Alaska Railroad taps Newman to run PTC-focused department

Alaska Railroad Corp. has promoted George Newman to senior director of the advanced train control systems (ATCS) department. Newman succeeds Eileen Reilly, who retired July 1.

ATCS is focused on developing and implementing the railroad's positive train control (PTC) system. Newman joined Alaska Railroad in November 2016 as director of ATCS, company officials said in a press release.

Prior to joining the railroad, he served as PTC director for seven years at Canadian Pacific. He held several management positions in CP's information technology department, including as manager of telecommunications and information services development, and director of strategy and planning.

"George is a long-time railroader with extensive experience in PTC and related areas," said Clark Hopp, Alaska Railroad's chief operating officer. "I have full confidence that he will continue to build on Eileen's considerable contributions to the Alaska Railroad's technology and train control."

Newman will report to Hopp.