Railroad News

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is conducting high-tech rail inspections, switch replacement and other track work between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma in the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 19.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) says the double track project will increase track capacity, service frequency and reliability on the Ronkonkoma Branch, as well as spur economic activity, provide hundreds of construction jobs and improve LIRR service to Long Island MacArthur Airport. The double track project will dramatically reduce delays on the LIRR and enable more off-peak service in both directions.

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to begin full passenger train service on Aug. 25.

"We are proud to say that we are ready to roll," said SMART Board of Directors Chairwoman Debora Fudge. "This is the result of years of hard work from SMART's staff, its team of contractors and consultants and Federal Railroad Administration Regional Administrator James Jordan and his team. Successfully opening a new transit system is a major accomplishment—and we will remember this day for generations to come."

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to begin full passenger train service on Aug. 25.

"We are proud to say that we are ready to roll," said SMART Board of Directors Chairwoman Debora Fudge. "This is the result of years of hard work from SMART's staff, its team of contractors and consultants and Federal Railroad Administration Regional Administrator James Jordan and his team. Successfully opening a new transit system is a major accomplishment—and we will remember this day for generations to come."

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx are moving forward with the procurement process for the Hurontario Light Rail Transit project and Davenport Diamond Rail Grade Separation project.

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx are moving forward with the procurement process for the Hurontario Light Rail Transit project and Davenport Diamond Rail Grade Separation project.

CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison has fired back at a coalition of rail-shipper trade associations that complained to Congress about rail-service disruptions as the Class I implements a restructuring aimed at improving efficiency.

In a letter sent Wednesday to the Rail Customer Coalition (RCC), Harrison said CSX was disappointed at the "many unfounded and grossly exaggerated statements" the group has made about CSX's service performance as the Class I implements precision scheduled railroading.

CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison has fired back at a coalition of rail-shipper trade associations that complained to Congress about rail-service disruptions as the Class I implements a restructuring aimed at improving efficiency.

In a letter sent Wednesday to the Rail Customer Coalition (RCC), Harrison said CSX was disappointed at the "many unfounded and grossly exaggerated statements" the group has made about CSX's service performance as the Class I implements precision scheduled railroading.

Four Florida counties have established the Gulf to Gadsden Freight Logistics Zone (FLZ) to enable freight transportation and infrastructure services to become a platform for broader economic development.

The establishment of the FLZ can provide the counties of Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty and Franklin with priority for state funding and incentives when pursuing certain projects within the zone.

The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) later this month will provide free rides on a portion of its A-train commuter-rail line in North Texas.

Beginning Aug. 28, rides between the Downtown Denton Transit Center and the MedPark Station will not require fares. Trips between the Hebron Station and Trinity Mills Station also will be free.

CN has hired Andrea Waldock Niethold to serve as the Class I's director of government affairs in Washington, D.C.

Waldock Niethold brings a wide range of transportation policy experience to her new role, CN officials said in a press release.

CN has hired Andrea Waldock Niethold to serve as the Class I's director of government affairs in Washington, D.C.

Waldock Niethold brings a wide range of transportation policy experience to her new role, CN officials said in a press release.

A phased, multi-modal approach to the Dumbarton Highway and Rail Bridges will improve transport options and times between Alameda and San Mateo counties in California, according to a recently released study.

The study, funded by Facebook, which is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., looked at various ways to improve transportation along the Dumbarton corridor. In light of the traffic congestion and continued growth in the corridor, there have been efforts to push for studying transportation alternatives and options to connect the two counties in the near- and long-term.

A phased, multi-modal approach to the Dumbarton Highway and Rail Bridges will improve transport options and times between Alameda and San Mateo counties in California, according to a recently released study.

The study, funded by Facebook, which is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., looked at various ways to improve transportation along the Dumbarton corridor. In light of the traffic congestion and continued growth in the corridor, there have been efforts to push for studying transportation alternatives and options to connect the two counties in the near- and long-term.

Metra's Board of Directors has elevated its chief mechanical officer to serve as the commuter agency's next executive director/CEO.

James M. Derwinski will take over from Don Orseno, who is retiring at the end of 2017. Derwinski currently oversees the repair, inspection, cleaning and maintenance of nearly 1,200 railcars and locomotives including in-house railcar and locomotive rehabilitation, a contract for locomotive remanufacturing and the installation of Positive Train Control on cab cars and engines. .

Metra's Board of Directors has elevated its chief mechanical officer to serve as the commuter agency's next executive director/CEO.

James M. Derwinski will take over from Don Orseno, who is retiring at the end of 2017. Derwinski currently oversees the repair, inspection, cleaning and maintenance of nearly 1,200 railcars and locomotives including in-house railcar and locomotive rehabilitation, a contract for locomotive remanufacturing and the installation of Positive Train Control on cab cars and engines. .

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and ELERTS Corp. yesterday rolled out the SEPTA Transit Watch app, which enables riders to report security or safety issues to agency police.

Passengers can use the app to anonymously send photos or videos with GPS locations to alert police of potential criminal behavior, SEPTA officials said in a press release.

Andrea Waldock Niethold, former chief of staff to Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), has been named the director of government affairs for Canadian National.

Waldock Niethold worked with Rep. Barletta for the past five and a half years serving as his legislative director before being named chief of staff. CN says she "brings a wide range of transportation policy experiences and expertise to her new role."

Andrea Waldock Niethold, former chief of staff to Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), has been named the director of government affairs for Canadian National.

Waldock Niethold worked with Rep. Barletta for the past five and a half years serving as his legislative director before being named chief of staff. CN says she "brings a wide range of transportation policy experiences and expertise to her new role."

U.S. railroads logged 268,364 carloads for the week ending Aug. 12, a 0.3 percent increase compared with carload activity in the same week a year ago, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Combined with intermodal volume, U.S. railroads posted 548,790 carloads, containers and trailers during the week, a 2.7 percent increase compared with a year ago. Intermodal volume rose 5.1 percent to 280,426 units for the week.