAGO-ST.LOUIS TIE-REPLACEMENTY PROJECT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE: Union Pacific's tie replacement project along Amtrak's Chicago-St. Louis line is ahead of schedule, and 25 pct of the total tie upgrades may be finished by mid-August, said UP spokesman Mark Davis. The project is part of the $1.5-billion initiative to prepare the route for high-speed rail. [Bloomington Pantagraph website report, 6-18-12]
RAIL EQUIPMENT FIRM ADDS JOBS WITH EXPANSION IN WISCONSIN: Racine Railroad Products will move into a new facility in Village of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, to increase its capacity to manufacture maintenance products. The company will add 32 jobs as well. [Area Development website report, 6-18-12]
COURT ISSUES INJUNCTION OVER SEPTA OUTSOURCING: A Common Pleas Court judge ruled June 15 that SEPTA may not outsource maintenance work on Market-Frankford El cars pending further discussions between the transit agency and a union. Transport Workers Union Local 234 had argued SEPTA was wrongfully taking work from TWU members by paying $13-million to Bombardier Mass Transit Corp to overhaul wheel-assembly units. [Philadelphia Inquirer website report, 6-17-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN BEGINS MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN ROANOKE: Norfolk Southern has begun a five-year, multimillion-dollar investment in upgrades and services in Roanoke, Va. The railroad is planning $15.9-million in track improvements for the area's rail network connected to the Crescent Corridor initiative. [Roanoke Times website report, 6-17-12]
BOMBARDIER LANDS CONTRACT FOR SAN FRANCISCO TRANSIT CARS: Bombardier Inc. has signed an initial deal with San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District for 260 new rail cars worth $647-million. The deal also includes additional order options that could bring the total number of cars ordered to as much as 775 and the total value of the order to as much as $1.6-billion. [Globe & Mail website report, 6-15-12]
ALSTOM GETS $554-M ORDER FOR SWEDISH TRAINS: Alstom Transport has received a $554-million order from the Swedish Public Transport Authority AB Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL) for 46 new Coradia Nordic regional trains. [Railway Age website report, 6-15-12]
VIA RAIL SERVICE CUTS IN THE WORKS: The Toronto Star is confirming early reports that VIA Rail service will be subject to significant cuts, with Canadian rail workers being told to expect reductions in service. So far VIA Rail has yet to officially comment on rumors, going only so far as to say it was looking at fine-tuning “service, schedules and fares to serve markets more efficiently,” and “better integrating passenger rail with other public transportation services.” [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 6-15-12]
NORTH SHORE RAILROAD TO BE SOLD: The SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA) has approved Richard Robey’s plan to sell the North Shore Railroad Co. to 12 members of the company’s management team. North Shore Railroad Co. operates the Lycoming Valley, Nittany & Bald Eagle, North Shore, Juniata Valley and Shamokin Valley railroads under a long-term contract with the JRA. The company also operates the Union County Industrial Railroad. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-15-12]
WABTEC ACQUIRES ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FIRM: Wabtec Corp. has acquired Mors Smitt Holding, a manufacturer of electronic components for the rail and industrial markets, from investment company Eurazeo PME for $88-million. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-15-12]
PROTRAN TO OUTFIT SEVERAL CSX, NORFOLK SOUTHERN LOCOMOTIVES: Protran Technology has obtained a contract to outfit several Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX locomotives with an advance warning system to help prevent accidents. The locomotives will be equipped with the ‘Protracker/PTC’ track worker protection overlay system, which is designed to alert the locomotive engineer when the shove move has reached its destination. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-15-12]
SKANSKA GETS $148-M CONTRACT FOR MOYNIHAN STATION DEVELOPMENT: Skanska USA’s Civil Northeast business unit obtained a $148-million contract from the Moynihan Station Development Corp. (MSDC) to complete the first phase of Penn Station’s expansion in New York City. The firm will expand the length and width of the station’s existing West End Concourse, and build two new entrances into the station. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-15-12]
KASGRO BUILDS 'WORLD’S LARGEST RAILROAD CAR': A newly manufactured Schnabel Car, WECX 801, built by Kasgro Railcar, Newcastle, Pa., is being called the ‘World’s Largest Railroad Car.’ The 231-foot, 400-ton, 36-axle behemoth rises 18 feet above top-of-rail [Railway Age website report, 6-14-12]
UNION PACIFIC UNVEILS FLEET OF MOBILE CLASSROOMS: Union Pacific Railroad has built a fleet of mobile classrooms to bring state-of-the-art operations and safety training to locomotive engineer and conductor locations across its 23-state system. The new mobile classrooms will supplement ongoing training conducted at leading-edge facilities across the Union Pacific network, where employees are introduced to new technology and provided refresher certification courses. [Union Pacific, 6-14-12]
NEW TEXAS-NEW MEXICO R.R. LOCOMOTIVE SHOP OPENED: Iowa Pacific Holdings LLC recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Eunice, N.M., to open a new locomotive repair shop at its Texas-New Mexico Railroad (TNMR) subsidiary in the Permian Basin oilfield. The event also marked the completion of the $10-million second phase of TNMR’s track upgrade program, which included the addition of new rail and ties to increase operating speeds. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-14-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending June 9, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 285,413 carloads, down 1.7 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 6-14-12]
SACRAMENTO ADDING 1.1 MILES TO ITS LIGHT-RAIL SYSTEM: Sacramento is adding 1.1 miles of light rail transit to its expanding LRT system with a Green Line extension from the existing station at H and 13th streets to Richards Boulevard. The extension is part of a 12.8-mile project to link Sacramento with international airport. [Railway Age website report, 6-13-12]
BATTLE CREEK STATION RENOVATION COMPLETE: Battle Creek, Michigan, has marked completion of the $3.6-million renovation of its Intermodal Transportation Center, used by the Amtrak and other carriers. The station has a new entrance and passenger drop-off area, fenced long-term parking lot, and improved exterior lighting and landscaping. [M-Live website report, 6-13-12]
WASHINGTON METRO RENAMES RED LINE STATION: The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has renamed the Red Line’s New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U station the “NoMa-Gallaudet U” station. Signs at the station and throughout the system, as well as system maps, have been changed to reflect the new name. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-13-12]
SIEMENS LANDS CHINESE SIGNALING CONTRACT: Siemens Mobility and Logistics Division has obtained three orders to supply signaling for new metro lines in Suzhou, Qingdao and Chongqing, China. The system will enable operation at short headways as well as fast adjustment of operations to varying passenger levels, they said. All three lines are slated for commissioning in 2014. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-13-12]
OMAHA ADDED TO UNION PACIFIC’S TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: Omaha, Nebraska, where Union Pacific Railroad began, has been awarded a membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Union Pacific, 6-13-12]
GENESEE & WYOMING REPORTS MAY 2012 TRAFFIC: Genesee & Wyoming’s traffic in May 2012 was 78,536 carloads, a decrease of 3,783 carloads or 4.6 pct, compared with May 2011. Traffic in the second quarter of 2012 through May was 156,162 carloads, a decrease of 8,347 carloads or 5.1 pct compared to the second quarter of 2011 through May. [Genesee & Wyoming, 6-13-12]
BNSF ENGINE STRIKES FUEL TRUCK IN WASHINGTON STATE, CAUSING SPILL: A locomotive performing a switching operation hit a trailer at Boeing’s Everett, Washington, complex June 11, spilling some aviation fuel. There were no injuries. [Seattle Times website report, 6-12-12]
FEDS ISSUE FINAL RULE ON GRADE CROSSING EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SIGNS: The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has issued new regulations requiring railroads to install signs at highway-rail grade and pathway crossings with telephone numbers the public can use to alert railroad companies to unsafe conditions. There are approximately 211,000 such crossings in the U.S. [Federal Railroad Administration, 6-12-12]
RAILAMERICA REPORTS MAY 2012 CARLOADS: RailAmerica Inc. reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended May 31, 2012, were 75,384, up 8 pct from May 2011. [RailAmerica, 6-12-12]
TWIN-TUNNEL SECTION COMPLETED FOR TORONTO SUBWAY EXTENSION: Toronto and York, Ontario, officials have marked the completion of the first mile of twin tunnels for the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension. The tunnels represent one complete section of twin tunnels that will connect the future Sheppard West and Finch West stations. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-12-12]
UNION SEEKS INJUNCTION AGAINST SEPTA OUTSOURCING: Workers for SEPTA are seeking an injunction to prevent the transit agency from outsourcing maintenance work on Market-Frankford El cars. Transport Workers Union Local 234 argued in a Common Pleas Court filing that SEPTA was wrongfully taking work from TWU members by paying $13-million to Bombardier Mass Transit Corp to overhaul 176 wheel-assembly units for the cars. The maintenance of those units is normally done by SEPTA workers. [Philadelphia Inquirer website report, 6-12-12]
ARLINGTON COUNTY, ALEXANDRIA SET TO MERGE STREETCAR PLANS: Under a proposal, Arlington County and the city of Alexandria, Va., would jointly build the Route 1 Corridor Streetcar Project. The five-mile line would run roughly north/south from the Metrorail's Pentagon City station across 12th Street to Crystal Drive, down Crystal Drive to Potomac Yard, and then along U.S. Route 1 to Metrorail's Braddock Road Station. [Railway Age website report, 6-12-12]
SCHNEIDER NATIONAL TO ADD INTERMODAL RAMPS AT TWO CSX TERMINALS IN OHIO: Schneider National Inc. has reached an agreement with CSX to broaden intermodal services in northwestern Ohio. Schneider National’s service now will include two intermodal ramps in Marion and North Baltimore. The pact will expand Schneider Intermodal’s service to the Northeast, Southeast and Pacific Northwest, Schneider National officials said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-11-12]
DESERT XPRESS CHANGES NAME TO ‘XPRESS WEST’: DesertXpress Enterprises has renamed its Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail service ‘XpressWest’ to more accurately reflect its role as the first leg of a larger western high-speed passenger rail network. XpressWest is an exclusive, dual-track high-speed train which will be the most advanced and fastest in the United States. With a top operating speed of 150 mph, the service will reduce travel between Las Vegas and Southern California to 80 minutes at an average cost of $89 for a roundtrip ticket. [XpressWest, 6-11-12]
MEMBER OF CP RAIL BOARD RESIGNS: Canadian Pacific Railway said board member David Raisbeck has decided to resign, citing personal reasons. The vacancy caused by his departure would not be filled, the company said. [Reuters website report, 6-11-12]
PHILLIPS 66 ACQUIRING 2,000 TANK CARS: The Phillips 66 Co. is reported to be acquiring 2,000 new tank cars to move oil from North Dakota to Phillips 66 refineries on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. [Railway Age website report, 6-8-12]
CP RAIL SIGNS CONTRACT FOR LA CROSS BRIDGE ASSESSMENT: Parsons has obtained a contract from Canadian Pacific to provide structural monitoring and advanced condition assessment services for the La Crosse Rail Bridge, one of the first built across the Mississippi River. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-8-12]
RAIL PASSENGERS LOCKED OUT OF LANCASTER TRAIN STATION: Commuter rail passengers in Lancaster, Pa., found themselves locked out of the Amtrak station the morning of June 4, forcing them to circumnavigate the building to access the platform. Amtrak issued an apology: "We acknowledge that this is the second time the station has not opened on time in the past few months...” [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 6-8-12]
NORTH CAROLINA DOT NAMES NEW RAIL DIVISION DIRECTOR: The North Carolina Department of Transportation has appointed Anthony Fuller as the new director of the Rail Division, taking over from Patrick Simmons, who retired. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 6-8-12]
AMTRAK GETS AWARD FOR ELECTRONIC TICKETING: Amtrak received the 2012 CIO 100 award for its eTicketing program from CIO Magazine, which recognized the railroad for innovation in operational and strategic use of information technology. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 6-8-12]
GARNETT, KANSAS, ADDED TO UNION PACIFIC’S TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: Garnett, Kansas, has been awarded a membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Union Pacific, 6-8-12]
VIA RAIL SERVICE CUTS EXPECTED: Rail workers in Canada are bracing for an announcement from the federal government of service reductions at Via Rail, which have been widely rumored since the government cut $20-million from the passenger railroad's annual budget earlier this year. [Guelph Mercury website report, 6-7-12]
ALSTROM GETS ORDER TO REBUILD 86 RAILCARS FOR MBTA: Railcar Maker Alstom Transportation has secured a $104-million contract to rebuild 86 railcars at its facility in Hornell for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority within the next year. [WETM website report, 6-7-12]
MASSACHUSETTS PLANS NEW COMMUTER RAIL STATION IN BRIGHTON: The Massachusetts Dept. of Transportation has signed a letter of intent to build a new commuter-rail station on the Worcester Line at Everett Street in Brighton. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-7-12]
GENESEE & WYOMING NAMES NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Genesee & Wyoming Inc. has named David A. Brown as the successor to the company’s current Chief Operating Officer James W. Benz. The appointment comes in anticipation of Benz’s retirement in the first quarter of 2013. [Genesee & Wyoming, 6-7-12]
MAY 2012 RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported U.S. rail carloads originated in May 2012 totaled 1,392,352, down 2.8 pct compared with May 2011. [Assn. of American Railroads, 6-7-12]
COURT UPHOLDS $2.1-M JUDGEMENT AGAINST CSX IN W.VA. WORKPLACE CASE: West Virginia's Supreme Court has upheld a $2.1-million judgment awarded against CSX Transportation in a hostile work environment case. A Boone County jury found that trainmaster Angela Smith was wrongly fired by the railroad company in 2009 after reporting sexually offensive language by another CSX employee. [CBS News website report, 6-7-12]
UNION PACIFIC AWARDS TWO STUDENTS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE SAFETY VIDEO: Kamron Southhall and Jordan Watts, students at South Loop Middle School in Chicago, took home $500 each for their creative effort in producing a public service video on pedestrian safety around railroad tracks. Union Pacific Railroad sponsored the contest, open to Chicago area middle and high school media clubs. [Union Pacific, 6-7-12]
DESERTXPRESS PLANS TO EXTEND LINE TO L.A.: DesertXpress Enterprises has been planning to build an estimated $6.9-billion, 185-mile, double-tracked high-speed train from Las Vegas to Victorville. Now, it's planning to extend that to Los Angeles by adding a 50-mile line between Victorville and Palmdale - where it would hook up with Metrolink tracks initially and "eventually be the connection point to California’s planned high-speed rail system." An agreement between the company and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority has been signed. [VegasInc. Website report, 6-7-12]
CSX TERMINATES PURCHASE OPTION ON ELKRIDGE, MD., PROPERTY FOR INTERMODAL SITE: CSX Corp. has terminated agreements to purchase land from property owners along Race and Hanover roads in Elkridge, Md., all but eliminating the possibility of the company locating its proposed intermodal facility there. [Baltimore Sun website report, 6-6-12]
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION RIDERSHIP SURGED IN 1-Q 2012: Public transportation ridership surged in the first quarter of 2012, as Americans took nearly 2.7 billion trips, an increase of 5.0 pct over the first quarter of last year. This was the fifth consecutive quarter of U.S. public transit ridership increase, as 125.7 million more trips were taken than the first quarter of 2011. [American Public Transportation Assn., 6-5-12]
PITTSBURGH LIGHT-RAIL STOPS BEING REDUCED: The Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT) says it will eliminate 13 ‘little-used’ Pittsburgh light rail transit stops to speed up travel times. The move will take place June 25. [Railway Age website report, 6-5-12]
BNSF TO SPEND $65-M FOR TRACK IMPROVEMENT IN NEW MEXICO THIS YEAR: BNSF Railway Company plans to invest an estimated $65-million on track and rail capacity improvement projects in New Mexico this year. BNSF will continue its track improvement program which will include 560 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, the replacement of 22 miles of rail and about 142,000 ties, as well as significant signal upgrades for positive train control. [BNSF, 6-5-12]
CSX CHOOSES BUSINESS PARK IN ILLINOIS AS ‘SELECT SITE’: CSX has selected the John W. Kelsey Business and Technology Park in Greenville, Illinois, as one of the first certified ‘CSX Select Sites.’ The Select Site designation promotes shorter decision timelines, increased speed to market and lower up-front development risk for companies seeking industrial property for their manufacturing operations, according to the company. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-5-12]
CIT RAIL ORDERS 3500 TANK CARS & COVERED HOPPERS: CIT Rail has ordered 3,500 tank cars and covered hoppers from multiple manufacturers that will be delivered throughout 2012 and 2013, according to the company. The orders will support growth in the oil and gas sector, and the expanding North American plastic resin industry. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-5-12]
NY TRANSIT ORDERS 300 SUBWAY CARS FROM BOMBARDIER: Bombardier Transportation has been awarded a $623-million contract to manufacture 300 R179-serues subway cars for MTA New York City Transit. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-5-12]
SPUR LINE TO BE BUILT FOR ONTARIO’S AIR RAIL LINK: AECOM has been named lead design subconsultant for a joint venture that will design, build and finance a spur line and passenger station as part of Ontario’s Air Rail Link, which will connect with GO Transit’s Georgetown line, and link Toronto’s Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-5-12]
SORRENTO-MIRAMAR DOUBLE-TRACK PROJECT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO BEGIN: The San Diego Assn. of Governments says construction is slated to begin on the first phase of the Sorrento-to-Miramar double-track project. This is one of 20 capital improvement projects in development along San Diego County’s 60-mile segment of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo rail corridor. [Progressive Railroading website report, 6-5-12]
BNSF TO SPEND $80-M FOR TRACK IMPROVEMENT IN ARIZONA THIS YEAR: BNSF Railway Company plans to invest an estimated $80-million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in Arizona this year. Its track maintenance program in Arizona will include 377 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, the replacement of 26 miles of rail and about 233,000 ties, and signal upgrades for positive train control. [BNSF, 6-5-12]
PAUL HAGGIS ELECTED CP RAIL CHAIRMAN: Canadian Pacific Railway announced Paul G. Haggis has been elected Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Haggis has extensive financial markets and public board experience and is currently Chairman of the Alberta Enterprise Corporation as well as C.A. Bancorp Inc. [Canadian Pacific, 6-4-12]
ELBURN, ILLINOIS, ADDED TO UNION PACIFIC’S TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: Elburn, Illinois, has been awarded a membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Union Pacific, 6-4-12]
CSX PLANS TO INVEST ABOUT $575-M IN NATIONAL GATEWAY PROJECT: CSX plans to invest about $575-million in the National Gateway project, which is expected to enhance freight transportation with double-stacked trains. The railroad is rolling out an estimated $31-million for double-stacking projects in Pennsylvania. The $900-million-plus initiative is projected to generate 50,000 jobs in the next 30 years and will be a more eco-friendly way to ship, because a double-stacked train can carry 280 truckloads at once, according to CSX. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette website report, 6-4-12]
UNION PACIFIC PLANS $10-M TRACK IMPROVEMENT IN COLORADO: Union Pacific Railroad plans to invest more than $10-million for 56 miles of track development between Colorado's Winter Park and Kremmling. Work includes surface renewal at 39 grade crossings and replacement of 44,400 ties. Construction broke ground in May and will be completed by the end of this month, the company said. [Denver Post website report, 6-4-12]
CSX KICKS OFF TRAIN SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK: CSX Corporation (CSX) and NASCAR driver Regan Smith kicked off Train Safety Awareness Week June 4 by reminding people to stay away from railroad tracks and use caution at grade crossings. [CSX, 6-4-12]
CALIFORNIA CONSIDERS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT BULLET TRAIN FROM ENVIRONMENTAL LAWSUITS: California Governor Jerry Brown is drafting legislation to protect the $68-billion high-speed rail project from court injunctions that could come from possible environmental lawsuits. He hopes that it will help keep construction of the line on track to start by the end of the year. The state Legislature could take up the proposal as early as this month. [Sacramento Bee website report, 6-2-12]
CP RAIL BACK ON JOB; UNION SAYS WORKERS ARE NOT HAPPY: Canadian Pacific Railway workers are back on the job after back-to-work legislation received Royal Assent on May 31. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference said its members are not happy with the federal government's move to force them back to work, but are advising the 4,800 union members to obey the law and report to work. [Sudbury Northern Life website report, 6-1-12]
STRIKING CP RAIL WORKERS ORDERED BACK TO WORK: Canadian Pacific Railway’s striking Teamsters workers are returning to their jobs June 1 after Parliament passed a bill to end the weeklong labor. The legislation sends all unresolved issues between the company and the union to binding arbitration, giving them 90 days to settle on a new contract or face one drawn up by an arbitrator. [Bloomberg News website report, 6-1-12]
VIA RAIL FACING SERVICE REDUCTIONS, REPORTS SAY: Reports indicate a number of reductions in service may be in store for VIA Rail. It appears the Canadian will likely be reduced to two times per week during winter months, and Ocean service reduced to two times per week with elimination of all service between Gaspe and Moncton. Other sources familiar with VIA Rail’s operations report that the North Line service (Toronto-Kitchener-Sarnia) and Niagara Falls services will be facing frequency eliminations as well. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 6-1-12]
METROLINK HIKING FARES JULY 1: Southern California passengers who will have to pay an extra $20.25 for Metrolink’s monthly pass starting July 1, after Metrolink’s board voted to approve a 7 percent fare hike in an emergency session held on May 30. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 6-1-12]
FEDS CRACK DOWN ON LOW-COST BUS LINES OVER SAFETY CONCERNS: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) cracked down on 26 bus operations May 31, declaring them “imminent hazards to public safety.” The FMCSA also ordered 10 individual bus companies to cease all passenger transportation operations, including selling bus tickets to passengers. A series of deadly bus crashes last spring brought the attention of federal investigators, who found widespread instances of safety violations in the lead up to this shutdown. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 6-1-12]
CSX SETS EMISSIONS INTENSITY REDUCTION GOAL: CSX Corporation has announced its plan to reduce the company's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity 6 to 8 pct over 2011 levels by 2020, helping to shrink the environmental footprint of freight transportation in America. CSX achieved its previous GHG emissions reduction goal a year ahead of its 2011 deadline, decreasing GHG emissions intensity by 8 percent over 2006 levels by 2010. [CSX, 6-1-12]
MARYSVILLE, KANSAS, ADDED TO UNION PACIFIC’S TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: Marysville, Kansas, has been awarded a membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Union Pacific, 6-1-12]
KCS TO BOOST SPEEDS OVER SEGMENTS OF GULFPORT-HATTIESBURG LINE: Effective June 8, The Kansas City Southern Railway Company will increase train speed over some segments of its Gulfport to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, line from 10 to 25 miles per hour. The 10 miles per hour speed limit will continue through downtown Wiggins for the time being. [Kansas City Southern, 6-1-12]
NJ TRANSIT’S HYBRID DUAL-POWER LOCOMOTIVE ENTERS SERVICE: New Jersey Transit’s newest locomotive made its first revenue service run May 30. The ALP-45DP (dual-power), described by NJT as a ‘hybrid’ locomotive in that it operates under AC-catenary electric or diesel-electric power, is the first of its type in North America. [Railway Age website report, 5-31-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported gains for weekly rail traffic for the week ending May 26, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 291,381 carloads, up 1.3 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 5-31-12]
GE TRANSPORTATION PICKS CHICAGO FOR GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS: GE Transportation officials announced yesterday that the company has chosen Chicago as the site for its global headquarters. The move will occur in the coming months after an office location has been finalized. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-31-12]
VIA RAIL POSTED REVENUE GAINS IN 2011: VIA Rail Canada’s financial performance improved during 2011, with revenue growth reported in most markets, VIA Rail officials said. Because of revenue growth combined with ‘rigorous’ cost controls, VIA Rail required $30-million less in government funding for operations before pension costs, railroad officials said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-30-12]
MAINE RAILROADS SEE NEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH OIL SHIPMENTS: A train carried 104 tank cars of Midwest crude oil across Maine into New Brunswick last weekend, and it's likely "we're going to be seeing more of this," said Tom Hall, a former assistant general manager for Pan Am Railways in Maine. The tightening pipeline capacity and new pipeline construction delays are creating opportunities for railroads such as Canadian National. [Portland Press Herald website report, 5-30-12]
APPROVAL GIVEN FOR CRUDE-OIL RAIL TERMINAL IN N.D.: A $102-million crude-by-rail facility project in Bismarck, N.D., was approved by state regulators. Rail accounts for an estimated 25 pct of the state's oil exports due to a lack of pipeline capacity and because rail provides more flexibility than pipeline transport, according to Public Service Commission Chairman Tony Clark. [Grand Forks Herald website report, 5-30-12]
FUNDING APPROVED TO ENHANCE WINNIPEG UNION STATION: Officials have announced a $6.5-million investment in Winnipeg’s Union Station to improve public areas, accessibility, rider amenities and the building’s exterior. The improvements will build on $3-million worth of upgrades to the station that were completed last year, they said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-29-12]
BNSF BUDGETS $111-M FOR MONTANA INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: BNSF has announced plans to spend $111-million on track maintenance and rail capacity projects in Montana. The work includes surfacing and undercutting 956 miles of track, replacing 54 miles of rail and about 210,000 ties, and completing signal upgrades for positive train control implementation. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-29-12]
TALGO DISPLAYS SERIES-8 TRAIN SETS: Talgo Inc. opened its Milwaukee factory May 27 to visitors interested in seeing the company's Series 8 trains, manufactured for use by Amtrak on its Hiawatha service linking Milwaukee and Chicago. [Railway Age website report, 5-29-12]
CONDUCTOR DIES IN N.D. SWITCHING ACCIDENT: On CP Rail (Soo Line) in Kenmare, N.D., conductor Robert J. Glasgow, 38, died May 28 while setting out cars at a CP yard. Initial reports are that Glasgow had mounted the lead car of 28 cars being switched conventionally when the lead car sideswiped other cars. [United Transportation Union, 5-29-12]
CSX GETS ZONING APPROVAL FOR 932-ACRE TERMINAL IN FLORIDA: CSX received final rezoning approval for its 932-acre rail business park in Winter Haven, Florida, from city officials. This means the railroad may now purchase the proposed site. [Lakeland Ledger website report, 5-29-12]
CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY NAMES NEW CEO: Jeffrey Morales, former executive director of Caltrans, has been named the new CEO and executive director of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. [Fresno Bee website report, 5-29-12]
LA’S WESTSIDE SUBWAY EXTENSION APPROVED: The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved the remaining portion of the $5.6-billion Westside Subway Extension project. The action officially approves four new stations and alignments in Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood/UCLA and Westwood/VA, which adds the remaining five miles to the approved and certified subway extension. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-29-12]
EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA, GRADE-SEPARATION PROJECT GETS FUNDING: A $80.5-million grade-separation project in El Monte, California, will receive $37.6-million in funding from the California Transportation Commission. The funds will let the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority to proceed with the project's bidding phase. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 5-29-12]
CHRYSLER AWARDS UNION PACIFIC WITH PARTNERSHIP AWARD: Chrysler presented Union Pacific Distribution Services (UPDS) with the 2011 Chrysler Partnership Award at the annual Chrysler Carrier Conference in Auburn Hills, Michigan. UPDS was recognized for its commitment as a supply chain partner and its cost saving initiatives such as transit reduction, truck conversion and supplier coordination. [Union Pacific, 5-29-12]
BNSF ANNOUNCES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR CALIFORNIA: BNSF plans to invest an estimated $120-million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in California this year. It will install an automated gate system at its Hobart Intermodal Facility to increase the velocity of container/ trailer processing. BNSF will also continue its track maintenance program in California, which will include 786 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, the replacement of 40 miles of rail and about 377,000 ties, and signal upgrades for positive train control. [BNSF, 5-29-12]
DURBAN & GREENBRIER VALLEY R.R. ACQUIRES AN ALCO RS-11 LOCOMOTIVE: The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR now has an Alco RS-11 (x-Main Coast 367, xx-N&W 367) on site in Staunton, Virginia, for operation on the Shenandoah Valley RR, which is operated by the DGVR. Work is underway to make it operational for the SVRR. The SVRR operates the line from Staunton to just south of Harrisonburg (was part of the Chesapeake Western RR). The SVRR currently operates a GP9 and a GE 70T. [Bob Parks, 5-28-12]
ONE IN FIVE RAILROAD NEW-HIRES TO BE MILITARY VETERANS: Nationally, military veterans face challenges finding jobs after their service, but railroads are making veteran hiring a priority. Railroad companies will hire 15,000 people in 2012 and one in five new hires will be a military veteran. "Can't find enough of them," said AAR President and CEO Edward Hamberger. “They are outstanding employees.” [CBS News website report, 5-27-12]
NO STEAM ON EAST BROAD TOP THIS SEASON: Central Pennsylvania’s East Broad Top Railroad announced that it will not be operating steam-powered excursions for the 2012 summer season. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 5-25-12]
UNION PACIFIC TO REPLACE 115,000 CONCRETE TIES ALONG ST.LOUIS-CHICAGO CORRIDOR: Union Pacific Railroad announced it will need to replace around 115,000 concrete ties along the St. Louis-Chicago corridor. Though the ties are less than two years old, it was discovered they do not meet standards for long-term durability. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 5-25-12]
CHICAGO UNION STATION MASTER PLAN STUDY RELEASED: During the next five to 10 years, improvements at Chicago’s Union Station could include reallocating the space of some baggage platforms so platforms can be widened; converting unused mail platforms for use by intercity passenger trains; reorganizing existing passenger station facilities to improve capacity and flow; and rebuilding the Canal Street viaduct above parts of the station to improve access to the station concourse below. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-25-12]
PANORAMA LOUNGE OPENED AT TORONTO’S UNION STATION: VIA Rail Canada has marked the completion of the $4.2-million Panorama Lounge revitalization project at Toronto’s Union Station. The lounge upgrade is part of a larger $640-million program to rehabilitate the station. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-25-12]
SEATTLE’S KING STREET STATION UPGRADED TICKET, BAGGAGE FACILITIES REOPENED: Seattle’s historic King Street Station reopened its upgraded baggage and ticket facilities on May 23, part of the ongoing major restoration of the station to meet the steadily growing demand for intercity passenger rail in the region. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 5-25-12]
CAPITOL CORRIDOR TRAINS BEGIN STOPPING AT NEW SANTA CLARA STATION: The Capitol Corridor has begun service at its new Santa Clara/University station stop, giving Northern Californians heading to and from Silicon Valley an added travel option. The provides convenient access to Santa Clara University, San Jose’s Mineta International Airport and a seamless cross-platform connection to Caltrain and ACE train services. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 5-25-12]
UNION PACIFIC TO DOUBLE ODESSA, TEXAS, YARD CAPACITY: Union Pacific plans to spend about $10-million to add six tracks to its rail yard in Odessa, Texas, in response to unparalleled growth and rising traffic in the state. The work is part of a $50 million expansion across the Permian Basin and will double the yard's capacity. [San Angelo Standard-Times website report, 5-25-12]
SEPTA COMPLETES RYERS STATION PROJECT: The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has marked the completion of a $7.9-million Ryers Station renovation project on the Fox Chase line. The project included a 240-foot-high level platform, stairway, ramp, seating, lighting, landscaping, signage, canopies, windscreen, and upgraded parking facility. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-24-12]
STRIKE AT CP RAIL LEAVES CONTAINERS PILED UP AT PORT: A Teamsters strike that shut down Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. freight lines in the country has left incoming container shipments piling up at the Port of Montreal, where the railroad handles more than half of all traffic. [Bloomberg News website report, 5-24-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending May 19, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 280,565 carloads, down 5 percent compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 5-24-12]
GE TRANSPORTATION TO BUILD EVOLUTION SERIES LOCOMOTIVES IN KAZAKHSTAN: GE Transportation signed a memorandum of understanding with TransMashDiesel and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy to establish an Evolution Series diesel engine manufacturing plant in Astana, Kazakhstan. The parties plan to spend about $90 million to build the 97,000-square-foot facility [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-24-12]
SIEMENS TO BUILD 18 LIGHT-RAIL VEHICLES FOR TRIMET: Siemens has received a $73-million contract from the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) to build 18 S70 light-rail vehicles. To be manufactured at Siemens’ Sacramento plant, the vehicles are scheduled to be delivered beginning in August 2014. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-24-12]
GO TRANSIT MARKS 45 YEARS: GO Transit celebrated its 45th anniversary May 23. The Ontario agency has served riders in the greater Toronto and Hamilton areas since 1967. Over the years, GO Transit’s ridership has continued to grow, from the 8,000 passengers who used the service on the inaugural day to the 219,000 riders the agency now averages each weekday. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-24-12]
JIM DOLAN DIES, RETIRED UNION PACIFIC OFFICIAL: James Vincent Dolan, 73, died of lung cancer May 20 at his home in Nebraska. “The Union Pacific and Southern Pacific merger was one of his legacies for the railroad,” said Dolan’s son. [Omaha World-Herald website report, 5-24-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC HIT BY STRIKE: Canadian Pacific began Wednesday suffering a strike delivered by Teamsters Canada. Teamsters Canada, representing about 5,000 CP employees, said labor and management were unable to reach consensus despite talks that continued late Tuesday. [Railway Age website report, 5-23-12]
AT LEAST 25 DIE IN TRAIN CRASH IN INDIA: A passenger train has rammed into a parked freight train in southern India, killing at least 25 people and injuring dozens more. At least 40 people were hospitalised with injuries, with about 10 in critical condition [Herald Sun website report, 5-23-12]
RAILAMERICA PONDERS POTENTIAL SALE: RailAmerica Inc. says that its board is considering several strategic alternatives, which might include a sale of the short-line holding company. The announcement was made in response to market rumors about a potential sale, RailAmerica officials said, adding that there will be no additional comments on the matter unless a definitive agreement is reached. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-23-12]
EADS BRIDGE PROJECT IN ST. LOUIS BEGINS: On May 22, officials launched a $36-million project to repair the historic Eads Bridge in St. Louis. Workers will replace support steel that dates to the 1920s, upgrade the track system, and blast and paint the superstructure with a protective coating to prevent rust. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-23-12]
BNSF TO INVEST $199-M IN TEXAS RAIL NETWORK: BNSF will enhance its rail network in Texas this year with a $199-million investment. "BNSF's investments will improve our ability to provide rail freight services to Texas businesses and communities and will expand opportunities to create more jobs and growth for the Texas economy," said BNSF CEO and Chairman Matthew Rose. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 5-23-12]
CANADA’S COMMUTER TRAINS WILL RUN DESPITE CP RAIL STRIKE: Commuter trains in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal will run on schedule Wednesday despite the possibility of a strike at Canadian Pacific (CP). The walkout will begin on May 23, at 12:01 a.m. “We told CP management that nothing could justify their decision to keep us from operating the commuter trains,” explained Doug Finnson, vice-president of the Teamster Canada Rail Conference. [Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, 5-22-12]
RAILAMERICA REPORTEDLY FOR SALE: According to a report by Fred W. Frailey on the Trains Magazine website, Fortress Investment Group, which took RailAmerica private in 2007, has employed Deutsch Bank to find a buyer for a 56 percent interest in the company. [Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, 5-22-12]
LIRR’S GCT ACCESS PROJECT COST SOARS BY $1-B: The MTA’s plan to bring the Long Island Rail Road into Grand Central is now nearly $1-billion dollars over budget, officials say. The increase comes after a host of engineering and construction problems sparked major delays in the project, which has also seen its completion date moved back several times over the years. It is now expected to be finished in August at a cost of $8.24-billion. [New York Post website report, 5-22-12]
LIRR DISABILITY PROBE OFFERS AMNESTY: In the wake of 10 more arrests of Long Island Rail Road retirees for alleged conspiracy to commit health care fraud in collecting disability payments, the U.S. attorney in charge of the investigation has offered amnesty from prosecution for any retiree who comes forward voluntarily and admits having made false or misleading statements when applying for those disability benefits. [United Transportation Union, 5-22-12]
GATX UNIT TO LEASE RAILCARS IN INDIA: GATX Corp. announced May 22 that its subsidiary, GATX India Private Limited (GIPL), has entered the Indian marketplace with the purchase of 450 container flat cars. GIPL will lease the cars to Arshiya Rail Infrastructure Ltd., a subsidiary of Arshiya International Ltd., for 10 years. [Railway Age website report, 5-22-12]
GO TRANSIT DISRUPTIONS POSSIBLE IF CP RAIL STRIKE TAKES PLACE: GO Transit is warning Milton line and Hamilton station commuters that service could be cancelled May 23 if a Canadian Pacific Rail strike takes place. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference issued a strike notice after pension talks broke down. A strike could occur as early as midnight Tuesday. [Toronto Star website report, 5-21-12]
STB APPROVAL OF RAIL LINE MAKES HISTORY: The Surface Transportation Board on May 21 granted final approval for what it called ‘a first of its kind’ rail line. It gave R.J. Corman Railroad Co./Pennsylvania Lines Inc. (RJCP) authority "to build and operate a new rail line using right-of-way previously rail-banked,” as well as new right-of-way, near Wallaceton, Pa. [Railway Age website report, 5-21-12]
FEDS AWARD $85-M TO OREGON LIGHT-RAIL PROJECT: The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) has been awarded $85-million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help complete the Portland-to-Milwaukie light-rail line. Service on the line is expected to begin in 2015. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-21-12]
IOWA PACIFIC TO OPERATE SANTA CRUZ BRANCH LINE: The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has authorized Iowa Pacific Holdings LLC to operate freight- and passenger-rail services on the 32-mile Santa Cruz branch line between Pajaro and Davenport, Calif. The agency purchased the line from Union Pacific for $14.2-million in 2010, and secured approval and funding for the purchase from the California Transportation Commission in 2011. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-21-12]
CONTRUCTION BEGINS ON ALSTOM PLANT IN QUEBEC: Construction has begun on a new Alstom manufacturing plant in the Ludger-Simard industrial park in Quebec. Slated for completion next fall, the plant will support Alstom Transport’s role in a $1.2-billion Bombardier Transportation-Alstom contract for the manufacture of 468 new metro cars. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-21-12]
NORTHBOUND COAST STARLIGHT DEPARTING EARLIER FROM KLAMATH FALLS AND CHEMULT: Starting May 23 through August 1, northbound Train 14 will depart Klamath Falls and Chemult 25 minutes earlier than the time shown in Amtrak printed timetables, due to track work being performed. The train will depart Klamath Falls at 8:00 a.m. and Chemult at 9:15 a.m. [Amtrak]
SUNRAIL TRACK WORK COMMENCES THIS WEEK: Track maintenance and upgrading is expected to begin this week on an initial 7-mile portion of rail right-of-way destined for use by SunRail, central Florida's planned regional rail service. [Railway Age website report, 5-21-12]
MONTANA RAIL LINK RESTORES BITTERROOT VALLEY RAIL SERVICE: Montana Rail Link restored its freight rail service in Bitterroot Valley, Montana, after negotiations among railroad, local and county officials. The continuation of service was achieved through cooperation of all involved groups, according to Stevensville Mayor Gene Mim Mack. [KPAX-TV website report, 5-19-12]
RAIL WORKER CRUSHED BY ROLL OF NEWSPRINT AT PENNSYLVANIA PRINTING PLANT: A railroad worker was killed May 19 when he was crushed by an 1,800-pound roll of newsprint at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News Schuylkill Printing Plant in Upper Merion. Jefferson L. Troester, 43, of Claymont, Delaware, was employed by the Brandywine Valley Railroad Co. [Philadelphia Inquirer website report, 5-19-12]
CP RAIL NAMES INTERIM CEO, NEW BOARD ELECTED: Canadian Pacific Railway has appointed Stephen Tobias as interim CEO after its former chief executive Fred Green announced his departure May 17, ending a months-long battle that pitted New York activist Bill Ackman against a board of directors stocked with leading Canadian business titans. The company also elected a new board of 16 directors, including a slate of seven dissident directors backed by Ackam, its largest shareholder. The board will now be chaired by Madeleine Paquin. [Washington Post website report, 5-18-12]
LIRR BANS ALCOHOL ON NIGHTTIME, WEEKEND TRAINS, PLATFORMS: Starting immediately, MTA Long Island Rail Road will ban alcoholic beverages on overnight weekend trains and station platforms. The new rule states that the beverages - including those that are open or in closed containers - are not allowed on all trains and stations between midnight and 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, LIRR said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-18-12]
CHARLOTTE, N.C., STREETCAR LINE TO OPEN IN 2015: An initial 1.5 miles of Charlotte's planned 10-mile streetcar line will begin operating by March 2015, city engineers said. The route addition would begin by using three city-owned Gomaco replica trolley cars, pending the addition of more, and possibly more modern-looking, equipment. [Railway Age website report, 5-18-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC CEO FRED GREEN RETIRING: Canadian Pacific Railway announced May 17 the departure of Fred Green as president and chief executive officer effective immediately. Mr. Green has resigned as a director and will not stand for re-election at the Company’s shareholder meeting later this morning. The Company also announced that John Cleghorn, Tim Faithfull, Edmond Harris, Michael Phelps and Roger Phillips do not intend to stand for re-election. [Canadian Pacific, 5-17-12]
FEDS AIM TO WIDEN RAIL WORKER DRUG TESTS: The Federal Railroad Administration, in a proposed rule, wants to expand post-accident drug testing for railroad workers to include prescription and over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl, citing ‘prevalent’ and increasing use among employees. [Omaha World-Herald website report, 5-17-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending May 12, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 279,063 carloads, down 5.2 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 5-17-12]
NEBRASKA CO-OP PICKS SITE ALONG BNSF TRACKS FOR $18-M FACILITY: BNSF's rail lines in Culbertson, Nebraska, prompted Frenchman Valley Cooperative to build its $18-million rail facility for grain shipments nearby. FVC's grain elevators in Chappell and Kimball are already served by Union Pacific, and the addition of BNSF's service will improve the FVC's marketing capabilities, according to the company. [Imperial Republican website report, 5-17-12]
BNSF DETAILS CAPITAL SPENDING PLANS FOR KANSAS, MISSOURI: BNSF plans to spend $242-million in Kansas and $130-million in Missouri for rail maintenance and capacity improvement projects. In Kansas, the company will continue constructing the Kansas City Intermodal Facility, improving the Topeka locomotive shops, and making signal upgrades related to positive train control, to surface and undercut 619 miles of track, and replace 57 miles of rail and 247,000 ties. In Missouri, the railroad plans to surface and undercut 1,507 miles of track, replace 103 miles of rail and 122,000 ties, and upgrade signals for PTC. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-16-12]
EL PASO SEEKS STREETCARS: City Council members in El Paso, Texas, have voted approve $1.25-million for an engineering and environmental assessment for a streetcar system. [Railway Age website report, 5-16-12]
METRO-NORTH BEGINS PHASE 2 OF WEST OF HUDSON STUDY: MTA Metro-North Railroad announced that it has completed Phase 1 of the West of Hudson Regional Transit Access Alternatives Analysis Study, and is now embarking on Phase 2. The agency will hold an open house in Newburgh, N. Y., next month. [Railway Age website report, 5-16-12]
CALIFORNIA BULLET TRAIN CHIEF SEEKS ENVIRONMENTAL EXEMPTIONS: The chief of the state bullet train authority says that he hopes to obtain some type of relief from environmental laws that would eliminate a risk that the 130-mile initial construction project could be stopped by an injunction, a potentially growing prospect as agriculture interests in the Central Valley gear up for a legal fight. [Los Angeles Times website report, 5-16-12]
GO TRANSIT TO RUN WEEKEND SERVICE ON BARRE LINE: On June 23, GO Transit will begin running a summer weekend GO Train service pilot along its Barrie line, which runs north from Toronto toward Lake Simcoe. This service pilot will operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. [Railway Age website report, 5-16-12]
PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF LANDS BRITISH RAIL CONTRACT: Parsons Brinckerhoff has been awarded two significant contracts covering design of both high speed and 'conventional' railway systems for Britain's second high speed rail line, linking Birmingham and London's Euston Station. [Railway Age website report, 5-16-12]
RAIL ACCESS WOULD BENEFIT COMMERCIAL HUB IN IOWA: Development of a business corridor from Council Bluffs to Mills County, Iowa, could be achievable due to the area's access to rail service, according to the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce. "There are five different rail lines in the area that could compete for service; you don't see many areas like that in the United States.” [Omaha World-Herald website report, 5-16-12]
RAILROADS TRIPLE CRUDE OIL SHIPMENTS WITH SHALE-OIL BOOM: The shale oil boom in North Dakota and elsewhere has so increased production of crude oil that there aren't enough pipelines to carry it all. Good news for railroads, which tripled their shipments of crude oil over the last year. More than a dozen projects to build new pipelines are in the works, but that - along with the increased production - could "carry a heavy environmental cost." [Bloomberg Businessweek website report, 5-16-12]
BOMBARDIER GETS ORDER FOR SEVEN TRAXX F140AC LOCOMOTIVES: Bombardier Transportation has obtained a $31-million order from Bure Equity for seven Bombardier TRAXX F140 AC locomotives. The locomotives are designed for freight transport in Sweden and Norway, with delivery expected in fourth-quarter 2012. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-15-12]
FAR ROCKAWAY-MOTT AVENUE STATION REHAB COMPLETED: A three-year project to rehabilitate MTA N.Y. City Transit’s Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue Station has been completed, officials said. The project was part of a $117-million program to rehabilitate nine A-Line stations. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-15-12]
NEW PLATFORMS COMPLETED IN BRUNSWICK AND FREEPORT, MAINE: The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority has completed construction of new platforms at stations in Brunswick and Freeport, Maine, to facilitate expanded Amtrak Downeaster service, scheduled to begin in the fall. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-15-12]
PHOENIX TESTS SKY TRAIN: Bombardier Transportation's INNOVIA Automated People Mover-200 rolling stock began operations testing May 14 on the Sky Train at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. [Railway Age website report, 5-15-12]
NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA, ADDED TO UNION PACIFIC’S TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: North Platte, Nebraska, has been awarded a membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Union Pacific, 5-15-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN OUTLINES TENNESSEE INTERMODAL PLANS: Norfolk Southern's $105-million intermodal project in Rossville, Tennessee, is expected to provide nearly 100 jobs, reduce long-haul trucks by 637,000 in the state and contribute to the railroad’s capacity expansion of 750,000 lifts in 2012, according to the company. The facility is part of NS' Crescent Corridor initiative. [American City Business Journals website report, 5-15-12]
UNION PACIFIC BEGINS BUSINESS PARK ACCESS PROJECT IN TEXAS: Union Pacific's $11-million rail project in Odessa, Texas, will provide the Leeco Business Park with rail service through a spur. "Since the park was fronting along the railroad, we inquired about a spur and Union Pacific was interested," said Leeco Properties. "Rail access is very valuable and has been for several years. In West Texas, we’re in short supply of it." [Odessa American website report, 5-15-12]
AMTRAK REVAMPING OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Amtrak officials are reorganizing operations management into four business lines. The plan’s initial step calls for hiring general managers to run each of the four units: Northeast Corridor services; long-distance services; state-supported services; and commuter services. The new GMs will report to Vice President of Operations D.J. Stadtler and will have full accountability for profit and loss of their respective business lines, Amtrak said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-14-12]
IOWA PACIFIC GETS OK TO RESUME ADIRONDACK RAIL SERVICE: Iowa Pacific Holdings will reopen Saratoga & North Creek Railway's track between North Creek and Newcomb, N.Y. It received approval to offer freight service on the line from the Surface Transportation Board. Local officials expect the area to attract more companies following the return of freight rail operations. [Glens Falls Post-Star website report, 5-14-12]
ETHANOL TRAIN TERMINAL TO BE BUILT IN ALABAMA: Robinson Construction has filed for a permit in Jefferson County, Alabama, to build an ethanol train terminal on the BNSF line in Birmingham. Green Plains Renewable Energy subsidiary BlendStar is commissioning the $8.5-million terminal, which is due to open in the third quarter. [American City Business Journals website report, 5-14-12]
DELEGATION HONORS CHINESE TRANSCONTINENTAL R.R. WORKERS: To honor the more than 2,600 Chinese who built the transcontinental railroad - which was completed at Promontory Summit 143 years ago - Chinese officials presented Utah Governor Herbert’s office with a statue before continuing on their journey by rail to Chicago. The delegation began their journey in California and made it a point to stop in Utah, which is home to the Golden Spike National Historic Site, northwest of Brigham City. [Salt Lake Tribune website report, 5-14-12]
HISTORIC WOODEN TRESTLE AT CALIFORNIA SURF SPOT REPLACED: With an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner crossing over the new ‘Trestles’ bridge on May 14, officials marked the completion of a multimillion-dollar project to replace the storied, wooden structure that has served as the gateway to a beach regarded as a birthplace of Southern California's surf culture. The original ‘Trestles,’ built in 1941, was an 858-foot stretch of wooden post-and-beam bridge. Although it remained strong, the trains were required to slow down to reduce vibration and wear and tear. [Los Angeles Times website report, 5-14-12]
N.J. GOVERNOR PROMISES TO PAY ‘FAIR SHARE’ TOWARD NEW AMTRAK TUNNEL: N.J. Governor Christie’s administration, which earlier killed a trans-Hudson rail tunnel because of fears of cost overruns, will pay its ‘fair share’ of a proposed Amtrak tunnel project linking New Jersey and New York City, Governor Christie’s transportation chief said. [Philadelphia Inquirer website report, 5-13-12]
FEDS OK PLAN TO STUDY CHICAGO-DETROIT HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT: Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have reached an agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration that will allow those states to move forward on a $4-million study to further develop the Chicago-Detroit corridor - increasing speeds and reducing congestion for passenger and freight throughout the region. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 5-11-12]
CALIFORNIA WARNED NOT TO DELAY FUNDING FOR BULLET TRAIN: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has warned California lawmakers against any further delays on the funding of the 220-mph train between Los Angeles and San Francisco. “We want to make sure that our partners here understand what's at stake… We can't wait until the end of summer," he said. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 5-11-12]
CUSTOMS PRESCREENING TO SPEED MONTREAL-NEW YORK AMTRAK SERVICE: Canadian and U.S. officials have reached a key agreement that will allow customs agents to prescreen passengers on Amtrak trains at Montreal, eliminating a two-hour delay at St. Lambert and increasing the attractiveness of the rail service between Montreal and New York City. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 5-11-12]
INVENSYS ACQUIRES CAB SIGNALING AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM FIRM: Invensys Rail Corp. has acquired privately held PHW Inc. for $24-million. PHW, which manufactures cab signaling systems and other electronic train control systems for the North American rail and transit industries, will operate as a wholly owned Invensys Rail subsidiary. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-11-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN EXPANDS SECURITY INITIATIVES TO HOBBYISTS: Norfolk Southern is making it easier for communities, businesses, and informed observers such as rail fans to report issues relating to public safety and security to the railroad’s police force. Everyone with a stake in rail operations is invited to join Norfolk Southern’s new Protect the Line reporting program, an online resource that directly connects you with NS Police. By becoming a Protect the Line member at the new www.protecttheline.com website, observers can report immediately to NS Police any suspicious activity. [Norfolk Southern, 5-11-12]
MOYNIHAN STATION CONTRACT AWARDED: The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and the Moynihan Station Development Corp. have awarded a $147.7-million construction contract to Skanska USA Civil Northeast to convert the historic Farley Post Office Building in New York City into Moynihan Station. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-11-12]
GENESEE & WYOMING REPORTS APRIL TRAFFIC: Genesee & Wyoming’s traffic in April 2012 was 77,626 carloads, a decrease of 4,564 carloads, or 5.6 pct, compared with April 2011. [Genesee & Wyoming, 5-11-12]
FEDS CHANGE POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL REGULATIONS: The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has changed regulations governing the installation of positive train control (PTC) equipment. Under the revisions, railroads will no longer have to conduct risk analyses to obtain approval to not install PTC or take other costly risk mitigation measures on an estimated 10,000 miles of track that will not carry passenger trains or poison inhalation hazard commodities after December 2015. Railroads are expected to save approximately $335-million over the first five years by utilizing safety measures other than PTC, where appropriate. [U.S. DOT, 5-10-12]
GROUND BROKEN ON SUGAR HOUSE STREETCAR LINE IN UTAH: The Utah Transit Authority broke ground May 9 marking construction of the Sugar House streetcar line, Utah's first modern streetcar project. The two-mile route will link its namesake commercial district with UTA's Central Pointe TRAX light rail station. Construction is slated for completion by late next year. [Railway Age website report, 5-10-12]
COUNCIL BLUFFS ADDED TO UNION PACIFIC’S TRAIN TOWN USA REGISTRY: Council Bluffs, Iowa, has been awarded a membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Union Pacific, 5-10-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed rail traffic for the week ending May 5, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 276,136 carloads, down 2 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume was up 3 percent.Fourteen of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011. [Assn. of American Railroads, 5-10-12]
RAIL CAR REPAIR SHOP TO OPEN IN CHADRON, NEBRASKA: Transportation Services Inc is set to open a railroad car repair shop in the Nebraska Panhandle city of Chadron using the tracks and yard of Nebraska Northwestern Railroad. Transportation Services President Haines O'Neil says the demand for rail car repairs is high in Nebraska because of coal being shipped through the state from Wyoming's Powder River Basin. [Lincoln Journal Star website report, 5-10-12]
CSX HIKES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: The board of directors of CSX Corporation has approved a nearly 17 pct increase in the quarterly dividend on the company's common stock to $0.14 per share. The dividend is payable June 15, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business May 31, 2012. [CSX, 5-9-12]
STEELRIVER AGREES TO ACQUIRE PATRIOT RAIL: Investment management firm SteelRiver Infrastructure Partners has reached an agreement with Patroit Rail Corp. to acquire all of the short-line holding company’s capital stock through infrastructure investment vehicle SteelRiver Infrastructure Fund North America LP. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-9-12]
FREIGHTCAR AMERICA REPORTS 1-Q EARNINGS: FreightCar America Inc. reported first-quarter net income of $9.7-million or 81 cents per diluted share, compared with a net loss of 1.3 million or 11 cents per share in first-quarter 2011. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-9-12]
SCHNEIDER NATIONAL EXTENDS BNSF PACT: Green Bay-based Schneider National Inc. has signed a new, multiyear agreement with BNSF, under which the railroad will continue to serve as one of Schneider's primary rail providers. [Railway Age website report, 5-9-12]
LOWE’S NAMES UNION PACIFIC 2011 RAIL CARRIER OF THE YEAR: Lowe's Home Improvement named Union Pacific Railroad its 2011 Rail Carrier of the Year at its Global Transportation Conference. Lowe's based its selection on Union Pacific's superior commitment to customer service and its ability to differentiate itself from other railroads by providing a variety of products. [Union Pacific, 5-9-12]
CP RAIL SAYS IMPROVE METRICS ARE WORKING: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd reported further improvements to the Company’s operating metrics during the month of April 2012, which were driven by the execution of CP’s Multi-Year Plan. In April 2012, when compared to the prior year period, CP reported a 45 pct improvement in car miles per car day, a 23 pct improvement in terminal dwell, a 27 pct improvement in active cars online, and a 25 pct improvement in train speed. [CP Rail, 5-9-12]
METROLINK CHIEF LEAVING POST TO HEAD PATRIOT RAIL IN FLORIDA: Metrolink Chief Executive John Fenton has announced his resignation to head Florida-based Patriot Rail Corporation. The company operates 12 regional freight railroads throughout the United States. [Los Angeles Times website report, 5-8-12]
FEDS CLEAR WAY FOR MICHIGAN’S PURCHASE OF N.S. RAIL LINES FOR UPGRADE: The Surface Transportation Board has officially cleared the way for Michigan's Department of Transportation to acquire two sections of rail right-of-way from Norfolk Southern Corp., totaling about 135 miles, for eventual upgrading to 110 mph passenger rail speeds. [Railway Age website report, 5-8-12]
BNSF BOOSTS PROFIT 16 PCT: BNSF Railway boosted its first-quarter 2012 profit nearly 16 pct year-over-year to $701-million, as higher pricing and a 3 pct volume rise pushed revenue up 10.3 pct. [Journal of Commerce website report, 5-8-12]
N.S. WINS GROUP A GOLD HARRIMAN AWARD FOR SAFETY: In ‘Group A,’ comprising line-haul railroads whose employees worked 15 million employee-hours or more, Norfolk Southern received the gold Harriman award for the 23rd year in a row. CSX Transportation won the silver award and Union Pacific Railroad the bronze award. [Norfolk Southern, 5-8-12]
IOWA PACIFIC, RAIL LOGISTICS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP: Rail Logistics and Iowa Pacific Holdings have formed a partnership in which Rail Logistics will manage, operate, and market Iowa Pacific's refrigerated railcar fleet. The venture began May 1. [Railway Age website report, 5-7-12]
CALTRAIN OK’S ELECTRIFICATION PACT: The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board has approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the California High-Speed Rail Authority and several Bay Area public agencies to fully fund the electrification of Caltrain. The MOU calls for leveraging local, regional and federal funds to secure high-speed rail funding for the project. The MOU also spells out Caltrain’s ownership of the right of way. Electrification could be in place as soon as 2019, officials said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-7-12]
KCS NAMES MICHAEL NAATZ SENIOR VP: Kansas City Southern has appointed Michael J. Naatz as senior vice president and chief information officer with responsibility for information technology and business planning. [Kansas City Southern, 5-7-12]
PROGRAM SEEKS TO IMPROVE CHICAGO RAIL NETWORK: The $3.2-billion Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program aims to develop Chicago's rail system for the benefit of the area and the entire country. The 70 projects in the CREATE program will help reduce service delays, according to the Association of American Railroads, and will "smooth the flow of traffic" for the 1,300 freight and passenger trains that move through Chicago daily. [New York Times website report, 5-7-12]
RAILROADS HOPE TO HIRE 15,000 PEOPLE THIS YEAR: Railroads plan to invest about $13-billion of their own money in their rail networks and on track to increase their workforce for the second consecutive year. Class I railroads hope to hire about 15,000 people in 2012 to deal with attrition and meet the need for more workers. "Steady pay and attractive retirement benefits" are two things that attract employees to the industry. [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review website report, 5-6-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN, STATES LEND SUPPORT FOR DETROIT-CHICAGO HIGH-SPEED PROJECT: Norfolk Southern plans to contribute $200,000 - as will Michigan, Illinois and Indiana - for a study on a proposed Detroit-Chicago high-speed passenger rail route. "Relieving congestion will also help the Midwest's freight industry by better enabling the rapid and efficient movement of manufactured and agricultural products," according to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. [MLive website report, 5-6-12]
THIRTEEN ARRESTED FOR BNSF COAL SHIPMENT BLOCKAGE: Thirteen activists have been arrested in British Columbia for coal train blockade after BNSF was granted a pre-emptive court order. Activists said they are targeting coal shipments of BNSF Railway which are arriving from the US to be exported from Vancouver to Asian markets. Organizers said the coal should not be burned, as it will contribute to ‘irreversible’ climate change. [Vancouver Observer website report, 5-5-12]
MERCED-FRESNO HIGH-SPEED RAIL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES APPROVED: Environmental impact studies of the initial route of California's high-speed train between Merced and Fresno were approved by the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The approval is a key step to allow the authority to file for government permits and select contractors. [Los Angeles Times website report, 5-4-12]
CALIFORNIA BUSINESSMAN COMMITS $1-B TOWARD HIGH-SPEED RAIL: California businessman Ed McIntyre, a partner in a proposed train maintenance facility, told the California High Speed Rail Authority’s board that he and his partners are prepared to commit up to $1-billion in private-sector investment through development of their site. [Modesto Bee website report, 5-4-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: Freight carload traffic on U.S. railroads dropped 4.1 pct during the week ending April 28 versus year-ago levels, but intermodal activity climbed 5.5 pct in the same period, according to the Association of American Railroads. [Assn. of American Railroads, 5-4-12]
RAILROADS SEE LOGISTICS POTENTIAL OF KANSAS CITY: Kansas City Southern and BNSF are recognizing the potential of Kansas City, Missouri, as a logistics center, each having plans to leverage the area's strengths. KCS sees the city as a ‘perfect set-up’ for rail traffic, and BNSF's $250-million intermodal yard project will support a $750-million logistics complex in nearby Edgerton, Kansas, which is scheduled to open next year. [DC Velocity website report, 5-4-12]
EISENHOWER STEAM ENGINE RETURNING TO ENGLAND: A mighty London & North Eastern Railway A4 steam locomotive named after Dwight Eisenhower is about to return to England for the 75th anniversary celebration of the world speed record for steam locomotives. The record wasn't set by this locomotive, currently housed in Green Bay, Wisconsin, but since there are only six surviving A4 steam engines in the world, the Eisenhower is highly sought after. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel website report, 5-4-12]
AMTRAK’S LATEST FLEET STRATEGY PLAN ANNOUNCED: Amtrak’s Fleet Strategy Plan 3.1 calls for the company to order a total of 1,453 cars, 784 locomotives, and 52 high-speed train sets over the next 30 years. These will be in addition to new equipment for state-supported corridor trains. The orders will be used to completely replace its existing fleet over time, but some existing equipment may be retained for emergency and special uses. The plan is designed to generate increased capacity for ridership growth which Amtrak conservatively estimates at 2 pct per year. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 5-4-12]
IOWA PREFERS IOWA INTERSTATE R.R. ROUTE FOR PROPOSED CHICAGO-OMAHA SERVICE: The Iowa Department of Transportation is close to releasing a final study of proposed corridor passenger train service between Chicago and Omaha. The state has selected the route via Des Moines and Iowa City, owned by the Iowa Interstate Railroad and paralleling Interstate 80, as its preferred alternative. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 5-4-12]
CSX HONORED AS MOST VALUABLE EMPLOYER FOR MILITARY: CSX Corporation has been named one of CivilianJobs.com's Most Valuable Employers for Military, the only Class I railroad on the 2012 list. [CSX, 5-4-12]
ARIZONA STUDIES SIX ROUTES FOR TUCSON-PHOENIX PASSENGER RAIL CORRIDOR: Six conceptual routes for a rail line connecting Tucson and Phoenix are under consideration by the Arizona Department of Transportation. ADOT's $6.3-million Passenger Rail Corridor Study has been under way for a year. It will include a feasibility study and an environmental impact study, to be available to the public and policymakers next year. [Arizona Daily Star website report, 5-6-12]
UPGRADE FOR UNION PACIFIC ROTARY SNOW PLOWS: Union Pacific is rebuilding its rotary snow plows in a way that will change their appearance. The entire top section of the rotary will be replaced and new steam generators will be installed. The engineer's visibility will be improved by placing his position in the center of the cab, and the latest electronics will be added to allow the rotary to be controlled at low speeds. [Sierra Sun website report, 5-3-12]
MONONGAHELA RWY ADDED TO N.S. HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE ROSTER: Norfolk Southern added the Monongahela Railway to the legacy railroads that the company is honoring with its heritage paint schemes, bringing to 20 the number of predecessor roads to be so recognized. Nine locomotives have already been painted in predecessor livery: Central of Georgia Railway, Conrail, Interstate Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad, Nickel Plate Road, old Norfolk Southern Railway, Norfolk and Western Railway, Pennsylvania Railroad, and Southern Railway. [Norfolk Southern, 5-3-12]
NEW GRAIN TERMINAL PLANNED FOR CENTRAL ILLINOIS: Bartlett Grain Company expects to be shipping train loads of central Illinois corn, soybeans and wheat by the fall of 2013 from a state-of-the-art terminal planned in South Jacksonville, Illinois. Construction is expected to begin construction this summer on the $20-million to $30-million project near Kansas City Southern lines. [State Journal-Register website report, 5-3-12]
ACKMAN’S CP RAIL SLATE ENDORSED BY ADVISORY FIRM: Institutional Shareholder Services Inc, an influential advisory firm, has endorsed Pershing Square Capital Management's entire slate of seven nominees to Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd's board in a major boost to the hedge fund's drive to oust the rail company's CEO. [Reuters website report, 5-3-12]
MISSOURI HOUSE VOTES TO ESTABLISH COMMISSION FOR 150-MPH TRAINS: The Missouri House of Representatives has voted to create a 15-member commission to recommend best practices to design, build, operate, maintain and finance an improved passenger rail system for Missouri and the Midwest. The bill is specific that the improved rail system be designed for 150-mph service. [United Transportation Union, 5-3-12]
GATX CORP. REPORTS 1-Q EARNINGS: GATX Corp. reported first-quarter net income of $30.3-million or 64 cents per diluted share, compared with $19.9-million or 42 cents per share, in the same quarter last year. Rail segment profit was $58.6-million versus $51.6-million a year ago. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-2-12]
GROUND BROKEN ON NORFOLK SOUTHERN’S CHARLOTTE INTERMODAL FACILITY: Norfolk Southern officially broke ground May 2 on the Charlotte Regional Intermodal Facility at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The facility, which will transfer trailers and containers between trucks and trains, will be capable of 200,000 lifts per year and will replace Norfolk Southern’s existing downtown facility. [Norfolk Southern, 5-2-12]
NEW PORT OF MIAMI RAIL TRACK GETTING READIED: A new $22-million Port of Miami rail track for freight trains is nearly ready after nine months of construction, according to Florida East Coast Railway (FEC). The first train will run later this year, likely in the fourth quarter. [Florida East Coast, 5-2-12]
NYC SUBWAYS ADDING 28 NEW DIESELS FOR WORK-TRAIN SERVICE: MTA New York City Transit on May 1 took delivery of the first of 28 new diesel-electric locomotives it is acquiring from Wabtec subsidiary MotivePower, Inc. NYC Transit maintains a fleet of 62 locomotives to haul work trains and pumping equipment into sections of track where third-rail power has been turned off to facilitate construction, maintenance work, or damage repair. [Railway Age website report, 5-2-12]
MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY TO RESIGN: Beverley Swaim-Staley will step down as Maryland’s transportation secretary effective July 1, the secretary announced earlier this week. [Progressive Railroading website report, 5-2-12]
BNSF CHEMICAL FIRE CAUSES $75,000 IN DAMAGES: A fire that ignited accidentally as a diesel fuel was being tested did an estimated $75,000 damage May 2 in a laboratory on BNSF Railway property in Topeka, Kansas, authorities said. No one was hurt. [Capital-Journal website report, 5-2-12]
PROXY FIGHT INVESTOR REJECTS CANADIAN PACIFIC COMPROMISE: William Ackman, the investor waging a proxy fight to oust Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.’s chief executive officer, ruled out a compromise that eliminates Hunter Harrison as a possible successor. [Bloomberg News website report, 5-2-12]
TRIPLE-TRACK PROJECT BEGINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Caltrans, BNSF Railway, and Amtrak have broken ground on a $38-million rail project that will add 3.8 additional miles of track to the Los Angeles area. The project is part of a larger $163-million, 15-mile main line track expansion between the cities of Commerce and Fullerton. [Caltrans, 5-1-12]
GENESEE & WYOMING REPORTS 1-Q EARNINGS: Genesee & Wyoming Inc. reported net income in the first-quarter of 2012 of $22.2-million, compared with net income of $22.1-million in the first-quarter of 2011. GWI's diluted earnings per share in the first-quarter of 2012 were $0.52 with 43.1 million weighted average shares outstanding. [Genesee & Wyoming, 5-1-12]
BNSF PLANS IMPROVEMENTS IN NEBRASKA: BNSF's 2012 capacity enhancement projects in Nebraska include adding a second main line track in the Grand Island area; beginning work to replace BNSF's bridge over the Missouri River between Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and Pacific Jct., Iowa; expansion of BNSF's Lincoln locomotive shop; improvements to BNSF's Havelock car shop; and significant signal upgrades for federally mandated positive train control. [BNSF, 5-1-12]
WABTEC WINS AUSTRALIA LOCOMOTIVE ORDER: Wabtec Corp's MotivePower subsidiary will build 10 locomotives for CFCLA Rail JV Pty Ltd., a joint venture of CFCL Australia Pty. Ltd. and Marubeni Corp. of Tokyo, the company announced Tuesday. [Railway Age website report, 5-1-12]
RAILAMERICA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF MARQUETTE RAIL: RailAmerica Inc. has completed its acquisition of Marquette Rail LLC for approximately $40-million. [RailAmerica, 5-1-12]
FEDS ISSUE FINAL RULES ON USE OF R.R. RIGHTS-OF-WAY FOR TRAILS: The Surface Transportation Board has issued final rules that update the agency's existing procedures on the interim use of railroad rights-of-way for rail banking and recreational trail use. The new rules require a railroad and trail sponsor to jointly notify the Board when they reach a rail banking/interim trail use agreement. The new rules clarify that any party assuming future responsibility for a trail must acknowledge that the interim trail use is subject to future reactivation of the rail line. [Surface Transportation Board, 4-30-12]
SEVEN CHICAGO NORTH RED LINE STATIONS TO GET IMPROVEMENTS: Officials have announced that $86-million worth of improvements will be made at seven stations along Chicago Transit Authority’s North Red Line. The project is designed to improve the Jarvis, Morse, Granville, Thorndale, Berwyn, Argyle and Lawrence stations. Funding will come from a mix of federal and local dollars. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-30-12]
BNSF PAYS FAMILIES $29-M TO SETTLE FATAL 2003 CRASH: An eight and one-half-year legal battle between Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the families of four young people killed in a 2003 car-train crash in Anoka, Minnesota, is over. Relatives of the victims confirmed that they received $29.1-million from the railroad in a settlement in late March, initiated the day after the Minnesota Supreme Court denied the railroad's appeal for a new trial. [Star Tribune website report, 4-30-12]
SHORT LINE TO LEASE 26-MILE SEGMENT OF NORFOLK SOUTHERN TRACK IN ALABAMA: Genesee & Wyoming Inc. announced that its newly formed subsidiary, the Columbus & Chattahoochee Railroad, Inc. has signed an agreement with Norfolk Southern to lease and operate a 26-mile segment of NS track that runs from Girard, Alabama, to Mahrt, Alabama. The line will interchange with NS in Columbus, Georgia, where Georgia Southwestern Railroad also has operations. [Genesee & Wyoming, 4-30-12]
VIRGINIA TO FUND EXPANSION OF AMTRAK ROUTE: Virginia plans to use state funds to extend an Amtrak route between Norfolk and Richmond. Some new track will need to be laid, but a portion of the route would use CSX and Norfolk Southern tracks. The project is expected to cost the state about $114.6-million. [Talking Points Memo website report, 4-30-12]
STRIKE AGAINST CANADIAN PACIFIC COULD OCCUR IN MAY: Teamsters Canada Rail Conference members have voted in favor of launching a strike against Canadian Pacific if new collective agreements aren’t reached soon. The strike would be launched any time after May 22 once a cooling-off period expires. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-30-12]
VRE TO HIKE FARES 3 PCT IN JULY: Starting July 1, Virginia Railway Express passengers will see a 3 pct increase in the cost of daily tickets and monthly passes. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 4-27-12]
BNSF, UP ORDERED TO PAY RATE REPARATIONS: The Surface Transportation Board has ordered BNSF and Union Pacific to pay reparations totaling $9,244,144 to Arizona Electric Power Cooperative for rate overcharges for the movement of utility coal. [Railway Age website report, 4-27-12]
NEWTON, KANSAS, CONTRIBUTES TO SOUTHWEST CHIEF ROUTE COALITION: City commissioners in Newton, Kansas voted on April 24 to contribute up to $15,000 to a coalition working to ensure the current route of Amtrak's Southwest Chief, protecting service in the region. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 4-27-12]
AMSTERDAM COMMUTER TRAIN ACCIDENT KILLS ONE, INJURES 117: A serious commuter train accident occurred in Amsterdam April 21, killing one and injuring 117 passengers. The accident is still under investigation. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 4-27-12]
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON SEATTLE’S NEW STREETCAR LINE: Sound Transit has broken ground on the First Hill Streetcar. The 2.5-mile line will serve employment centers, educational institutions, entertainment and sports venues, and residential neighborhoods while enhancing access to regional rail service. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-26-12]
KOPPERS, CSX REACH FIVE-YEAR DEAL: Koppers Inc. and CSX Transportation have extended a railroad products agreement for five years. Koppers supplies CSX with treated railroad crossties and other products. [Pittsburgh Business Times website report, 4-26-12]
RAIL GROUP AIDS TRINITY INDUSTRIES' 1-Q PROFIT: Dallas-based Trinity Industries Inc., aided by its Rail Group, reported a first-quarter net profit of $52.9-million or 66 cents per share, compared with $24.2 million or 30 cents per share in the first quarter of 2011. [Railway Age website report, 4-26-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending April 21, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 282,262 carloads, down 3.6 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 4-26-12]
CSX INCREASES WORKFORCE: Last year, CSX hired 4,000 employees, three-quarters of whom were hired to replace retiring workers. The additional 1,000 increased their employee base. [Bloomberg News website report, 4-26-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN PLACES PRODUCT ORDER FOR BATTERY-POWERED LOCOMOTIVES: Norfolk Southern has made an initial order of $400,000 for Axion Power International's PbC batteries. The Class I plans to use the lead-carbon equipment for a battery-powered locomotive. [Torque News website report, 4-26-12]
BALTIMORE URGES CSX TO BUILD NEW INTERMODAL FACILITY IN CITY: Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is urging CSX Transportation to find a site in the city for its multi-million dollar cargo transfer center rather than look for a site in suburbs to the south of the city. [Baltimore Sun website report, 4-26-12]
CSX BACK IN COURT OVER ALABAMA’S TAX ON FUEL: CSX on April 25 continued its legal fight over whether Alabama's sales tax on diesel fuel discriminates against them. CSX and other railroads have said in lawsuits that the 4 percent sales and use tax it pays Alabama on diesel fuel is discriminatory because competitors, including trucking companies, are exempt. [Birmingham News website report, 4-26-12]
CSX EARNS MAPLECROFT CLIMATE RECOGNITION: CSX Corporation has been named to the Maplecroft Climate Innovation Leader Index, one of three Indices that rank U.S. companies on their leadership in climate change mitigation and management. At No. 81, CSX is the highest-ranked Class I railroad included in this year's index. [CSX, 4-25-12]
GCT UPGRADES TO SLASH ENERGY CONSUMPTION: An energy efficiency project under way at Grand Central Terminal in New York City will cut Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s annual carbon emissions by 10,000 tons, agency officials estimate. The $22-million project, which involves installing new heating and cooling equipment, represents the largest energy efficiency project that MTA has undertaken with the New York Power Authority, agency officials said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-25-12]
RAILAMERICA REPORTS 1-Q EARNINGS: RailAmerica, Inc. reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Revenue increased 15 pct to $143.4-million from $124.9-million in the first-quarter of 2011. Freight revenue increased 10 pct to $107.8-million. Non-freight revenue increased 30 pct to $35.6-million. [RailAmerica, 4-25-12]
L.A. PREPARES FOR EXPO LINE’S LAUNCH: This weekend, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will stage festivities to mark the new Expo line’s opening. Passengers will travel by rail from downtown L.A. to the Westside for the first time since 1953, when Pacific Electric’s Santa Monica Air Line closed. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-25-12]
ILLINOIS PROCLAIMS JULY 1 AS ‘UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD DAY’: Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly have proclaimed July 1, 2012, as Union Pacific Railroad Day in Illinois to honor UP during its year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Railway Age website report, 4-25-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN RECOGNIZES 45 CUSTOMERS FOR CHEMICAL SAFETY: Norfolk Southern Corporation announced that 45 customers have earned the company’s Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award for their safe handling of chemical products in 2011. Given annually for 16 years, the award recognizes companies and facilities that ship more than 1,000 carloads of federally regulated hazardous material over Norfolk Southern’s rail network without incident for the year. [Norfolk Southern, 4-25-12]
UNION PACIFIC CONTINUES DOUBLE-TRACK WORK THROUGH ARIZONA: Work on Union Pacific Railroad’s double track effort through Arizona from El Paso to Los Angeles is continuing, with most of the track being laid in Pinal County. However, the railroad’s plans for a larger switch yard near Picacho Peak are now on hold. [Explorer News website report, 4-25-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN PROJECT IN N.C. TO BOLSTER ECONOMY: Norfolk Southern's $74-million investment in a proposed intermodal facility at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is needed for the economic growth of the Charlotte region, according to an Insight Research report cited by local officials. About 5,000 jobs would be created over the next two decades as a result of the terminal, which is projected to generate $9-billion in economic activity. [Charleston, S.C., Regional Business Journal website report, 4-25-12]
CSX TERMINAL IN OHIO ATTRACTS FREIGHT-LOGISTICS COMPANY: Willmar International, a freight-logistics company, has acquired almost 77 acres in Henry Twp, Ohio, and plans to develop its operations there because it is close to a CSX rail terminal. The project is expected to "help jump-start the progress of economic development in the area…," according to Willmar International. [Toledo Blade website report, 4-25-12]
INTERMODAL YARD IN LOUISIANA WOULD IMPROVE ACCESS TO RAILROADS: The Port of South Louisiana is considering a $1.3-billion project in St. Charles Parish that would build an intermodal rail yard and a container dock in the initial stages of the development. The project would create an easier link to six Class I railroads. [Times-Picayune website report, 4-25-12]
UNION PACIFIC TO RENEW 95 MILES OF LINE IN IDAHO: Union Pacific Railroad will enhance Idaho's transportation infrastructure by investing $10.9-million in the rail line that runs between Athol and Eastport in northern Idaho. The 95-mile project includes replacing more than 79,000 railroad ties, installing more than 28,000 tons of ballast, and renewing the surfaces at 83 road crossings. [Union Pacific, 4-24-12]
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY R.R. TO OBTAIN FOUR REPOWERED LOCOMOTIVES: Progress Rail Services Corp. has an agreement with RailAmerica Inc.’s San Joaquin Valley Railroad to supply four repowered, low-emissions PR30 locomotives. Progress Rail will repower the four-axle, GP-type locomotives with Caterpillar 3516C-HD engines rated at 2,995 horsepower. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-24-12]
GE TRANSPORTATION LAUNCHES NEW PRODUCT LINE: GE Transportation has launched a new a new portfolio of rail signaling and train control systems called Tempo Railway Solutions. Among Tempo’s offerings are European Train Control System technology and a computer based interlocking system. [Railway Age website report, 4-24-12]
SAN DIEGO TO PURCHASE SEVEN ADDITIONAL LOW-FLOOR TROLLEYS: The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System has exercised an option to purchase seven additional low-floor trolleys from Siemens Industry Inc. The option is in addition to 57 cars already on order, which MTS began receiving in September 2011. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-24-12]
'STEAM INTO HISTORY' IS COMING TO YORK COUNTY, PA.: Rail history is about to be reborn on a portion of York County's Northern Central Railway in Pennsylvania, as Steam into History Inc. anticipates an early spring 2013 completion of a mid-1800's era steam train between the stations of New Freedom and Hanover Junction. [York County Rail Trail Authority Trail News]
RAILROADS REACH RATIFICATION AGREEMENT WITH 13 UNIONS: Contract negotiations between U.S. railroads and rail workers reached a milestone as the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division became the 13th and final union to ratify new contracts, according to the National Carriers' Conference Committee. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-24-12]
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS SLATED FOR L.A. PORT: The Port of Los Angeles will invest more than $3-billion in transportation infrastructure projects over the next five years to ensure that it remains competitive. The plan includes construction of on-dock rail yards, marine terminals, intermodal connectors and other transportation infrastructure. [Journal of Commerce website report, 4-24-12]
DANIEL BROWN DIES, R.R. EQUIPMENT COMPANY OWNER: Daniel Brown, who owned and operated Brown Railroad Equipment in Mitchell, Ill., for 35 years, died April 21 in Maryville, Ill. He was 76. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-24-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN REPORTS 1-Q EARNINGS: For the first-quarter of 2012, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported net income of $410-million, 26 pct higher than the first quarter of 2011. First-quarter 2011 results included a $58-million non-cash charge that reduced net income by $36 million [Norfolk Southern, 4-24-12]
KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN REPORTS 1-Q EARNINGS: Kansas City Southern reported record first quarter 2012 revenues of $548-million. Reported net income totaled $75-million, compared with $64-million in the first-quarter of 2011. [Kansas City Southern, 4-24-12]
AMTRAK’S GATEWAY PROPOSAL INCLUDES ‘BERGEN LOOP’ TO N.Y.C.: Bergen and Passaic county, N.J., commuters could have a direct ride into New York if Amtrak’s proposed Gateway project is built. Amtrak says its plan to build a pair of rail tunnels under the Hudson River to connect North Jersey with New York includes a ‘Bergen Loop option.’ Those lines don’t currently directly feed into the corridor; as a result, commuters transfer at Secaucus or Hoboken. [The Record website report, 4-24-12]
UNION PACIFIC TO RENEW 27 MILES OF LINE IN COLORADO: Union Pacific Railroad is enhancing Colorado's transportation infrastructure by investing $4-million in the rail line that runs between Grand Junction and Cameo. The nearly 27-mile project includes replacing 25,200 ties, spreading 13,300 tons of ballast, and renewing the surfaces at 42 road crossings. [Union Pacific, 4-24-12]
ILLINOIS AWARDS AMTRAK GRANT FOR CHICAGO RAIL YARD: Illinois has awarded Amtrak with a $300,000 energy efficiency grant to assist the agency in updating its train yard in Chicago. State officials say the grant will reduce Amtrak's natural gas consumption and help the rail company save millions of dollars annually. [Chicago Tribune website report, 4-23-12]
UP’S INVESTMENT PLAN IN LOUISIANA TO HELP INDUSTRIAL GROWTH: Union Pacific's plan to invest $500-million in Louisiana over the next several years is expected to facilitate economic and job growth in the state's agriculture, exporting, oil and petrochemical industries. For this year, the railroad plans to allot $200-million for expansion projects along the Mississippi River, creating more than 1,700 jobs. The investments are being made alongside customers' own development projects. [Baton Rouge Advocate website report, 4-23-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC INCREASES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: The Board of Directors of Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd has declared an increase in CP’s quarterly dividend to thirty-five cents ($0.35) Canadian per share on the outstanding Common Shares, from thirty cents ($0.30) per share. The increased dividend is payable on July 30, 2012, to holders of record at the close of business on June 22, 2012. [Canadian Pacific, 4-23-12]
RAIL EMPLOYMENT RISES IN MARCH: U.S. Class I railroads employed 160,523 workers in mid-March, up 3 pct from March 2011. All employment groups registered improvement compared with both the previous year and the previous month. [Railway Age website report, 4-23-12]
MOBILE TICKETING IN STORE FOR MBTA COMMUTER TRAINS: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Masabi US Ltd. said in a joint announcement April 23 that they will bring mobile ticketing to MBTA commuter rail riders this fall. [Railway Age website report, 4-23-12]
AMTRAK COMPLETES HIALEAH MAINTENANCE PROJECT: Amtrak has completed a $32.7-million project at its maintenance facility in Hialeah, Florida, to improve the building’s capacity, efficiency and working conditions. The enhanced facility has a number of features to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for environmentally sustainable construction. The facility will be used to maintain Viewliner, Amfleet II and Heritage Diner equipment. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-23-12]
FLORIDA PORT TO COMPLETE CONTAINER YARD: The Manatee County Port Authority has approved a $13-million contract with American Bridge Co. to complete a 584-foot extension of Berth 12 and a 10-acre container yard at the Palmetto, Florida, port. The project will enable the port, served by CSX, to handle Panamax-sized ships after the Panama Canal expansion is finished by 2015. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-23-12]
CN REPORTS 1-Q EARNINGS: CN reported net income for the first-quarter of 2012 was $775-million $1.75 per diluted share, versus net income of $668-million $1.45 per diluted share in the first-quarter 2011. The operating ratio was 66.2 pct, a 2.8-point improvement over the year-earlier first-quarter. [Canadian National, 4-23-12]
FEDS SEEK BIDDERS FOR AMTRAK HIGH-SPEED RAIL CARS: A $551-million bid solicitation seeks proposals from U.S. companies to build about 130 high-speed rail cars for Amtrak routes in California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and possibly Iowa, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. [Chicago Tribune website report, 4-22-12]
RAIL INTERMODAL GAINS FROM RISING FUEL COSTS IN PENNSYLVANIA: Rising motor fuel prices in Pennsylvania provide a boost to the intermodal business as freight railroads are more efficient in the long-distance transportation of cargo over trucks, according to Pat Sabatino, Lehigh Valley Rail Management manager. The Association of American Railroads considers the intermodal sector the fastest growing in the industry. [Allentown Morning Call website report, 4-21-12]
AMTRAK’S VERMONTER ON-TIME 100 PCT IN MARCH: The Vermont Rail Action Network reports that Amtrak’s Vermonter had a 100 pct on-time performance in March. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 4-20-12]
D.J. STADTLER NAMED AMTRAK’S VP OPERATIONS: Amtrak announced April 19 that D.J. Stadtler will assume the role of Vice President of Operations. He will have oversight over Amtrak’s transportation, engineering and mechanical departments. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 4-20-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC REPORTS 1-Q EARNINGS: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd announced its first-quarter 2012 results with net income of $142-million, an increase of $108-million or 318 pct from the same period in 2011, and diluted earnings per share of $0.82, an increase of $0.62 or 310 pct from the same period in 2011. [Canadian Pacific, 4-20-12]
GE TRANSPORTATION REPORTS STRONG FIRST-QUARTER: GE Transportation reported a ‘segment profit’ of $232-million in the first quarter of 2012, up 48 pct from the same quarter a year ago. Revenue of $1.3-billion rose 41 pct measured against the first quarter of last year. [Railway Age website report, 4-20-12]
CSX CELEBRATES EARTH MONTH: To celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month, CSX Corporation is continuing commitment to environmental sustainability by organizing a series of local events across its network and remaining focused on environmentally-friendly business practices. In addition, the company is working to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment by holding an online contest on the company's Facebook page. [CSX, 4-20-12]
CSX WINS MILITARY OFFICERS ASSN. DISTRINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD: The Military Officers Association of America has named CSX Corporation the recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Service Award, a recognition of CSX's continued emphasis on hiring and supporting active duty and veteran men and women. Nearly one in five CSX employees is a veteran of the armed services. [CSX, 4-20-12]
CSX NAMED ONE OF COUNTRY’S 100 BEST CORPORATE CITIZENS: Corporate Responsibility Magazine has named CSX one of the country's 100 Best Corporate Citizens. The companies are selected based on an analysis of publicly available information, including 10-K filings, sustainability reports, programs and nearly 320 data elements across several categories. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 4-20-12]
GREENBRIER OPENS RAIL SERVICES PLANT IN NEBRASKA: Greenbrier's newly opened rail services plant just outside Hershey, Nebraska, provides wheel maintenance and other services to railroads such as Union Pacific. The facility's location near UP's Bailey Yard helps the railroad save money because it reduces the travel time of transporting damaged wheels. [North Platt Bulletin website report, 4-20-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN PAINTS LOCOMOTIVE IN PRR SCHEME: Norfolk Southern recently painted a locomotive in the colors of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which will serve as a reminder that NS has "deep roots in the nation's past," said Don Faulkner, Juniata Locomotive Shops general superintendent. [Assn. of American Railroads, 4-19-12]
UNION PACIFIC REPORTS RECORD 1-Q EARNINGS: Union Pacific Corporation reported 2012 first quarter net income of $863-million or $1.79 per diluted share, compared to $639-million or $1.29 per diluted share in the first quarter 2011. Operating revenues totaled $5.1-billion, up 14 percent and a best-ever quarterly record. [Union Pacific, 4-19-12]
RUNAWAY RAIL CAR MAKES 16-MILE RUN IN MONTANA: BNSF Railway said a single flatcar got away from a bridge crew April 18 working about 40 miles southeast of Great Falls and traveled 11 miles down the tracks and five miles back before being stopped by a rail crane. The company estimates the car was traveling less than 5 mph when it hit the crane positioned on the tracks about 15 minutes after the car rolled away. [KULR-8 website report, 4-19-12]
CANADIAN NATIONAL WEIGHS ACQUIRING ONTARIO NORTHERN: CN has given indications that it might be interested in purchasing Ontario Northern Railroad operations in whole or part. Late last month, Ontario's provincial government said it planned to terminate fiscal support of Ontario Northland Transportation Commission. [Railway Age website report, 4-19-12]
VIA RAIL TO IMPROVE MORE THAN 50 STATIONS: VIA Rail Canada is moving ahead on a $930-million capital investment project that calls for improvements to more than 50 key rail stations from Vancouver to Halifax. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-19-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending April 14, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 276,789 carloads, down 6.4 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 4-19-12]
KCS, NS EXPAND INTERMODAL REACH WITH NEW U.S.-MEXICO SERVICE: Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern recently launched a joint venture that is expected to widen their intermodal capabilities in the U.S.-Mexico market. Their TMX partnership provides a more flexible and efficient method of transporting 53-foot containers by linking KCS' intermodal facilities in Mexico to NS hubs in Atlanta and Charlotte. [Journal of Commerce website report, 4-19-12]
BNSF CROSSING WORK IN BURLINGTON, IOWA, NEARING COMPLETION: BNSF started an extensive improvement of its line through Burlington, Iowa, April 2 when it closed seven crossings, funneling motor traffic across the Sixth Street and Central Avenue overpasses. Except for storms last weekend, weather has been ideal for the project, and the work is expected to meet the three-week deadline. [The Hawk Eye website report, 4-19-12]
UNION PACIFIC ADDS WINFIELD, ILLINOIS, TO TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: Winfield, Illinois, has been awarded membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. [Union Pacific, 4-19-12]
SENATE PANEL OK'S $20-M FOR AMTRAK’S GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT: The Senate Appropriations committee has approved $20-million for Amtrak’s Gateway Tunnel project, which would increase rail capacity for New Jersey residents traveling to and from New York City. [Daily Record website report, 4-19-12]
MARYLAND TO REPAIR BALTIMORE LIGHT-RAIL, SUBWAY SYSTEMS: The Maryland Transit Administration has plans to complete $4.7-million in repair projects to Baltimore’s light-rail and subway systems this summer. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-18-12]
LIRR TO DOUBLE-TRACK RONKONKOMA LINE: Seeking to improve capacity and reduce scheduling conflicts, MTA Long Island Rail Road says it plans to begin double-tracking 12.6 miles of LIRR's Ronkonkoma Branch route between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma two years ahead of the previous schedule. [Railway Age website report, 4-18-12]
UNION PACIFIC ADDS CLINTON, IOWA, TO TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: Clinton, Iowa, has been awarded membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. Clinton received an official Train Town USA resolution signed by Union Pacific Chairman Jim Young. [Union Pacific, 4-18-12]
CSX REPORTS 1-Q EARNINGS: CSX Corporation announced first-quarter net earnings of $449-million or $0.43 per share, versus $395 million or $0.35 per share in the same period last year. This represents a 23 pct year-over-year improvement in earnings per share. [CSX, 4-17-12]
TRAIN DELAYS POSSIBLE DURING NATO SUMMIT IN CHICAGO: Passenger rail lines that pass through McCormick Place in Chicago will operate during the NATO summit May 20 and 21, but delays are possible due to heightened security, the Secret Service said. [Chicago Tribune website report, 4-17-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN TO BEGIN EXPANSION OF BELLEVUE, OHIO, CLASSIFICATION YARD: Norfolk Southern this month will begin a $160-million project to expand its Bellevue rail yard in Northern Ohio, a project that will double the yard’s capacity in order to meet rising demand for freight rail transportation. When completed in 2015, Bellevue will be the largest classification yard on the NS system. [Norfolk Southern, 4-16-12]
SASKATCHEWAN ANNOUNCES SHORT LINE RAILROAD GRANTS: Saskatchewan's provincial government has announced $700,000 in grants distributed on a 50-50 cost-shared basis among 11 short line railroads through its Shortline Railway Sustainability Program. [Railway Age website report, 4-16-12]
GROUND BROKEN ON BART’S BERRYESSA EXTENSION: Ground has been broken on a 10-mile extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit rail system to California’s Silicon Valley. The project entails constructing stations in Milpitas and Berryessa, and purchasing 40 new passenger-rail cars. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-16-12]
PROJECT TO BOLSTER MEMPHIS RAIL ACCESS: Cargill is partnering with the Memphis and Shelby County Port Commission for an estimated $20-million to $30-million rail project along Presidents Island in Memphis, Tennessee. The project aims to develop rail access to the island and would spur private investment worth $31.6-million, according to the Commerce Department. [American City Business Journals website report, 4-16-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN AWARDED FOR CARBON REDUCTION: The American Carbon Registry gave Norfolk Southern its Corporate Excellence award for making a public commitment to reducing CO2 emissions 10 pct below 2009 levels by 2014 and for reaching nearly 40 pct of that five-year goal in the first year. [Norfolk Southern, 4-16-12]
WISCONSIN KILLS TALGO MAINTENANCE CONTRACT: Wisconsin officials have canceled a $116-million maintenance contract with train manufacturer Talgo, escalating a political and legal dispute over two brand-new trains that already have cost the state $71.8-million. In a letter terminating the contract, a state lawyer also claimed that the costs of testing the trains are rising and that federal officials have found the trains don't meet standards for accessibility to the disabled. [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel website report, 4-15-12]
U.P. STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 844 TO PULL EXHIBIT TRAIN: Union Pacific steam locomotive 844 is about to commence the first segment of UP 150 Express. Tour highlights for the first segment include appearances at Celebrate Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 10-13. [Union Pacific, 4-13-12]
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON TUCSON STREETCAR PROJECT: Construction has commenced on a new 3.9-mile streetcar project in Tucson. The line will connect a population of the more than 85,000 people who live, work, and play within walking distance of the 17 planned streetcar stops. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 4-13-12]
TIGER PROGRAM REQUESTS EXCEEDED AVAILABLE FUNDS 20 TO 1: The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that demand for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants exceeded the funds available by a twenty-to-one ratio. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 4-13-12]
IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED FOR PROVIDENCE STATION: Rhode Island is planning a two-part improvement project for the train station in Providence. The first phase will include short-term infrastructure repairs and aesthetic improvements, such as reconstructing a plaza on the station’s downtown side, and improving access and visibility on the station’s Francis Street side. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-13-12]
ROCLA CONCRETE TIE TO LOCATE PLANT IN PUEBLO, COLORADO: Rocla Concrete Tie Inc. has selected Pueblo as the location for its new Colorado production facility. Scheduled to open in the fourth quarter, it will be the concrete tie producer’s largest U.S. facility. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-13-12]
UNION PACIFIC NAMES BENSON, ARIZONA, TO ITS TRAIN TOWN REGISTRY: Benson, Arizona, has been awarded membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. City officials in Benson received an official Train Town USA resolution signed by Union Pacific Chairman Jim Young. [Union Pacific, 4-13-12]
STEWARTSTOWN RAILROAD'S FUTURE UNCERTAIN: The Stewartstown Railroad is a 7.4-mile short line in York County, Pa., that began providing freight and passenger service in 1885 east from an interchange with the former Northern Central Railway in New Freedom. The line is currently inactive, and its future is under review by the Surface Transportation Board. [York County Rail Trail Authority Trail News]
AMTRAK, BNSF DISCUSS SOUTHWEST CHIEF’S ROUTE: Amtrak and BNSF officials have met with representatives of communities to discuss the route of the Southwest Chief via western Kansas, southeastern Colorado and northern New Mexico. The officials discussed several funding and public action ideas to find a solution to maintain the current route as the best option for the train. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-13-12]
TWO FORMER N.J. SHORTLINE EXECUTIVES CHARGED IN FRAUD: The former chief operating officer and former project manager of Morristown & Erie Railway have been indicted for fraud by a grand jury in New Jersey. They are alleged to have improperly converted more than $800,000 in state DOT funds intended for rail rehabilitation, according to newjerseynewsroom.com. [United Transportation Union, 4-13-12]
VANCOUVER, B.C., TRAIN STATION RESTORATION COMPLETED: The completion of a $6.9-million project to restore VIA Rail’s heritage train station in Vancouver was celebrated April 13. The renovations paid strict attention to preserving the heritage features of the building, which was built in 1919. [VIA Rail Canada, 4-13-12]
METRO-NORTH RECORDS BEST QUARTERLY ON-TIME PERFORMANCE: MTA Metro-North Railroad said its system-wide on-time performance was 98.8 pct during the first-quarter of 2012, claiming it was the best quarter in Metro-North's history. [Railway Age website report, 4-13-12]
CSX ORDERED TO REINSTATE, PAY $186,000 TO FIRED TRACK WORKER: CSX must pay more than $186,000 to a worker who was illegally fired after he raised safety issues, the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced. CSX was also ordered to remove all references to the firing in the personnel file of the worker, who had lost his job as a track maintenance worker at the Selkirk rail yard in March 2010. [Albany Times-Union website report, 4-12-12]
N.J. SPENDS $408-M ON LOCOMOTIVES BUILT SPECIFICALLY FOR SCUTTLED TUNNEL: Governor Christie killed the Hudson River rail tunnel nearly two years ago, but N.J. taxpayers will still pay more than $408-million for locomotives built specially for the project. The engines, about double the cost of a diesel locomotive, would allow Main, Bergen and Pascack Valley line commuters to ride directly into Manhattan without having to transfer. [The Record website report, 4-12-12]
CATERPILLAR SEEKS INCREASED SHARE IN LOCOMOTIVE MARKET: Caterpillar is trying to catch up with General Electric in the locomotive market amid a surge in demand. Rising profits are allowing railroad companies to upgrade their fleets. [Wall Street Journal website report, 4-12-12]
AMTRAK SEEKS FUNDS FOR NORTHEAST CORRIDOR GATEWAY PROPOSAL: Amtrak is seeking $35-million this year to advance plans for its $13.5-billion Gateway proposal to increase rail service on the Northeast corridor by adding two tunnels under the Hudson, replacing the century-old Portal Bridge near Newark, and expanding Pennsylvania Station in New York. [Philadelphia Inquirer website report, 4-12-12]
CANADA TO HELP FUND TRACK RESTORATION FOR VANCOUVER ISLAND RWY: The Canadian government will provide up to $7.5-million to help fund track restoration work for the Vancouver Island Railway between Victoria and Courtenay, B.C. Because of poor track conditions and safety concerns, passenger-rail service between those points has been suspended. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-12-12]
CALIFORNIA BULLET TRAIN PLAN APPROVED BY STATE RAIL AGENCY: A formal plan to build a California bullet train that would become partially operational in 10 years has been approved by the state rail agency, though the blueprint was amended at the last minute to include a goal of providing service to Orange County. [Los Angeles Times website report, 4-12-12]
RAILAMERICA’S TRAFFIC DECLINED IN MARCH: RailAmerica Inc. subsidiary railroads handled 74,414 carloads in March, down 3 percent compared with March 2011. On a ‘same railroad’ basis, carloads declined 3.9 percent. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-12-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending April 7, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 270,974 carloads, down 7.7 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 4-12-12]
ANALYST UPGRADES CP RAIL TO ‘BUY’ AS ANNUAL MEETING LOOMS: With just over a month to go until its annual meeting, Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. was upgraded to ‘buy’ from ‘neutral’ by an analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. [Financial Post website report, 4-12-12]
CINCINNATI ORDERS FIVE STREETCARS: Cincinnati has selected CAF USA to provide five streetcars for the city's streetcar line, under construction since a Feb. 17 groundbreaking ceremony. [Railway Age website report, 4-11-12]
UNION PACIFIC RENEWING 55 MILES OF LINE IN KANSAS: Union Pacific is investing $14.4-million in the rail line that runs between Kansas City and just east of Topeka. The 55-mile project includes replacing nearly 11 miles of rail, renewing the surfaces at 83 road crossings, replacing 52,400 ties, spreading 21,400 tons of ballast and replacing 14 switches [Union Pacific, 4-11-12]
AMTRAK ON PACE TO SET NEW RIDERSHIP RECORD: Amtrak is on pace to set another new annual ridership record as passenger counts across its national network for the first six months of fiscal year 2012 (October 2011–March 2012) are up 3.7 pct over the same period last year when the current record was established. [Amtrak, 4-11-12]
‘BRAINY’ IS NORFOLK SOUTHERN’S PUBLIC SAFETY MASCOT: Brainy, a hapless brain in need of training, is Norfolk Southern’s public safety mascot. He is part of Norfolk Southern’s ‘Train Your Brain’ public railroad safety program, now in its sixth year. Brainy reminds people to be smart and alert around highway-rail grade crossings and to avoid trespassing on railroad property. [Norfolk Southern, 4-11-12]
TRIMET POSTED RIDERSHIP INCREASE FOR 12TH STRAIGHT MONTH: In March 2012, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon’s ridership increased for the 12th consecutive month. TriMet recorded more than 8.6 million trips on MAX light-rail and WES commuter-rail services, and buses. Weekday and weekly trips, and total monthly ridership have increased for each of the past 12 months, officials said [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-11-12]
MONTANA RAIL LINK TO RESUME BITTERROOT VALLEY SERVICE IN MAY: Montana Rail Link's service is expected to resume in part of the Bitterroot Valley in Montana by May 19. A funding agreement among five companies and local and county officials helped MRL decide to restore service for one year. MRL is making rail improvements before it resumes service. [KTVM-TV website report, 4-11-12]
NATURAL GAS OPENS OPPORTUNITIES FOR CSX: The growth of the natural gas industry is creating opportunities for a diverse set of railroad shipments, according to CSX Transportation. Materials used for hydraulic fracturing projects such as sand and crude oil are giving railroads new business, and CSX is increasing its efforts to attract more customers, the company said. [Charleston State Journal website report, 4-11-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN GETS EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Norfolk Southern Corporation has earned the Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response National Achievement Award for 2011. This is the tenth consecutive year that Norfolk Southern has received the award that recognizes extraordinary achievement in support of efforts to prepare communities to respond to a possible hazardous materials transportation incident. [Norfolk Southern, 4-11-12]
NEW LODGING BEING BUILT FOR N.S. CREWS IN CHATTANOOGA: Norfolk Southern employees will soon be able to enjoy a hotel being built exclusively for their use in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Motel Sleepers is building the hotel, and this will make it easier for the railroaders to get their required rest. The hotel itself will remain closed to the general public, but the attached diner will be available to anyone. Motel Sleepers was established in 1968 and has provided similar facilities to BNSF, CSX and Union Pacific. [Chattanooga Times Free Press website report, 4-10-12]
NEW RAILROAD DEPOT IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, BEING BUILT: Dearborn, Michigan, is celebrating construction of a $28-million train station that will provide easy access to Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Dearborn is a stop for Amtrak trains traveling to and from Chicago. [The Republic website report, 4-10-12]
WATCO ACQUIRES CUDAHY CAR SHOP: Watco Cos. LLC has acquired the operations of Cudahy Car Shop Inc. (CCS) in Cudahy, Wisconsin, which provides rail-car repair and maintenance services. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-10-12]
CALTRAIN POSTS ALL-TIME HIGH WEEKDAY RIDERSHIP: Caltrain’s average weekday ridership recently reached at an all-time high of 42,354, a 12 pct year-over-year increase. The higher average marks the second year ridership rose despite service cuts and fare increases, Caltrain said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-10-12]
ALSTROM LANDS SIGNALING CONTRACT IN AMSTERDAM: Alstom has obtained a $131-million contract from the city of Amsterdam to deploy signaling technology on four existing metro lines and on the new North-South line currently under construction. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-10-12]
CALIFORNIA BULLET TRAIN PLAN DROPS LINK TO ANAHEIM: In a blow to Orange County's hopes for a boost to business and tourism, the California bullet train project has dropped a link to Anaheim from its current, $68-billion plan. The rail agency confirmed the shift, marking a significant departure for the Bay Area-to-Southern California high-speed rail system that state voters approved in 2008. [Los Angeles Times website report, 4-9-12]
UTAH’S FRONTRUNNER EXTENSION TO OPEN IN DECEMBER: The Utah Transit Authority’s new FrontRunner commuter-rail line from Provo to Salt Lake City will open Dec. 10, UTA officials announced late last week. The new 45-mile line is an extension of FrontRunner’s Salt Lake City-to-Weber County route that opened in April 2008. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-9-12]
UNITED STREETCAR TO SUPPLY TWO STREETCARS FOR WASHINGTON’S BENNING ROAD LINE: The Washington, D.C., Department of Transportation has once again chosen United Streetcar LLC to supply two streetcars for use on the H Street/Benning Road Line in the city’s Northeast. The company had previously been chosen for the order, but the award was challenged. [Railway Age website report, 4-9-12]
TOYOTA HONORS UNION PACIFIC FOR LOGISTICS EXCELLENCE: Toyota Logistics Services recognized Union Pacific Railroad as the top rail transportation provider with its 2011 President's Award. Union Pacific received this award for its high level of overall logistics excellence among rail carriers. [Union Pacific, 4-9-12]
CSX TO SERVE NEW ETHANOL TERMINAL IN GEORGIA: Eco-Energy Holdings is developing an ethanol unit train terminal and storage facility in Cartersville, Ga., that will mainly serve the Atlanta area. CSX will provide rail service upon completion of the terminal, which will have the capacity to handle more than 16.8 million gallons of ethanol per month. The facilities are due to open in the second quarter of 2013. [American City Business Journals website report, 4-9-12]
RAILAMERICA COMPLETES 70 PCT ACQUISITION OF WELLSBORO & CORNING R.R., INDUSTRIAL WASTE GROUP: RailAmerica Inc. has completed its acquisition of a 70 pct interest in the Wellsboro and Corning Railroad (“WCOR”) and Industrial Waste Group (“IWG”) from Myles Group for approximately $18-million. [RailAmerica, 4-9-12]
FEDS UPDATE LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS: The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has announced a final locomotive safety rule that eliminates unnecessary regulatory burdens, facilitates the use of new technologies and incorporates existing industry and engineering best practices. Many of the requirements in the final rule are based on existing waivers that have been granted by FRA’s Safety Board to address railroad or geographic specific conditions, and the revised regulations provide efficiencies by doing away with the need to go through a waiver process. [U.S. Dept. of Transportation, 4-9-12]
CSX TRAINS COLLIDE IN INDIANA, TWO HURT: A collision between two freight trains on CSX tracks near the U.S. 12 overpass in Gary, Indiana, injured two railroad employees and jolted some Miller Beach residents out of sleep early Easter Sunday. One rail worker has a broken leg, according to published reports. [NWI Times website report, 4-8-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN’S INTERMODAL PROJECT UNDER WAY IN CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Norfolk Southern's intermodal terminal is one of the multimillion-dollar projects that is moving forward at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The railroad will spend $74.3-million for construction and $15.7-million in grants. The project is scheduled for completion late next year. [Charlotte Observer website report, 4-8-12]
UNIFIED MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE FORMED TO UPGRADE AMTRAK CASCADES SERVICE: Washington State and Oregon announced on April 4 that they will be creating a unified management structure for the rail corridor from Eugene, Oregon, to Vancouver, B.C. The new partnership is part of a goal towards developing a faster and more frequent Amtrak Cascades service. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 4-6-12]
DRIVER ARRESTED FOR DUI AFTER TRAIN-JEEP CRASH: Two Libby, Montana, area residents escaped injury April 4 when their Jeep Cherokee was hit by a northbound BNSF train. Montana Highway Patrol said the vehicle became stuck in deep gravel along the train tracks on railroad property. The driver was arrested for DUI at the scene and transported to jail for processing. [Missoula Missoulian website report, 4-5-12]
HARRISON, N.J., PATH STATION TO BE REPLACED: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey board has authorized $256-million to fund the replacement of the Harrison station along the PATH rail line. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-5-12]
BOMARDIER LAUNCHES FLEXITY 2 TRAMS IN U.K.: Bombardier Transportation marked the launch of the Bombardier FLEXITY 2 trams on the Blackpool tramway in the United Kingdom. Blackpool will operate 16 new FLEXITY 2 vehicles on the Blackpool and Fleetwood tramway. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-5-12]
MARCH 2012 RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported U.S. rail carloads originated in March 2012 totaled 1,123,298, down 5.8 pct compared with March 2011. [Assn. of American Railroads, 4-5-12]
NEW HOME FOR CANADIAN PACIFIC EMPLOYEES IN MINNEAPOLIS: Canadian Pacific Railway will move from its current home in the Soo Line Building in downtown Minneapolis to One Financial Plaza at 120 S. Sixth St., just around the corner. The historic Soo Line Building is slated to be redeveloped into 250 apartments. About 400 employees will move to the new building, which will be renamed Canadian Pacific Plaza. The relocation is expected to be completed by August. [Star Tribune website report, 4-5-12]
ILLINOIS COMMITS $2.2-M TO BNSF VIADUCT REPLACEMENT PROJECT: The Illinois Department of Transportation is committing $2.2-million to complete the engineering and design plans for replacing the BNSF viaduct over Illinois Route 29 in Chillicothe. The project will replace the two existing viaducts with a single structure carrying three mainline tracks, a yard track, a service road and a pedestrian walkway. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 4-4-12]
UNION PACIFIC TRAIN LEAKS FUEL AS IT TRAVELS THROUGH ST. LOUIS: Officials aren’t sure how much fuel leaked from a train as it made its way through the St. Louis area April 3. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that no one was injured in the fuel spill, and no residents were evacuated. The train stopped for repair at around 2:45 a.m. in Maplewood, Missouri. [CBS St. Louis website report, 4-4-12]
PASADENA-AZUSA LIGHT-RAIL PROJECT GETS NOTICE TO PROCEED: The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority has issued a ‘full notice to proceed’ to Foothill Transit Constructors to begin designing and building the $486-million light-rail alignment from Pasadena to Azusa, California. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-4-12]
N.D. AMTRAK STOP BOOMS WITH OIL PATCH PASSENGERS: Armies of workers migrating to and from North Dakota's rich oil fields have made Williston the busiest Amtrak stop in the state and the fastest-growing station in the nation, the railroad said. Some 4,500 people got on or off the train in Williston in January. The Williston stop of the Empire Builder is on track to be among the busiest along the Chicago-to-Pacific Northwest route, surpassing ridership in passing through stations in some bigger cities, such as St. Paul. [Bloomberg BusinessWeek website report, 4-4-12]
GT OMNIPORT OPENS IN TEXAS: The first unit train pulled in to the Port Arthur, Texas, GT OmniPort on April 3. The arrival of this train heralds that the rail terminal is now open for business. The GT OmniPort, served by Union Pacific, is a multi-modal terminal for crude oil and other products transported via rail, ship, barge and truck. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 4-4-12]
NEW PANAMA CANAL LOCK CONSTRUCTION IS BEHIND SCHEDULE: The Panama Canal Authority has been furnished with a new schedule for completing the work specified in the $3.2-billion contract for the locks. The schedule indicated that all the work required will not be completed until April 2015, six months behind the target date for the opening of the new locks. [Journal of Commerce website report, 4-4-12]
AMTRAK SIGNS TRACKWORK CONTRACT WITH UNITRAC: Unitrac Railroad Materials Inc has obtained a $1.1-million contract to supply special trackwork to Amtrak. All the manufactured trackwork under the contract will be shipped over the next several months. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-3-12]
CN, CSX ADOPT CONTAINER INTERCHANGE IN CHICAGO: Canadian National and CSX have developed a new steel-wheel interchange service in Chicago. The service targets import containers moving over CN's network from the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, B.C., to key Ohio Valley markets. CN and CSXT previously exchanged container traffic in Chicago via truck. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-3-12]
RAIL TRAFFIC TO IMPROVE AT PORT OF L.A. WITH GRANT FROM STATE: Rail activity and traffic flow at the West Basin rail yards at the Port of Los Angeles will be developed using a $40.72-million grant from the California Transportation Commission. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 4-3-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN TO USE ‘GREENER’ PRODUCT FOR R.R. TIES: Norfolk Southern will be using copper naphthenate - an eco-friendly chemical from Nisus that preserves wood - on its railroad ties, according to Nisus, a pest-control chemical company. [Knoxville News Sentinel website report, 4-3-12]
KCS INITIATES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: Kansas City Southern's Board of Directors has approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend for holders of its common stock and declared a first-quarter 2012 dividend of $0.195 per share payable on April 27, 2012, to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 16. [Kansas City Southern, 4-2-12]
STEPHEN TOBIAS NOMINATED TO CANADIAN PACIFIC’S BOARD: Pershing Square Capital Management L.P. is nominating retired Norfolk Southern senior executive officer Stephen Tobias to Canadian Pacific’s board. Pershing Square's board nominees will stand for election at CP’s annual shareholders meeting on May 17. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-2-12]
ALASKA R.R. PASSENGER REVENUE UP 7.7 PCT IN 2011: The Alaska Railroad Corporation reported passenger revenue in 2011 climbed 7.7 pct, as ridership increased to 413,000 from 405,000 the previous year. [Progressive Railroading website report, 4-2-12]
PEDESTRIAN KILLED BY METRA TRAIN: A Metra Union Pacific West Line train struck and killed someone in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, April 2, disrupting service to and from the west suburbs, authorities said. [Chicago Tribune website report, 4-2-12]
CSX TO RECONSTRUCT TWO RAIL BRIDGES IN MASSACHUSETTS: CSX plans to reconstruct two rail bridges in Hinsdale, Massachusetts, as part of its double-stacked freight shipping plans across the state's western region. The bridges are among the company's six projects in partnership with the state's transportation department. [Berkshire Eagle website report, 4-1-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CRESCENT CORRIDOR ONE OF FIVE LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN U.S.: Norfolk Southern is working to upgrade the Crescent Corridor, a freight rail network that runs through 13 states and connects New Orleans to New Jersey. A series of projects will lay 300 new miles of track and build or expand intermodal terminals in 11 markets. The Crescent Corridor is one of the five largest infrastructure projects in the country. [Governing website report, 4-12]
REVISED PLAN LOWERS CALIFORNIA BULLET TRAIN COST TO $68-B: The cost of California's proposed high-speed rail plan is now $68-billion, $30-billion less than the original estimate, according to the governor's office. A revised plan makes use of much current commuter rail track in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas. [Sacramento Bee website report, 3-31-12]
LIRR EAST END DMU PLAN FUNDED: A New York State budget agreement hammered out earlier this week includes $37.2-million to purchase diesel multiple units for Long Island Rail Road’s Montauk and Greenport branches in Suffolk Coounty, according to Assemblyman Fred Theile, who represents the area. LIRR currently runs limited service using aging conventional coaches powered by diesel locomotives over the outlying portions of each branch. [Railway Age website report, 3-30-12]
TALKS BREAK OFF BETWEEN SEPTA AND TRANSIT POLICE: Talks have broken off between SEPTA and its striking transit police force. SEPTA said the two sides met for several hours March 29, but no agreement was reached and no further talks had been scheduled. [Philadelphia Inquirer website report, 3-30-12]
DEUTSCHE BAHN TAPS BOMBARDIER FOR TWINDEXX TRAINS: Bombardier Transportation announced it will deliver 16 TWINDEXX Vario multiple units to Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG) for operation on the Kiel-Hamburg and Flensburg-Hamburg railway lines. [Railway Age website report, 3-30-12]
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION EXTENSION SIGNED: President Obama has signed into law a three-month extension of the surface transportation authorization, avoiding a lapse of the gasoline-tax that would cripple highway and transit infrastructure projects. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-30-12]
MBTA TO RAISE FARES TO ADDRESS BUDGET GAP: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has come up with a proposal to address its $160-million budget gap, putting forth a plan that will raise fares while avoiding serious cuts to service in most cities and towns. However, serious cuts remain, including the elimination of some weekend train service. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-30-12]
NEW LIFT SPAN FOR AMTRAK’S NIANTIC RIVER BRIDGE FLOATED TO SITE: Amtrak hit an important milestone in the replacement of the Niantic River rail bridge March 26, floating the new lift span into place to attach it to the structure of the bridge itself. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-30-12]
JOINT VENTURE AWARDED TUCSON STREETCAR CONTRACT: Granite Construction Inc. and RailWorks Track Systems have been awarded a $56-million contract by Tucson, Arizona, to build the city's 3.9-mile streetcar project. [Railway Age website report, 3-30-12]
NEW YORK MTA TO PURCHASE 300 NEW SUBWAY CARS: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will purchase 300 new R-179 rail cars to be built by Bombardier Transportation at its Plattsburgh, N.Y., plant for $600-million. The cars, which are slated for testing in late 2014 and delivery in 2016, will replace MTA’s oldest subway cars that first entered service in 1964. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-29-12]
YVONNE BURKE NAMED TO AMTRAK BOARD: President Obama has nominated former U.S. Representative Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, a trailblazing fixture in Los Angeles area politics, to the Amtrak board of directors. [Los Angeles Times website report, 3-29-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending March 24, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 278,393 carloads, down 7.2 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 3-29-12]
CN TRACK CREW VIOLATED SAFETY RULES IN FATAL 2011 CRASH: Members of a Canadian National Railway track crew that caused a fatal Amtrak train-car wreck in University Park, Illinois, two years ago by inadvertently disabling crossing gates and warning lights were violating work-hour limits aimed at cutting down on fatigue and human error, according to the final accident report released March 28 that cited the railroad for safety and training lapses. [Chicago Tribune website report, 3-29-12]
EMU TRAINS ENTER SERVICE IN RIO DE JANEIRO: Electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains manufactured by China's CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles Co. Ltd. went into operation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 20. An inaugural ceremony was held on that date. [Railway Age website report, 3-29-12]
CALIFORNIA BULLET TRAIN AUTHORITY, GOVERNOR SEEK TO EASE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS OF PROJECT: California's bullet train authority and the governor are exploring ways to relax environmental review procedures on the project to help meet its construction schedule. Major environmental groups confirm they have been in discussions with officials about some type of relief from possible challenges to the project, which is falling behind schedule and risks losing federal funding if it must conduct new reviews of construction and operational effects. [Los Angeles Times website report, 3-29-12]
GROUND BROKEN ON NEW RAILROAD BRIDGE IN MISSOURI: Federal and state officials broke ground March 29 for a new railroad bridge that will eliminate one of the worst rail bottlenecks in the country. The $28-million bridge across the Osage River will add capacity and reduce delays for more than 600 daily passengers on Amtrak trains traveling between Kansas City and St. Louis, and move more than 60 trains through the 283-mile line each day. [Federal Railroad Administration, 3-29-12]
STB PROPOSES RULES TO INCREASE USE OF ARBITRATION: The Surface Transportation Board is seeking public comment on its proposals to encourage increased use of mediation and arbitration for the resolution of certain matters before the Board. The proposed rules represent an initiative to refine and expand those rules, in an effort to promote greater use of alternative dispute resolution procedures for a wide range of issues. [U.S. Surface Transportation Board, 3-29-12]
CN-SERVED TERMINAL SIGNS SECOND COAL DEAL WITH COALSPUR: Canadian National-served Ridley Terminals at the Port of Prince Rupert, B.C., has landed a second agreement with Coalspur to expand its export coal tonnage from its Vista Coal Project in Alberta, according to the coal company. [SNL Interactive website report, 3-29-12]
MBTA RAILCAR DELIVERIES BEHIND SCHEDULE: Deliveries of bilevel passenger railcars to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority are up to 18 months behind schedule, with delays appearing to result in part due to previous problems endured by Hyundai Rotem USA. The manufacturer has struggled to conclude an earlier order of 120 Silverliner V cars for SEPTA, with only half of that order delivered by the end of last year. [Railway Age website report, 3-28-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN PROJECT IN CHARLOTTE TO SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH: Norfolk Southern's $74.3-million freight intermodal facility at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina is expected to provide $9-billion in economic benefits and 5,000 jobs over the next 20 years, according to city officials. Construction is scheduled to begin next month. [Charlotte Business Journal website report, 3-28-12]
UNION PACIFIC CHICAGO-ST.LOUIS LINE TO BE UPGRADED FOR AMTRAK: Union Pacific is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation to enhance the Chicago-St. Louis corridor to accommodate future high-speed Amtrak service. Construction will start April 16, and work includes new rail and signal installations and bridge, culvert and drainage improvements. [KSDK-TV website report, 3-28-12]
REACTIVATION OF ARKANSAS SHORT LINE SOUGHT: North Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad, Inc. (NLA) has petitioned the Surface Transportation Board for authority to lease and operate a 21.8-mile line of railroad extending from a point near Lake Village in Chicot County, Arkansas, to a location near the Louisiana Arkansas border. [Railway Age website report, 3-28-12]
COURT RULES BNSF MUST PAY $21.6-M IN 2003 CROSSING ACCIDENT: The Minnesota Supreme Court has restored a $21.6-million verdict awarded to the families of four young people killed when their vehicle collided with a train in Anoka in 2003. It reversed the Minnesota Court of Appeals, which had ordered a new trial. A jury had concluded the railroad was 90 pct at fault and the driver of the vehicle was 10 pct at fault. The families argued that the crossing gates had not been working properly. [Twin Cities Pioneer Press website report, 3-28-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN DERAILMENT IN INDIANA CAUSES FIRE, EVACUATION: A Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed 21 cars near Ligonier, Indiana, early March 27 spewed hazardous chemicals that caught fire, forced the evacuation of six homes and delayed Amtrak passengers for hours. The cause of the derailment is under investigation. [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette website report, 3-28-12]
STORAGE YARD FOR MARC TRAINS TO BE BUILT IN D.C.: Maryland’s Board of Public Works has approved the construction of a $21.3-million designated storage facility for MARC trains. The new ‘Wedge Storage Yard at Union Station’ will feature three tracks built exclusively for MARC trains and capacity for three additional tracks for future expansion. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-27-12]
CN SELLS GREATER TORONTO AREA RAIL LINES TO METROLINX: CN has sold two rail line segments in the Greater Toronto Area to Metrolinx for $310.5-million. GO Transit's Richmond Hill commuter service operates over a portion of CN's Bala Subdivision. Metrolinx is acquiring a segment of the subdivision from approximately Rosedale Valley Road north through the Don Valley to CN's main east-west freight line north of Steeles Avenue near the Toronto-York Region border. Metrolinx is also acquiring a segment of CN's Oakville Subdivision from a point near 30th Street in the Etobicoke area of Toronto and terminating just west of the Fourth Line in Oakville. [Canadian National, 3-27-12]
NEW MEXICO RAIL RUNNER TO EXPAND SATURDAY SERVICE: Starting April 7, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express will operate a new weekend schedule featuring additional Saturday train times to provide riders with additional options to and from Sante Fe. Two trains will be added to the northbound and southbound Saturday schedule. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-27-12]
REVISED CALIFORNIA BULLET TRAIN PLAN TO CUT COSTS: A finalized blueprint of the proposed bullet train network in California is expected to reduce the project's estimated $100-billion value through the "blended approach" system, according to the California High Speed Rail Authority. The strategy is part of the revised proposal, which aims to develop freight and passenger-rail networks to make them fit for high-speed trains. CSHRA plans to unveil the new business plan a few days from now. [KPCC-FM website report, 3-27-12]
FEDS APPROVE FORT WORTH RAIL COMMUTER PROJECT FOR PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING: The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (the ‘T’) said its TEX Rail commuter rail project has been approved by the Federal Transit Administration to advance to Preliminary Engineering. [Railway Age website report, 3-27-12]
CSX ‘SELECT SITE’ LABEL RAISES MARKET PRESENCE OF KENTUCKY TRANSPARK: CSX's Select Site certification for a 100-acre property at the Kentucky Transpark in Bowling Green makes the area more attractive to manufacturing companies, according to the Bowling Green Intermodal Transportation Authority. [WBKO-TV website report, 3-27-12]
ONTARIO ENDING SUPPORT FOR ONTARIO NORTHLAND SERVICE: Ontario's provincial government intends to end fiscal support of Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, which oversees the Ontario Northland Railroad. The railroad operates Northlander passenger rail service between Cochrane and Toronto six days a week. For now, Polar Bear Express service linking Cochrane with Moosonee, the railroad's northern terminus, would continue five days a week. Buses would replace the rail service, provincial officials said. [Railway Age website report, 3-26-12]
PITTSBURGH’S NORTH SHORE LIGHT-RAIL EXTENSION OPENS: Pittsburgh's light rail transit system officially added 1.2 route miles March 25 for revenue service, as the $523.4-million North Shore Connector began operations linking its namesake neighborhood with the new Gateway Center Station downtown. [Railway Age website report, 3-26-12]
CANADIAN NATIONAL TO RELOCATE TRACKS TO ALLOW GARY AIRPORT RUNWAY EXTENSION: Canadian National and the Gary/Chicago International Airport have come to an agreement on moving CN's tracks further away from the airport. The agreement means the airport can forge ahead with its $162-million runway extension plan. [Hammond Times website report, 3-26-12]
FREIGHT RAIL SERVICE RETURNING TO FOREST CITY, IOWA: The Iowa Northern Railroad is partnering with some farmers and businesses around Forest City, Iowa, to operate 22 miles of track being abandoned by the Union Pacific Railroad. The track cost about $1.9-million, but federal and state grants covered about $1-million. The balance came from investors. [KVNO-FM website report, 3-26-12]
NEW RAIL LOOP IN NEBRASKA TO BOOST ETHANOL LOADING: Nebraska's ethanol plants are improving their capacity by upgrading their railroad shipping facilities so they'll be able to load more cars at once. The KAAPA Ethanol plant near Minden is completing a 20,000-foot rail loop that will allow it to load a 96-car train with ethanol instead of just a single car. [Columbus Republic website report, 3-24-12]
PRIVATELY-OWNED FLORIDA PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE PROPOSED: Florida East Coast Industries has plans to develop ‘All Aboard Florida,’ a privately-owned, operated, and maintained passenger train service to connect South Florida and Orlando, which the company says can be running by the end of 2014. It would connect through a 240-mile route combining 200 miles of existing tracks between Miami and Cocoa and the creation of 40 miles of new track to complete the route to Orlando. The company believes they will connect Orlando and South Florida with a three-hour trip at a top speed of 100 to 110 mph for around $1-billion. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-23-12]
AMTRAK SET TO TRIPLE PTC MILES IN 2012: Amtrak says it is on track to more than triple the number of Positive Train Control-equipped (PTC) track-miles on rail it owns. Amtrak has installed PTC on around 530 track-miles - on the entirety of its Michigan Line, along with segments of the Northeast Corridor. The railroad will have installed an additional 1,200 track-miles of PTC by the end of 2012, covering the remaining Amtrak-owned sections of the NEC and the entirety of the Keystone Corridor. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-23-12]
METRO-NORTH WORKER AWARDED $1-M IN RETALIATION LAWSUIT: A federal jury has awarded a Metro-North Railroad worker about $1-million in punitive damages following a lawsuit that accused the railroad of retaliation after the worker reported an on-the-job injury. The worker said he broke his toe when a jack failed and a rail tie fell on his foot in April 2008. He explained that after reporting the injury, he was the subject of retaliation when the railroad presented him with a notice of firing. He then reportedly received a three month suspension before he was hired back at Metro-North. [New Haven Register, 3-23-12]
CASEY JONES TO GET MARKER IN MISSISSIPPI: Legendary railroad engineer John Luther ‘Casey’ Jones is getting a marker onthe Mississippi Blues Trail in Water Valley, Mississippi. Jones died when his train collided with a stalled freight train on April 30, 1900. Jones once lived and worked in Water Valley, a railroad town. [Columbus Republic website report, 3-23-12]
PHOENIX AWARDS CONTRACT FOR LIGHT-RAIL EXTENSION: Phoenix's Valley Metro has selected Valley Transit Constructors (VTC), a joint venture, for the design and construction of the $200-million, 3.1-mile Central Mesa light rail extension into the namesake Arizona municipality. Parsons Transportation Group, part of the joint venture, will serve as lead designer. [Railway Age website report, 3-23-12]
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, MONORAIL TO BE SCRAPPED IN FAVOR OF LIGHT-RAIL: The New South Wales Transport Ministry says the Sydney monorail is in the way and it will be removed as soon as possible. The monorail is not integrated with Sydney's wider public transport network and has never been embraced by the public. Plans call for the monorail to be replaced with an extension of the light-rail network. [Railway Age website report, 3-23-12]
THREE ARRESTED FOR BLOCKING TRACKS IN PHOTO SHOOT: Three men set up a flat-screen television, tables and a pillow on Bellingham, Washington, BNSF railroad tracks for a photo shoot March 22, before they were cited for trespassing, according to police. The three, apparently college students, were spotted blocking the railroad tracks. One of the men was wearing a clown suit. Another man was taking photographs. [Bellingham Herald website report, 3-23-12]
SEPTA POLICE OFFICERS ON STRIKE: About 200 SEPTA police officers represented by the Fraternal Order of Transit Police went on strike March 21. SEPTA has hired a private firm to provide security at its major transit facilities, beginning March 22. [SEPTA, 3-22-12]
BRUNSWICK, MD., WANTS TO SAVE ITS INTERLOCKING TOWER: The Brunswick interlocking tower, which closed late last year, is the last remaining historic structure in the Brunswick, Md., rail yard, and the city is trying to raise funds to help save and move it. CSX, which owns the rail line, had marked the now-obsolete tower to be torn down. The company has agreed to postpone the demolition to see if the money can be raised. The city said moving the tower would likely cost between $20,000 and $25,000, and it has so far received promises of about $5,000 from various donors. [Md. Community News Gazette website report, 3-22-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed rail traffic for the week ending March 17, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 278,420 carloads, down 5.3 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 3-22-12]
CANADIAN NATIONAL TO ACQUIRE 161 LOCOMOTIVES: CN will take delivery in 2013-14 of 35 new ES44AC locomotives from GE Transportation, 30 new SD70ACe locomotives from Electro-Motive Diesel. and 96 second-hand high-horsepower locomotives that will be upgraded. [Canadian National, 3-22-12]
TRAIN-WATCHING PARK PLANNED FOR CHICAGO AREA: South suburban Park Forest by mid-summer plans to unveil a park that officials think will become a major tourist destination for railroad fans from across the country. The park, at Homan avenue and North street, will feature a 35-foot high platform where enthusiasts will look out over one of the country’s largest rail intersections - where the Canadian National Railroad’s main line connects with the Metra line. It’s projected at least 32 trains will pass by the site daily. [Chicago Sun-Times website report, 3-22-12]
UNION PACIFIC BAGGAGE CAR CONVERTED INTO HISTORY EXHIBIT: A 1960s-era Union Pacific baggage car called the Promontory has been transformed into a traveling history exhibit, featuring railroad photos and artifacts from the building of the railroad. The car includes two touch-screen exhibits with information about the railroad's history and the communities across its system. [Omaha World Herald website report, 3-22-12]
MUDSLIDES HALT COAST STARLIGHT TRAIN IN OREGON: Amtrak says its Coast Starlight bound from Los Angeles to Seattle hit a tree lying across the tracks in southern Oregon's stormy Cascade Mountains March 21, triggering a mudslide that derailed the baggage car and stalled the 246 passengers for hours. No one was injured. [Seattle Times website report, 3-21-12]
CREOSOTE LEAKS FROM TANK ALONG CSX TRACKS IN MARYLAND: Nearly 200 gallons of creosote leaked from a tank along CSX tracks in White Marsh, Md., March 21. CSX sent a contractor to clean up the spill, which has since been contained. The cause of the spill is still unknown. [ABC-2 News website report, 3-21-12]
RAIL FREIGHT LINE TO REOPEN IN ADIRONDACKS: New York's Dept. of Environmental Conservation and Dept. of Transportation have given their approval to reopen a freight line in the state's Adirondacks region. Iowa Pacific Holdings would be a common carrier and would haul mine tailings and other mined material along the 30-mile line between North Creek and Nowcomb. [Assn. of American Railroads Smart Brief, 3-21-12]
WASHINGTON METRO PREPARES TO LAUNCH IMPROVED PEAK-PERIOD SERVICE: The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has unveiled a plan that reflects enhanced rush-hour service scheduled to launch June 18. Known as ‘Rush Plus,’ the service-improvement program is designed to ease crowding for passengers on the Orange, Blue, Green and Yellow lines, and prepare for the future Silver Line. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-21-12]
PROVIDENCE, R.I., STREETCAR GETS TRANSIT AUTHORITY BACKING: The board of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has voted to support a $126-million plan to reintroduce streetcars to the state capital. So far, the proposal outlines a 2.1-mile route serving Brown University, Kennedy Plaza, the jewelry district, Rhode Island Hospital and the city's train station. [Railway Age website report, 3-20-12]
NEW CARS FOR METRA ELECTRIC DISTRICT TO BEGIN ARRIVING IN SEPTEMBER: Metra will begin taking delivery of 160 cars for its Electric District service around Labor Day. Final delivery of the new cars, and retirement of the last of the aging Highliners, is expected in May 2015. [CBS-2 Chicago website report, 3-19-12]
GEORGIA MUSEUM MARKS SESQUICENTENNIAL OF THE ‘GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE’: After 150 years, the epic story of the Great Locomotive Chase continues to fascinate. This year marks its 150th anniversary. On April 12, the Southern Museum will host a series of events to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the event. [Marietta Daily Journal website report, 3-19-12]
RAIL CAR COMPONENTS COMPANY GETS NEW OWNER: Samuel, Son & Co. Ltd. announced it acquired Stanrail Corp., which manufactures and distributes rail-car components, including uncoupling levers, box-car floors, roofs and doors. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-19-12]
UNION PACIFIC FINED FOR INTIMIDATING LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER: The U.S. Labor Department has ordered Union Pacific to pay an engineer $24,823 for forcing the employee to continue working while ill. Officials say the engineer told UP officials that he was too sick to continue working safely, but railroad officials intimidated the engineer and persuaded him not to seek medical attention. [KIVI-TV website report, 3-18-12]
CSX TRAIN HITS CAR, TOW TRUCK ON TRACKS NEAR D.C.: Riverdale Park, Md., police arrested a D.C. man on St. Patrick’s Day, alleging that he drove his car while intoxicated onto the railroad tracks in this Prince George’s County town and got stuck. The car and a tow truck trying to move it were then hit by a CSX freight train. [Washington Post website report, 3-18-12]
NEW CROSSOVERS IN IOWA TO IMPROVE AMTRAK SERVICE: Construction has begun on a $17.3-million track project aimed at increasing the reliability of Amtrak’s California Zephyr trains in southern Iowa by alleviating rail traffic congestion and allowing faster train speeds. The project will involve the installation of four double crossovers on the BNSF Railway’s tracks at key points along a 130-mile stretch of line between Creston and Mount Pleasant. [Des Moines Register website report, 3-17-12]
MONTANA RAIL LINK SERVICE IN BITTERROOT TO BE RESTORED: Freight rail service will be available again in Bitterroot Valley, Montana, as five companies and county officials secured the necessary funds to restore service, according to Montana Rail Link. "Once we have an assessment of the line completed, we will have a better idea of a target date when rail service can begin," said MRL. [Missoulian website report, 3-17-12]
FIRST NORFOLK SOUTHERN HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVE PAINTED: The first Norfolk Southern locomotive to be painted its heritage paint schemes rolled out of the company’s Juniata Locomotive Shop March 16. NS 8098, a GE ES44AC, bears the ‘Conrail Blue’ scheme. Norfolk Southern also announced that an additional legacy railroad, Penn Central, has been added to the 18 heritage schemes previously announced. [Norfolk Southern, 3-16-12]
IMPROVED SCHEDULE IN STORE FOR SUNSET LIMITED: Amtrak and Union Pacific have reached agreement on an improved schedule for the Sunset Limited. This includes changing the Friday westbound New Orleans departure to Saturday, which reportedly will save one set of equipment assigned to the route. It also involves significant schedule changes and improved times for Houston and Tucson. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers. 3-16-12]
ARMY CANCELS PLAN TO RESURRECT TROOP TRAINS: The Army's plan to resurrect the idea of sending troops by rail to training areas has been canceled. On March 15, the Army canceled a pilot project to transport thousands of soldiers from Fort Lee, Va., near Petersburg, to Fort A.P. Hill. The Army cited higher costs and longer transport time as the reason. [Military News website report, 3-16-12]
ANOTHER D.C. AREA STREETCAR PLAN PROPOSED: Alexandria and nearby Arlington County, Virginia, are jointly proposing a five-mile streetcar line that local media suggest may come to fruition more quickly than the higher-profile Columbia Pike project. The lesser-known service proposal would also use MetroRail's Pentagon City Metro Station in Arlington County as a terminus, before crossing 12th Street to Crystal Drive, down Crystal Drive to Potomac Yard, and then down U.S. Route 1 to the MetroRail Braddock Road Metro Station in Alexandria. [Railway Age website report, 3-16-12]
UPGRADES TO BE MADE TO BLOOMFIELD AVENUE LIGHT-RAIL STATION IN NEWARK, N.J.: New Jersey Transit has approved a $5.2-million contract with DMR Construction for the Bloomfield Avenue Station improvement project in Newark. The project calls for making the light-rail station more accessible to riders with disabilities and adding other conveniences for all riders. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-16-12]
FUNDING ISSUES PROMPT SEPTA TO POSTPONE SEVERAL CAPITAL PROJECTS: The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority expects to defer several capital projects due to funding cuts in its fiscal-year 2013 budget proposal. The $303-million spending plan reflects a 25 pct reduction compared to funding levels from three years ago, SEPTA officials said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-16-12]
NEW DEFINITION SOUGHT FOR ‘HIGH-SPEED’ RAIL: The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has proposed a standard to define ‘high-speed’ as trains capable of 125 mph or faster. But an amendment that changes that definition to 110 mph, introduced by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., passed the Senate March 14 as part of a larger transportation bill. Casey said it would allow passenger rail service to be upgraded without making expensive improvements to existing rail lines. [Erie Times-News website report, 3-15-12]
CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL PANEL PROMISES CHANGES: When the California High-Speed Rail Authority finishes tweaking its business plan in a few weeks, expect the cost to drop, the construction time to be shortened and improvements along the Peninsula and in Southern California to be added. [San Francisco Chronicle website report, 3-15-12]
VIA TRAINS MOVING TO NEW STATION IN BELLEVILLE, ONTARIO: VIA Rail Canada has advised travelers that trains will begin stopping at a new station in Belleville, Ontario, starting March 20, 2012. The new station is located at 250 Station Street, just to the east of the current station. [VIA Rail Canada, 3-16-12]
AMTRAK EXPLORING OPTIONS FOR ROUTING OF S.W. CHIEF: Amtrak officials will be at an April 10 meeting in Garden City, Kansas, to discuss the future route of the Southwest Chief. The concern is over a possible shift of the train south to BNSF Railway’s Transcon line that runs through the northern panhandle of Texas. At issue is the rail between western Kansas and Lamy, N.M., currently used by the train, that needs to be upgraded. Amtrak’s contract with BNSF expires in 2015. [Pueblo Chieftain website report, 3-15-12]
WISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REJECTS MAINTENANCE FACILITY PLANS FOR TALGO TRAINS: the Wisconsin State Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee voted not to move ahead with plans to build a maintenance facility to service two new Talgo trains that the Spanish manufacturer has been building for the Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago. The rejection means that the state may have to store the new trains rather than put them into revenue service. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-15-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed rail traffic for the week ending March 10, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 278,728 carloads, down 4.8 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 3-15-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC SIGNS LONG-TERM AGREEMENT WITH UNIMIN FOR MOVEMENT OF FRAC SAND: Canadian Pacific Railway announced a multi-year agreement with Unimin Corporation of New Canaan, Connecticut, for the movement of frac sand from Unimin's facility in Wisconsin. Under the agreement CP will become the exclusive rail service provider at this facility. [Canadian Pacific, 3-15-12]
TRAIN CONTROL TEST TRACK TO BE DEVELOPED FOR N.Y. TRANSIT: Thales and Siemens have obtained a four-year, $60-million contract to provide a permanent communications-based train control test track facility for MTA New York City Transit, to be installed on an express track on the Culver Line. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-14-12]
PITTSBURGH LIGHT-RAIL EXTENSION TO OPEN MARCH 25: Pittsburgh's Port Authority of Allegheny County (pAT) says the city's North Shore Connector Project is ready for its debut March 25, as light rail transit will run from downtown under the Allegheny River. [Railway Age website report, 3-14-12]
UNION PACIFIC EXPECTS 1-Q COAL VOLUME DECREASE: Union Pacific says that while most shipping volumes are up this year, it expects a 7 pct drop in first-quarter coal volume due to the mild winter. [Railway Age website report, 3-14-12]
CP RAIL SHAKEUP COULD PRECEDE SHAREHOLDER MEETING: Two directors at Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. acknowledged for the first time March 13 the company’s board could consider a management shake-up ahead of the railway’s annual general meeting in May if the proposed plan by activist shareholder Bill Ackman gains enough traction with shareholders. [Financial Post website report, 3-13-12]
CALIFORNIA’S HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT TO COST LESS THAN PROJECTED, AUTHORITY CHIEF SAYS: The cost of California's planned high-speed rail network will not reach the projected $98-billion, according to California High-Speed Rail Authority Chairman Dan Richard. "I believe the number's coming down," he said, but didn't offer new numbers. In the next two weeks, the authority will release a revised plan with new numbers and ridership estimates. [San Jose Mercury News website report, 3-13-12]
CANADIAN NATIONAL PLANNING NEW LOGISTICS PARK IN ALBERTA: Canadian National is planning a rail connection project in Edmonton, Alberta, to expand service to the Port of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. "The $202-million new logistics park, along with new connectivity to both the Port of Prince Rupert and Vancouver, will provide Alberta fluid access to world markets for consumer goods and industrial materials, as well as two prime export routes for its forest products, plastics and agri-products," the company said. [Journal of Commerce website report, 3-13-12]
AMTRAK, CSX REACH EMPIRE CORRIDOR LEASE AGREEMENT: Amtrak will take control of the Empire Corridor from Poughkeepsie to Schenectady in early November after the line's owner, CSX Corp., reached a lease agreement with the passenger rail service. The agreement will allow construction to begin on almost $200-million worth of projects, including a second track between Albany and Schenectady, improvements at the Schenectady station and signal upgrades south of Rensselaer. [Albany Times-Union website report, 3-12-12]
FEDS COMMIT $900-M TO BART SILICON VALLEY BERRYESSA PROJECT: The Federal Transit Administration is committing $900-million for the Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Berryessa line. The project is a 16-mile extension of the existing BART system to San Jose, Milpitas and Santa Clara, California. The project will be built in a phases, with the Berryessa extension slated as the first phase. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-12-12]
AMTRAK WORKING TO CALCULATE ITS ENERGY USE: Amtrak partnered with The Climate Registry to calculate the total energy usage and emissions resulting from its operations, going beyond its rail operations to include sources such as electricity use, facilities and station operations, and its motor vehicle fleet. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-9-12]
MONTANA RAIL LINK SEEKS WAYS TO REVIVE RAIL SERVICE ON MONTANA ROUTE: Montana Rail Link is in talks with the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority and five customers to discuss potential solutions to continue rail service in Bitterroot. A federal grant application has been made for rail line rehabilitation. [Assn. of American Railroads Smart Brief, 3-9-12]
ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESS SERVICE DISCONTINUED: Atlantic City Express Service, a train for gamblers linking New York and Atlantic City, was permanently canceled March 9. Observers cited as factors faster and more frequent bus service, and also competition for the New York-based Atlantic City gambling market from locations in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. [Railway Age website report, 3-9-12]
FEBRUARY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported U.S. rail carloads originated in February 2012 totaled 1,410,992, down 27,555 carloads or 1.9 pct, compared with February 2011. [Assn. of American Railroads, 3-8-12]
WABTEC GETS COMPONENTS ORDER FOR 130 NEW AMTRAK CARS: Wabtec Corp. has obtained a contract to provide braking equipment, door operating systems, sanitation systems, springs, draft gears and HVAC equipment for 130 new passenger-rail cars being built for Amtrak by CAF USA Inc. The cars are expected to be delivered between 2013 and 2014. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-8-12]
WORKERS FILE DISCRIMINATION SUIT AGAINST AMTRAK: Eleven current and former Amtrak workers are suing Amtrak for what they called pervasive and institutionalized racial discrimination. The employees worked in the Oakland, California, Amtrak station. They claimed they were passed over for promotions, given extra work and singled out for disciplinary action because they are African-Americans. [Silicon Valley Mercury News website report, 3-8-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN LOOKING FOR 2,000 NEW EMPLOYEES THIS YEAR: Norfolk Southern has hired more than 600 people since January and anticipates adding 2,000 more employees in 2012. [Norfolk Southern, 3-8-12]
AMTRAK TRAIN STRIKES TRUCK IN CALIFORNIA, ENGINEER HURT: An Amtrak train carrying 84 passengers crashed into a truck at a rural rail crossing in northern California March 7, sending the locomotive engineer to a hospital and knocking the train out of commission, officials said. [Washington Post website report, 3-7-12]
CSX TRAIN STRIKES FUEL TRUCK IN FLORIDA, DRIVER KILLED: A CSX train and a tanker truck filled with diesel fuel collided near a chemical plant in Bartow, Fla., on March 7. The truck driver was killed in the accident. Three crew members on the train were not injured. [WTSP website report, 3-7-12]
TWO NEW CASCADE TRAINS TO ENTER SERVICE THIS FALL: The state of Oregon’s two new 13-car trainsets, now being manufactured at the Talgo plant in Wisconsin, are scheduled to arrive in Seattle in June. The trains will undergo testing in Seattle before they enter service with Oregon’s other trains operating on the line between Eugene, Oregon, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Officials anticipate the new trains will be ready for revenue service by fall. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-7-12]
RAILWAY AGE NAMES SHORT LINE, REGIONAL RAILROADS OF THE YEAR: Railway Age magazine has named Vermont Railway the 2012 Short Line Railroad of the Year, and the Indiana Rail Road Co. its 2012 Regional Railroad of the Year. [Railway Age website report, 3-7-12]
TRANSPORTATION CENTER PLANNED IN JOLIET, ILLINOIS: Acquisition of three parcels of land in Joliet will make it possible for the town to proceed on a planned transportation center. The City Council approved $2.5-million to buy the land. The $42-million project will also get partial funding from Union Pacific and BNSF railroads because a planned track realignment will enhance freight movement through the area. [Herald News website report, 3-7-12]
ILLINOIS HIGH-SPEED TRAINS TO BEGIN TESTING THIS SUMMER: The first 110-mph passenger trains in Illinois should begin test runs this summer on a 20-mile section of the Chicago-St. Louis line. The Illinois DOT said the faster trains will be tested on a section of the line between Dwight and Pontiac. Much of the work needed to accommodate the trains has been completed. [State Journal-Register website report, 3-6-12]
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR ATLANTA STREETCAR PROJECT: The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) board approved a design-build contract with URS Corp. for the Atlanta streetcar project. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-6-12]
SACRAMENTO RAIL LOOP TO INCREASE FREIGHT CAPACITY: Construction of a rail loop track at the Port of West Sacramento is expected to expand cargo capacity and handling. The plan is one project selected by the Federal Railroad Administration to receive an almost $1-million grant under the Rail Line Relocation and Improvement program. [Sacramento Bee website report, 3-6-12]
CP EXPANDING BAKKEN CRUDE OIL TRAFFIC: Canadian Pacific will be moving additional Bakken crude oil by unit train from a planned industry logistics hub. The Van Hook, N.D., facility, to be developed by U.S. Development Group, will handle crude oil and related products from the Bakken formation and will have initial capacity of up to 35,000 barrels per day at eight automated truck unloading positions. [Railway Age website report, 3-6-12]
SEATTLE FIRST HILL STREETCAR LINE CONSTRUCTION APPROVED: The Seattle City Council Monday approved a $68-million contract to Stacy & Witbeck to oversee the First Hill streetcar project, expected to begin construction next month. [Railway Age website report, 3-6-12]
CSX RECOGNIZED AS A TOP EMPLOYER FOR VETERANS: CSX announced that the company has been named a finalist in CivilianJobs.com's 2012 Most Valuable Employer for Military ranking. CivilianJobs.com is a leading career resource organization dedicated to connecting American employers with experienced military talent. [CSX, 3-6-12]
ATHENS, GREECE, METRO TO BE EXTENDED: A consortium of French, Greek and Italian companies including Alstom Transport S.A. has obtained a $451.5-million contract from Attiko Metro, the owner of the Athens metro infrastructure in Greece, to build a 4.7-mile extension of the Athens metro Line 3 to the Port of Piraeus. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-6-12]
GE TRANSPORTATION, INDONESIA RAILWAY FORM ALLIANCE: GE Transportation and Indonesia’s state-owned railway PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PTKAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a locomotive service alliance and joint operations, GE officials announced today. The MOU will create a framework by which GE and PTKAI will create a locomotive services center for the ASEAN region whose members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-5-12]
BNSF, MAERSK IN JOINT ‘FLAGSHIP SERVICE’ VENTURE: BNSF is partnering with Maersk for a ‘Flagship Service’ to ship products from Asia. The new service will rely on dedicated BNSF trains to provide non-stop service to five inland U.S. markets. [DC Velocity website report, 3-5-12]
BOMBARDIER REPORTS 2011 EARNINGS: Bombardier Inc. reported 2011 revenue of $18.3-billion compared with $17.9-billion in 2010. Diluted earnings per share reached 47 cents versus 42 cents a year earlier. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-5-12]
TRAINS COLLIDE IN POLAND, KILLING 16, INJURING 58: Two trains were involved in a deadly head-on collision in Poland on March 3, killing 16 passengers and injuring 58. The crash took place just north of Krakow. The trains ended up on the same track as the result of an error stemming from maintenance work. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers]
RAILS BOOST PORT OF VIRGINIA CARGO INCREASE: CSX and Norfolk Southern's connections to the 3.3-mile rail line at the APM Terminals in the Port of Virginia in Hampton Roads will be an asset to the port as it braces for an expanded Panama Canal in 2014. The widened canal is expected to bring an influx of cargo to the port. "Other ports are trying to play catch-up to the Port of Virginia and the infrastructure we currently have," said the Port Authority. [Richmond Times-Dispatch website report, 3-4-12]
INVESTIGATION SUGGESTS EXCESS SPEED CAUSED VIA RAIL ACCIDENT: Canada’s Transportation Safety Board released the initial findings of its investigation of the Febr.26 VIA Rail derailment that killed three employees and injured dozens of passengers, revealing that the train was traveling more than four times the speed authorized. The black box data shows the Toronto-bound train, which derailed outside of Burlington, Ontario, while switching tracks, was traveling over 67 mph when it crashed. The train should not have been going faster than 15 mph as it approached the switch. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-2-12]
SHREVEPORT-FORT WORTH AMTRAK SERVICE TO BE STUDIED: The Texas Dept. of Transportation has reached an agreement with Amtrak on the outline of a feasibility study for new passenger train service to connect the Bossier City-Shreveport area in Northwest Louisiana to Dallas and Fort Worth. The study, to be undertaken by Amtrak, will determine capital requirements and operating costs for the proposed twice-daily roundtrip service. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-2-12]
CSX DESIGNATES WAPAKONETA, OHIO, INDUSTRIAL CENTER AS ‘SELECT SITE’: CSX has designated the West Central Ohio Industrial Center in Wapakoneta, Ohio, as one of its ‘Select Sites.’ The program identifies the best manufacturing properties along CSX's rail network in the eastern U.S., according to the company. [Lima News website report, 3-2-12]
CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY BE DELAYED ONE YEAR: It appears that the start of construction on California’s high-speed rail line may have been pushed back to 2013 to accommodate the concerns vocalized by residents along the line, according to reports from of Sacramento. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-2-12]
UNION PACIFIC CEO TO TAKE MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Union Pacific Corporation announced that James Young, its chairman, president and chief executive officer will take a medical leave of absence while he is being treated for recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer. He will remain chairman of the board during his treatment. John Koraleski, executive vice president-marketing and sales, will serve as acting president and CEO during Mr. Young's absence. [Union Pacific, 3-2-12]
FEDS GRANT $16.9-M IN RAIL TRACK UPGRADES IN 12 STATES AND CITIES: The U.S. Dept. of Transportation announced $16.9-million in grants to relocate, replace, and improve sections of railroad track in 12 states and cites across the country. The grants are part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Rail Line Relocation and Improvement Financing program, designed to mitigate the adverse effects of rail infrastructure on safety, motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic, quality of life, and economic development in the communities which tracks run through. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 3-2-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN TO PAINT 18 LOCOMOTIVES IN PREDECESSOR SCHEMES: Norfolk Southern is honoring its predecessor railroads this year by painting 18 new locomotives in commemorative schemes that reflect the heritage of those predecessors. The companies represented include Central of Georgia; Central Railroad of New Jersey; Conrail; Delaware, Lackawanna & Western; Erie; Illinois Terminal Railroad; Interstate Railroad; Lehigh Valley; New York Central; Nickel Plate; Norfolk Southern Railway; Norfolk & Western; Pennsylvania; Reading; Savannah & Atlanta; Southern; Virginian; and Wabash. [Norfolk Southern, 3-1-12]
TWO ARRESTED IN TICKET FRAUD SCHEME ON NJ TRANSIT TRAINS: For more than a year a NJ Transit train conductor allegedly pretended to check the tickets for a select group of passengers on the North Jersey Coast Line. Instead of buying tickets, authorities said, these passengers gave cash to the conductor. The conductor and an accomplice were arrested Febr.29 after a seven-month investigation, prompted by a tip that certain commuters were not paying transit fares. [Newark Star-Ledger website report, 3-1-12]
RAIL OPERATOR SOUGHT FOR UNION PACIFIC BRANCH LINE IN CALIFORNIA: The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is soliciting proposals for an operator of freight- and recreational passenger-rail service on the Union Pacific Santa Cruz branch line between Watsonville Junction and Davenport, California. [Progressive Railroading website report, 3-1-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported a decline in weekly rail traffic for the week ending February 25, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 281,644 carloads, down 5 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 3-1-12]
IOWA PACIFIC HOLDINGS JOINS AAR: The Association of American Railroads announced that Iowa Pacific Holdings (IPH) has become its newest full member. Based in Chicago, IPH is a privately-held company that provides freight and passenger rail service in six states and the United Kingdom. [Assn. of American Railroads, 3-1-12]
UNION PACIFIC TOPS FORTUNE'S 'MOST ADMIRED' LIST: Fortune named Union Pacific the most admired among trucking, transportation and logistics companies for the second consecutive year. The magazine's annual ‘World’s Most Admired’ list is published in the March edition. [Union Pacific, 3-1-12]
MARK SINQUEFIELD NEW DIRECTOR OF NORFOLK SOUTHERN POLICE: Mark Sinquefield has been named director police for Norfolk Southern effective March 1. He succeeds Al Shackelford II, who retires. [Norfolk Southern, 3-1-12]
METROLINK GETS $3.7-M FOR CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS: The California Transportation Commission has approved the allocation of $3.7-million to help pay for safety improvements at the Broadway/Brazil crossing in Glendale. The project is part of Metrolink's initiative to upgrade crossings across its system. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-29-12]
POLL FAVORS THIRD LIGHT-RAIL LINE IN TWIN CITIES: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports a poll conducted by three chambers of commerce shows roughly 61 pct of Minnesotans favor a state bonding commitment of $25-million to build a third light-rail Metro transit line in the Twin Cities. [Railway Age website report, 2-29-12]
CSXT PRESENTS AWARD TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP: CSX Transportation presented its Partnershipping Award to the Regional Economic Development Partnership Febr. 29 in Wheeling, W.Va., in recognition of its efforts to locate three energy-related projects that will be served by CSX. The organization also supported state legislation providing incentives for energy companies investing in the state. [CSX, 2-29-12]
SUPREME COURT SAYS R.R. LAW PREMPTS CLAIMS ON ASBESTOS EXPOSURE IN REPAIR WORK: A federal law dating from the days of steam trains governs locomotive equipment, and preempts state-law claims based on a worker's exposure to asbestos-containing brakes and insulation at railroad maintenance facilities, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Feb. 29. [Bloomberg BNA website report, 2-29-12]
CRUDE OIL RAIL TERMINAL TO BE BUILT IN TEXAS: Pecos Valley Producer Services L.L.C. plans to develop a multi-commodity rail terminal in Pecos, Texas, to serve the Permian Basin’s growing oil and natural gas industries. The facility will eventually encompass about 85 acres and feature daily rail-car capacity from 300 to 600. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-28-12]
CSX GETS LAND FOR SECOND TRACK IN OCALA, FLORIDA: The city of Ocala, Florida, has agreed to give CSX land to build a second track in Ocala in exchange for safer crossings and the ability to apply for a ‘quiet zone’ where the train horns will not be sounded. [Ocala Star-Banner website report, 2-28-12]
WES BUSH ELECTED TO NORFOLK SOUTHERN BOARD: Wes Bush, 50, has been elected a director of Norfolk Southern Corporation. He is chairman, CEO and president of Northrop Grumman Corporation [Norfolk Southern, 2-28-12]
DAMAGED EDITH RIVER RAIL BRIDGE IN AUSTRALIA REOPENED: Genesee & Wyoming Inc. has reopened the Edith River Bridge in Australia’s Northern Territory following the December 27 derailment of a freight train in flood waters associated with Cyclone Grant. [Genesee & Wyoming, 2-28-12]
DAVE RUGGLES NAMED GENERAL MANAGER OF SWAN RANCH RR: Watco Transportation Services named Dave Ruggles as general manager for the Swan Ranch Railroad. He will be responsible for the day-to-day operations on the SRRR and will report directly to the director of operations. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 2-28-12]
VIA RAIL TRAIN DERAILS, THREE KILLED, 45 INJURED: Three crew members died Febr. 26 when VIA Rail Train 92 derailed in Burlington, Ontario. Forty-five passengers were injured when the Toronto-bound passenger train derailed east of the Aldershot station. There were 75 passengers and five crew members on board when the train crashed, derailing the locomotive and all five cars before hitting a building. [Hamilton Spectator website report, 2-27-12]
SOUND TRANSIT APPROVES $24.3-M TOWARD LIGHT-RAIL EXTENSION: The Sound Transit board has approved $24.3-million in additional funding for establishing a ‘shovel-ready’ plan to extend light rail to a transit center in Federal Way, Washington. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-27-12]
‘METRO’ IS THE NEW NAME FOR TWIN CITIES TRANSIT: The Twin Cities Metropolitan Council has approved the identity and branding plan for the region’s developing light-rail transit (LRT) and bus-rapid transit (BRT) system. The council decided to name the system ‘METRO.’ The council also adopted branding elements that include a traditional “circle-T” logo, and designs for vehicle graphics and station sights. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-27-12]
BNSF EARNINGS IN 2011: BNSF generated revenue of $19.5-billion in 2011 compared with $16.9-billion in 2010. Net earnings increased from $2.5-billion to about $3-billion. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-27-12]
CSX TO BOLSTER JACKSONVILLE PORT: CSX is rolling out infrastructure and workforce investments to help meet a projected 60 pct rise in freight demand over the next three decades, according to CSX CEO, Chairman and President Michael Ward. The company’s planned $40-million development of rail connections in the Port of Jacksonville reflects CSX's goal to strengthen port investments. [Jacksonville Times-Union website report, 2-25-12]
SEPTA TO SPEND $100-M ON POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL: SEPTA will spend $100-million for a new, federally mandated train-control system. The new system must be installed by Dec. 31, 2015, under current federal law. The system will be designed to automatically halt trains if engineers do not heed stop signals. [Philadelphia Inquirer website report, 2-24-12]
PENNSYLVANIA PROVIDING $23-M IN GRANTS FOR RAIL FREIGHT PROJECTS: Pennsylvania will provide $23-million in grants to help fund 16 freight-rail and short-line projects. The grants are distributed through the Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance Program. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-24-12]
AMTRAK PROMOTING ESCORTED RAIL JOURNEYS: Amtrak will be adding three new itineraries to its escorted rail journeys program in 2012, adding up to five unique ways for train passengers to experience America’s national parks and local cultures. “We have come up with a formula for these tours that strikes a chord with the traveling public,” said Steven Grasso, vice president of product and marketing for Amtrak Vacations. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 2-24-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: A decline is reported in weekly rail traffic for the week ending February 18, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 281,989 carloads, down 5.2 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 2-23-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN NIXES CHARLOTTE COMMUTER RAIL PLAN: Norfolk Southern says it cannot support a current plan for commuter rail service linking Charlotte and Mt. Mourne, N.C., calling the idea ‘fatally flawed.’ The Red Line plan is based upon assumptions about the projected freight use of the 'O' Line that are no longer valid, the company said. [Railway Age website report, 2-23-12]
ARGENTINA TRAIN CRASH KILLS 49, INJURES OVER 500: A packed train slammed into the end of the line in Buenos Aires' busy Once station Febr.22, killing 49 people and injuring at least 550 morning commuters as passenger cars crumpled behind the engine. It was Argentina's worst train accident in decades. [CBS News website report, 2-22-12]
TACOMA CONTAINER TRAFFIC ROSE 8 PCT IN JANUARY: International container volume at the Port of Tacoma, Washington, in January increased 8 pct year-over-year, as imports surged 12.4 percent at the port. [Journal of Commerce website report, 2-22-12]
PERSHING SQUARE NAMES PAUL HAGGIS AS NOMINEE TO CP’S BOARD: Pershing Square Capital Management L.P. announced Paul Haggis as its sixth nominee for Canadian Pacific’s board. The firm’s nominees will stand for election at CP’s annual shareholders meeting on May 17. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-22-12]
KCS TO BUY 30 ES44AC LOCOMOTIVES: Kansas City Southern Railway Company has taken out a $54.6-million Federal Railroad Administration-administered Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program loan to purchase 30 new General Electric ES44AC diesel-electric locomotives. [Railway Age website report, 2-22-12]
WASHINGTON METRO AWARDS TRACKWORK CONTRACT: Unitrac Railroad Materials, Inc. has received a three-year contract to supply special trackwork to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), valued at approximately $8-million over a three-year period. [Railway Age website report, 2-22-12]
UNION PACIFIC EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH NOL GROUP: Union Pacific will continue to be NOL Group's intermodal rail service provider for its shipping liner business, APL, under a renewed contract. This lengthens the two companies' decades-long business partnership. [Journal of Commerce website report, 2-22-12]
CSX EXPANDS RAILCOMM YARD AUTOMATION: CSX has expanded its Domain Operations Controller system located at Boyles Yard in Birmingham. RailComm has provided modifications to the existing DOC Server to add graphical control for additional switch and gate locations. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 2-22-12]
PIEDMONT & NORTHERN RAIL CORRIDOR REOPENED: For the first time in more than 20 years, a train has traversed the Piedmont & Northern Railroad corridor from Gastonia to Mount Holly, N.C.. A train operated by Patriot Rail Corp. used the route Febr.20, marking the milestone event, officials said. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-21-12]
CROSSING TRACKS IN INDIA ACCOUNTS FOR 15,000 DEATHS ANNUALLY: About 15,000 people die every year trying to cross the tracks of India’s mammoth rail network, a ‘massacre’ that a government committee said was being ignored by railway authorities. [Washington Post website report, 2-21-12]
FREIGHTCAR AMERICA REPORTS 4-Q EARNINGS: FreightCar America Inc. posted fourth-quarter net income of $8.5-million, or 71 cents per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $3.5-million, or 29 cents per diluted share, in fourth-quarter 2010. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-21-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CITED FOR POLLUTION: Barely a year after receiving environmental permits to build a $112-million, 230-acre rail-to-truck terminal in Fayette County, Tennessee, Norfolk Southern Railway Co. has been cited by state regulators for polluting streams near the construction site. The notice is the initial step in an enforcement process that could lead to a Commissioner's Order levying fines. [Memphis Commercial Appeal website report, 2-20-12]
CALIFORNIA WANTS $4-B TO UPGRADE EXISTING TRACKS FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL: California Governor Jerry Brown dismissed criticism of the planned $98-billion high-speed rail system, citing the project as a wise option for eco-friendlier travel. Meanwhile, transportation agencies say they want to spend more than $4 billion of the bond funds available up-front to enhance existing tracks that the bullet trains would share. [San Francisco Chronicle website report, 2-19-12]
GEORGIA PORT RETROFITS 11 LOCOMOTIVES: The Georgia Ports Authority's Garden City Terminal, served by CSX and Norfolk Southern, is now more eco-friendly as the GPA retrofitted energy-saving and emissions-reduction systems for 11 of its locomotives. [Savannah Morning News website report, 2-17-12]
NEW BNSF CROSSOVERS IN IOWA TO SPEED CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR: Burlington Northern Santa Fe completed and is now using a new 40 mph double crossover in Iowa on its Chicago-Denver mainline, the first of four new crossovers across Iowa that will improve speed for Amtrak’s California Zephyr. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 2-17-12]
RAIL WORKFORCE EXPANSION A SIGN OF RECOVERING ECONOMY: Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific are among the employers whose hiring sprees point to a recovering manufacturing sector and a decrease in the number of jobless benefits claims. "Employee levels rose 5 pct as we continue to hire trainees to handle our 2012 forecasted volumes," said NS Chief Financial Officer James Squires. [Albany Times Union website report, 2-17-12]
CANADIAN NATIONAL PLANS $1.5-B CAPITAL EXPENDITURES IN 2012: CN plans to invest about $1.5-billion in infrastructure development, rail service and growth strategies this year. "CN is taking its business model to the next level with its focus on Operational and Service Excellence," said CN CEO and President Claude Mongeau. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 2-17-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported mixed rail traffic for the week ending February 11, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 279,501 carloads, up 1.7 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 2-16-12]
TECHNOLOGY PERMITS HIGHER SPEEDS ON AMTRAK CORRIDORS: Amtrak trains at 110 mph on 97 miles of Amtrak-owned line between Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Porter, Indiana, will reduce the travel time for the Wolverine and Blue Water service by approximately 20 minutes. Amtrak and Illinois are partnering with GE Transportation to use the company's Incremental Train Control System technology for similar plans on the Chicago-St. Louis corridor. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 2-16-12]
VRE ORDERING 8 BILEVEL COACHES: Sumitomo Corp. of America, in conjunction with its car builder partner Nippon Sharyo, has landed a contract from Virginia Railway Express for eight gallery-type bi-level cars, at a contract price of $21-million, for delivery in 2014. The contract includes an option for VRE to purchase up to an additional 42 cars. [Railway Age website report, 2-16-12]
STUDY APPROVED FOR PROPOSED SOUTH JERSEY LIGHT-RAIL LINE: An $8.1-million study of a proposed light-rail commuter line between Glassboro and Camden has been approved by the Delaware River Port Authority board. The $1.6-billion light-rail line would connect to PATCO and River Line trains at the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, where passengers could catch trains to Philadelphia or Trenton." [Philadelphia Inquirer website report, 2-16-12]
METRO-NORTH COMPLETES CORTLAND STATION PROJECT: Metro-North has marked the completion of the Cortland Station expansion project. The $37.4-million project included an overpass extension that ties the original station east of the tracks with a new entrance on the west side off of Route 9A, as well as the addition of an elevator, parking, walkway intersection and intermodal facilities. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-16-12]
UNION PACIFIC TO EXPAND CAPACITY IN LOUISIANA: Union Pacific plans to spend $200-million to expand its south Louisiana operations. The plan includes three major projects: a new support yard in St. James Parish, an additional 29 miles of track from Livonia to Addis, and the addition of more staging slots in Livonia. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-15-12]
PROVIDENCE & WORCESTER, NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL FORGE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE: Providence & Worcester and New England Central railroads have formed the ‘Great Eastern Route,’ a new coordinated commercial and operating platform. The strategic alliance will increase the partners’ collective business with CN and Canadian Pacific by targeting southern New England shippers. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-15-12]
BNSF INTERMODAL FACILITY IN KANSAS TO BOOST ECONOMY: BNSF's 440-acre intermodal project in Edgerton, Kansas, is around 40 pct complete, and is expected to stimulate business investments in the area and create 7,500 direct and 5,500 off-site jobs, said Skip Kalb, BNSF director of strategic development. Kalb said the project would strengthen BNSF traffic, which is already up. [Baldwin City Signal website report, 2-15-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN BECOMES FLEET USER OF RENEWABLE DIESEL: Dynamic Fuels LLC and Mansfield Oil Co. have signed an agreement to supply renewable diesel to Norfolk Southern. The railroad has primarily been using a 100 pct pure Dynamic Fuels renewable diesel at its Meridian, Mississippi, rail yard since early January. [Norfolk Southern, 2-14-12]
PRESIDENT REQUESTS $6-B FOR PASSENGER RAIL IN 2012: The Obama Administration released its FY-2013 budget request that includes a $6-billion investment in Amtrak and high-speed rail in 2012, along with a six-year reauthorization that includes $47.09-billion for passenger trains through the end of 2018. [National Assn of RR Passengers, 2-14-12]
GROUND BROKEN ON RAILCAR REPAIR FACILITY IN MISSISSIPPI: A new transload rail center close to Kansas City Southern's rail system in Louisville, Mississippi, is generating interest from firms such as Louisville Railcar Repair, which just broke ground on a $1.3-million rail car facility at the site. [Area Development Online website report, 2-14-12]
UNION PACIFIC CENTER RECEIVES SILVER LEED CERTIFICATION: Union Pacific Center in Omaha received the Silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Existing Buildings rating system. Union Pacific Center is a 19-story, 1,318,471 square-foot building completed in 2004 with a capacity of approximately 4,000 employees. It is the largest LEED certified building in Nebraska and just the second building in the state to earn LEED Existing Building certification. [Union Pacific, 2-14-12]
PORTS STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH EXPORT COAL DEMAND: The U.S. coal industry is in a stable international market, in part because of a mix of metallurgical and thermal coal and increasing foreign demand. However, ports are struggling to meet capacity. Several ports, including the Port of Coos Bay and the Port of St. Helens - both in Oregon - are working to increase capacity. Some companies, such as Kinder Morgan, are looking to build additional facilities. [Platts/ McGraw-Hill website report, 2-14-12]
NTSB FAULTS CANADIAN NATIONAL’S FAILURE IN COMMUNICATION OF WASHOUT CAUSING DERAILMENT: The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the washout of a track structure and the failure to notify an oncoming train of the washout in time caused the derailment of 19 cars in Cherry Valley, Illinois, June 19, 2009. While the washout was discovered about an hour before the train's arrival, Canadian National Railway’s inadequate emergency communication procedures prevented timely notification. [National Transportation Safety Board, 2-14-12]
GENESEE & WYOMING REPAIRING EDITH RIVER BRIDGE IN AUSTRALIA: Genesee & Wyoming Inc. says the Edith River Bridge in Australia’s Northern Territory is substantially repaired with earthworks and abutments on both ends of the bridge, and the bridge deck aligned. It was damaged in a December 27 derailment of freight train in flood waters from Cyclone Grant. [Genesee & Wyoming, 2-14-12]
CSX SITE DESIGNATION PUSHES PLANS FOR ILLINOIS BUSINESS PARK: A business park for Greenville, Illinois, that's been in the planning stages for almost two decades, is closer to reality now that CSX has designated it as a ‘Select Site.’ [Belleville News-Democrat website report, 2-13-12]
UNION PACIFIC IMPROVING TRACK IN CALIFORNIA, OREGON: Union Pacific is investing $10.6-million in 60 miles of line that runs between Santa Barbara and Camarillo, California. The project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by the end of February. The company is also investing $6.5-million in its Kenton and Graham Lines in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area. That project will be completed in late February, except for crossing renewal projects to be completed midyear. [Union Pacific, 2-13-12]
KCS EXECUTIVES DISCUSS GROWTH PLAN: Some of Kansas City Southern's top leadership - including President and CEO Dave Starling - met with KCS de Mexico employees to discuss growth plans for the year. The crux of the message was that the company "plans to keep capacity ahead of volume growth" and continue its safety success. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 2-13-12]
TEXAS A&M TO CREATE RAIL RESEARCH CENTER: Texas A&M University’s Board of Regents recently approved a plan to establish the Center for Railway Research at the Texas Transportation Institute in College Station. The center will be dedicated to education and information sharing through formal initiatives, and will recruit students to enter rail transportation fields. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-13-12]
SEVEN CHICAGO TRANSIT NORTH MAIN LINE STATIONS TO BE REHABILITATED: Kiewit Infrastructure Co. has obtained a $57.4-million contract from the Chicago Transit Authority to rehabilitate seven rail stations on the North Main Line branch of the Red Line. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-13-12]
MAGLEV ASSETS TO BE AUCTIONED: Harry Davis & Co. plans to auction off the assets of Maglev Inc., a Pittsburgh-area-based rail developer that filed for bankruptcy in July. The company was created in 2003 to develop a magnetic levitation train that would link Pittsburgh International Airport to downtown Pittsburgh and Greensburg, which failed to secure funding. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette website report, 2-13-12]
KCS SUES TEXAS CITY OVER CROSSING ACCIDENT: Kansas City Southern Railway filed a lawsuit against the city of Lewisville, Texas, after a city employee drove a tractor-trailer into the path of an oncoming train and caused a collision on May 3, 2010. KCS is asking for $146,000 in damages. [Southeast Texas Record website report, 2-13-12]
BALTIMORE PORT SETS SEVERAL ANNUAL CARGO RECORDS: Last year, the Port of Baltimore set several annual cargo records, including all-time-high volumes of containers and autos. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-13-12]
GROUNDBREAKING SET FOR CINCINNATI STREETCAR PROJECT: Cincinnati city officials plan to break ground Febr. 17 on its streetcar line. [Railway Age website report, 2-13-12]
C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE ADDING 500 INTERMODAL CONTAINERS: C.H. Robinson Worldwide is putting 500 new 53-foot intermodal containers into its U.S. shipping network as the freight broker seeks to add greater flexibility in shifting business between modes. [Journal of Commerce website report, 2-13-12]
GENESEE & WYOMING REPORTS TRAFFIC FOR JANUARY 2012: GWI’s traffic in January 2012 was 72,887 carloads, a decrease of 9,848 carloads, or 11.9 pct, compared with January 2011. [Genesee & Wyoming, 2-13-12]
GE TRANSPORTATION INVESTS IN CLEANER LOCOMOTIVE: The Evolution-series locomotive, touted as the most environmentally friendly locomotive ever built, will get even cleaner. New Tier-3 Environmental Protection standards, which take effect in 2013, require a 50 pct reduction in particulate emissions. That timeline has made this revamped engine testing a top priority and the recipient of millions of dollars of upgrades, part of $136 million-in improvements to the company. [Erie Times-News website report, 2-12-12]
FARMRAIL ACQUIRES FIVE GP38 LOCOMOTIVES: Farmrail System in Oklahoma recently augmented and upgraded its locomotive fleet by acquiring five additional GP-38 units, bringing the total number of those units in the fleet to 11. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-10-12]
ARM FOUND IN ILLINOIS RAIL YARD IDENTIFIED: The human arm traveled halfway across the country for nearly a month before finally falling from a train in Springfield, Illinois, Febr. 7. Police have now identified the man who lost the limb. William Escudero, 29, of Libby, Montana, died when he stepped in front of a train in Libby, according to the Springfield Police Department. The arm appears to have been caught in the undercarriage of the train and was not found during the initial investigation of the death. [Springfield News Leader website report, 2-10-12]
ALASKA R.R. PLANS MORE LEVEE WORK WITH BRIDGE PROJECT: Alaska Railroad plans to continue levee work along the Tanana River next month as part of a $188-million railroad bridge project. Construction is expected to be done by summer of 2014. [Fairbanks Daily News Miner website report, 2-10-12]
VALLEY METRO PREPARES FOR CENTRAL MESA LIGHT-RAIL CONSTRUCTION: Valley Metro plans to break ground on its first light-rail extension into downtown Mesa, Arizona, in late spring. The 3.1-mile, four-station Central Mesa extension will travel east on Main Street from the current end-of-line at Sycamore, through downtown Mesa to Mesa Drive. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-10-12]
NJ TRANSIT NOW HAS TICKET MACHINES AT ALL ITS RAIL STATIONS: New Jersey Transit says ticket vending machines now cover every station in its statewide rail system, and advises passengers to use them in order to avoid a ticket surcharge if boarding any train without a ticket. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-10-12]
CN, UNITED STEELWORKERS RATIFY 3-YEAR LABOR AGREEMENT: A three-year maintenance labor agreement has been ratified by members of the United Steelworkers and Canadian National. The deal covers about 2,800 employees. [Canadian Press website report, 2-9-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported an increase in weekly rail traffic for the week ending February 4, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 284,546 carloads, up 6.2 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 2-9-12]
BANKRUPTCY JUDGE BLOCKS CSX TAX REFUND BID: The U.S. judge overseeing the $4.23-billion bankruptcy case of Jefferson County, Alabama, has turned aside an attempt by CSX to get $1-million in tax refunds tied to fuel purchases, freezing the lawsuit and refusing to let it go to trial. [Reuters website report, 2-9-12]
UNION PACIFIC TO PAY $1.5-M FOR CLEAN WATER VIOLATIONS: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled with Union Pacific Railroad over alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act involving continuing operations at 20 rail yards in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as spills of oil and coal in 2003 and 2004 on its lines in all three states. The company will pay a civil penalty of $1.5-million. [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2-9-12]
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR NYC SECOND AVENUE SUBWAY PROJECT: Skanska USA has obtained a $262-million contract for the Second Avenue subway systems project in New York City. Skanska and joint venture partner LK Comstock and Co will construct the track and systems for the project’s first phase. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-9-12]
N.C. UPGRADES SEVEN GRADE CROSSINGS: The North Carolina Dept. of Transportation recently completed safety improvements at seven grade crossings. It revised crossing signals and installed gates at Norfolk Southern crossings in Asheville, Chapel Hill, Durham and Julian; Lurinburg Southern crossing in East Laurinburg ($224,293); Aberdeen Carolina & Western crossing near Mint Hill; and Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad crossing near Dundarrach. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-9-12]
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL:The Obama administration is reaffirming its commitment to California's $98.5-billion bullet train project. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, “The Obama Administration is committed to High-Speed Rail because it is good for the economy and the nation. I look forward to working with Governor Brown to make this project as successful as possible.” [Los Angeles Times website report, 2-9-12]
MONTANA COURT RULES LANDOWNERS’ CASE AGAINST BNSF MAY PROCEED: The Montana Supreme Court has ruled that Livingston, Montana, landowners' pollution claims against BNSF Railway may proceed and the statute does not apply. The landowners claim chemicals dumped at BNSF's Livingston yard have migrated over the years to their properties. [Columbus, Indiana, Republic website report, 2-9-12]
BOMBARDIER CEO IS CONFIDENT IN CHINA’S RAIL SYSTEM SAFETY: Bombardier Inc. Chief Executive Pierre Beaudoin defended China's high-speed rail network, and said he was entirely confident in the system's safety. The Canada-based company signed a $4-billion contract with China's Ministry of Railways in 2009. [Wall Street Journal website report, 2-9-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC CHIEF STRIKES BACK AT NAYSAYERS: Canadian Pacific CEO Fred Green again hit back at those attempting to oust him, insisting his plan is the best way to improve the railway's performance and casting his challenger's as vague. In a letter posted to the carrier's website, Green also defended the acquisition of the DM&E Railroad, which CP's largest shareholder Bill Ackman has called a mistake the company paid too much for. [Calgary Herald website report, 2-9-12]
GENESEE & WYOMING REPORTS 4-Q EARNINGS: Genesee & Wyoming Inc. reported net income in the fourth-quarter of 2011 of $33.3-million, compared with net income of $19.9-million in the fourth quarter of 2010. [Genesee & Wyoming, 2-8-12]
SEVERED ARM FOUND IN BNSF RAIL YARD IN MISSOURI: The circumstances around a severed arm found Febr. 7 at the BNSF rail yards in Springfield, Missouri, remain a mystery as police continue to search for who lost the limb, which was apparently amputated by a train. [Springfield News-Ledger website report, 2-8-12]
AMTRAK MICHIGAN SERVICE GETS 110-MPH APPROVAL: Federal approval will now permit Amtrak and the Michigan Transportation Department to provide 110 mph high-speed rail service in western Michigan and northern Indiana. The approval comes as Amtrak successfully implemented a positive train control system on its track from Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Porter, Indiana. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 2-7-12]
CSX COAL TRAFFIC TO DECLINE 4 PCT THIS YEAR, ANALYSTS SAY: Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. analysts expect CSXT’s coal traffic to decline 4 pct this year, which is “roughly in line with a 5 percent reduction in eastern U.S. coal production,” the report states. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-7-12]
N.Y. GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL’S CENTENNIAL NEXT YEAR: Two committees have begun planning next year’s celebration of the centennial of Grand Central Terminal’s opening in New York City. Events will include music and other performances, a formal rededication ceremony and numerous public activities that will be capped with a gala celebration. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-7-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN SHIPS MASSIVE GENERATORS FOR EXPORT: Norfolk Southern recently transported six huge turbine generators made in North Carolina to the Lambert's Point Docks in Norfolk, Va., for export to Saudi Arabia. The company’s port subsidiary has a handling capacity of up to 800 rail cars, which made it capable of transporting massive equipment. [Norfolk Virginian-Pilot website report, 2-7-12]
FRA PROPOSES RULE TOWARD RAILROAD SAFETY TRAINING: The Federal Railroad Administration has proposed a rule that would require each railroad or contractor with safety-related railroad employees to develop a training program designating the qualifications of each employee and them submit that program for Federal Railroad Administration approval. [Federal Railroad Administration, 2-7-12]
WORK PROGRESSES ON AMTRAK’S NEW BASCULE BRIDGE IN CONNECTICUT: Amtrak is building a double-track, electrified, bascule bridge across the Niantic River between East Lyme and Waterford, 58 feet south of its current location. The $125-million bridge, funded with stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Amtrak's capital budget, is expected to be complete in May 2013. [TheDay Connecticut website report, 2-7-12]
INTERMODAL FACILITY TO BE DEVELOPED IN FLORIDA: The Broward County, Florida, Commission has approved a 30-year lease and operating agreement with Florida East Coast Railway to develop an Intermodal Container Transfer Facility at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The facility is slated to become operational at the beginning of 2014. [Florida East Coast, 2-7-12]
FEDERAL FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR TRANSIT MODERNIZING: More than $826-million will become available to transit systems in the U.S. this year for modernizing and repairing vehicles, the Department of Transportation announced Febr. 6. “An American economy that’s built to last must be built on a solid foundation, and when we have buses, transit facilities, and other equipment that’s in disrepair, we simply cannot afford to ignore them,” said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood said. [United Transportation Union, 2-7-12]
SCOTT WEAVER NAMED VP LABOR RELATIONS FOR NORFOLK SOUTHERN: Scott R. Weaver has been named vice president labor relations for Norfolk Southern Corporation effective March 1. He succeeds Harold R. Mobley, who is retiring. [Norfolk Southern, 2-7-12]
PROGRESS RAIL CLOSING LOCOMOTIVE PLANT IN ONTARIO: Progress Rail Services Corp. announced Febr. 3 that is closing the Electro-Motive Canada locomotive plant in London, Ontario. The company had been involved in a labor dispute with plant workers, who are represented by the Canadian Auto Workers. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-6-12]
HUNTER HARRISON BUYS $5-M IN CP RAIL STOCK: Hunter Harrison is so convinced that he will be driving a turnaround at Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. that he invested $5-million last week in the freight carrier's shares. "Look, you think I believe in this project? I made a bet on Friday. I bet $5-million of my own money. I think it's going to rise some more," he told the Business News Network. [Business News Network website report, 2-6-12]
SIGNALING CONTRACT FOR SINGAPORE: Neuilly-sur-Seine, France-based Thales Group has landed a contract with Singapore’s SMRT Corp. Ltd.to supply its SelTrac Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) to resignal SMRT’s North-South and East-West rail lines, covering a combined 62 miles and serving 54 stations. The contract is worth roughly $154-million. [Railway Age website report, 2-6-12]
CSX TRAIN STRIKES TRUCK IN GEORGIA, THREE HURT: Three members of a CSX freight train crew were taken to a local hospital Febr. 6 after their train struck a truck hauling scrap metal in Marietta, Ga. The truck that had gotten stuck on the crossing, police said. [Atlanta Constitution Journal website report, 2-6-12]
UNION PACIFIC TO PROVIDE MORE RAIL SERVICE FOR TUCSON: Union Pacific will be providing more rail service to the Port of Tucson, Arizona, as the port plans to develop its rail infrastructure with an $11-million investment. The project will allow the port to expand its reach in freight shipping to as far as Texas and Southern California. [Tucson KVOA Communications website report, 2-6-12]
WINSLOW, ARIZONA, DEPOT TO BECOME MUSEUM: La Posada, the one-time Harvey House hotel in Winslow, Arizona, will complete all of its hotel rooms by April. Presently there are 49 rooms, and they will top 53. Next, the hotel will expand east and include changes to the Turquoise Room restaurant including the addition of a patio, chef’s garden, and a vineyard. The depot will be converted into an art gallery museum. [La Posada, 2-5-12]
PITTSBURGH COMPANIES GAIN FROM RAIL INDUSTRY’S CONTINUED GROWTH: Industries in the Pittsburgh area are reaping benefits from the once-again booming rail industry as demand for more service keeps rail equipment suppliers busy. The industry's resurgence is evident in its estimated 43 pct share of intercity freight volume in 2010, according to the Association of American Railroads. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette website report, 2-5-12]
AMTRAK SEEKS $2.167-B FOR FY-2013: Amtrak released its fiscal year 2013 budget request seeking $2.167-billion. The request breaks down to $1.435-billon for national capital and infrastructure projects; $450-million in federal operating support, $212-million for debt service; and $60-million as part of its mission to develop 220 mph service to the Northeast Corridor (NEC). [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 2-3-12]
ALL RAIL UNIONS HAVE SIGNED NATIONAL AGREEMENT: The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division and National Carriers’ Conference Committee have reached a tentative agreement, the last pact to be settled between major U.S. railroads and rail labor union during the current round of national bargaining. The tentative agreement eliminates the threat of a national rail strike by BMWED members on Feb. 8, when a cooling off period was set to expire. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-3-12]
VRE CEO ZEHNER TO RETIRE IN JUNE: Virginia Railway Express Chief Executive Officer Dale Zehner has announced plans to retire June 30. Zehner joined VRE in May 1995 after a career in the Navy. He became the agency’s first chief executive officer in May 2004. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-3-12]
AMTRAK TRAIN DERAILS IN MICHIGAN, 10 INJURED: Amtrak restored service between Detroit and Chicago Febr. 2 after a train slammed into a truck that had stuck itself across tracks in southern Michigan the previous morning. Though the train derailed, reports indicate only 10 people were injured, none seriously. The driver failed to abide by approved clearance regulations, stalling his truck across the rails. [National Assn of RR Passengers, 2-3-12]
CANADIAN NATIONAL OPENS INTERMODAL TERMINAL IN WISCONSIN: CN marked the opening of its newest intermodal terminal at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The terminal, located 100 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul, offers Wisconsin and Minnesota customers new supply chain options to ship and receive goods in containers with twice weekly train service and fifth morning availability from the west coast. [Canadian National, 2-3-12]
HOUSE COMMITTEE INTRODUCES BILL TO EXTEND POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL BY FIVE YEARS: The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced a five-year surface transportation funding bill, a successor to the now-expired SAFETEA-LU, that would extend Congress’ mandated deadline for Positive Train Control (PTC) by five years, from Dec. 31, 2015, to Dec. 31, 2020. [Railway Age website report, 2-2-12]
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON ATLANTA STREETCAR LINE: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and other local officials Febr. 1 to help kick off construction of a new 2.6-mile streetcar line that will operate through Atlanta’s business, tourism and convention corridor. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-2-12]
CP PLANNING TO BUILD RAIL TERMINAL IN ALBERTA: Canadian Pacific is planning to build a 275-acre rail terminal near Bruderheim, Alberta, to handle its growing volume of shipments in the region, according to the company’s marketing department. "CP envisions the future Strathcona Logistics Centre will be a multi commodity facility, handling structural steel, bulk products and containers," said CP spokesman Ed Greenberg. [Fort Saskatchewan Record website report, 2-2-12]
INTERMODAL GROWTH CONTINUES: Intermodal container volume set a new record in 2011 with 12.4 million moves, beating former record-year 2007 by 3.7 pct, the Intermodal Associaton of North America said. [Railway Age website report, 2-2-12]
RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC UP SLIGHTLY IN JANUARY: The Association of American Railroads reported that total U.S. rail carloads originated in January 2012 totaled 1,144,800, an average of 286,200 per week and up 0.1 pct over January 2011. Intermodal volume in January 2012 was 877,637 containers and trailers, up 1.7 pct over January 2011. [Assn. of American Railroads, 2-2-12]
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY: The California High-Speed Rail Authority elected Dan Richard to be its chairman, succeeding Thomas Umberg who resigned that position last month but will remain on the board. [California High-Speed Rail Authority, 2-2-12]
TWO MORE RAIL UNIONS RATIFY NATIONAL CONTRACTS: The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and the American Train Dispatchers Association announced their members ratified national agreements with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee. The two unions represent more than 8,600 rail workers. Contracts have now been ratified by 12 of the 13 unions involved in national bargaining. The only union without a settlement - the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division - previously agreed with the NCCC to extend a cooling off period which expires Febr. 8. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-2-12]
WATCO LAUNCHES ANOTHER SHORT LINE: The Birmingham Terminal Railway (BHRR), Watco Companys’ twenty-sixth short line, launched operations in Birmingham Febr. 1. Watco recently formed the line after acquiring the assets of the Birmingham Southern Railway. BHRR operates 75.9 miles of track and serves more than 30 customers. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-2-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC INCREASES CRUDE OIL SHIPMENTS: Canadian Pacific is now shipping crude oil by rail from a new transload facility near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. CP said the facility is a key enhancement to a growing energy portfolio. It accommodates the needs of NuStar Energy LP, with a further expansion planned this year. [Railway Age website report, 2-2-12]
RAIL ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES DECLINE: A new report by the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Safety Analysis shows that in the first 11 months of 2011, U. S. railroad accidents and incidents declined 5.7 pct from the same period in 2010 to 10,037. [Railway Age website report, 2-2-12]
NEW SIGNALING SYSTEM IN DENMARK: A Thales and Balfour Beatty Rail consortium has obtained a $526.8-million contract from Danish infrastructure owner Banedanmark to install a European signaling system on 746 miles of rail lines across Jutland, Denmark. The contract represents about 60 percent of Denmark’s railway network. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-2-12]
RAILAMERICA TO ACQUIRE MARQUETTE RAIL: RailAmerica has signed an agreement to acquire Marquette Rail LLC for $40-million subject to final adjustments for working capital, closing conditions and Surface Transportation Board approval. Headquartered in Michigan, Marquette operates 126 miles of track running from Grand Rapids to Ludington and Manistee, Michigan; interchanges with CSXT in Grand Rapids, and serves customers primarily in the chemical, pulp & paper, and non-metallics industries. [RailAmerica, 2-1-12]
BNSF INCREASES CAPITAL SPENDING FOR 2012: BNSF plans a 2012 capital commitment program of approximately $3.9-billion, a $400 million increase over its 2011 capital spending. The largest component of the capital plan is spending $2.1-billion on BNSF's core network and related assets. BNSF also plans to spend approximately $1.1-billion on locomotive, freight car and other equipment acquisitions. [Railway Track & Structures website report, 2-1-12]
NORFOLK LIGHT-RAIL SYSTEM ADDING NEW CROSSOVER: Hampton Roads Transit says it ill add a new crossover on The Tide light-rail transit system this weekend along the route between Harbor Park and EVMC/Ft. Norfolk. HRT says the crossover will improve capacity and traffic flow. [Railway Age website report, 2-1-12]
NEW RAIL CAR CLEANING FACILITY OPENED IN TEXAS: The Rescar Cos. has opened a new rail-car cleaning system in Channelview, Texas. The new system is designed to process eight cars simultaneously, speeding their return to rail-car owners and leasing customers, and helping to reduce lost-income days for car lessors. [Progressive Railroading website report, 2-1-12]
RAILAMERICA TO ACQUIRE 70 PCT INTEREST IN WELLSBORO & CORNING RR: RailAmerica has signed an agreement to acquire a 70 pct interest in the Wellsboro and Corning Railroad (‘WCOR’) and Industrial Waste Group ("IWG") from Myles Group for $18-million. Members of the Myles family will retain the remaining interest in the companies and continue in senior leadership roles. The WCOR operates 38 miles of track running from Wellsboro, Pa., to Corning, NY, handling a variety of industrial products primarily used in the natural resources industry. [RailAmerica, 2-1-12]
CONDUCTOR DIES IN INDIANA RAIL SWITCHING ACCIDENT: Michael M. Shoemaker, 55, a conductor, was killed Jan. 30 in a switching accident at U.S. Steel’s Gary, Indiana, Works. Reports are that he was wedged between two freight cars. Shoemaker was a 10-year employee of Gary Railway, which is owned by U.S. Steel. [United Transportation Union, 2-1-12]
WISCONSIN & SOUTHERN WORKING ON NEW TRANSLOAD SITE: Thousands of tons of plastic pellets and animal feed will begin flowing to local companies on the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad in the coming year. The railroad has begun work on a site just south of Janesville where the products will be unloaded. The new 'transload' site in the same place where Amtrak briefly established a passenger stop to ferry people between Janesville and Chicago. The railroad expects to start using the site in early summer. [Janesville Gazette website report, 1-31-12]
SIXTY FLEXITY TRAMS FOR BASEL, SWITZERLAND: Bombardier Transportation will deliver up to 60 FLEXITY trams, worth roughly $241-million, to Basel Transport Authority (BVB) in Switzerland. Bombardier notes it is the largest order placed by BVB in the agency’s 116-year history. [Railway Age website report, 1-31-12]
FEDS GIVE ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVAL FOR MILWAUKEE STREETCAR PROJECT: The Federal Transit Administration gave the city of Milwaukee environmental approval for an initial streetcar line. The move clears the way for Milwaukee to begin final design this summer, with construction targeted to commence in the spring of 2014. The initial phase would link Milwaukee’s intermodal station, served by Amrak and buses, to the city’s lower east. [Railway Age website report, 1-31-12]
GO TRANSIT OPENS ALLANDALE WATERFRONT STATION: GO Transit and government officials marked the launch of service at the new Allandale Waterfront Station in Barrie, Ontario. The $9.2-million station will enable the agency to extend service into downtown Barrie and increase ridership on the line. The station includes a side rail platform with heated shelters, a mini-platform and a platform snowmelt system. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-31-12]
GROUND BROKEN FOR PHILADELPHIA TRANSIT CENTER: On Jan. 30, officials launched a $50-million project designed to expand and renovate a major transit center connecting Amtrak, commuter rail and buses. The renovation of Dilworth Plaza will improve transit into Philadelphia’s Center City by upgrading connections and accessibility around the City Hall transit hub. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-31-12]
FREIGHT RAILROADS PLAN TO SPEND $13-M THIS YEAR IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURES: The Association of American Railroads says that the nation’s major freight railroads are projected to invest a record $13-billion in capital expenditures in 2012 to expand, upgrade, and enhance the nation’s freight rail network. [Assn. of American Railroads, 1-30-12]
FREIGHT RAILROADS EXPECT TO HIRE MORE THAN 15,000 WORKERS IN 2012: The Association of American Railroads says that the nation’s major freight railroads expect to hire more than 15,000 employees this year, replacing retiring workers and adding new positions nationwide. [Assn. of American Railroads, 1-30-12]
PADUCAH & LOUISVILLE GETTING NEW TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM: RailComm has been chosen to install its Domain Operations Controller train control system for the Paducah & Louisville Railway Co. The DOC system will feature functionality for Track Warrant Control and Centralized Traffic Control through RailComm’s web-enabled software-as-a-service delivery method, RailComm officials said [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-30-12]
RUSSIA TO REPLACE 5,000 OBSOLETE SLEEPING CARS: Talgo has obtained a framework agreement with the Russian Railway Institute VNIIZht (RZD) for the development of a Talgo train with Spanish technology tailored for the Russian market. RZD plans to replace 5,000 obsolete sleeping cars during the next five years. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-30-12]
FREIGHT CAR ORDERS INCREASE IN 4-Q: Railroad freight car orders increased 51.4 pct in the fourth quarter 2011 to 16,434, compared with 10,853 car orders for the same quarter last year, according to the Railway Supply Institute. Orders in the quarter fell relative to the third quarter, which totaled 20,165 orders. [Railway Age website report, 1-30-12]
AMTRAK PLANS 160 MPH SPEED WITH N.J. STRETCH UPGRADE: Amtrak plans to break its own top speed when it spruces up a 24-mile stretch of track in New Jersey for trains running at 160 mph. Around Rhode Island, the train currently hits 150 mph for about 35 miles. But with $450-million in federal high-speed-rail money, Amtrak plans to upgrade the New Jersey section of track to top that current highest speed by 10 mph. [Journal News Lower Hudson website report, 1-29-12]
COALSPUR’S PLANNED COAL MINE WOULD RELY ON CN: Coalspur's planned $1.23-billion coal mine in Canada is expected to have an annual production capacity of 11.2 million tons, surpassing an earlier projection of 9 million, according to the company. A definite shipping deal between Canadian National is being sought by the company in the following year. The company has an initial haulage deal with Canadian National and hopes to turn it "into a definitive agreement over the coming year." [Marketwatch website report, 1-29-12]
DIRT CLEARING WORK NEARING COMPLETION AT UNION PACIFIC PROJECT IN N.M.: Union Pacific's dirt-clearing project for its $400-million rail facility in Santa Teresa, N.M., is expected to be finished this summer. The project's second stage is set to begin this year and will deal with infrastructure aspects, the company said. Construction of the whole project is expected to last until 2015. [El Paso Times website report, 1-28-12]
READING & NORTHERN CARRIED RECORD TRAFFIC, EXPANDED OPERATIONS IN 2011: Last year, the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad handled about 24,000 carloads, the most annual carloadings in the company’s 20-plus-year history. The 300-mile regional also expanded operations to accommodate natural gas supplies for the Marcellus Shale and growing anthracite coal business. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-27-12]
BART TRANSBAY TUBE UPGRADE CONTRACT APPROVED: Bay Area Rapid Transit has awarded a $7.7-million contract to California Engineering Contractors to install steel plating inside the 3.6-mile long Transbay Tube as part of the agency’s 10-year earthquake safety program. The tube was not damaged during the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, but it is part of the program designed to shore up BART’s system to withstand a major quake. The program began in 2001, and significant work to strengthen the tube already has been completed. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-27-12]
CN, TEAMSTERS CANADA RAIL CONFERENCE RATIFY 3-YEAR LABOR DEAL: Canadian National's three-year collective labor agreement was ratified by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference's 1,800 locomotive engineers. The ratified agreement "bodes well for the future of our relationship and ability to address issues of mutual interest in a constructive way that benefits CN's customers and all of its other stakeholders," said CN Chief Operating Officer Keith Creel. [Canadian Press website report, 1-27-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC REPORTS 2011 EARNINGS: Canadian Pacific Railway Limited announced its full year 2011 results. The company reported net income of $570-million and diluted earnings per share of $3.34. Total revenues were $5.2-billion, an increase of $196 million [Canadian Pacific, 1-26-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC’S 4-Q OPERATING EFFICIENCY WEAKENS: CP, Canada's second largest railway, said its operating ratio rose to 78.5 percent in the fourth-quarter, from 77 percent in the year-ago period. That compares with a ratio of 64.7 percent for Canadian National Railway, the country's largest. On this measure, CP is one of the less efficient of the major North American railways. [Reuters Canada website report, 1-26-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported an increase in weekly rail traffic for the week ending January 21, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 287,734 carloads, up 1.6 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 1-26-12]
WAVES DAMAGE RAIL LINE ALONG PUGET SOUND: BNSF Railway says waves crashing over the seawall at four spots between Everett and Mukilteo, Washington, have washed rocks away from one of two sets of mainline tracks in the area. The track closest to Puget Sound has been closed for repair, but passenger and freight trains continue to run on the second main track that is farther from the water. [News Tribune website report, 1-26-12]
DESIGN CONTRACT FOR HONOLULU RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT: AECOM Technology Corp. has obtained a $38.8-million contract to design the airport segment of the Honolulu Rail Transit project. AECOM will design a 5.2-mile portion of the elevated rail guideway from Aloha Stadium to the Middle Street Transit Center in Kalihi. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-26-12]
SIGNALING CONTRACT FOR ANKARA-ISTANBUL HIGH-SPEED RAIL LINE: In Turkey, Ansaldo STS has obtained contracts from Italo-Turkish joint venture Salini-GCF-Kolin to install signaling, automation and telecommunications systems for high-speed rail track between Ankara and Istanbul. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-26-12]
R.R. WORKER DIES IN FALL FROM ST. LOUIS BRIDGE: A railroad employee fell to his death from the MacArthur Bridge Jan. 25, authorities said. Carter Perry, 57, who worked for the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, was working on the bridge when he stepped onto an unsecured metal walkway, according to St. Louis police. The walkway gave way and Perry fell. He had worked for the railroad since 1975. [St. Louis Today website report, 1-26-12]
BNSF OPENS CAR SHOP IN NORTH DAKOTA: BNSF Railway officials and local leaders celebrated the opening of a new $30-million car shop and two 9,200-foot inspection tracks at Gavin Yard, east of Minot, N.D. The new investments are expected to serve the growing freight volumes along BNSF's Great Northern Corridor. [Minot Daily News, 1-26-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CLEARS VIRGINIA SITE OF OLD CROSSTIES: The cleanup of almost 2 million railroad ties from a site in Radford, Va., brings to an end a multi-year effort to clear the location and eliminate a potential environmental concern. Norfolk Southern completed removal of the ties earlier this month, delivering on an offer to the Va. Dept. of Environmental Quality to transport the ties for free if a suitable disposal site could be found. [Norfolk Southern, 1-26-12]
FRA WARNS OF COVERALLS SAFETY HAZARD: The Federal Railroad Administration has called attention to an injury where a conductor, while lifting the operating lever on a freight car, was dragged four car lengths after the lever became tangled in the hammer loop of his coveralls. The FRA recommends cutting off the hammer loop on coveralls or securing the hammer loop to the pants leg so that it does not create a hazard. [United Transportation Union, 1-25-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN ANNOUNCES CAPITAL SPENDING FOR 2012: Norfolk Southern says it has budgeted $2.4-billion for capital spending in 2012, up 12 percent compared with 2011’s budget. Replacement and core spending will total about $1.6-billion, or 67 percent of the total budget. Included is the purchase of 35 new locomotives. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-25-12]
VIA RAIL INTRODUCES NEW MONTREAL-OTTAWA-TORONTO SCHEDULES: VIA Rail Canada has introduced new schedules in the Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto triangle as part of an effort to attract more than 100,000 new riders per year. Riders on the new Ottawa-Toronto express trains will now be able to make the non-stop trip in just under four hours; and riders traveling from Montreal to Toronto will be offered two new trains, bringing the total number of weekday departures to 10. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-25-12]
ACTIVIST INVESTOR TO INDEMNIFY HUNTER HARRISON AGAINST LOSS OF CN PENSION BENEFITS: Activist investor Bill Ackman said he will indemnify Hunter Harrison against any losses of his Canadian National Railway Co. pension benefits, hoping to ensure that Mr. Harrison continues to pursue the top job at rival Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. Mr. Ackman, Canadian Pacific's largest shareholder, wants former Canadian National Chief Executive Mr. Harrison to succeed current Canadian Pacific CEO Fred Green. [Wall Street Journal website report, 1-25-12]
BOMBARDIER PARTNERSHIP EYES ‘GREEN TRAIN’: New-generation trains running on existing track can easily combine higher speeds, lower energy consumption, reduced noise, and lower costs, according to findings by Swedish researchers released Jan. 25 in Stockholm. The four-year project was supported by three major partners, including Bombardier Transportation, Bombardier said. [Railway Age website report, 1-25-12]
UNION PACIFIC TO INVEST $3.6-B IN CAPITAL IN 2012: Union Pacific plans to invest $3.6-billion in capital during 2012, which supports America's current and future freight transportation needs and enhances the safety and efficiency of the railroad's 32,000-mile network. These investment projects are examples of Union Pacific's continuing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and support its customers through strategic investments. [Union Pacific, 1-24-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN REPORTS 2011 EARNINGS: For 2011, Norfolk Southern’s net income increased to an all-time record $1.9-billion, 28 pct higher compared to 2010. Diluted earnings per share for the year increased 36 pct, or $1.45, to a record $5.45, compared with 2010. [Norfolk Southern, 1-24-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN HIKES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Board of Directors has voted to increase the regular quarterly dividend on the company’s common stock by 9.3 percent, from 43 to 47 cents per share. The increased dividend is payable on March 10, to stockholders of record on Feb. 3. [Norfolk Southern, 1-24-12]
CANADIAN NATIONAL REPORTS 2011 EARNINGS: CN reported its financial and operating results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011. Revenues increased nine pct to a record $9.028-billion, while full-year 2011 carloadings rose four pct and revenue ton-miles increased five pct. [Canadian National, 1-24-12]
CANADIAN NATIONAL HIKES DIVIDEND 15 PCT: CN’s Board of Directors has approved a 15 pct increase in the Company's quarterly cash dividend. A quarterly dividend of thirty-seven-and-one-half cents (C$0.375) per common share will be paid on March 30, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2012. CN has now declared increases in its cash dividend 16 consecutive times since the Company's initial public offering of shares in 1995. [Canadian National, 1-24-12]
CSX FORECASTS STRONG DEMAND FOR U.S. COAL EXPORTS IN 2012: CSX executives forecast continued strong U.S. coal exports in 2012, although they said the railroad's coal shipments likely will be down overall because of slack demand from domestic electric utilities. [Fox Business website report, 1-24-12]
CANADIAN NATIONAL SUSPENDS RETIRED CEO’S PENSION PAYMENTS, LAUNCHES LEGAL PROCEEDINGS: Canadian National Railway Co. has suspended Hunter Harrison’s pension payments, alleging that the former chief executive officer has breached provisions of his retirement deal and poses a serious threat to CN if he joins rival Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. Montreal-based CN has launched legal proceedings in Illinois against Mr. Harrison, who retired from CN in 2009. [Globe & Mail website report, 1-24-12]
DEVELOPERS SEEK TO CONVERT FORMER ARMY BASE INTO A FREIGHT TRANSFER FACILITY: Developers hope to convert the 330-acre Oakland Army Base in California into a freight transfer facility for trains, ships and trucks. Infrastructure work alone could cost as much as $1 million per acre. Developers will invest $300-million for the $800-million project, but raising the balance will depend on a state grant and the approval of a sales tax by Alameda County voters. [San Francisco Chronicle website report, 1-24-12]
CSX REPORTS 2011 EARNINGS: For 2011, CSX generated record performance in revenue, operating income, operating ratio and earnings per share. Revenues increased 10 pct to $11.7-billion, operating income 11 pct to $3.4-billion, the operating ratio improved to 70.9 pct, and earnings per share improved 24 pct to $1.67. [CSX, 1-23-12]
CSX NAMES NEW CHIEF OPERATING AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS: CSX Corporation announced the appointments of Oscar Munoz as executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Fredrik Eliasson as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately. Eliasson replaces Munoz, and Munoz replaces David Brown. Brown is no longer with the company. [CSX, 1-23-12]
KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN REPORTS 2011 EARNINGS: For the full year 2011, Kansas City Southern’s revenue was a record $2.1-billion, up 16 pct over 2010. This is the first time that KCS generated annual revenue above $2 billion. Carloads for 2011 were 2 million, the first time annual volumes reached the 2 million threshold. [Kansas City Southern, 1-23-12]
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY RAIL CENTER TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ILLINOIS: The University of Illinois will be the site of a rail transportation and engineering research center, thanks to a $3.5-million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. The grant, given to a consortium of seven universities, will support the National University Rail Center, which will focus on education and research to improve railroad safety, efficiency and reliability. [Central Illinois News-Gazette website report, 1-22-12]
COAL PLAYS INTEGRAL ROLE IN FREIGHT RAIL BUSINESS, BNSF SAYS: Coal shipments from fields such as Wyoming's Powder River Basin provide a considerable amount of business for the freight rail industry, said BNSF CEO Matthew Rose. "We could eliminate all of our coal assets in this country, and it would be a disaster," he said. "We're going to need coal for a long time." [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review website report, 1-22-12]
CANADA CONSIDERS VIA RAIL ROUTE CUTS AS COSTS MOUNT: The Canadian transport ministry is assessing several options for future support for passenger-rail services, including “significant reductions” in service and privatizing part of the network, according to a briefing note prepared for Transport Minister Denis Lebel. VIA had an operating loss of $261.5-million in 2010. Annual revenue fell 5.3 pct from 2005 to 2010, while operating expenses rose 15 pct. Transport Canada has been reviewing the federal government’s support for passenger rail since 2008, according to the note. [Bloomberg website report, 1-20-12]
SAN FRANCISCO GETS OK FOR CENTRAL SUBWAY PROJECT: The 1.7-mile Central Subway sought by San Francisco has received a ‘letter of non-prejudice’ from the U.S. Department of Transportation, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee says. The move clears the way for construction on the $1.6-billion underground LRT route from San Francisco’s downtown to Chinatown. [Railway Age website report, 1-20-12]
AMTRAK FILES COMPLAINT WITH STB OVER ON-TIME PERFORMANCE BY CANADIAN NATIONAL: Between Oct. 1, 2010, and Sept. 30, 2011, eight Amtrak routes that operated over tracks owned by CN failed to meet the new legal standard for on-time performance requiring trains to arrive at the end-point station within 15 minutes of schedule at least 80 pct of the time. After its efforts to deal directly with CN failed, Amtrak filed a formal Petition for Relief with the Surface Transportation Board seeking an investigation, recommendations for improvement, and damages levied against CN. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 1-20-12]
REJECTION OF PIPELINE TO DRIVE MORE OIL SHIPMENTS BY RAIL: The rejection of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project by the White House will lead to a boost in crude oil shipments by rail, according to officials in North Dakota and in the industry. [CNBC website report, 1-20-12]
UNION PACIFIC'S EXPORT COAL BUSINESS NEARLY QUADRUPLES: Union Pacific said its US export coal volume jumped by 271.4 pct over its 2010 volume. UP serves the burgeoning Southern Powder River Basin and Colorado/Utah coal mines, which produce coal that is popular among Asian customers but difficult to get to international markets due to a lack of port capacity. [Platts website report, 1-19-12]
CONSTRUCTION ON NEW CANADIAN NATIONAL FOX RIVER BRIDGE TO BEGIN: Construction of a new Canadian National rail bridge over the Fox River in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is scheduled to begin this month. The structure will reduce congestion and allow trains to move more quickly, according to the company. [Oshkosh Northwestern website report, 1-19-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads reported an increase in rail traffic for the week ending January 14, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 298,560 carloads, up 5.5 pct compared with the same week last year. [Assn. of American Railroads, 1-19-12]
UNION PACIFIC REPORTS 2011 EARNINGS: For the full year 2011, Union Pacific reported net income of $3.3-billion or $6.72 per diluted share. This compares to $2.8-billion or $5.53 per diluted share in 2010, increases of 18 and 22 pct, respectively. Operating revenue totaled a record $19.6-billion versus $17.0-billion in 2010. [Union Pacific, 1-19-12]
NORFOLK SOUTHERN OPENS EXTENSION OF ‘HEARTLAND CORRIDOR’: Norfolk Southern has cleared the way for more double-stack intermodal trains on its Heartland Corridor with the opening of a newly improved double-stack rail line between Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. The Heartland Connector will reduce transit times by one to two days and increase service reliability for double-stack freight traveling to and from the Port of Virginia. [Norfolk Southern, 1-19-12]
PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, MULTI-MODAL STATION: Illinois will provide $3-million for a new multi-modal station near downtown Rockford that will serve Amtrak’s new Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque corridor. The capital plan funding will help cover costs to design and engineer the new station. The funding is in addition to $60-million that was allocated to build the rail corridor. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-19-12]
DAVID STARLING NAMED RAILWAY AGE ‘RAILROADER OF THE YEAR’: David L. Starling, president and chief executive officer of Kansas City Southern, has been named 2012 Railroader of the Year by railroad industry trade journal Railway Age. [Railway Age website report, 1-19-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC ANNOUNCES 2012 CAPITAL BUDGET: Canadian Pacific says its 2012 capital plan calls for spending between $1.1-billion and $1.2-billion on infrastructure renewal, network enhancements and expansion projects. Last year, the company budgeted between $950-million and $1.05-billion for capital expenditures. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-18-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC OPENS LOCOMOTIVE ‘SUPER CENTER’ IN TORONTO: Canadian Pacific has completed the capital investments made to enhance the Locomotive Reliability Centre in Toronto. This now completes the second phase of CP’s Locomotive Reliability Center strategy which will reduce the number of locomotive repair facilities from eight to four with improved repair capabilities. The Toronto facility joins similar centers in Calgary, Winnipeg and St. Paul. [Canadian Pacific, 1-18-12]
CLASS I RAIL EMPLOYMENT IN DECEMBER UP FROM SAME MONTH LAST YEAR: U.S. Class I railroads employed 159,717 workers in mid-December 2011, up 3.44 pct from a year earlier, though off 0.25 pct from November due to a seasonal drop in track maintenance employees. [Railway Age website report, 1-18-12]
SCHNEIDER NATIONAL EXTENDS CSX CONTRACT: Schneider National Inc. has signed a new, multiyear agreement with CSX Transportation, under which the railroad will serve as one of Schneider’s primary rail providers. The agreement sets the stage for sustained, long-term service within the Eastern U.S. as Schneider’s intermodal freight volumes continue to increase, the company said. [Railway Age website report, 1-17-12]
TRACK TO BE ADDED IN NORFOLK SOUTHERN’S PORTLOCK YARD TO ACCOMMODATE AMTRAK: Norfolk Southern is preparing to expand its Portlock rail yard in Chesapeake, Va., to accommodate the planned Amtrak passenger rail service to Norfolk. "We're adding a track to allow passenger trains to run through the yard without interfering with coal trains," said a spokesman for the railroad. The state is spending $101-million to upgrade the rail corridors between Norfolk and Petersburg and Richmond. [Virginian-Pilot website report, 1-14-12]
AMTRAK INCREASING GUEST REWARDS POINTS NEEDED FOR MOST TRAVEL: For point redemption reservations booked on or after April 1, 2012, a higher number of points will be required for most types of award travel. Coach reservations will generally cost 1,000 more points; bedroom reservations will generally cost 10,000 more points, and Acela Express First-Class will cost 2,500 more points. Significantly, though, the number of points required for a roomette will not change. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 1-13-12]
MEMPHIS GIVES CN THE GREEN LIGHT FOR LOGISTICS PARK: The Memphis-Shelby County Port Commission voted unanimously to grant Canadian national a 10-year option to buy up to 800 acres in Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park in southwest Memphis. The logistics park would complement the railroad's Memphis Intermodal Gateway, where containerized freight carried by CN and CSX trains is transferred to or from trucks. [Commercial Appeal website report, 1-13-12]
RAILROADS NEED 67,000 HIRES IN FIVE YEARS, NORFOLK SOUTHERN SAYS: Norfolk Southern is still recruiting and hopes to hire 2,600 people this year. Across the industry, about 30 pct of our workers - that's about 67,000 people - are going to need to be replaced because of retirements over the next five years, said an NS spokesman. An increase in demand for rail services is also pushing the hiring spree. [KDKA website report, 1-13-12]
U.K. APPROVES LONDON-BIRMINGHAM HIGH-SPEED LINE: The British government has approved the construction of a $50-billion high-speed rail line from London north to Birmingham, connecting the United Kingdom’s two biggest cities. British Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the 140-mile line, known as HS2, would be the backbone of a new transport system for the 21st century. [National Assn. of R.R. Passengers, 1-13-12]
WEEKLY RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC REPORT: The Association of American Railroads has reported a decrease rail traffic for the week ending January 7, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 274,862 carloads, down 3.7 pct compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 193,812 trailers and containers, down 9.3 pct. [Assn. of American Railroads, 1-12-12]
RAILAMERICA’S CARLOADS DROP IN 4-Q: In the fourth quarter 2011, RailAmerica’s carloads totaled 211,848, down 1.7 pct compared with fourth-quarter 2010 volume. Same railroad traffic declined 2.4 percent. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-12-12]
TWO CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL CHIEFS RESIGNING: Roelof van Ark, chief executive of California’s high-speed rail project, announced Jan. 12 that he will leave his post. At the same time, Thomas Umberg, chairman of the California High Speed Rail Authority board, which is directing the project, said he will be stepping down as chairman. Van Ark said he will leave in two months; Umberg in February. Also announced was the departure of bullet train board member Matthew Toledo, who submitted his resignation on Jan. 4. [Los Angeles Times website report, 1-12-12]
NTSB ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO REAR-END TRAIN COLLISIONS: The National Transportation Safety Board has issued safety recommendations to the Federal Railroad Administration related to five rear-end collisions in which crewmembers failed to operate their trains at the required restricted speed. The recommendations focus on the need for railroads to disseminate information related to accidents to their employees and to emphasize the need for crewmembers to operate trains in accordance with restricted speed operating rules. [NTSB, 1-12-12]
LAMBERTS POINT PIER 6 SETS LOADING VOLUME RECORD: Norfolk Southern has loaded the largest volume cargo in the history of its Pier 6 coal transloading facility at Lamberts Point in Norfolk. Early Jan. 12, the facility finished loading 159,941.45 net tons (145,097.931 metric tons) of metallurgical coal into the M/V Cape Dover, destined for China. That quantity can be used to make about 207,000 tons of steel - enough to build 230,000 automobiles. [Norfolk Southern, 1-12-12]
AMTRAK PLANS ‘AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION' IN 2012: Amtrak says it will be aggressive in efforts to improve and expand this year. It will continue to work on its plan to increase the speed of its trains to 220 miles per hour in 30 years. Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman said the agency is building the equipment, infrastructure and organization needed to ensure its strong growth continues, including upgrading tracks in the Northeast rail corridor. He said the agency would also work on bridges and other infrastructure and seek to expand its existing Acela high-speed service. [The Hill website report, 1-11-12]
HUNTER HARRISON SEES ‘LONG TERM ROLE’ WITH CP, IF HE GETS THE JOB: Hunter Harrison, William Ackman’s choice to lead Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., said, “If the opportunity presents itself, I am ready to be in there for the long term.” [Bloomberg website report, 1-11-12]
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR HONOLULU RAIL GUIDEWAY: AECOM Technical Services Inc. has obtained a $38.8-million contract from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) to design the airport section of the Honolulu Rail Transit project, which involves an elevated rail guideway. AECOM will design the 5.2-mile section of the guideway from Aloha Stadium to the Middle Street Transit Center in Kalihi. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-11-12]
FORTY-THREE NEW LOCOMOTIVES FOR TRANSNET IN SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet SOC Ltd. and GE South Africa Technologies Ltd. have marked the signing of a contract for 43 new Model C30ACi locomotives for Transnet. The order brings the total number of GE Transportation locomotives to be acquired by Transnet since December 2009 to 143. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-11-12]
PATRIOT RAIL DONATES 21-MILE LINE FOR TRAIL USE: Patriot Rail Corp. has donated the 21-mile Mississippi & Skuna Valley Railroad to Mississippi’s Calhoun and Yalobusha counties for the creation of the Skuna Valley Trail. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-10-12]
CSX INTRODUCES ‘SELECT SITES’ PROGRAM: CSX has introduced a new program, CSX Select Sites, offering customers an easy way to access certified, rail-ready properties for a variety of industrial uses. The company invites interested parties to view its new web page with easy-to-use, GIS-enabled search features that show high-resolution views of topography, rail and road layouts, and other significant characteristics of each Select Site parcel. [CSX, 1-10-12]
INDIANA TRAIN CRASH RESPONDERS SICKENED: About 20 emergency workers who responded to a three-train crash in Northwest Indiana Jan. 6 became violently ill over the weekend, and authorities said it might have been the food served to them - and not the chemicals spilled in the crash - that sickened them. [Chicago Sun-Times website report, 1-10-12]
BNSF EMPLOYEE KILLED IN AMARILLO RAIL YARD ACCIDENT: A Burlington Northern Santa Fe worker was killed Jan. 9 in Amarillo, Texas, after he was struck by a moving rail maintenance car. Employees were moving a rail grinder from one track to another when the car struck the man, throwing him under the car. [Amarillo Globe-News website report, 1-9-12]
GREENBRIER COS. 1-Q EARNINGS: The Greenbrier Cos. reported net income of $14.5-million, or 48 cents per diluted share, in the first-quarter of fiscal-year 2012 compared with a net loss of $2.3-million in the same period a year ago. Revenue rose from $199-million to $398-million. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-9-12]
CANADIAN PACIFIC STANDS BY ITS CEO: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd is confident it can improve its performance early this year without replacing its chief executive, Fred Green, as advocated by activist shareholder William Ackman. The company released a combative open letter to shareholders criticizing Ackman and highlighting its pre-existing plan to improve efficiency. [Reuters Canada website report, 1-9-12]
MBTA REJECTS DIRECT CONTROL OF RAIL OPERATIONS: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will continue contracting out its regional rail passenger services, rejecting the option to operate trains itself. MBTA instead may opt for longer-term contracts with any operator involved. [Railway Age website report, 1-9-12]
OFFICIALS INVESTIGATE INDIANA TRAIN COLLISION: Investigators say a train had stopped on the tracks about 1:18 p.m. Jan. 6 in Jackson Township, Indiana, to allow another train to run around it. A second train came up behind the stopped train and struck it from behind. The third train, which was supposed to go around the first train, struck the wreckage from the first two trains, investigators said. [Duneland Community website report, 1-7-12]
THREE CSX TRAINS COLLIDE IN INDIANA: Three CSX trains collided in Porter County in Northwest Indiana, about 2:15 p.m. Jan.6. Two employees on one train had non-life threatening injuries and have been taken to an area hospital. The trains carried a wide variety of freight including three rail cars of flammable products. Also in the incident are a number of empty hazardous materials cars. [CSX, 1-6-12]
TRESPASSER INCIDENT DISRUPTS AMTRAK’S SPRINGFIELD LINE SERVICE: Amtrak's Springfield Line service (Springfield-New Haven) was temporarily suspended early Jan.6 due to a trespasser fatality involving train 490 at Wallingford, Ct. There are no reported injuries to the 25 passengers and crew on-board. [Amtrak, 1-6-12]
GAINS REPORTED IN ANNUAL U.S. RAIL FREIGHT TRAFFIC: The Association of American Railroads reported gains in 2011 rail traffic compared with last year, with U.S. railroads originating 15.2 million carloads, up 2.2 percent over 2010 and up 9.7 percent over 2009. [Assn. of American Railroads, 1-5-12]
NORTHEAST CORRIDOR TRAINS DISRUPTED BY BRIDGE FAILURE: Train traffic along the Northeast Corridor between New York and Newark ground to a halt for nearly three hours late Jan. 4 as a century-old swing bridge that carries trains across the Hackensack River wouldn’t lock closed, Amtrak said. [Star-Ledger website report, 1-4-12]
FEDS GRANT $186-M TO ILLINOIS TOWARD HIGH-SPEED RAIL: The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has awarded more than $186-million to the Illinois Department of Transportation for a high-speed rail project. The project will extend construction of the corridor north to Joliet, allowing for 110-mph service along nearly 70 percent of the route. [U.S. DOT, 1-4-12]
GE TRANSPORTATION ACQUIRES SOFTWARE PROVIDER RMI: GE Transportation has completed its acquisition of software provider RMI from The Carlyle Group. RMI provides transportation management software for railroads, rail shippers, rail-car leasing companies and intermodal service providers in North America. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-4-12]
BART TO EXTEND RAIL SYSTEM TO SAN JOSE: Skanska has obtained a design-build contract for a 10-mile extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. The firm is leading a joint venture with Shimmick Construction and Herzog Contracting Corp. The project will extend the heavy-rail system to San Jose, California. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-4-12]
FEDS PROPOSES ENHANCED PASSENGER RAIL EMERGENCY SYSTEMS: The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has announced proposed improvements to existing Passenger Train Emergency Systems regulations that could further protect occupants of passenger trains during emergencies. The rule addresses vestibule doors, emergency lighting, signage and markings for emergency entrance and exit, and rescue access. [U.S. Dept. of Transportation, 1-3-12]
CSX OPENS LOUISVILLE INTERMODAL TERMINAL: CSX began operating its new intermodal terminal in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 2. The facility offers service to and from East Coast ports - including those in Charleston, S.C., New York and New Jersey, Portsmouth, Va., and Savannah, Ga. - as well as major West Coast ports. [Progressive Railroading website report, 1-3-12]
TWO RAIL LINES MERGE WITH WISCONSIN CENTRAL: Canadian National has completed the merger of Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway and Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific Railway into its Wisconsin Central subsidiary. CN said the merger, approved by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, will make operations more efficient and customer focused. [United Transportation Union, 1-3-12]
PURPLE LINE GETS $69-M MARYLAND STATE FUNDING FOR ENGINEERING WORK: The state of Maryland will budget about $69-million in funding for engineering work related to the proposed 16-mile Purple Line Light Rail project. The line is planned to link with Washington, D.C.’s Metro rail system in at least four locations, arcs across D.C.’s northern suburbs in from Bethesda to New Carrolton. [Railway Age website report, 1-3-12]
POLYPROPYLENE NETTING MAY EXTEND LIFE OF R.R. BALLAST: BNSF provided ballast and track sections to researchers at the University of Kansas who sought ways to improve the integrity of rock ballast under the tracks. KU researchers have now built a test segment that uses polypropylene netting to reinforce soil and make the ballast last longer. [Topeka Capital-Journal website report, 1-2-12]
B&O MUSEUM TO OPERATE MOUNT CLARE MANSION: An agreement has been signed between the National Society of Colonial Dames in America, Maryland Chapter, and the B&O Railroad Museum. In this agreement, the B&O Museum will assume the daily operational aspects of the mansion while the Colonial Dames will maintain the collection they have amassed over the past 95 years. [B&O Railroad Museum]
TCU, IAM COMPLETE MERGER: The merger of the Transportation-Communications Union and International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers is complete. TCU/IAM members are now ‘Fighting Machinists.’ TCU/IAM President Bob Scardelletti said “IAM shares our roots in the railroad, our strong representation on the Hill and the strength and solidarity that education of our local reps provides.” [TCU, 1-1-12]
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