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3/10/2017    

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Rail News Home CSX Transportation March 2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation

When Canadian Pacific announced on Jan. 18 that E. Hunter Harrison would retire as CEO effective Jan. 31 so he could “pursue opportunities” at other railroads, I figured we’d be buckling up for a circuitous, if not bumpy, ride. Particularly when reports circulated that Harrison was joining with activist investor Paul Hilal and his hedge fund Mantle Ridge LP in an attempt to shake up management at CSX Corp. So far, there’ve been no bumps. The headlines have come quickly and without nuanced language:• Feb. 10: The CSX board extended the deadline to Feb. 24 to nominate directors and propose other business to be considered at its annual meeting. • Feb. 14: The CSX board called for a special shareholders meeting to seek guidance on certain Mantle Ridge/Harrison proposals, including one that would make Harrison CEO. • Feb. 21: CSX announced Chairman and CEO Michael Ward and President Clarence Gooden would retire May 31. Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Fredrik Eliasson was appointed president.• Feb. 21: CSX announced it would eliminate about 1,000 management employees “through an involuntary separation program” to be completed by mid- to late March.• Feb. 23: CSX extended the deadline for board nominations to March 10.As this issue went to press in early March, I wasn’t hearing predictions of any twists in what appears to be a new road to a new CSX of tomorrow. As Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.’s Benjamin Hartford put it in a Feb. 27 report: “We believe all constituents remain committed to an amicable process.”Amicable doesn’t mean bump-less, so we’ll be watching and listening as the constituents commit to that process — and as strategists outside CSX amble up to the North American railroad map and think, perhaps out loud, about what’s next. Perhaps then we’ll buckle up.Innovation and filling cybersecurity gapsOn Feb. 22, Progressive Railroading and Secure Rail 2017 hosted a webcast titled “Rail Cyber Needs Innovation: How to Build a Program to Get It.” The presenter: Jim McKenney, CSX Corp.’s solutions architect-operational technology.McKenney discussed how products can create gaps in technology that leave operating environments open to cyber threats; explained how to build a program that fosters innovation as a way to fill cybersecurity gaps; and detailed a pilot program he developed at CSX — “Cyber Go Forward” — designed to accomplish these goals. To view and listen to his presentation, check out our webcast archive: www.progressiverailroading.com/webcasts.McKenney also will speak at our Secure Rail conference, which will be held April 5-6 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla. For more information or to register, visit: www.securerailconference.com
Keywords Browse articles on CSX Canadian Pacific Hunter Harrison Michael Ward cybersecurity Secure Rail Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Rail News Home CSX Transportation March 2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation

When Canadian Pacific announced on Jan. 18 that E. Hunter Harrison would retire as CEO effective Jan. 31 so he could “pursue opportunities” at other railroads, I figured we’d be buckling up for a circuitous, if not bumpy, ride. Particularly when reports circulated that Harrison was joining with activist investor Paul Hilal and his hedge fund Mantle Ridge LP in an attempt to shake up management at CSX Corp. So far, there’ve been no bumps. The headlines have come quickly and without nuanced language:• Feb. 10: The CSX board extended the deadline to Feb. 24 to nominate directors and propose other business to be considered at its annual meeting. • Feb. 14: The CSX board called for a special shareholders meeting to seek guidance on certain Mantle Ridge/Harrison proposals, including one that would make Harrison CEO. • Feb. 21: CSX announced Chairman and CEO Michael Ward and President Clarence Gooden would retire May 31. Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Fredrik Eliasson was appointed president.• Feb. 21: CSX announced it would eliminate about 1,000 management employees “through an involuntary separation program” to be completed by mid- to late March.• Feb. 23: CSX extended the deadline for board nominations to March 10.As this issue went to press in early March, I wasn’t hearing predictions of any twists in what appears to be a new road to a new CSX of tomorrow. As Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.’s Benjamin Hartford put it in a Feb. 27 report: “We believe all constituents remain committed to an amicable process.”Amicable doesn’t mean bump-less, so we’ll be watching and listening as the constituents commit to that process — and as strategists outside CSX amble up to the North American railroad map and think, perhaps out loud, about what’s next. Perhaps then we’ll buckle up.Innovation and filling cybersecurity gapsOn Feb. 22, Progressive Railroading and Secure Rail 2017 hosted a webcast titled “Rail Cyber Needs Innovation: How to Build a Program to Get It.” The presenter: Jim McKenney, CSX Corp.’s solutions architect-operational technology.McKenney discussed how products can create gaps in technology that leave operating environments open to cyber threats; explained how to build a program that fosters innovation as a way to fill cybersecurity gaps; and detailed a pilot program he developed at CSX — “Cyber Go Forward” — designed to accomplish these goals. To view and listen to his presentation, check out our webcast archive: www.progressiverailroading.com/webcasts.McKenney also will speak at our Secure Rail conference, which will be held April 5-6 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla. For more information or to register, visit: www.securerailconference.com
Keywords Browse articles on CSX Canadian Pacific Hunter Harrison Michael Ward cybersecurity Secure Rail Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

A plan to expand the scope of the Stage 2 light-rail project has been approved by the Ottawa City Council in Canada.

 

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provided an update on its progress to install and implement Positive Train Control (PTC).

MBTA will have all hardware required for PTC installed on all commuter rail lines and two pilot lines by the end of 2018, with full PTC implementation by 2020.

Original author: Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor

Conrail's Board of Directors has named Timothy Tierney president and chief operating officer, effective April 1. Tierney succeeds Ronald Batory, who is retiring after nearly 46 years in the railroad industry.

 

Jacob "Jake" Argiro, PE, joined HNTB Corporation as Connecticut office operations manager and associate vice president. He is based in the firm's Rocky Hill office, where he manages HNTB's operations throughout the state, including project management, budgeting, quality control and staffing.

 

Metra announced that it will conduct Operation Lifesaver Safety Blitzes at 51 train stations in 2017 as part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the importance of safe behavior around its trains and tracks.

 

Trimble announced that it is partnering with Illinois-based Railhead Corporation to integrate real-time remote monitoring, diagnostics and on-board video to maximize locomotive asset utilization and productivity for railway operators.

 

3/9/2017    

Rail News: MOW

3/9/2017    

Rail News: People

3/9/2017    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

3/9/2017    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 3/9/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
Schneider and CSX have agreed to extend their intermodal service agreement.Photo – Schneider

3/9/2017    

Rail News: Safety

3/9/2017    

Rail News: High-Speed Rail

3/9/2017    

Rail News: People

Brightline, the private operator of intercity passenger rail service in Florida, announced that Dave Howard has joined the company as chief executive.

The company also said Michael Reininger will lead new development and growth opportunities as executive director at Florida East Coast Industries, Brightline's parent company, and Patrick Goddard has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer of Brightline.

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad March 2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

A major, or Big I-type, innovation UP is pursuing is Machine Vision. Installed across track, a Machine Vision portal includes cameras and sensors (as shown) to inspect a passing train.Photo – Union Pacific Railroad By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing EditorAn idea is a notion of a possible action or a conception of what ought to be. And it’s going to take a lot more ideas for Union Pacific Railroad to continue cultivating a culture that embraces and drives innovation.The railroad is seeking better ways to perform routine tasks or employ recurring processes — efforts that can help boost efficiency, enhance safety, build business and cut costs, UP leaders believe.Innovation is one of the railroad’s six “value tracks” that build on its core vision and mission; the other five are world-class safety, an excellent customer experience, resource productivity, a maximized franchise and an engaged team. When aligned, the tracks help create competitive advantages for customers, foster job stability and satisfaction for workers, and prompt solid returns for shareholders, UP leaders say.Because of what’s become a top-to-bottom push, innovation now is evident throughout the organization, they say. And much of it was derived from workers’ ideas.For example, the Class I in 2012 launched the UP Way, an initiative that encourages employees to conceive new ways to continuously improve safety, service and efficiency, such as by standardizing work processes. The initiative and similar efforts have helped the railroad institute small, incremental improvements (the Little I in furthering innovation). A Little I might be as uncomplicated as installing an air system at a yard to halve dwell time.But the railroad also needs to initiate more large, game-changing improvements (known as the Big I) to register highly impactful results, says UP Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Continuous Improvement Lynn Kelley.“We have had pockets of innovation, like our long-rail initiative,” says Kelley, referring to a strategy implemented several years ago to import 480-foot sections of rail from Japan to form quarter-mile-long welded strings. “But we want systemic innovations. That’s the focus for us now.”Enter Innovation Station, an electronic suggestion box of sorts slated to launch company-wide in May. The software application is designed to provide all employees a platform to share and vet ideas, from big to small and simple to complex.Starting in May, any UP employee will be able to share a big or little idea on Innovation Station. Union Pacific Railroad