Skip to main content
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.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 10/27/2017


Oct
27

Merced County, L.A. port to create joint business plan

Rail News Home BNSF Railway 10/27/2017 Rail News: BNSF Railway
Port of Los AngelesPhoto – portoflosangeles.org

The Merced County, California, Board of Supervisors earlier this week authorized a memorandum of agreement with the the Port of Los Angeles that calls for a joint business development plan.

The agreement will help open the door to "significant investment and development" in the Mid-California International Trade District located at Castle Commerce Center and Castle Airport in Atwater, California, county officials said in a press release.

Continue reading
Oct
27

Merced County, L.A. port to create joint business plan

Rail News Home BNSF Railway 10/27/2017 Rail News: BNSF Railway
Port of Los AngelesPhoto – portoflosangeles.org

The Merced County, California, Board of Supervisors earlier this week authorized a memorandum of agreement with the the Port of Los Angeles that calls for a joint business development plan.

The agreement will help open the door to "significant investment and development" in the Mid-California International Trade District located at Castle Commerce Center and Castle Airport in Atwater, California, county officials said in a press release.

Continue reading
Oct
27

L.A. Metro OKs study of converting BRT line to light rail

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 10/27/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Orange Line buses often get stuck at red lights, slowing transit times.Photo – Steve Hymon/Metro

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (Metro) board has approved a staff recommendation to study proposed safety improvements that could lead to converting the Orange bus-rapid-transit (BRT) line to a light-rail line.

The study will examine the possible installation of railroad-style crossing gates at intersections along the Orange Line BRT route. The agency also will examine other possible grade separations at key locations along the 18-mile bus line, which has its own right of way.

Continue reading
Oct
27

Operation Lifesaver's Murphy to join DART

Rail News Home Railroading People 10/27/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
Bonnie MurphyPhoto – Operation Lifesaver Inc.

Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) President Bonnie Murphy will complete her term and leave the organization Nov. 1 to become a vice president of rail and railroad management at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

Murphy, who joined OLI in January 2016, has more than 30 years of rail experience and 10 years of executive-level government experience.

Continue reading
Oct
27

UP, Katoen Natie break ground on Texas plastics facility

Union Pacific Railroad and logistics service provider Katoen Natie this week broke ground on a new plastic packaging facility in south Dallas County, Texas.

The plant will be located at the 3,000-acre Prime Pointe Industrial Park, which is adjacent to UP's Dallas Intermodal Terminal.

Continue reading
Oct
27

UP, Katoen Natie break ground on Texas plastics facility

Union Pacific Railroad and logistics service provider Katoen Natie this week broke ground on a new plastic packaging facility in south Dallas County, Texas.

The plant will be located at the 3,000-acre Prime Pointe Industrial Park, which is adjacent to UP's Dallas Intermodal Terminal.

Continue reading
Oct
27

Specialized equipment helps MTA fight leaf slime

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is utilizing a fleet of specialized equipment and increased vegetation control methods to help combat a potentially hazardous by-product of autumn: leaf slime.

 

Continue reading
Oct
27

Specialized equipment helps MTA fight leaf slime

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is utilizing a fleet of specialized equipment and increased vegetation control methods to help combat a potentially hazardous by-product of autumn: leaf slime.

 

Continue reading
Oct
27

Specialized equipment helps MTA fight leaf slime

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is utilizing a fleet of specialized equipment and increased vegetation control methods to help combat a potentially hazardous by-product of autumn: leaf slime.

 

Continue reading
Oct
27

OLI’s Bonnie Murphy to join DART in November

Bonnie Murphy will conclude her term as president of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), on November 1; she has been with OLI since January 2016.

Murphy, who has more than 30 years of rail industry experience and 10 years of executive-level government experience, will join Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) as vice president commuter rail and railroad management.

Continue reading
Oct
27

OLI’s Bonnie Murphy to join DART in November

Bonnie Murphy will conclude her term as president of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), on November 1; she has been with OLI since January 2016.

Murphy, who has more than 30 years of rail industry experience and 10 years of executive-level government experience, will join Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) as vice president commuter rail and railroad management.

Continue reading
Oct
27

OLI’s Bonnie Murphy to join DART in November

Bonnie Murphy will conclude her term as president of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), on November 1; she has been with OLI since January 2016.

Murphy, who has more than 30 years of rail industry experience and 10 years of executive-level government experience, will join Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) as vice president commuter rail and railroad management.

Continue reading
Oct
26

MacGregor named VP operations for DPH, Patriot Rail

Rail News Home Railroading People 10/26/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
Diversified Port Holdings (DPH) and Patriot Rail this week announced the promotion of Scott MacGregor to vice president of operations.MacGregor will oversee all DPH's port operations in Florida, said John Fenton, chief executive officer of DPH and Patriot Rail, in a press release.MacGregor joined the company in 2006 as a superintendent and rose to a general management position at Seaonus Stevedoring-Jacksonville (SSJ). Seaonus is a subsidiary of DPH and Patriot Rail.Additionally, Fenton announced that Jose Santana of SSJ will become general manager, while Jessica Gibson has been promoted to the position of terminal manager of SSJ.DPH and Patriot Rail is a combined port and rail logistics company serving international companies throughout the Southeast and Gulf ports. The company also operates multiple short lines and rail-service companies across the United States.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 10/26/2017


Oct
26

TTCI's Gonzales joins League of Railway Industry Women's board

Rail News Home Railroading People 10/26/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
Kari GonzalesPhoto – Transportation Technology Center Inc.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 10/26/2017


Oct
26

ASLRRA honors Alabama short line for safety efforts

Rail News Home Short Lines & Regionals 10/26/2017 Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has presented two of its president's awards to the Alabama State Port Authority's Terminal Railway-Alabama State Docks (TASD) for safety achievements in 2016.The association honors railroads that achieve an injury-free year or register the lowest accident frequency rate per man-hour. In 2016, TASD had no injuries and achieved the best safety rate among railroads that log 150,000-250,000 annual man-hours.The short line received two president's awards to honor each achievement."To be awarded two President's Awards speaks to the safety culture developed and embraced by every member of the Terminal Railway," said TASD General Manager Cliff Melton in a press release. To qualify for the president's award, a short line must have earned the Jake Award, which is presented to an ASLRRA member railroad that performs better than the Class II or Class III average injury rate.TASD has earned five Jake Awards since 2007. The short line also earned the Jake Award with distinction in 2016 for having zero reportable injuries and zero reportable accidents.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 10/26/2017


Oct
26

Intermodal volumes continue to boost U.S. rail traffic

U.S. railroads moved 559,989 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending Oct. 21, a 3 percent increase over the same week a year ago, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data.

Total carloads for the week ticked up 0.2 percent to 268,943 units, while intermodal volume surged 5.6 percent to 291,046 containers and trailers compared with year-ago traffic results.

Continue reading
Oct
26

MTA to end MetroCard system, alcohol ads

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 10/26/2017 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
The new system will enable passengers to pay fares using credit cards or mobile devices.Photo – Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has awarded a $539.5 million contract to Cubic Transportation Systems to replace the agency's MetroCard with an electronic fare payment system.

The new system will enable riders to pay for rides using credit and debit cards or mobile devices instead of purchasing and adding value to a separate fare card.

Continue reading
Oct
26

CSX holds off investor conference

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 10/26/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
CSX Corp. announced yesterday that it would postpone its investor conference scheduled for Oct. 30.The postponement follows yesterday's news that three of CSX's top executives — Cindy Sanborn, Fredrik Eliasson and Ellen Fitzsimmons — would leave the company next month. Additionally, President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison announced yesterday that James Foote will join the company as chief operating officer."Our team continues to build momentum and the addition of Jim increases my confidence in our ability to serve customers and deliver shareholder value," said Harrison in a press release. "I am more confident than ever in CSX’s ability to achieve industry leading operating and financial performance and look forward to showcasing our leadership team at a future date." Also yesterday, CSX said its board authorized $1.5 billion in share repurchases, which builds on the $1.5 billion program recently completed.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 10/26/2017


Oct
26

CSX holds off investor conference

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 10/26/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
CSX Corp. announced yesterday that it would postpone its investor conference scheduled for Oct. 30.The postponement follows yesterday's news that three of CSX's top executives — Cindy Sanborn, Fredrik Eliasson and Ellen Fitzsimmons — would leave the company next month. Additionally, President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison announced yesterday that James Foote will join the company as chief operating officer."Our team continues to build momentum and the addition of Jim increases my confidence in our ability to serve customers and deliver shareholder value," said Harrison in a press release. "I am more confident than ever in CSX’s ability to achieve industry leading operating and financial performance and look forward to showcasing our leadership team at a future date." Also yesterday, CSX said its board authorized $1.5 billion in share repurchases, which builds on the $1.5 billion program recently completed.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 10/26/2017