Railroad News

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.-3) joined representatives from Press-Seal Corporation and passenger rail advocacy groups to tour Press-Seal's Fort Wayne, Ind., facility.

Rep. Banks spent the day learning about Press-Seal's freight rail and transit products and discussed public policy priorities for the business and rail communities in greater Fort Wayne. The tour was led by Press-Seal Corporation's Director of Operations Peter Skinner. During the visit, Rep. Banks saw the manufacturing of several rail products, including nylon tie inserts for concrete rail ties, rail pads for switches and special track work and steel inserts used in concrete ties made for the transit industry.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.-3) joined representatives from Press-Seal Corporation and passenger rail advocacy groups to tour Press-Seal's Fort Wayne, Ind., facility.

Rep. Banks spent the day learning about Press-Seal's freight rail and transit products and discussed public policy priorities for the business and rail communities in greater Fort Wayne. The tour was led by Press-Seal Corporation's Director of Operations Peter Skinner. During the visit, Rep. Banks saw the manufacturing of several rail products, including nylon tie inserts for concrete rail ties, rail pads for switches and special track work and steel inserts used in concrete ties made for the transit industry.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.-3) joined representatives from Press-Seal Corporation and passenger rail advocacy groups to tour Press-Seal's Fort Wayne, Ind., facility.

Rep. Banks spent the day learning about Press-Seal's freight rail and transit products and discussed public policy priorities for the business and rail communities in greater Fort Wayne. The tour was led by Press-Seal Corporation's Director of Operations Peter Skinner. During the visit, Rep. Banks saw the manufacturing of several rail products, including nylon tie inserts for concrete rail ties, rail pads for switches and special track work and steel inserts used in concrete ties made for the transit industry.

Aspen Equipment has added a new service branch in Davenport, Iowa, as well as a technical staff to operate it.

The company says it will offer field and bay services for construction equipment at the new branch. Aspen says the "seasoned technicians" will service a range of construction equipment including cranes, air compressors, hi-rail trucks, aerials, lifts, snow and ice control equipment and more.

Aspen Equipment has added a new service branch in Davenport, Iowa, as well as a technical staff to operate it.

The company says it will offer field and bay services for construction equipment at the new branch. Aspen says the "seasoned technicians" will service a range of construction equipment including cranes, air compressors, hi-rail trucks, aerials, lifts, snow and ice control equipment and more.

Aspen Equipment has added a new service branch in Davenport, Iowa, as well as a technical staff to operate it.

The company says it will offer field and bay services for construction equipment at the new branch. Aspen says the "seasoned technicians" will service a range of construction equipment including cranes, air compressors, hi-rail trucks, aerials, lifts, snow and ice control equipment and more.

Union Pacific Railroad is using helicopters and drones to inspect by air its track, bridges and signals in areas east and west of Houston where road access is unavailable due to flooding and storm damage from Hurricane Harvey.

As weather and access to storm-damaged areas allow, UP is inspecting and repairing track, bridges and signals to return rail service as quickly as possible, the railroad said in yesterday's customer notice. As of yesterday, the majority of of areas east of Houston were still inaccessible.

California Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Nancy Miller to serve on the California High Speed Rail Authority's (CHSRA) board.

Miller serves as senior counsel for Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai LLP.

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is increasing light-rail, bus and ferry fares by 25 cents starting Oct. 1.

The cost of one-way fares on each mode of transit will rise from $1.75 to $2. The change is the second phase of a planned fare increase for the system; the first phase took place in October 2014, when one-way fares rose from $1.50 to $1.75.

The Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) board has unveiled its 2025 strategic organizational plan, which is aimed at improving overall operations and customer service.

The plan's four main goals are improving the customer experience, adapting the agency to evolving governance, bringing finances under control and attracting new talent. STM was required by law to update its last strategic plan for 2020, which was approved in 2012, agency officials said in a press release.

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Cap Metro) in Austin, Texas, on Monday approved a $65.7 million contract with Modern Railway Systems Inc. to design, build and commission a positive train control (PTC) system for the Red Line commuter-rail route.

Under the contract, Modern Railway Systems will complete the work within 15 months, which will make Cap Metro eligible to apply for a two-year extension to the December 2018 deadline to implement PTC, agency officials said in a press release.

CN executives joined Port of Prince Rupert, DP World and other community leaders yesterday to mark the 10th anniversary of Fairview Container Terminal, as well as the recent completion of its expansion.

DP World's expansion increased Fairview Container Terminal's annual throughput capacity from 850,000 to 1.35 million 20-foot equivalent units, according to a press release issued by port officials.

CN executives joined Port of Prince Rupert, DP World and other community leaders yesterday to mark the 10th anniversary of Fairview Container Terminal, as well as the recent completion of its expansion.

DP World's expansion increased Fairview Container Terminal's annual throughput capacity from 850,000 to 1.35 million 20-foot equivalent units, according to a press release issued by port officials.

Ohio became the first state to complete the process and obtain a Federal Transit Administration-certified (FTA) State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program.

There are 30 states where rail transit systems operate that are required to obtain SSO Program certification. FTA is notifying these states of the SSO Program final rule, which took effect in April 2016, mandating states obtain program certification by April 15, 2019; a deadline that can not be waived or extended.

Ohio became the first state to complete the process and obtain a Federal Transit Administration-certified (FTA) State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program.

There are 30 states where rail transit systems operate that are required to obtain SSO Program certification. FTA is notifying these states of the SSO Program final rule, which took effect in April 2016, mandating states obtain program certification by April 15, 2019; a deadline that can not be waived or extended.

Ohio became the first state to complete the process and obtain a Federal Transit Administration-certified (FTA) State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program.

There are 30 states where rail transit systems operate that are required to obtain SSO Program certification. FTA is notifying these states of the SSO Program final rule, which took effect in April 2016, mandating states obtain program certification by April 15, 2019; a deadline that can not be waived or extended.

Texas' Capital Metro board of directors approved a contract with Modern Railway Systems, Inc. to design, build and commission a positive train control (PTC) system.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) currently regulates Capital Metro's commuter rail system. The approved contract will allow Modern Railway Systems to complete a portion of the work within 15 months, which will make the agency eligible to apply for a two-year extension to the December 2018 PTC deadline to complete the rest of the system.