Railroad News

New York and New Jersey's senatorial delegation are asking the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to reconsider a rule that would require sleep apnea testing of rail workers and commercial truck drivers.

CN moved a record 21.8 million metric tons of Western Canadian grain during the 2016-17 crop year, the Class I announced today.

Among the crop year's highlights, CN reported that it shipped 7 percent more tonnage on its network than the prior three-year average.

CN moved a record 21.8 million metric tons of Western Canadian grain during the 2016-17 crop year, the Class I announced today.

Among the crop year's highlights, CN reported that it shipped 7 percent more tonnage on its network than the prior three-year average.

New York Air Brake LLC has announced plans to move its peripheral product assembly in Watertown, New York, to Salisbury, North Carolina. The shift consolidates less complex assemblies into the North Carolina manufacturing hub, company officials said in a press release. The Watertown facility will remain the sole location for the design, testing and manufacture of freight-car brakes. Retaining the more complex assemblies enables New York Air Brake to create a "high-tech manufacturing hub," company officials said. The transition is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter and conclude in first-quarter 2018. The shift will affect 40 of the 425 workers at the Watertown plant.

The Watermill Group has acquired Andaray Holdings Ltd. and its Cooper & Turner subsidiary, which is a United Kingdom-based global manufacturer and distributor of large-diameter industrial fastener systems. Cooper & Turner will continue offering its existing product lines from its manufacturing sites and distribution centers. The company also will pursue new product, service and market opportunities around the world, Watermill Group officials said in a press release. Financial details of the transaction weren't disclosed.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Sept. 1 will wrap up reconstruction of the M Line's Fresh Pond Bridge.

The work is part of a $163 million project to replace two deteriorating M line overpasses. The first phase involves rebuilding the century-old Fresh Bond Bridge. Crews began reconstructing the bridge project in July.

Class Is employed 147,540 workers in the United States as of mid-July, down 0.7 percent from mid-June's level and 3.4 percent from mid-July 2016's mark, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

All six employment categories reflected workforce decreases on a month-over-month basis. The number of executives, officials and staff assistants declined 0.24 percent to 8,678; professional and administrative staff, 0.3 percent to 12,643; maintenance of way and structures workers, 0.57 percent to 33,849; maintenance of equipment and stores employees, 0.97 percent to 27,036; transportation (other than train and engine) ranks, 0.26 percent to 5,790; and transportation (train and engine) workers, 0.92 percent to 59,544.

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx late last week issued a request for proposals (RFP) to three teams to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Hurontario light-rail project.

The agencies in October 2016 released a request for qualifications to identify firms interested in leading the project. IO and Metrolinx picked the top three teams based on their construction, design, operation and maintenance capabilities, as well as their financial capacity.

Canadian Pacific has readied its Dedicated Train Program (DTP) in preparation for grain service during the 2017-18 crop year, the Class I announced today.

More than 75 percent of CP's grain service will employ the DTP this season. The program offers customers greater control of rail-car supply to manage their supply chain, CP officials said in a press release. Grain is the Class I’s largest line of business.

Canadian Pacific has readied its Dedicated Train Program (DTP) in preparation for grain service during the 2017-18 crop year, the Class I announced today.

More than 75 percent of CP's grain service will employ the DTP this season. The program offers customers greater control of rail-car supply to manage their supply chain, CP officials said in a press release. Grain is the Class I’s largest line of business.

HDR Inc. has been tapped to lead final design for GoTriangle's $2.48 billion Durham-Orange light-rail project in North Carolina.

HDR's team will design all 16 bridge structures on the project, and lead engineering and architecture for infrastructure along the entire 17.7-mile alignment. In addition, the company will lead track design, traffic management, utility relocation, site planning and roadway design, HDR officials said in a press release.

The reconstruction of Fresh Pond Bridge on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) M line is on schedule for a September 1 completion.

This marks the end of the first phase of the $163-million project to replace two deteriorating M line overpasses. MTA says that the rebuild was "essential" to "ensure safe and reliable service for thousands of customers in Brooklyn and Queens." Completion of the first phase of this project will allow the restoration of train service to four stations on the Myrtle Avenue line in Queens.

The reconstruction of Fresh Pond Bridge on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) M line is on schedule for a September 1 completion.

This marks the end of the first phase of the $163-million project to replace two deteriorating M line overpasses. MTA says that the rebuild was "essential" to "ensure safe and reliable service for thousands of customers in Brooklyn and Queens." Completion of the first phase of this project will allow the restoration of train service to four stations on the Myrtle Avenue line in Queens.

The reconstruction of Fresh Pond Bridge on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) M line is on schedule for a September 1 completion.

This marks the end of the first phase of the $163-million project to replace two deteriorating M line overpasses. MTA says that the rebuild was "essential" to "ensure safe and reliable service for thousands of customers in Brooklyn and Queens." Completion of the first phase of this project will allow the restoration of train service to four stations on the Myrtle Avenue line in Queens.

Kansas City Southern, U.S. Customers and Border Protection and Mexican Customs officials last week dedicated a new, joint unified cargo processing facility at the rail border crossing in Laredo, Texas.

The facility will be used to share nonintrusive inspection security scanning images; conduct Mexico export processing at the U.S. railhead; streamline documentation review of northbound trains; and conduct joint inspections when needed on inbound shipments.

Kansas City Southern, U.S. Customers and Border Protection and Mexican Customs officials last week dedicated a new, joint unified cargo processing facility at the rail border crossing in Laredo, Texas.

The facility will be used to share nonintrusive inspection security scanning images; conduct Mexico export processing at the U.S. railhead; streamline documentation review of northbound trains; and conduct joint inspections when needed on inbound shipments.

Port Freeport in Texas held a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 18 for Phase 1 of the Parcel 14 Rail Development project.

The port says the project is a long-term strategic objective and will enhance landside accessibilities, as well as supply chain efficiencies for the port's current and future users and for Brazoria County's petrochemical industry.

Port Freeport in Texas held a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 18 for Phase 1 of the Parcel 14 Rail Development project.

The port says the project is a long-term strategic objective and will enhance landside accessibilities, as well as supply chain efficiencies for the port's current and future users and for Brazoria County's petrochemical industry.

Port Freeport in Texas held a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 18 for Phase 1 of the Parcel 14 Rail Development project.

The port says the project is a long-term strategic objective and will enhance landside accessibilities, as well as supply chain efficiencies for the port's current and future users and for Brazoria County's petrochemical industry.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) released a research report that details the impact freight and passenger rail operations have on the state economy.

The report, Rail and the California Economy, is being released as an early research product supporting the 2018 California State Rail Plan and provides an overview of opportunities for rail to address the state's needs and challenges in the future.