Railroad News

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has proposed regulatory change that would streamline the environmental review process for multimodal projects, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced yesterday at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) annual meeting in Phoenix.

The proposal, sent to the Federal Register this week, would "harmonize" the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) environmental review process with the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration, according to a USDOT press release. The proposal is being made so that multimodal projects are required to follow only one process rather than multiple agency processes, USDOT officials said in a press release.

Harsco Rail has won two orders worth nearly $25 million to supply track maintenance and measuring equipment for use on the Haramain high-speed line in Saudi Arabia and the Transnet network in South Africa.

The first order is for the production of rail grinding machines to maintain railhead contours on the new 28-mile Mecca - Medina double-track high-speed line, which is nearing completion. The order also includes initial operator training as well as spare parts support.

Harsco Rail has won two orders worth nearly $25 million to supply track maintenance and measuring equipment for use on the Haramain high-speed line in Saudi Arabia and the Transnet network in South Africa.

The first order is for the production of rail grinding machines to maintain railhead contours on the new 28-mile Mecca - Medina double-track high-speed line, which is nearing completion. The order also includes initial operator training as well as spare parts support.

Harsco Corp.'s Protran Technology unit has received orders from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Sacramento Regional Transit District to install track worker alert systems. The technology alerts track workers on the ground before trains enter their work zones. The orders are scheduled for delivery through the end of the year, according to a Harsco press release. Financial terms were not disclosed.

UltraTech International Inc. has released the Ultra-Track Berm, a portable spill containment solution. The device, which captures up to 144 gallons of spilled material, can be moved quickly by one person to a leak or spill. If a larger spill occurs or greater capacity is needed, drain hoses can be connected to the camlock fittings so the spilled material is directed to a waste collection area or larger container. The Ultra-Track Berm features closed-cell polyethylene foam that provides secure sidewall structure, Ultra-Tech officials said in a press release.

MTA Metro-North Railroad has wrapped up an 18-week track improvement project on the Harlem and Hudson lines, the railroad announced Monday.

Crews replaced more than 1,900 ties, resurfaced track, replaced nearly 1,200 feet of rail, added stone ballast and improved drainage on the Harlem Line. The work took place between the Mount Vernon West and Crestwood stations.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in late December will close its Wollaston Station on the Red Line to complete accessibility improvements.

The stop is the only Red Line station that doesn't comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Planned upgrades include new elevators, additional lighting, improved stairways and new bathrooms.

Caltrain's long-term business plan is shaping up after a recent workshop with more than 50 local stakeholders, the railroad announced Monday.

Work on the plan began last year after Caltrain awarded contracts for construction related to its electrification project.

​RAIL SAFETY WEEK EDUCATES PUBLIC ON STAYING SAFE NEAR TRACKS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 24, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) joins the rail safety community to mark the first U.S. Rail Safety Week, September 24-30, 2017, to raise awareness on how people can stay safe near tracks. NInety-five percent of rail-related deaths involve drivers going through a grade crossing or a person on the tracks.

The Texas Northwestern Railway (TXNW) has signed Crop Production Services (CPS) as the first tenant for the railroad's new Panhandle Logistics Park near Sunray, Texas.

The railroad is a subsidiary of TNW Corp. and CPS is a subsidiary of agricultural company Agrium Inc.

Transit agencies around the United States are taking part in the first U.S. Rail Safety Week to support the efforts of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), and promote safe behavior around rail property.

Transit agencies around the United States are taking part in the first U.S. Rail Safety Week to support the efforts of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), and promote safe behavior around rail property.

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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 23, 2017, which set a new record for intermodal traffic in both the U.S. and Canada.

Norfolk Southern Corp. has appointed William Galanko executive vice president law and administration and John Scheib, senior vice president law and corporate relations, the company announced yesterday.

Scheib will oversee law, government relations and corporate communications, and report to Galanko. Galanko will have responsibility for human resources and labor relations, in addition to the areas reporting to Scheib, according to an NS press release.

Following completion of recent track improvement projects, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad will begin schedule changes to certain Harlem Line and Hudson Line trains on October 8. All new fall schedule adjustments are three minutes or less in effort to improve on-time performance.

Metro-North crews undertook an 18-week comprehensive track improvement project that took one of three tracks between Mount Vernon West and Crestwood out of service, reducing operating capacity. To address the reduced track capacity, schedules of a small number of peak-period trains were temporarily adjusted, mostly between one and six minutes.

Following completion of recent track improvement projects, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad will begin schedule changes to certain Harlem Line and Hudson Line trains on October 8. All new fall schedule adjustments are three minutes or less in effort to improve on-time performance.

Metro-North crews undertook an 18-week comprehensive track improvement project that took one of three tracks between Mount Vernon West and Crestwood out of service, reducing operating capacity. To address the reduced track capacity, schedules of a small number of peak-period trains were temporarily adjusted, mostly between one and six minutes.

Trimble introduced a new addition to its track survey and scanning rail portfolio—the Trimble GEDO IMS System.

"The latest trolley system is lightweight, flexible and fast," the company says.

Trimble introduced a new addition to its track survey and scanning rail portfolio—the Trimble GEDO IMS System.

"The latest trolley system is lightweight, flexible and fast," the company says.

German industrial group Siemens and French competitor Alstom announced yesterday they've agreed to merge their rail operations.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Siemens would receive newly issued shares in the combined company representing 50 percent of Alstom's share capital on a fully diluted basis, according to a jointly issue press release.

For Immediate Release

AAR Calls for Policymakers to Seize Opportunity with Tax Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 27, 2017 – Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), issued the following statement applauding the latest details on tax reform, released by the U.S. Congress and Trump administration: