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Sep
06

Union Pacific replaces Deval diamond in 48 hours

Union Pacific credits teamwork and planning for the successful replacement of the 100,000-pound, five-track Deval diamond in a little over 48 hours.

Union Pacific says about 90 employees worked in 12-hour shifts through late-night hours and constant rain to replace the Deval diamond in Des Plaines, Ill., where three of UP's Harvard Subdivision tracks cross two Milwaukee Subdivision tracks. Crews used five track-hoes and four end-loaders to complete the $2-million task.

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Sep
06

Union Pacific replaces Deval diamond in 48 hours

Union Pacific credits teamwork and planning for the successful replacement of the 100,000-pound, five-track Deval diamond in a little over 48 hours.

Union Pacific says about 90 employees worked in 12-hour shifts through late-night hours and constant rain to replace the Deval diamond in Des Plaines, Ill., where three of UP's Harvard Subdivision tracks cross two Milwaukee Subdivision tracks. Crews used five track-hoes and four end-loaders to complete the $2-million task.

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Sep
06

Union Pacific replaces Deval diamond in 48 hours

Union Pacific credits teamwork and planning for the successful replacement of the 100,000-pound, five-track Deval diamond in a little over 48 hours.

Union Pacific says about 90 employees worked in 12-hour shifts through late-night hours and constant rain to replace the Deval diamond in Des Plaines, Ill., where three of UP's Harvard Subdivision tracks cross two Milwaukee Subdivision tracks. Crews used five track-hoes and four end-loaders to complete the $2-million task.

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Sep
06

Hurricane Harvey: RRB reminds rail workers of unemployment benefits

Rail News Home Labor 9/6/2017 Rail News: Labor
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) last week notified rail employees who are out of work due to Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath that they may qualify for unemployment benefits. To determine eligibility or file claims for benefits, affected railroaders can call RRB's telephone number or visit its website. Railroad unemployment benefits normally are paid for four or more days without work in 14-day registration periods, RRB officials said in a press release.Meanwhile, railroads in the Houston area are continuing to make repairs and resume service where possible. Union Pacific Railroad yesterday announced that its Baytown, Coleto Creek and Strang subdivisions have resumed service.The Class I's primary focus yesterday was working to open lines between Houston and Beaumont, Texas. Once that portion of track is opened, UP will be able to operate traffic directly from Livonia and Avondale, Louisiana, to Houston without the need to run trains through Pine Bluff, Arkansas.Houston METRO yesterday resumed regular service on all three of its light-rail lines. The agency last week restored limited service on its Red Line rail route.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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Sep
06

Keith Parker steps down from MARTA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) General Manager and CEO Keith Parker will step down after nearly five years of service.

Led by MARTA Chairman Robbie Ashe, the board will vote to approve an interim general manager in an upcoming session and will launch a national search for a permanent chief executive.

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Sep
06

Keith Parker steps down from MARTA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) General Manager and CEO Keith Parker will step down after nearly five years of service.

Led by MARTA Chairman Robbie Ashe, the board will vote to approve an interim general manager in an upcoming session and will launch a national search for a permanent chief executive.

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Sep
06

Keith Parker steps down from MARTA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) General Manager and CEO Keith Parker will step down after nearly five years of service.

Led by MARTA Chairman Robbie Ashe, the board will vote to approve an interim general manager in an upcoming session and will launch a national search for a permanent chief executive.

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Sep
06

Amtrak to prep diesel locomotives for PTC

Amtrak is preparing to equip 310 locomotives with positive train control (PTC) technology and comply with the federal deadline by Dec. 31, 2018.

The equipment will be installed on Amtrak's diesel locomotives that operate primarily on the national Amtrak network and state-sponsored routes in the East and Midwest, the railroad announced in a press release.

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Sep
06

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for August and the Week Ending September 2, 2017

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 2, 2017, as well as volumes for August 2017, which was the best month in history for intermodal traffic. 

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Sep
06

RTA: Crosstie production, purchases decline in July

Rail News Home Maintenance Of Way 9/6/2017 Rail News: Maintenance Of Way
In July, crosstie production fell 8.9 percent to 1.6 million units and purchases dropped 9.8 percent to 2.2 million units from June levels, according to the Railway Tie Association's (RTA) monthly market report.Compared with year-ago levels, production plunged nearly 25.9 percent, while purchases remained the same. Production during the first seven months of 2017 declined 21.9 percent to 12.65 million units, while purchases fell 9.6 percent to 13.7 million units compared with the same period in 2016."Purchases are in a downward trend at a 9.3 percent annual rate," the RTA report stated. "Production is also trending lower and is down by [a] 16.5 percent annual rate." 

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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Sep
06

MARTA CEO Parker to resign

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Keith Parker yesterday announced that he will step down from his agency post to accept a new job as president and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia.

Parker will move on after serving as MARTA's leader for nearly five years.

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Sep
06

Gov. Ige signs Honolulu rail funding bill

Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed a bill that includes a $2.4-billion package to fund the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) rail project's full 20-mile build out.

 

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Sep
06

Gov. Ige signs Honolulu rail funding bill

Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed a bill that includes a $2.4-billion package to fund the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) rail project's full 20-mile build out.

 

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Sep
06

Nova Scotia, railway OK Cape Breton rail line preservation agreement

Officials representing the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway Ltd. and Nova Scotia, Canada, have signed a one-year agreement to maintain the existing rail line between St. Peter's Junction, near Port Hawkesbury, and Sydney.

Under the agreement, the railway will not apply to abandon a portion of the line and the province will reimburse valid expenses up to CA$60,000 per month, according to a press release issued last week by Nova Scotia officials.

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Sep
06

CSX reports progress in shift to new operating model

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 9/6/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
CSX President and CEO E. Hunter HarrisonPhoto – Progressive Railroading archives

CSX has made "very good progress" in its transition to a precision scheduled railroading model, with the railroad returning to a "normal operating rhythm," President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison announced today.

Harrison is now confident many of the service problems recently reported by CSX customers "are behind us," according to a CSX press release.

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Sep
06

CSX reports progress in shift to new operating model

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 9/6/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
CSX President and CEO E. Hunter HarrisonPhoto – Progressive Railroading archives

CSX has made "very good progress" in its transition to a precision scheduled railroading model, with the railroad returning to a "normal operating rhythm," President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison announced today.

Harrison is now confident many of the service problems recently reported by CSX customers "are behind us," according to a CSX press release.

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Sep
06

Report: VA rail investment provides 250% return

A study by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) has found rail transportation operators in the area contribute more than $600 million to the commonwealth's general fund.

 

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Sep
06

Report: VA rail investment provides 250% return

A study by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) has found rail transportation operators in the area contribute more than $600 million to the commonwealth's general fund.

 

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Sep
05

APTA recognizes members for sustainability

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) last week recognized eight of its member organizations for sustainability achievements.

Amtrak and engineering firm TRC Cos. Inc. earned Gold Level recognition for their accomplishments. The national intercity passenger railroad has reduced electrical consumption at facilities through energy-efficient lighting products, automated building controls and facility-based energy plans.

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Sep
05

Hurricane Harvey: Class Is restore some service; NS donates $100,000

Union Pacific Railroad and Kansas City Southern yesterday announced progress in repairing rail infrastructure and restoring service in some areas following Hurricane Harvey's devastation in the Gulf region.

UP has gained access to its rail line near Crosby, Texas, and crews have begun repairs and restoration to the two lines that link Houston and Beaumont, Texas.

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