Railroad News

The Kansas City Southern (KCS) Mossville Yard Expansion Project in Westlake, La., by Ragnar Benson, LLC, received the 2017 award for Large Project of the Year.

Carload Express Inc. has purchased a BASF polymer plant in Seaford, Delaware.

Due to its close proximity to a main north-south rail line, the 37,000-square-foot building was an "ideal match" for Carload Express, according to a press release issued by SVN-Miller Commercial Real Estate, which advised the sale.

Kansas City Southern today reported record fourth-quarter 2017 revenue of $660 million, up 10 percent from the same period a year ago due to a 5 percent increase in volume.

KCS reported Q4 2017 operating income rose 13 percent to $238 million compared with Q4 2016, KCS officials said in a press release.

Kansas City Southern today reported record fourth-quarter 2017 revenue of $660 million, up 10 percent from the same period a year ago due to a 5 percent increase in volume.

KCS reported Q4 2017 operating income rose 13 percent to $238 million compared with Q4 2016, KCS officials said in a press release.

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. yesterday announced record fourth-quarter and full-year results for 2017.

Fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) soared 159 percent to CA$6.77 from $2.61 a year ago. The 2017 results includes an income tax recovery of $527 million, primarily as a result of U.S. tax reform net of Canadian provincial tax rate increases. Adjusted diluted EPS rose 6 percent to a new quarterly record of $3.22 from $3.04.

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. yesterday announced record fourth-quarter and full-year results for 2017.

Fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) soared 159 percent to CA$6.77 from $2.61 a year ago. The 2017 results includes an income tax recovery of $527 million, primarily as a result of U.S. tax reform net of Canadian provincial tax rate increases. Adjusted diluted EPS rose 6 percent to a new quarterly record of $3.22 from $3.04.

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

Canadian Pacific Railway will target a capital program between CA$1.35 billion (US$1.08 billion) and CA$1.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) in 2018.

At the low end, the capital plan reflects an eight percent increase over 2017's targeted CA$1.25 billion (US$955 million) capital plan, while at the high end, it could represent a 20% increase over 2017 numbers.

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon's (TriMet) board has chosen Doug Kelsey as the single finalist for the agency's next general manager.

The board will interview Kelsey on Jan. 24. After considering public comments, the board will convene a special meeting on Jan. 31 to authorize its chair to negotiate a contract with Kelsey or to continue the search.

St. Louis city leaders this week unveiled potential routes and other details of a proposed Northside-Southside light-rail line.

At community meetings, officials shared maps, ridership figures and budget options for the proposed route, according to the Northside-Southside Twitter account.

CSX plans a 2018 capital program of $1.6 billion as it continues to strive toward greater capital efficiencies as part of its implementation of precision scheduled railroading.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week proposed increasing the federal gas tax by 25 cents per gallon to help pay for critical infrastructure projects.

The proposed increase was among a series of principles the business lobby is offering in a bid to help shape the debate about upgrading U.S. roads, bridges, airports and other significant infrastructure projects, U.S. Chamber officials said in a press release.

REMSA intends to focus on working with its members and associated railroad and rail supply associations to put forth a pro-rail agenda in Congress.

Two U.S. Representatives who serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure have requested an update on Amtrak's safety culture and implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).

TriMet's Board of Directors has named current TriMet Chief Operating Officer (COO) Doug Kelsey as the single finalist in the search for a new general manager.

U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) have asked Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson for a detailed update on the railroad's safety culture and implementation of positive train control (PTC).

In a letter sent yesterday, the congressmen said they want to know what safety culture weaknesses Amtrak has identified in its organization and the specific steps it is taking to resolve them immediately. The letter was copied to labor unions that represent Amtrak employees.

The Feb. 16 deadline to nominate individuals for Progressive Railroading's Rising Stars program is fast approaching.

Now in its sixth year, the program recognizes up-and-coming leaders in North America's railroad industry. The magazine defines a Rising Star as someone under the age of 40 who is making a positive difference in his or her company, department or team.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) yesterday raised questions about the effectiveness of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) maintenance programs following a derailment earlier this week.

In a letter to WMATA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul Wiedefeld, Comstock said the Jan. 15 derailment on the Red Line exemplifies the "unacceptable condition of WMATA and the dire need for fundamental reform."

U.S. rail traffic ticked up 0.5 percent to 511,937 carloads and intermodal units in the second week of 2018 compared with the same week a year ago, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data.

For the week ending Jan. 13, total carloads declined 4.1 percent to 241,351 units compared with the same week in 2017, while total U.S. intermodal containers and trailers increased 5 percent to 270,586 units, according to an AAR press release.