Railroad News

5/3/2017    

Rail News: Sustainability

Rail News Home Security May 2017 Rail News: Security

Stocker serves as a network analyst for Genesee & Wyoming Inc.Photo – G&W By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Associate EditorCybersecurity has emerged as a top priority for railroads large and small, if the presentations and discussions we heard at last month's Secure Rail conference were any indication. And that's especially true for a company like Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W), which faces the monumental task of securing its growing number of rail assets around the globe. The company now owns or leases 122 freight railroads in five countries.During a break at Secure Rail, I met Jacob Stocker, who serves as a network analyst for G&W. Part of his job involves identifying and evaluating potential security threats and vulnerabilities. He also performs risk assessments to help establish prevention plans.Needless to say, Stocker's duties at G&W won't be getting any easier. Since he joined the short-line holding company in June 2016, G&W has completed a number of acquisitions, including the Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. in November that year and Australia’s Glencore Rail in December.Before joining G&W, Stocker studied information securities and forensics at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, N.Y. He previously completed co-ops with RIT and internships at Quanterion Solutions Inc. in Marcy, N.Y. His current job marks his first rail industry gig.Curious to learn what it's like to assess cybersecurity risks on such a large scale, I reached out to Stocker after the conference. Our emailed conversation follows.What are some challenges you face securing IT systems across so many different railroads?
Having so many railroads under the G&W umbrella presents itself as a challenging endeavor. However, we work hard to maintain consistency across all of our railroads. By keeping the platforms and systems of each railroad consistent, we are able to effectively manage, support and secure our systems across the globe. This requires extensive planning and coordination to ensure the successful integration of each acquired railroad.Describe a typical day at G&W.
My daily job duties vary widely. Like every person in an information technology role, we are balancing several ongoing projects, maintaining our current systems and supporting the users interacting with those systems. Beyond those general categories, I am usually responding to potential incidents, fielding questions surrounding the security of new and old systems, meeting with and reviewing potential solutions and service providers, and helping further Genesee & Wyoming’s budding security program.Your background is in information technology/security. What drew you to the rail industry?
When discussing information security, every company discusses security in the digital sense of the term. What drew me to the railroad industry is the combined importance of digital security and physical security, as digital security in this industry has the real potential to affect the availability and integrity of the physical equipment on locomotives and on the wayside.Favorite part of your job?
I enjoy the fast-paced environment. I am interacting with a very diverse set of systems and gaining valuable experience with several different technologies along the way. What has to be my favorite part of the job is seeing an idea come to fruition. It is very satisfying to see each step of a project from start to finish.Where do you see yourself in five years? Do you want to stay in the rail industry?
From what I have seen and done so far, I’d like to stay in the rail industry. I enjoy seeing the industry adapt to the new and continuously changing technology landscape, and being a part of the process is exciting. I like working with my team and am very grateful for the support we receive from the management. In five years, I see myself still working within the rail industry.
Keywords Browse articles on Genesee & Wyoming Inc. G&W Jacob Stocker short lines cybersecurity rail cybersecurity Secure Rail Secure Rail conference rail security Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. Glencore Rail Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

5/3/2017    

Rail News: Rail Industry Trends

5/3/2017    

Rail News: Labor

5/3/2017    

Rail News: Canadian Pacific

5/3/2017    

Rail News: Canadian Pacific

Rail News Home Canadian Pacific 5/3/2017 Rail News: Canadian Pacific
The mine and related rail infrastructure is the most significant project undertaken by CP since the mid-1980s.Photo – Canadian Pacific

5/3/2017    

Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway

5/3/2017    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

5/3/2017    

Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway

Rail News Home Norfolk Southern Railway 5/3/2017 Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Corp. and software company PS Technology are developing a new train crew management and payroll system that is expected to improve efficiency, costs and productivity.NS and the firm have agreed to develop the automated system that would be deployed across the Class I's network, according to an NS press release."Incorporating PS Technology's CrewPro software with our operating and data platforms will save costs and streamline Norfolk Southern's train crew management and payroll processes," said Fred Ehlers, NS vice president information technology. "When deployed, the system will expand Norfolk Southern's digital capabilities to enhance interactions with our train crews.The "CrewPro" software will optimize train crew assignments by factoring in employees' work schedules and geographical operating credentials, federal regulations and labor contract requirements, Ehlers said."In effect, the software analyzes data to come up with the best, most efficient match of crew and train," he added.In addition to crew assignments, CrewPro will manage payroll, taxi and lodging services, and vacation scheduling for 11,700 NS transportation employees in train and engine service."The system leverages technology to reduce costs of managing train and engine service crews," said PS Technology President Seenu Chundru. "Optimization tools enable automated decision-making support and efficiency improvements.”Implementation of the new management system will help support the strategic plan to improve corporate performance, NS officials said. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/3/2017

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has extended the implementation dates of Part 243 Minimum Training Standards by one year according to a notice in the May 3 edition of the Federal Register.

Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 243, Training, Qualifications, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees requires each railroad or contractor that employs one or more safety-related railroad employees to develop and submit a training program to FRA for approval and to designate the minimum training qualifications for each occupational category of employee. The rule also requires most employers to conduct periodic oversight of their employees and develop annual written reviews of their training programs to close performance gaps.

A federal budget deal reached by Congress on April 30 includes approximately $150 million for two transit projects in California.

 

5/2/2017    

Rail News: Supplier Spotlight

5/2/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

5/2/2017    

Rail News: MOW

5/2/2017    

Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals

5/2/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

Canadian Pacific joined K+S Potash Canada (KSPC) to celebrate the opening of the Legacy Project mine on May 2.

CP says the mine is the first of its kind built in Saskatchewan in more than 40 years, and the rail infrastructure built to serve it is the most significant engineering project undertaken by railroad since the mid-1980s.