Railroad News

MTA Metro-North railroad earlier this week used a Sperry Rail car to perform ultrasonic rail testing on the Upper Harlem Line. The unit performed the testing on a section of track between stations in Southeast and Wassaic, New York. The railroad used the equipment to detect defects and metal fatigue inside the steel rails. The Sperry Rail car is designed to identify issues before they become major problems, Metro-North officials said in a press release.

Keolis and the Institute for Data Valorisation have formed a strategic partnership aimed at supporting the development of "innovative urban mobility solutions" through the use of Big Data. As part of the agreement, both parties will collaborate on joint research and development projects, with an initial focus on Quebec. The projects eventually will expand to other areas where Keolis is present, company officials said in a press release. As a result of the partnership, Keolis will gain a better understanding of the way passengers move and how to best plan public transit networks, company officials said.

The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) last month surpassed the billion-dollar mark for payments made to small businesses for contract work through the agency's FasTracks transit expansion program.

Beginning in 2005 with an award to Jacobs Engineering Group to manage the project, FasTracks contracts have benefited more than 600 small and disadvantaged firms, and 2,200 subcontractors, RTD officials said in a press release.

The South Carolina Ports Authority's (SCPA) board this week approved a $69.5 million contract for the purchase of six ship-to-shore cranes to handle growing container volumes and big ships calling at the Port of Charleston.

Manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Ltd., the five cranes will offer 169 feet of lift height. They will be delivered to the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal, which is under construction, SCPA officials said in a press release.

Three Anacostia Rail Holdings railroads this fall conducted railroad hazmat training for more than 260 members of Indiana and Minnesota fire department and emergency response organizations.

Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad, Louisville & Indiana Railroad and Northern Lines Railway conducted the training sessions in September and October in Michigan City, Franklin and Columbus, Indiana, and St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Despite weaker carloadings in several major commodity groups, rail-car demand was relatively stable in the third quarter, according to Economic Planning Associates Inc.'s (EPA) latest "Outlook for Rail Cars" report.

After a strong start, rail traffic moderated in the quarter, primarily because of a significant slowing in grain exports, weak light vehicle production and a continued decline in petroleum loadings, the report states.

Transport Canada will incorporate rail surface condition data into its inspection cycles; following a recommendation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).

Transport Canada will incorporate rail surface condition data into its inspection cycles; following a recommendation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).

Transport Canada will incorporate rail surface condition data into its inspection cycles; following a recommendation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is highlighting the $101 million dollars invested in winter preparation and encouraging customers to engage in various communication channels to prepare for upcoming winter commutes.

"In advance of this winter, we're doubling down on our efforts to highlight the key resources that allow us to get the most accurate information about service out to our customers so they can make informed decisions," said MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez. "While we've proactively made investments in equipment and infrastructure to make the MBTA more resilient, we also want to strengthen the channels of communication we have so our riders know what to expect and can plan ahead."

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is highlighting the $101 million dollars invested in winter preparation and encouraging customers to engage in various communication channels to prepare for upcoming winter commutes.

"In advance of this winter, we're doubling down on our efforts to highlight the key resources that allow us to get the most accurate information about service out to our customers so they can make informed decisions," said MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez. "While we've proactively made investments in equipment and infrastructure to make the MBTA more resilient, we also want to strengthen the channels of communication we have so our riders know what to expect and can plan ahead."

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is highlighting the $101 million dollars invested in winter preparation and encouraging customers to engage in various communication channels to prepare for upcoming winter commutes.

"In advance of this winter, we're doubling down on our efforts to highlight the key resources that allow us to get the most accurate information about service out to our customers so they can make informed decisions," said MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez. "While we've proactively made investments in equipment and infrastructure to make the MBTA more resilient, we also want to strengthen the channels of communication we have so our riders know what to expect and can plan ahead."

A trio of shortline railroads, affiliates of Anacostia Rail Holdings Company, helped train responders at four locations in two states on railroad safety and emergency response techniques.

Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad, Louisville & Indiana Railroad and Northern Lines Railway conducted the training sessions in Michigan City, Franklin, and Columbus, Ind., and St. Cloud, Minn. During September and October, more than 260 fire department and emergency response personnel in the two states received personalized training.

A trio of shortline railroads, affiliates of Anacostia Rail Holdings Company, helped train responders at four locations in two states on railroad safety and emergency response techniques.

Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad, Louisville & Indiana Railroad and Northern Lines Railway conducted the training sessions in Michigan City, Franklin, and Columbus, Ind., and St. Cloud, Minn. During September and October, more than 260 fire department and emergency response personnel in the two states received personalized training.

A trio of shortline railroads, affiliates of Anacostia Rail Holdings Company, helped train responders at four locations in two states on railroad safety and emergency response techniques.

Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad, Louisville & Indiana Railroad and Northern Lines Railway conducted the training sessions in Michigan City, Franklin, and Columbus, Ind., and St. Cloud, Minn. During September and October, more than 260 fire department and emergency response personnel in the two states received personalized training.

Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) partners yesterday submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking a $160 million Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant for several freight- and passenger-rail projects.

The grant would help leverage private and public dollars for the program's 75th Street Corridor improvement project and Argo Connections project. The federal funds sought in the INFRA application would cover only one-third of total costs, but would close a funding gap that would enable the projects to quickly proceed to construction, CREATE officials said in a press release.

Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger has been named one of the nation's top lobbyists in 2017 by The Hill, a national political newspaper.

AAR's top executive since 1998, Hamberger was included on the list of lobbyists serving associations.

North Carolina Railroad Co.'s (NCRR) board last month elected Michael Walters as chairman. He succeeds Franklin Rouse.

Walters has served on the railroad's board since 2015 and chaired its Audit and Finance Committee since 2015. He also serves on the boards for Forestry Mutual Insurance Co. and the North Carolina Forestry Association.