Railroad News

Metra has announced several construction projects planned for 2018 aimed at improving track and bridge maintenance, upgrading communications and signaling systems and enhancing stations.

The Hartford Line commuter-rail route in Connecticut and Massachusetts will begin serving passengers June 16, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced yesterday.

The department will hold an inaugural launch event June 15, followed by free weekend train service June 16 and 17. Full, expanded weekday service will begin June 18, with trains running every 45 minutes during the morning and evening peak periods, CTDOT officials said in a press release.

The Hartford Line will begin service on June 16, following a commemorative event on June 15, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).

"This expanded service will transform travel options in the corridor between New Haven, Conn., and Springfield, Mass., and it will be a catalyst for economic development, and business and recreational travel," said CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. "Getting new service on this line has been a monumental undertaking that has taken years of intense coordination to ensure the successful opening of service. I want to commend the team that has made this a reality. Even before the commencement of service, the state's investment has already attracted new commercial and residential development and has become the latest engine driving Connecticut's economy."

CSX Corp. yesterday announced first-quarter 2018 earnings that surpassed analysts' estimates and a profit that nearly doubled compared with a year ago, as the Class I continued to cut costs and advance its scheduled railroading model.

CSX reported record Q1 2018 net earnings of $695 million, or 78 cents per share, compared with $362 million, or 39 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

CSX Corp. yesterday announced first-quarter 2018 earnings that surpassed analysts' estimates and a profit that nearly doubled compared with a year ago, as the Class I continued to cut costs and advance its scheduled railroading model.

CSX reported record Q1 2018 net earnings of $695 million, or 78 cents per share, compared with $362 million, or 39 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

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Sound Transit today will kick off early scoping meetings for its Tacoma Dome Link light-rail extension.

The open house-style meetings will allow residents to comment on route and station locations for the project, as well as the location for a new operations and maintenance facility.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has approved more than $30,000 in grant funding for rail-crossing upgrades in Auburn.

Auburn city officials requested the funds to improve safety at the C Street SW crossing, according to a UTC press release.

The Canadian government will invest CA$18.4 million to improve rail infrastructure at the Port of Montreal, Minister of Transport Marc Garneau announced last week.

The intermodal project will "optimize" the port's rail network capacity, particularly in the port's interchange zone.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has recognized the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) for sustainability efforts.

Each agency received the association's silver level recognition for "measurable sustainability achievements," APTA officials said in a press release.

BNSF Railway Co. recently recognized its 2017 Employees of the Year at an awards ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas.

This year, the Class I recognized 73 of its 41,000 workers for individual and team achievements, BNSF officials said in a press release.

BNSF Railway Co. recently recognized its 2017 Employees of the Year at an awards ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas.

This year, the Class I recognized 73 of its 41,000 workers for individual and team achievements, BNSF officials said in a press release.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has proposed a $1.45 billion operating budget for fiscal-year 2019.

The proposal would maintain current service levels with no fare increases, SEPTA officials said in a press release.

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) opened its second inland port, Inland Port Dillon, on April 16. SCPA says the facility was constructed to handle strong growth for the port's intermodal rail cargo volumes and deepen its reach into markets through the Carolinas to the Northeast and Midwest.

SCPA opened its first inland facility, Inland Port Greer, in the upstate region of South Carolina in November 2013. Inland Port Greer handled a record-breaking 124,817 rail moves in calendar year 2017, an increase of 20 percent over the previous year.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board Chairman Terry Peterson and CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., celebrated on April 15 the opening of the first of two new bus and rail terminal facilities at 95th Street.

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) yesterday officially opened the new Inland Port Dillon, the authority's second inland facility to handle intermodal rail cargo.

Inland Port Dillon uses an existing CSX intermodal train service to handle container movements to and from the Port of Charleston's seaport facilities, authority officials said in a press release.

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) yesterday officially opened the new Inland Port Dillon, the authority's second inland facility to handle intermodal rail cargo.

Inland Port Dillon uses an existing CSX intermodal train service to handle container movements to and from the Port of Charleston's seaport facilities, authority officials said in a press release.

With just under a year left for states to certify their State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs, the Federal Transit Administration is reminding those affected what is at stake should the deadline not be met: Billons in federal funds.

"Safety is our top priority and FTA is committed to working with states to help them fulfill their safety responsibilities," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "These Safety Oversight Programs will make our rail transit systems safer for the millions of Americans relying on them each day."