Skip to main content
Aug
30

FTA certifies Ohio for rail safety program; announces new deputy

Ohio this week became the first state in the country to have its state safety oversight (SSO) program certified by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Under a final rule that went into effect in April 2016, the FTA requires strengthened SSO programs at transit-rail agencies. The rule also provides greater authority for SSO agencies to oversee their transit agencies.

Continue reading
Aug
30

BNSF, UP begin hurricane repairs in Houston area

BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad provided updates on the status of their operations in the Gulf Coast area, as flooding in Houston and parts of southeastern Texas continued in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Several BNSF subdivisions remain out of service due to multiple washouts and high water. As a result, all traffic destined to or originating from Houston — as well as traffic scheduled to route through the area — remains suspended, according to a BNSF announcement.

Continue reading
Aug
29

Rail supplier news from Bombardier, L.B. Foster, RATP, Mott MacDonald and Road and Rail (Aug. 29)

Bombardier Transportation obtained a $143.7 million contract from the London Underground to supply new motors and traction control equipment for the subway's fleet of Central line trains. The contract requires Bombardier to provide ongoing maintenance support until 2024. Bombardier's re-traction project is part of the London Underground's larger Central line improvement program, which calls for a number of enhancements to reduce failures on the route. For the program, Bombardier is replacing direct current traction motors on Central line trains with the latest MITRAC alternating current traction systems and traction control equipment, company officials said in a press release. In total, Bombardier will supply new motors and traction control for 85 eight-car Central line trains.

L.B. Foster Co. has appointed James Maloney senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. He'll join the company on Sept. 18. Based in L.B. Foster's office in Pittsburgh, Maloney will oversee global finances and accounting, as well as investor relations. He previously served as CFO at First Insight Inc., a company providing consumer data to global retailers and brands. Before that, Maloney was vice president-global financial planning and supply chain finance at H.J. Heinz Co., where he managed strategic and annual operating plans.

Continue reading
Aug
29

Pittsburgh transit agency adds Wi-Fi to seven light-rail stations

The Port Authority of Allegheny County and Comcast yesterday announced Wi-Fi availability at seven of Pittsburgh's busiest light-rail stations.

In January, the agency's board approved a seven-year, nonexclusive agreement with Comcast. The pact permitted Comcast to install wireless hotspots at the Station Square, First Avenue, Steel Plaza, Wood Street, Gateway, North Side and Allegheny stations.

Continue reading
Aug
29

Virginia port hosts largest ship to call on East Coast

The largest container shop to arrive on the U.S. East Coast made its first stop yesterday at the Port of Virginia.

The 1,200-foot CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt, which has a capacity of 14,400 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), was guided through the Norfolk Harbor yesterday morning, port officials announced in a press release.

Continue reading
Aug
29

Michigan DOT unveils state freight plan

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 8/29/2017 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
In 2014, railroads handled 21 percent of the freight that moved to, from, within and through Michigan.Photo – Michigan DOT

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released its draft Michigan Freight Plan, a supplement to the 2040 MI Transportation Plan.

The Michigan Freight Plan provides a comprehensive overview of the state's freight transportation system, including existing assets, system performance and investments needed to "ensure long-term success," MDOT officials said in a press release. 

Continue reading
Aug
29

Rail service suspensions extended in Texas; UP, CSX pledge funds to hurricane relief

Freight- and passenger-rail services remain suspended in Southeast Texas as Tropical Storm Harvey continues to cause rainfall and widespread flooding, railroads and industry associations announced.

Amtrak, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and Class Is announced yesterday that service disruptions and suspensions will remain in effect, according to service alerts and press releases.

Continue reading
Aug
29

Amtrak unveils new Siemens Charger locomotive

Amtrak's new Siemens Charger locomotives have begun serving riders in Illinois and Wisconsin, the railroad announced yesterday.

The units are slated to operate on state-sponsored routes in the Midwest. The locomotives feature the new "Amtrak Midwest" logo to promote the five-state network of trains, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

Continue reading
Aug
29

CSX updates STB on restructuring plan

CSX has responded to the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) request for details on the Class I's new operating plan for the remainder of the year.

In a letter to STB Acting Chairwoman Ann Begeman, CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison described the railroad's plan for implementing precision scheduled railroading (PSR) across the CSX network and throughout its organization.

Continue reading
Aug
29

CSX updates STB on restructuring plan

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 8/29/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
CSX has responded to the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) request for details on the Class I's new operating plan for the remainder of the year.In a letter to STB Acting Chairwoman Ann Begeman, CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison described the railroad's plan for implementing precision scheduled railroading (PSR) across the CSX network and throughout its organization. Harrison noted that the new system addresses five key "pillars" by improving service, controlling costs, optimizing the use of assets, operating safely and developing employees.  "We are intensely focused on maintaining a balanced train network, reducing freight transit time by minimizing crew handlings, and scheduling each car and train in a manner that delivers optimal results for our customers," Harrison wrote.Since it began the PSR process several months ago, CSX's principal efforts to date have included:• balancing the scheduled network. The Class I consolidated inefficient unit trains into the merchandise network, which enabled more opportunities for service seven days a week.
• customer service and communication. Over the past three weeks, CSX has placed commercial personnel at "challenged" field locations to improve communications with customers that have expressed concerns.
• conversion of hump facilities to flat switching yards. CSX changed its Atlanta, Hamlet, Stanley, Cumberland and Louisville hump facilities into flat switching operations during the first four months of PSR implementation. The change reduced freight handlings and transit time for traffic processed at those terminals. The Class I then converted the operations at Birmingham and Nashville, as well as at Avon. "We have since resumed humping operations in Avon to relieve regional congestion, leaving us with five hump yards," Harrison wrote, adding that the goal is to find the right balance of hump and flat yards to optimize efficiency.
• asset utilization enhancements. CSX has been extensively reviewing its assets to meet customer service needs and market demands.
• updated metrics. The railroad announced last week a new series of metrics that "more accurately monitor the health and efficiency of our railroad, and hold us accountable for meeting our goals," Harrison's letter stated.Begeman had asked Harrison for the update as part of the STB's ongoing monitoring of CSX after several shippers complained in recent weeks of service interruption and delays as the railroad implements its restructuring plan.On Sept. 12, the STB will hold a "listening session" on the CSX restructuring plan.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 8/29/2017


Aug
29

FTA approves $900 million for Maryland light-rail line

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has signed a $900 million federal grant agreement for Maryland's Purple Line light-rail project, the agency announced yesterday.

The signing coincided with a groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday in Hyattsville, Maryland. The 16.2-mile light-rail line will connect to three Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rail lines, all three Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) rail lines and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor trains.

Continue reading
Aug
29

Spearing named HNTB PM/CM practice leader

HNTB Corporation named Thomas J. Spearing III national transit program management/construction management (PM/CM) practice leader.

Spearing joined the company in 2016 as New York office leader and senior vice president. He will be based in the firms Philadelphia office for this newly created role.

Continue reading
Aug
29

Spearing named HNTB PM/CM practice leader

HNTB Corporation named Thomas J. Spearing III national transit program management/construction management (PM/CM) practice leader.

Spearing joined the company in 2016 as New York office leader and senior vice president. He will be based in the firms Philadelphia office for this newly created role.

Continue reading
Aug
29

Spearing named HNTB PM/CM practice leader

HNTB Corporation named Thomas J. Spearing III national transit program management/construction management (PM/CM) practice leader.

Spearing joined the company in 2016 as New York office leader and senior vice president. He will be based in the firms Philadelphia office for this newly created role.

Continue reading
Aug
29

Maryland Purple Line receives federal funding; begins construction

The Maryland Purple Line project was able to mark two milestones Monday as officials signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and began construction activities.

 

Continue reading
Aug
29

Maryland Purple Line receives federal funding; begins construction

The Maryland Purple Line project was able to mark two milestones Monday as officials signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and began construction activities.

 

Continue reading
Aug
29

Maryland Purple Line receives federal funding; begins construction

The Maryland Purple Line project was able to mark two milestones Monday as officials signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and began construction activities.

 

Continue reading
Aug
28

AASHTO: Trump administration to talk infrastructure with state DOTs

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 8/28/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday with state departments of transportation officials and others to discuss the Trump administration's ideas for infrastructure investment.The event's purpose "will be to underscore the need for a different approach, outline our draft guiding principles, and allow you all to brainstorm actions to help carry this conversation on the need for change and the opportunity to empower state and local leaders back to your states and communities," said the invitation as reported by the AASHTO Journal.Participants will meet with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Budget Director Mick Mulvaney and members of the President's National Economic Council and Special Assistant to the President for Infrastructure D.J. Gribbin, reported the Journal, which is published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).The event comes months after the administration has held meetings but has yet to unveil a detailed infrastructure plan. In his 2018 budget proposal, President Trump proposed $200 billion of direct federal infrastructure spending over 10 years, with the goal of using it to leverage an additional $800 billion in state, local and private investment.The president also has called for eliminating certain popular U.S. Department of Transportation funding programs, including Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 8/28/2017


Aug
28

Metrolinx names Verster CEO

Metrolinx's board has appointed Phil Verster as the agency's new president and chief executive officer.

He'll begin his duties Oct. 1. Verster succeeds Bruce McCuaig, who earlier this year stepped down to serve in the Privy Council Office in support of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Continue reading
Aug
28

Grain pact to benefit terminal on Alton & Southern Railway line

COFCO International Ltd. (CIL) and grain cooperative Growmark Inc. have formed a new partnership that includes joint ownership and operation of a rail, barge and truck terminal on the Mississippi River in Cahokia, Illinois.

The pact includes a grain origination agreement. Additionally, Growmark will staff a grain merchandiser in CIL's St. Louis office to originate grain and service patron accounts, company officials said in a joint press release.

Continue reading