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Oct
30

FTA seeks input on 'Buy America' waiver request related to Wave Streetcar project

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 10/30/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting public comment on the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) request for a waiver from Buy America rules for procuring brake units for a bridge as part of the Wave Streetcar project in Fort Lauderdale.The FTA recently published notice of the "non-availability waiver request" for brake units for the Southeast Third Avenue bascule bridge modification in the city because there are no domestic manufacturers of the units, FTA said in a notice of the waiver and request for comment.Comments are due Nov. 13.The 2.8-mile Wave Streetcar project is a partnership between Broward County, the FDOT, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority and the FTA.

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Oct
30

BART to crack down on fare evaders in 2018

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 10/30/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Fare evaders cost the agency $15 million to $25 million each year, according to the agency.Photo – Bay Area Rapid Transit

Starting in January 2018, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) will deploy police and community service officers to perform proof-of-payment inspections within paid areas of stations and on trains.

If requested by authorized BART personnel, riders must present a valid ticket or Clipper fare card anywhere within paid areas.

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Oct
30

MBTA Green Line extension bids 'on budget,' agency says

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has received certifications that two bids for its Green Line light-rail extension will be on budget, the agency announced last week.

Two of the three design-build teams on a short list to work on the $2.2 billion project have verified that their proposals will be at or below the established $1.319 billion affordability limit.

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Oct
30

RAC honors VIA Rail, ArcelorMittal for safety, environmental efforts

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) last week announced VIA Rail Canada Inc. and short-line operator ArcelorMittal Infrastructure Canada are the winners of the association's 2017 Safety and Environment Awards.

The awards recognize RAC members for outstanding contributions to rail safety and environmental stewardship, RAC officials said in a press release.

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Oct
30

Port of Everett to seek construction bids for South Terminal project

Rail News Home Intermodal 10/30/2017 Rail News: Intermodal
When the project is completed, the dock will accommodate two, 100-foot gauge rail-mounted container cranes.Photo – portofeverett.com

The Port of Everett Commission in Washington has authorized its staff to solicit construction bids for the $36 million South Terminal modernization project.

The project, combined with the double rail siding now under construction, will ensure the port will be able to accommodate the next generation of over-dimensional cargo, including aerospace parts, port officials said in a press release.

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Oct
30

WMATA proposes $3.1 billion budget for FY2019

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) late last week unveiled a $3.1 billion budget for fiscal-year 2019, which will begin July 1, 2018.

Although the budget calls for increased funding for safety and reliability capital improvements, the plan won't require any fare increases or service cuts, agency officials said in a press release.

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Oct
30

CN, Norfolk Southern create joint interline service to cut transit times

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 10/30/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
Luc Jobin (left), James SquiresPhoto – nscorp.com, cn.ca

A joint interline service initiative established between CN and Norfolk Southern Railway in August is reducing transit times by a day or two for carload traffic between Western Canada and NS destinations in the Eastern United States, the Class Is announced late last week.

The service enables freight to bypass traditional interchange points in Chicago in favor of using the "most efficient" existing CN and NS routes. The service has cut transit times by up to 48 hours, according to a press release issued by the railroads.

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Oct
30

CN, Norfolk Southern create joint interline service to cut transit times

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 10/30/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
Luc Jobin (left), James SquiresPhoto – nscorp.com, cn.ca

A joint interline service initiative established between CN and Norfolk Southern Railway in August is reducing transit times by a day or two for carload traffic between Western Canada and NS destinations in the Eastern United States, the Class Is announced late last week.

The service enables freight to bypass traditional interchange points in Chicago in favor of using the "most efficient" existing CN and NS routes. The service has cut transit times by up to 48 hours, according to a press release issued by the railroads.

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Oct
30

CN, NS reengineer Chicago connection to save transit times

An agreement between Canadian National (CN) and Norfolk Southern Corporation that allows the Class 1s to bypass Chicago is saving up to 48 hours in transit time.

 

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Oct
30

CN, NS reengineer Chicago connection to save transit times

An agreement between Canadian National (CN) and Norfolk Southern Corporation that allows the Class 1s to bypass Chicago is saving up to 48 hours in transit time.

 

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Oct
30

CN, NS reengineer Chicago connection to save transit times

An agreement between Canadian National (CN) and Norfolk Southern Corporation that allows the Class 1s to bypass Chicago is saving up to 48 hours in transit time.

 

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Oct
30

Bellew to lead safety and training at RailPros Field Services

RailPros Field Services has named Rick Bellew assistant vice president of safety and training.

Bellew will direct the development and implementation of system-wide safety, health and environmental initiatives in accordance with RailPros safety commitment, customer requirements and governmental regulations

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Oct
30

Bellew to lead safety and training at RailPros Field Services

RailPros Field Services has named Rick Bellew assistant vice president of safety and training.

Bellew will direct the development and implementation of system-wide safety, health and environmental initiatives in accordance with RailPros safety commitment, customer requirements and governmental regulations

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Oct
30

Bellew to lead safety and training at RailPros Field Services

RailPros Field Services has named Rick Bellew assistant vice president of safety and training.

Bellew will direct the development and implementation of system-wide safety, health and environmental initiatives in accordance with RailPros safety commitment, customer requirements and governmental regulations

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Oct
27

Rail supplier news from DCLI, Milwaukee Composites, Greenbrier and WSP USA (Oct. 27)

Direct ChassisLink Inc. (DCLI) has agreed to acquire TRAC Intermodal's fleet of 72,000 53-foot domestic chassis, along with related customer and hosting contracts with Class Is and intermodal shipping companies throughout the United States. The transaction is expected to close in January 2018, DCLI officials said in a press release. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. After the acquisition is completed, DCLI will own, lease or manage 136,000 marine chassis, as well as 80,0000 domestic chassis. Through its REZ-1 asset management platform, the company manages more than 86,000 domestic intermodal containers for third parties.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (second from left) visits Milwaukee Composites Inc.'s facility.

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Oct
27

CSX honored for national defense support

CSX has been selected as a recipient of the National Defense Transportation Association's (NDTA) 2017 Distinguished Service Award in recognition of the railroad's "invaluable support of the organization's goals and aims."

The NDTA is a nonpolitical, nonprofit educational association that works to benefit national security and defense by sharing information about logistics, transportation and passenger travel services.

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Oct
27

CSX honored for national defense support

CSX has been selected as a recipient of the National Defense Transportation Association's (NDTA) 2017 Distinguished Service Award in recognition of the railroad's "invaluable support of the organization's goals and aims."

The NDTA is a nonpolitical, nonprofit educational association that works to benefit national security and defense by sharing information about logistics, transportation and passenger travel services.

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Oct
27

Minneapolis Met Council awards $4.6 million in TOD grants

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 10/27/2017 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
A rendering of mixed-use development near the Green Line's Wooddale Station in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.Photo – Metropolitan Council

The Metropolitan Council has awarded $4.6 million to four transit-oriented development (TOD) projects along Metro Transit's Green and Blue light-rail lines.

The grants support development aimed at improving mobility via mass transit and generating economic investment and jobs.The council's investment leverages almost $216 million in private funds and nearly $26 million from other public sources, Met Council officials said in a press release.

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Oct
27

ARCI: Mixed results for Q3 car orders, deliveries

Rail-car orders in the third quarter totaled 8,671 units compared with 17,665 units in the second quarter and 5,526 units in third-quarter 2016, according to statistics compiled by the Railway Supply Institute's American Railway Car Institute Committee (ARCI).

Car deliveries in Q3 rose to 11,015 units from 10,625 units in Q2, but were down from 15,375 units in Q3 2016.

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Oct
27

CN publishes latest report on sustainability practices

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 10/27/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
CN yesterday unveiled its sixth sustainability report, which outlines the company's actions in safety, corporate governance, community involvement, human resources and the environment.Titled "Delivering Responsibly," the report was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative standards. Environmental data related to 2015-2016 greenhouse gas emissions were independently verified, CN officials said in a press release.In addition, CN has aligned its five sustainability "pillars" with the United Nations' Sustainability Development Goals, company officials said.The new report lists what the Class I describes as key accomplishments, such as:
• Over the past 20 years, CN has reduced its locomotive emission intensity by 39 percent, while logging record growth in freight volume.
• CN consumes 15 percent less fuel per gross ton mile compared to the industry average.
• In 2016, the company worked with emergency responders and participated in more than 400 TRANSCAER® events to bring critical training to more than 8,400 participants.
• Through CN's EcoConnexions program, more than 1.6 million trees have been planted since 2012.
• This year, CN became a member of the Canadian Chapter of the 30% Club, which aims to include board chairs and chief executive officers to achieve better gender balance at board and senior management levels.
• Over the past year, CN implemented diversity initiatives, including partnering with Unifor and the Canadian government to establish a bursary program for indigenous post-secondary students across Canada.

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