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Feb
15

FTA lowers rating for Gateway tunnels

A revision by the Federal Transit Administration lowering the priority rating for the proposed Gateway rail tunnels could endanger funding for the project linking New York and New Jersey.

 

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Feb
15

Trump nominates Drake to serve as FTA administrator

President Donald Trump has nominated former U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake to serve as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Drake is an assistant director of public works for Norfolk, Virginia, and is the former director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).

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Feb
15

NJ Transit OKs alignment for Hudson-Bergen light-rail extension

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 2/15/2018 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The 10-mile alignment would largely follow CSX's northern branch running track.Photo – NJ Transit

New Jersey Transit's board yesterday approved a proposed alignment for the Hudson-Bergen light-rail expansion project.

The locally preferred alternative consists of a 10-mile, two-track extension of the Hudson-Bergen line from its current terminus at the Tonnelle Avenue station in North Bergen to the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

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Feb
15

NTSB to FRA: Require railroads to screen for sleep disorders

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday issued a special investigation report on two end-of-track collisions at terminal stations in New Jersey and New York.

The report includes new safety recommendations to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and new safety recommendations to New Jersey Transit and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

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Feb
15

From the editor: New owner, same mission

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Editor

As we reported in our Daily News on Jan. 29, Trade Press Media Group Inc. has been acquired by Forum Media Group, which is based in Merching, Germany.

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Feb
14

Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending February 10, 2018

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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 10, 2018.

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Feb
14

Shale Support opens Louisiana rail terminal

Rail News Home Shippers 2/14/2018 Rail News: Shippers
Shale Support Holdings LLC has opened a new rail terminal in Gibsland, Louisiana.The terminal features 24/7 service, 100-car capacity, on-site storage for containerized sand boxes and room for future storage capabilities, according to a company press release.Shale Support provides frac sand and logistical solutions to the oil and gas proppant market. The company is aligned with destination terminals that serve the Marcellus, Utica, Haynesville, Tuscaloosa, Mid-Con, Permian and Eagle Ford shale basins.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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Feb
14

Sound Transit names Arnold customer experience chief

Rail News Home Railroading People 2/14/2018 Rail News: Railroading People
Arnold will find ways to improve the passenger experience as Sound Transit expands its system.Photo – Sound Transit

Sound Transit has appointed Russell Arnold chief customer experience officer.

He is tasked with finding ways to improve the experience for future passengers as the agency designs and expands its system. Arnold also will collaborate with agency departments to resolve existing issues and enhance experience of current riders, Sound Transit officials said in a press release.

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Feb
14

Ports of Indiana logged 5 percent growth in 2017

Rail News Home Intermodal 2/14/2018 Rail News: Intermodal
Last year was the fourth consecutive year that the ports handled more than 10 million tons of cargo.Photo – portsofindiana.com

The Ports of Indiana handled 11.8 million tons in 2017, a 5 percent increase from 2016 and the second-highest annual shipment total in the organization's 57-year history, port officials announced today.

Last year was the fourth consecutive year that the ports handled more than 10 million tons of cargo. Major cargo increases in 2017 included minerals, up 28 percent; limestone, up 26 percent; steel, fertilizer and ethanol, each up 14 percent; and coal, up 9 percent.

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Feb
14

BNSF details capital programs for Montana, Missouri and Kansas

BNSF unveiled details of its planned $385 million capital plan across Montana, Missouri and Kansas. The focus of all three state programs will be on maintenance projects.

BNSF says the largest component of its $135 million Montana plan will be for replacing and upgrading rail, crossties and ballast. The maintenance program in Montana this year includes approximately 820 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of nearly 60 miles of rail and about 200,000 crossties. BNSF also says multiple projects are scheduled on the Kootenai River Subdivision, which runs between Sandpoint, Idaho and Whitefish, Mont. BNSF will signalize various sidings on the subdivision between Sandpoint and Whitefish to enable Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) and make improvements to the Flathead Tunnel, the 7-mile long railroad tunnel in northwest Montana.

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Feb
14

BNSF details capital programs for Montana, Missouri and Kansas

BNSF unveiled details of its planned $385 million capital plan across Montana, Missouri and Kansas. The focus of all three state programs will be on maintenance projects.

BNSF says the largest component of its $135 million Montana plan will be for replacing and upgrading rail, crossties and ballast. The maintenance program in Montana this year includes approximately 820 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of nearly 60 miles of rail and about 200,000 crossties. BNSF also says multiple projects are scheduled on the Kootenai River Subdivision, which runs between Sandpoint, Idaho and Whitefish, Mont. BNSF will signalize various sidings on the subdivision between Sandpoint and Whitefish to enable Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) and make improvements to the Flathead Tunnel, the 7-mile long railroad tunnel in northwest Montana.

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Feb
14

David Collenette to chair Ontario’s HSR advisory board

Ontario has named David Collenette as the leader of its High Speed Rail (HSR) Planning Advisory Board, officials said.

 

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Feb
14

David Collenette to chair Ontario’s HSR advisory board

Ontario has named David Collenette as the leader of its High Speed Rail (HSR) Planning Advisory Board, officials said.

 

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Feb
14

Denver RTD tests PTC, crossing technology on G Line

Rail News Home Positive Train Control 2/14/2018 Rail News: Positive Train Control
The work involves synchronizing and optimizing the PTC system and conventional control systems at 16 grade crossings along the line.Photo – Denver RTD

The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) has begun testing positive train control (PTC) and a wireless crossing system (WCS) on its G Line commuter-rail route.

The work involves synchronizing and optimizing the PTC system and the conventional control systems at 16 grade crossings along the line, RTD officials said in a press release issued earlier this month.

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Feb
14

Senate confirms Batory as FRA Administrator

The Senate by voice vote early Tuesday evening, Feb. 13, confirmed Ronald Batory as Federal Railroad Administrator, the nation's rail safety watchdog agency.

 

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Feb
14

Senate confirms Batory as FRA Administrator

The Senate by voice vote early Tuesday evening, Feb. 13, confirmed Ronald Batory as Federal Railroad Administrator, the nation's rail safety watchdog agency.

 

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Feb
14

Ontario taps Collenette to chair high-speed rail board

Rail News Home High-Speed Rail 2/14/2018 Rail News: High-Speed Rail
Collenette previously served as the province's special adviser for high-speed rail.Photo – Collenette's high-speed rail feasibility report

The Ontario government has appointed David Collenette chair of its high-speed rail planning advisory board.

A former federal minister of transport, Collenette previously served as the province's special adviser for high-speed rail. As chair of the planning advisory board, he'll continue to provide strategic support and advise government on the project to establish high-speed rail between Toronto and Windsor.

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Feb
14

BNSF budgets $135 million for Montana improvements

Rail News Home BNSF Railway 2/14/2018 Rail News: BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway Co. announced yesterday it will spend $135 million of its capital expenditure program in Montana this year.The Class I's maintenance program in Montana will include 82 miles of track surfacing or undercutting, along with replacing nearly 60 miles of rail and 200,000 ties, according to a BNSF press release.Multiple projects have been scheduled on BNSF's Kootenai River subdivision, which runs between Sandpoint, Idaho, and Whitefish. Crews will signalize various sidings on the subdivision to enable centralized traffic control (CTC). Improvements to 7-mile rail Flathead Tunnel will be made in northwest Montana.Over the past five years, BNSF has invested $850 million to expand and maintain its network in Montana."Maintaining a safe and reliable network is one way BNSF works to keep Montana's economy moving," said Jon Gabriel, general manager of operations, Montana division. "Freight rail connects Montana's farmers and lumber producers with the major U.S. markets, and with exports facilities ready to move their products overseas. Rail is also a vital component of getting the people of Montana the consumer products they need."BNSF expects to spend $3.3 billion on capital expenditures throughout its network this year.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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Feb
14

BNSF budgets $135 million for Montana improvements

Rail News Home BNSF Railway 2/14/2018 Rail News: BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway Co. announced yesterday it will spend $135 million of its capital expenditure program in Montana this year.The Class I's maintenance program in Montana will include 82 miles of track surfacing or undercutting, along with replacing nearly 60 miles of rail and 200,000 ties, according to a BNSF press release.Multiple projects have been scheduled on BNSF's Kootenai River subdivision, which runs between Sandpoint, Idaho, and Whitefish. Crews will signalize various sidings on the subdivision to enable centralized traffic control (CTC). Improvements to 7-mile rail Flathead Tunnel will be made in northwest Montana.Over the past five years, BNSF has invested $850 million to expand and maintain its network in Montana."Maintaining a safe and reliable network is one way BNSF works to keep Montana's economy moving," said Jon Gabriel, general manager of operations, Montana division. "Freight rail connects Montana's farmers and lumber producers with the major U.S. markets, and with exports facilities ready to move their products overseas. Rail is also a vital component of getting the people of Montana the consumer products they need."BNSF expects to spend $3.3 billion on capital expenditures throughout its network this year.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 2/14/2018


Feb
14

TriMet unveils plans to replace oldest light-rail vehicles

The Type 1 vehicles have been operating since the MAX Blue Line began service in 1986.Photo – TriMet's blog

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) this spring will begin the process to replace 26 of its oldest light-rail vehicles.

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