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Aug
07

Rail supplier news from Interloc, Bourque, Cedar AI, Bombardier, RECo, Westermo and ENSCO (Aug. 7)

Rail News Home Railroading Supplier Spotlight 8/7/2019 Rail News: Railroading Supplier Spotlight
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) partnered with Interloc Solutions to launch a cloud-based asset management program for its signals department. DART’s workforce will use the IBM Maximo Asset Management software and the Interloc Mobile Informer work management and conditions assessment applications to inspect and manage the assets of the system’s vital relays that are used to route trains. This is the first of three launches for DART. The entire organization will utilize the system by June 2021, DART officials said in a press release.Bourque Logistics and Cedar AI announced a joint collaboration to provide optimized switching for rail shippers and storage yards. Bourque integrated rail car inventory from its YardMaster system with Cedar’s OptiSwitch switching and train assembly algorithms to create a cutting list for blocked train assembly and other rail yard movements. The YardMaster system then uses the list to generate instructions transmitted to crew tablets which can be printed in the field.A consortium of Bombardier Transportation, Orascom Construction PLC and Arab Contractors has signed a $4.5 billion agreement with the National Authority for Tunnels in Cairo to design and build two new monorail lines in Egypt. The consortium will operate and maintain both lines for 30 years. Orascom Construction will design and build all stations, guideway structures and new depot buildings, while Bombardier will design, supply and install the electrical and mechanical equipment for the two lines including 70 four-car Innovia Monorail 300 trains and signaling and automatic train control technology, according to a Bombardier press release. Meanwhile, Bombardier appointed Andy DeLeone as president of its Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI) regions. DeLeone will be responsible for customer relationship management, sales and services and project management in the regions. DeLeone joins Bombardier from General Electric, where he was chief executive officer and managing director of GE Power India Limited.Railway Equipment Co. (RECo) hired Russ Gehl as chief operating officer. Most recently, Gehl served as vice president of maintenance of way sales at Holland Co., where he drove consistent growth in the Class I and international markets, RECo officials said in a press release. Gehl also previously worked in a sales position at RECo.Westermo announced it has acquired Neratec Solutions AG, a Switzerland-based wireless computer network technology company specialized in the train and trackside sector. Westermo and Neratec have worked together for more than five years and Westermo’s current wireless local area network (WLAN) portfolio is based on its technology, Westermo officials said in a press release. Neratec will operate as a subsidiary of the Westermo group, as well as its and WLAN technology center.ENSCO Inc. has appointed Thomas DeFrank chief financial officer to succeed Mike Bogdanovic, who will transition into a part-time role as the director of retirement plan and special projects. DeFrank will oversee all aspects of ENSCO’s corporate finance and accounting functions, treasury management and corporate facilities, company officials said in a press release. He has more than 25 years of experience and most recently served as CFO and vice president of finance for L3 Technologies. Prior to that, he held positions at Delphinus Engineering Inc., NRG Energy Inc., Science Applications International Corp. and Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services.

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Aug
07

Senate confirms Sumwalt, Homendy to NTSB roles

Rail News Home Railroading People 8/7/2019 Rail News: Railroading People
Robert Sumwalt III and Jennifer HomendyPhoto – ntsb.gov

Last week, the U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's nominations of Robert Sumwalt III to serve as chairman and Jennifer Homendy to serve as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Sumwalt was confirmed to serve a three-year term. He was sworn in as the 14th NTSB chairman on Aug. 10, 2017. Sumwalt began his tenure at the NTSB in August 2006 after President George W. Bush appointed him to the board and designated him to serve as vice chairman.

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Aug
07

PANYNJ moved more cars during 2019's first half

Rail News Home Intermodal 8/7/2019 Rail News: Intermodal
PANYNJ logged a 6.4 percent increase in automobile volume during 2019's first six months.Photo – portbreakingwaves.com

The Port of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) marked "significant gains" in auto volume during the first six months of 2019 versus the same period last year, port officials announced in a recent blog.

PANYNJ logged a 6.4 percent increase in automobile volume during the six-month period, including a 34.3 percent increase in autos moved during June.

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Aug
07

MTA to modernize 42 Street subway shuttle

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/7/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) last week announced that on Aug. 16 it will begin modernizing its 42 Street Shuttle service, a subway route that transports riders between two of the MTA New York City Transit’s busiest stations. Crews will replace the Times Square shuttle terminal with a larger and accessible station, reconfigure platforms at Grand Central Terminal into one island platform, replace signal systems, upgrade electrical infrastructure and consolidate track operations to allow longer six-car trains to enter the terminals, MTA officials said in a press release.Shuttle service will be in operation during construction, which will continue through 2022.More than 100,000 riders use the 42 Street Shuttle daily. It provides access to MTA Metro-North Railroad’s Grand Central Terminal and commuter and intercity bus service at the 42 Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal, and serves popular tourist destinations near both stations, officials said.  “The project will allow the MTA to move more people, run longer trains and simplify transfers for customers between the city’s busiest transit hubs. We’re making crossing Midtown Manhattan quicker and easier for millions of customers,” said MTA Managing Director Veronique Hakim.

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Aug
07

Metrolink appoints three to executive team

Rail News Home Railroading People 8/7/2019 Rail News: Railroading People
Metrolink named Eric Hosey chief operating officer, Darrell Maxey chief mobilization officer and Noelia Rodriguez chief of staff.Photo – Metrolink

Metrolink yesterday announced it appointed the following to its leadership team: Eric Hosey, chief operating officer; Darrell Maxey, chief mobilization officer; and Noelia Rodriguez, chief of staff. 

As COO, Hosey will oversee dispatching and operations of Metrolink’s 538-mile network. He has more than 25 years of experience in freight and passenger rail. He is a former assistant vice president of transportation for Amtrak’s Southwestern division, and a brakeman and locomotive engineer at Norfolk Southern Railway. Hosey also served in the U.S. Navy, Metrolink officials said in a press release. 

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Aug
07

Oklahoma DOT: Stillwater Central won't launch passenger-rail pilot

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/7/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Stillwater Central Railroad determined that passenger-rail service on the line is not financially viable.Photo – Watco Co.

The Stillwater Central Railroad last week notified the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) that it won't meet a provision of its 2014 sale agreement to provide passenger-rail service by its Aug. 4 deadline.

As part of the ODOT’s $75 million sale of the Sooner Sub rail line to Stillwater Central Railroad in 2014, the company agreed to conduct a six-month pilot program to provide daily passenger-rail service between Del City and Sapulpa, Oklahoma, at no cost to the state or taxpayers, ODOT officials said in a press release.

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Aug
07

IANA to honor Branscum, Wilson with Silver Kingpin Award

The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) announced yesterday that Steve Branscum and Michael Wilson will be honored next month with the 2019 Silver Kingpin Award.

The Silver Kingpin recognizes an individual's long-term contributions to intermodalism. The award was initiated in 1977 by the National Piggyback Association. Branscum and Wilson will receive their awards during the Intermodal EXPO in Long Beach, California, on Sept. 16.

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Aug
07

Port of Long Beach awards two key contracts for on-dock rail project

Rail News Home Intermodal 8/7/2019 Rail News: Intermodal
When completed, the $870 million, 171-acre rail facility will be a full-service staging area for storing, sorting and assembling trains up to 10,000 feet long.Photo – polb.com

The Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners last month approved two key contracts related to the construction of the port's on-dock rail support yard.

The board awarded a $38.75 million contract to HDR Engineering Inc. for engineering design services and a $17.5 million contract to Hill International Inc. for program management services.

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Aug
07

Rising Stars 2019: Kimia Khatami

Kimia Khatami, 27
Director of customer service
Pacific Harbor Line Railroad

Nominator’s quote: “Pacific Harbor Line is a complex, growing railroad and it serves a critical role as a last-mile railroad for carload business, and an origin point for four-plus dozen intermodal trains per day. Kimia is a major key to our success and she is relied upon regularly by the operating team as well as the executive team here at Anacostia.” — Eric Jakubowski, Anacostia Rail Holdings Inc.

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Aug
06

UTA suspends some weekend service for rail bridge construction

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/6/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Rail bridge construction in Midvale, Utah will require closures of Historic Gardner, Bingham Junction and Fashion Place West stations.Photo – UTA

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) will suspend weekend light-rail service Aug. 10-11 and Aug. 17-18 at some Red Line stations to allow rail bridge construction in Midvale, Utah. 

Utah Department of Transportation work to widen 7200 South street will require closures of Historic Gardner Station in West Jordan, Bingham Junction Station in Midvale and Fashion Place West Station in Murray. 

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Aug
06

Valley Metro completes high school internship program

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/6/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Valley Metro's eight-week program offered engineering and design training for 17 high school students.Photo – Valley Metro

Valley Metro today concluded its first light-rail mentorship and internship program for Phoenix high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. 

The eight-week program offered career mentorship and engineering and design training for 17 high school students who were tasked with developing and presenting an engineering project at the South Mountain Community College. 

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Aug
06

BART to upgrade power system in San Francisco

Rail News Home Maintenance Of Way 8/6/2019 Rail News: Maintenance Of Way
Bay Area Rapid Transit crews will replace outdated light-rail power cables with modern cabling in downtown San Francisco.Photo – BART Facebook

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) crews will begin on Aug. 25 work to upgrade the electrical traction power system in downtown San Francisco.

Crews will replace the power cables that power BART light-rail trains with modern shielded cabling. The cabling technology and substations currently channeling energy to the system is outdated, BART officials said in a press release. 

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Aug
06

SEPTA closes trolley tunnel for repairs

Rail News Home Maintenance Of Way 8/6/2019 Rail News: Maintenance Of Way
The closure will affect about 62,400 riders.Photo – SEPTA

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) beginning Aug. 9 will close its trolley tunnel from 13th Street to 40th Street for 10 days to perform repairs and preventive maintenance. 

During the closure of the 5-mile tunnel, SEPTA crews will replace curved track and switches, clean track beds and drainage systems, install lighting, and replace and upgrade track circuit and signal wires, according to the project website

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Aug
06

BRX completes acquisition of Pioneer Railcorp

Pioneer Railcorp's acquisition by Related Fund Management, Brookhaven Rail Partners and Stephens Capital Partners LLC was completed last week.

Pioneer is the parent of 15 short lines, an equipment leasing company, two service companies and a contract services switching company.

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Aug
06

Stanley Herzog, president of William E. Herzog Enterprises, dies at 70

Stanley Herzog, president of William E. Herzog Enterprises Inc. and chairman of Herzog Contracting Corp., died Aug. 2 at his home in Missouri. He was 70.

Stanley and his brother Randy were instrumental in helping their father, William "Bill" Herzog, found Herzog Contracting Corp. in 1969. Stanley became the company's first official employee, starting out as a foreman on regional asphalt paving projects, according to a Herzog press release.

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Aug
06

PennDOT accepting freight-rail grant applications

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 8/6/2019 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
Eligible organizations may apply for funding through either program.Photo – PennDOT

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is now accepting applications for the 2019 Rail Transportation Assistance (RTAP) and the Rail Freight Assistance (RFAP) programs.

Eligible organizations — including freight railroads, freight railroad-served shippers and economic development entities — may apply for funding through either program. Applications are available on the website, PennDOT officials said in a press release.

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Aug
06

BNSF posts higher Q2 income, lower operating ratio

Rail News Home BNSF Railway 8/6/2019 Rail News: BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway Co. reported second-quarter 2019 revenue rose 0.3 percent to $5.89 billion, while operating income jumped 7 percent to $2 billion compared with the same period last year, the Class I announced yesterday.Revenue and operating income increases were attributed in part to higher revenue per car/unit. The railroad posted the increases despite a 4 percent decrease in unit volume for the quarter due to severe winter weather and flooding conditions on parts of its network, according to a financial statement posted on BNSF's website.Operating expenses for the quarter fell 3 percent to $3.89 billion, while net income climbed 2 percent to $1.34 billion. BNSF posted a Q2 operating ratio of 64.8 percent, compared to 66.8 percent a year ago.Also during Q2 compared with a year ago, BNSF reported consumer product volumes declined 6 percent; industrial product volumes were flat; agricultural product volumes fell 4 percent and coal volumes ticked up 1 percent.BNSF is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

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Aug
06

Rising Stars 2019: Linda Hernandez

Linda Hernandez, 36
Industrial development manager
Kansas City Southern

Nominator’s quote: “Linda has been the primary driver to KCS' growth in the Mexican energy sector, as well as a tireless champion for her customers, an avid student of the Mexican business environment and an extraordinary team leader. As such, she was entrusted with the task of formulating our sales strategy for the opening of the Mexican energy market.” — David Eaton, Kansas City Southern

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Aug
05

Tri-Rail redesigns trip-planning mobile app

Rail News Home Internet/Digital 8/5/2019 Rail News: Internet/Digital
Tri-Rail's redesigned mobile application integrates improve real-time train information.Photo – Tri-Rail

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) last week launched a redesigned trip-planning mobile application for Tri-Rail commuter-rail riders.

The app’s functions allow riders to customize their trip plans and save multiple recurring trips made on Tri-Rail trains to revisit in the future, SFRTA officials said in a press release. 

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Aug
05

Denver RTD concludes autonomous shuttle test

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/5/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The RTD of Denver’s 16AV pilot program provided autonomous shuttle service between 61st and Pena Station, two businesses and a park-and-ride lot.Photo – RTD of Denver

The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) intends to explore other autonomous shuttle services following last week’s conclusion of a six-month autonomous shuttle pilot program

In an effort to test the viability of using autonomous vehicles as a first- and last-mile connection, RTD’s four-stop shuttle service transported commuter-rail riders between the 61st and Pena Station, two businesses and a park-and-ride lot in Denver, RTD officials said in a press release.

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