Railroad News

Ronald Batory was sworn in yesterday as the 14th administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Prior to his nomination, Batory served as president and chief operating officer of Conrail until his retirement in April 2017. Before that, he was president of the Belt Railway Co. of Chicago.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week announced it is partnering with Amtrak to test new security technology aimed at identifying body-worn explosive devices such as suicide vests.

WASHINGTON – Ronald L. Batory officially became the 14th United States Federal Railroad Administrator on Feb. 28, 2018.

In the presence of his family, and numerous colleagues he has known throughout his 47-year career as a railroader, Batory was sworn in by U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

The fatal Amtrak-CSX train collision in Cayce, South Carolina, caused $25 million in damage, according to the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) preliminary report on the accident.

The Feb. 4 incident occurred when a southbound Amtrak train diverted from the main track through a hand-thrown switch and collided with a CSX train parked on a siding.

Amtrak and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have partnered to test new devices that can help detect explosives, including suicide vests.

Known as a stand-off explosive detection unit, the system triggers an alarm if someone carrying or wearing an improvised explosive device passes by.

BNSF Railway Co. has requested to join Lighthouse Resources' lawsuit against Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and key members of his administration over permit denials for Millennium Bulk Terminals' proposed Longview coal terminal.

BNSF's complaint contends that Washington state officials unduly violated interstate commerce, a violation of the U.S. Constitution's dormant commerce clause and the ICC Termination Act (ICCTA) by using supposed rail impacts to deny permits for Millennium Bulk Terminals.

BNSF Railway Co. has requested to join Lighthouse Resources' lawsuit against Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and key members of his administration over permit denials for Millennium Bulk Terminals' proposed Longview coal terminal.

BNSF's complaint contends that Washington state officials unduly violated interstate commerce, a violation of the U.S. Constitution's dormant commerce clause and the ICC Termination Act (ICCTA) by using supposed rail impacts to deny permits for Millennium Bulk Terminals.

CSX will aim for a 60 percent operating ratio by 2020 and revenue growth at a compound annual rate of 4 percent by 2019-20, the company announced today at its annual investor and analyst conference in New York City.

At the conference, CSX officials were expected to outline plans to build on the scheduled railroading model, increase efficiency, control costs and grow the business.

CSX will aim for a 60 percent operating ratio by 2020 and revenue growth at a compound annual rate of 4 percent by 2019-20, the company announced today at its annual investor and analyst conference in New York City.

At the conference, CSX officials were expected to outline plans to build on the scheduled railroading model, increase efficiency, control costs and grow the business.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) earlier this week held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its soon-to-open Blue Line light-rail extension.

The event's attendees included CATS Chief Executive Officer John Lewis, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, and University of North Carolina at Charlotte Chancellor Philip Dubois, according to CATS' Twitter account.

Metrolinx this spring will roll out a "click-and-collect" grocery shopping service at GO Transit commuter-rail stations — marking the first time the service will be offered at transit stations in Canada.

The Toronto-area agency is working with Loblaw Cos. Ltd. to establish the service, which enables riders to shop online and pick up groceries when they arrive at their GO station.

HNTB Corporation has brought on Edmond Hunter, CCM, as a senior transit and rail project manager.

A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found as many as two-thirds of commuter railroads required to install positive train control (PTC) by the end of the year have not allocated enough time to accomplish implementation or qualify for an extension.

Quebec Iron Ore Inc. (QIO) announced last week that the first train loaded with 16,500 metric tons of high-grade 66 percent Fe iron concentrate left the Bloom Lake Iron Ore Mine near Fermont, Quebec.

The first train represents a "tangible step toward realizing Bloom Lake's potential to become a major supplier of high quality iron ore to global markets," QIO officials said in a press release. QIO is a subsidiary of Champion Iron Ltd.

BNSF Railway Company plans to invest $110 million in its Nebraska network, where it moves nearly 2 million carloads of freight annually.

Dewberry will serve as the lead designer on a combination design-bid-build and design-build team for the L.K. Comstock & Company, Inc.'s $66 million installation of a second track for Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

A rail siding project along a Norfolk Southern Railway line in Central Bridge, New York, has qualified for a $200,000 grant through the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

The project calls for installing rail siding along the NS line to allow Hoober Feeds to receive ingredients by rail. The increase in shipments will enable Hoober Feeds to expand its operations, according to a press release issued by New York State Sen. James Seward.

Metro-North Railroad will launch an extensive three-year project to transform its White Plains station. The railroad said this work will improve the station's safety, appearance, cleanliness and accessibility.

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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 24, 2018.