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May
03

California agencies OK funds for major grade separation project

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) yesterday approved a $76.7 million joint funding agreement for a grade separation project in Santa Fe Springs, California.

The contribution will be matched by other local funding sources to complete the $155.3 million project, which calls for building an elevated overpass structure at Rosecrans and Marquardt avenues to separate motorist traffic from rail traffic.

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May
03

CHSRA, LACMTA reach funding agreement for grade separation project

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) have reached a joint funding agreement for a grade separation project in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

The agreement calls for the allocation of $76.7 million in Proposition 1A bond funds, which will be matched by other local funding sources to complete the $155.3 million Rosecrans Avenue/Marquardt Avenue Grade Separation Project.

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May
03

Koppers Loadman to retire; Sullivan named to succeed

Thomas D. Loadman, senior vice president, Railroad Products and Services (RPS) at Koppers Holdings Inc., will retire Dec. 31, 2018, following 39 years at the company.

The company says that as of May 1, 2018, the RPS segment will be led by James A. Sullivan, senior vice president, Global Carbon Materials and Chemicals (CMC). Sullivan will also retain his previous responsibilities. Loadman will take on an advisory role to assist with the transition and other strategic projects aimed at identifying potential growth opportunities for Koppers for the remainder of 2018.

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May
03

CN meeting grain car order demand in western Canada

CN announced yesterday it has met all grain orders in western Canada for the third consecutive week and is now seeking additional export orders from grain companies.

"The decisive action we took in March to deploy more crews and locomotives has led to dramatic improvements in the movement of western Canadian grain," said Doug MacDonald, vice president of bulk at CN, said in a press release.

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May
03

CN meeting grain car order demand in western Canada

CN announced yesterday it has met all grain orders in western Canada for the third consecutive week and is now seeking additional export orders from grain companies.

"The decisive action we took in March to deploy more crews and locomotives has led to dramatic improvements in the movement of western Canadian grain," said Doug MacDonald, vice president of bulk at CN, said in a press release.

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May
03

Rep. Scott tours Tensar, discusses rail policy

U.S. Rep. David Scott (D-GA-13) joined representatives from Tensar International Corporation, Genesee and Wyoming Inc., and other industry stakeholders on May 2 for a tour and discussion of public policy.

 

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May
03

AAR: U.S. rail traffic up 5 percent in April

U.S. railroads moved 5 percent more carloads and intermodal units in April compared with rail traffic in the same month last year, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data.

Last month, U.S. roads originated 1,051,026 carloads, up 3.3 percent, and 1,099,000 containers and trailers, up 6.8 percent, compared with April 2017, according to an AAR press release.

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May
03

UTA Board recommends Meyer as interim executive director

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees recommended on May 2 the appointment of Steve Meyer to serve as UTA's interim executive director.

 

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May
03

NYCT appoints Librera, Jezycki to executive posts

MTA New York City Transit President Andy Byford, recently arrived from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and working diligently to improve operations, has named two agency veterans to executive posts running North America's largest rapid transit network.

 

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May
02

Study: Baltimore agency 'safest' among largest U.S. transit systems

Rail News Home Security 5/2/2018 Rail News: Security
The Maryland Transit Administration logged the lowest number of serious crimes among the dozen agencies.Photo – Guy Henderson / Maryland Transit Administration

The Maryland Department of Transportation's Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) has been recognized as having the safest transit system out of the largest 12 U.S. transit agencies.

A study conducted by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) showed that MDOT MTA in 2017 had the fewest number of Part 1 crimes among the dozen agencies. Part 1 crimes are the most serious offensives such as homicide, rape and aggravated assault.

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May
02

Metra breaks ground on mechanical shops expansion

The 49th Street shop houses Metra's rail-car rehabilitation program.Photo – Julie Sneider

Metra yesterday kicked off a $29.4 million renovation and expansion of the mechanical shops that house its rail-car and locomotive rehab programs.

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May
02

Kansas City Southern recognized for IT innovation

Kansas City Southern has been recognized as one of the 2018 CIO 100 for exemplifying operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

KCS will be honored at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards Ceremony to be held Aug. 15 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Each year, the IDG's CIO highlights technology innovation and business value delivered by the award winners.

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May
02

Kansas City Southern recognized for IT innovation

Kansas City Southern has been recognized as one of the 2018 CIO 100 for exemplifying operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

KCS will be honored at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards Ceremony to be held Aug. 15 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Each year, the IDG's CIO highlights technology innovation and business value delivered by the award winners.

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May
02

Canada pledges funding for GO Transit bi-level coaches

The new units will support an increase in the number of trains operating on GO Transit's seven commuter-rail routes.Photo – GO Transit

Canadian officials on Monday pledged more than CA$187 million for GO Transit's procurement of 53 bi-level coaches.

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May
02

UP to repower locomotives to cut emissions in California

Union Pacific Railroad is partnering with two California air management districts to repower 10 low-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives into new Tier 4 switchers for its yard-switching locomotive fleet starting in fall.

The new switchers will reduce particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen emissions by more than 90 percent during operations when compared to older locomotives, UP officials said in a press release.

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May
02

UP to repower locomotives to cut emissions in California

Union Pacific Railroad is partnering with two California air management districts to repower 10 low-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives into new Tier 4 switchers for its yard-switching locomotive fleet starting in fall.

The new switchers will reduce particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen emissions by more than 90 percent during operations when compared to older locomotives, UP officials said in a press release.

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May
02

CN to purchase 350 lumber cars

CN announced today it will buy 350 centerbeam cars to meet a growing demand from lumber-producing customers across the Class I's network.

The new, 73-foot riserless centerbeams will have a maximum load capacity of 286,000 pounds and are expected to be delivered starting in September, CN officials said in a press release.

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May
02

CN to purchase 350 lumber cars

CN announced today it will buy 350 centerbeam cars to meet a growing demand from lumber-producing customers across the Class I's network.

The new, 73-foot riserless centerbeams will have a maximum load capacity of 286,000 pounds and are expected to be delivered starting in September, CN officials said in a press release.

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May
02

Amtrak marks 47 years, nets funds for Pacific Surfliner improvements

Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson yesterday announced several improvements underway at the national intercity passenger railroad as it marked its 47th anniversary.

"While we celebrate our history, we have a keen eye on the future and are making necessary changes to provide our customers with an unparalleled travel experience," said Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson. "Many customers have already noticed these improvements, and can look forward to several more upgrades that are on the way."

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May
02

IANA: Q1 intermodal growth strongest since 2014

Total intermodal volume climbed 7.2 percent in first-quarter 2018 compared to the same period a year ago, marking the strongest gain since second-quarter 2014, the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) announced yesterday.

Domestic containers in Q1 2018 rose 6.2 percent, international intermodal volume increased 7 percent and trailers soared 14.5 percent, according to IANA's Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report.

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