Railroad News

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday began operating trains across the new Portageville Bridge in Letchworth State Park in Castile, New York.

Under construction for the past two years, the new bridge spans the 235-foot-deep Genesee River gorge in the park. Known regionally as the Portage Bridge, the 945-foot-long steel arch structure will support economic growth and jobs across NS's southern tier in New York, according to a company press release.

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday began operating trains across the new Portageville Bridge in Letchworth State Park in Castile, New York.

Under construction for the past two years, the new bridge spans the 235-foot-deep Genesee River gorge in the park. Known regionally as the Portage Bridge, the 945-foot-long steel arch structure will support economic growth and jobs across NS's southern tier in New York, according to a company press release.

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing Editor

Just like their Class I interchange partners, regionals and short lines expect to mine opportunities and confront challenges in 2018. One prime opportunity: carload growth.

Compiled By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing Editor

The coming year likely won’t be a barn-burner, but it won’t be a gut-puncher either when it comes to building and sustaining business, Class I chief executive officers believe.

Texas Central has announced that Drayton McLane, Jr. has been appointed chairman of its board. McLane is known for his work as a successful businessman and former Houston Astros owner.

Texas Central has announced that Drayton McLane, Jr. has been appointed chairman of its board. McLane is known for his work as a successful businessman and former Houston Astros owner.

Caltrain has appointed John Funghi chief officer of its modernization project, which calls for electrifying the railroad's corridor between San Francisco and San Jose, California.

An engineer, Funghi has "extensive experience" managing major construction projects in the public sector and as a construction contractor, Caltrain officials said in a press release.

Caltrain has announced that John Funghi will serve as chief officer of the Caltrain Modernization Program.

Caltrain has announced that John Funghi will serve as chief officer of the Caltrain Modernization Program.

ExxonMobil has partnered with retailer Grupo Orsan to open eight Mobile-branded service stations in Queretaro, Mexico. Fuel will be distributed by rail via two private terminals that are served by Kansas City Southern de Mexico.

The terminals are located in San Luis Potosi and San Jose Iturbide, Mexico.

ExxonMobil has partnered with retailer Grupo Orsan to open eight Mobile-branded service stations in Queretaro, Mexico. Fuel will be distributed by rail via two private terminals that are served by Kansas City Southern de Mexico.

The terminals are located in San Luis Potosi and San Jose Iturbide, Mexico.

A bill reauthorizing the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was introduced last week in the Senate and aims to enhance the board's safety investigations through added transparency.

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who serve respectively as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and three other committee members introduced S. 2202, the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act on Dec. 6. The legislation reauthorizes the NTSB at an average level of $113.4 million through fiscal year 2023 and, according to the senators, offers several key reforms to modernize and improve transparency in the safety agency's investigations, recommendations and board member discussions.

A bill reauthorizing the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was introduced last week in the Senate and aims to enhance the board's safety investigations through added transparency.

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who serve respectively as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and three other committee members introduced S. 2202, the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act on Dec. 6. The legislation reauthorizes the NTSB at an average level of $113.4 million through fiscal year 2023 and, according to the senators, offers several key reforms to modernize and improve transparency in the safety agency's investigations, recommendations and board member discussions.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said a key factor in a September 2016 collision between a VIA Rail passenger train and a tractor-trailer in Quebec was an obstructed view of the crossing warning system.

The accident occurred Sept. 20, 2016, when a VIA Rail passenger train traveling southward on the Joliette Subdivision was struck by a tractor-trailer at the Highway 348 crossing in Sainte-Ursule, Quebec. The track and the crossing warning system were damaged and the tractor-trailer was destroyed. The driver sustained serious injuries and two passengers on the train sustained minor injuries

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said a key factor in a September 2016 collision between a VIA Rail passenger train and a tractor-trailer in Quebec was an obstructed view of the crossing warning system.

The accident occurred Sept. 20, 2016, when a VIA Rail passenger train traveling southward on the Joliette Subdivision was struck by a tractor-trailer at the Highway 348 crossing in Sainte-Ursule, Quebec. The track and the crossing warning system were damaged and the tractor-trailer was destroyed. The driver sustained serious injuries and two passengers on the train sustained minor injuries

The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) has promoted Clark Hopp, vice president of engineering, to serve as chief operating officer (COO) beginning Jan. 1, 2018.

The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) has promoted Clark Hopp, vice president of engineering, to serve as chief operating officer (COO) beginning Jan. 1, 2018.

The Alaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC) has named Clark Hopp chief operating officer effective Jan. 1.

Hopp is currently ARRC's vice president of engineering. As COO, he will succeed Doug Engebretson, who is retiring. The COO oversees ARRC's rail transportation, engineering, mechanical, safety and grant administration functions.

Patricia Reilly to Retire at the End of the Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 11, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced today that Patricia M. Reilly, SVP – Communications, will be leaving at the end of the year. Reilly will be succeeded by Kristin Smith, who was recently promoted to VP – Communications.

Reilly has been spearheading the Communications efforts at the AAR since 2008, and was instrumental in establishing the long-running and award-winning "Freight Rail Works" branding/advocacy ad campaign as the face of the freight rail industry inside Washington, DC. During her time at the AAR, Reilly has expanded the scope and reach of the industry's efforts to raise awareness about freight rail's many benefits and contributions, with an emphasis on all the industry does in the name of safety.   Reilly will be launching a strategic communications consultancy, Cabin8Communications, in the new year.