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Aug
11

Rising Stars: Mike Stickel, Lake State Railway Co.

Mike Stickel, 37

Job description: Stickel is responsible for commercial, transportation and mechanical functions at Lake State Railway Co. (LSRC) in Michigan.

Education: B.S. in finance, Indiana University Kelley School of Business

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Aug
11

Rethinking coal in current context — analysis by Tony Hatch

Tony Hatch is an independent transportation analyst and consultant, and a program consultant for Progressive Railroading’s RailTrends® conference. Email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Aug
10

DCTA releases results of passenger satisfaction survey

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/10/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The agency's services include the A-train commuter-rail line.Photo – DCTA

Eighty-two percent of Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) riders who participated in a recent survey said they'd recommend the agency's services to a family member or friend.

The Texas agency sent out the surveys in April. A total of 2,617 riders responded, or about 22 percent of DCTA's average daily ridership for that month, agency officials said in a press release.

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Aug
10

BART preps for El Cerrito del Norte Station upgrades

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/10/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Rendering of the expanded station and improved Ohlone Greenway.Photo – BART

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) last week began preparations for its long-term modernization project at the El Cerrito del Norte Station in Contra Costa County, California.

The agency's contractor removed 42 parking spaces at the corner of the station's parking lot to provide storage and trailer space for the construction crew. The area was fenced off Aug. 2.

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Aug
10

BTS: Rail intermodal logged fastest growth since Great Recession

All but one of the major freight modes grew since the recession ended in June 2009, with rail intermodal growing the fastest, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported last week.

From June 2009 to December 2016, the rail-intermodal mode grew 50.6 percent based on seasonally adjusted data that comprises the freight Transportation Services Index (TSI), BTS officials said in a press release.

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Aug
10

MBTA to wrap up PTC work on Newburyport Line

Rail News Home Positive Train Control 8/10/2017 Rail News: Positive Train Control
The work is slated to wrap up a month ahead of schedule.Photo – MBTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will finish installing positive train control (PTC) on the Newburyport/Rockport Line by Aug. 27, a month ahead of schedule.

As a result, weekend PTC installation on the Needham Line will begin several weeks earlier than planned, MBTA officials said in a press release.

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Aug
10

U.S. railroads post carload, intermodal gains in Week 31

U.S. railroads moved 554,822 carloads and intermodal units in the week that ended Aug. 5, a 4.3 percent increase compared with the same period a year ago, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data.

The railroads logged total carloads of 273,199 units, up 1.9 percent compared with the same week in 2016. U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 281,623 containers and trailers, up 6.8 percent compared to 2016.

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Aug
10

APTA to recognize RTA's Dillard for distinguished service

Rail News Home Railroading People 8/10/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
Kirk DillardPhoto – rtachicago.org

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has chosen Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Northeastern Illinois Chairman Kirk Dillard to receive the 2017 Local Distinguished Service Award.

The award is given to an individual who has made significant contributions at the local level to public transportation through policy, legislative initiative and leadership.

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Aug
10

Former NS exec Tobias dies at 72

Former Norfolk Southern Corp. Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Stephen Tobias died Monday, the company reported yesterday. He was 72.

A 40-year veteran of NS, Tobias retired from the company in 2009. During his tenure, he "achieved an unparalleled legacy for employee safety and operational efficiency," NS officials said in a prepared statement.

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Aug
10

Cross border bridge between U.S. and Mexico to be rehabbed

A recently recommended federal transportation grant isn't simply helping to perform work on a shortline in Texas, it's helping repair a key cross border link between the U.S. and Mexico.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation included the Texas Department of Transportation on a list of 10 Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant recipients. The $7 million grant will help rebuild the Presidio-Ojinaga International Rail Bridge and 72 miles of track on the state-owned South Orient Rail Line that runs from the border to near Coleman, Texas.

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Aug
10

Cross border bridge between U.S. and Mexico to be rehabbed

A recently recommended federal transportation grant isn't simply helping to perform work on a shortline in Texas, it's helping repair a key cross border link between the U.S. and Mexico.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation included the Texas Department of Transportation on a list of 10 Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant recipients. The $7 million grant will help rebuild the Presidio-Ojinaga International Rail Bridge and 72 miles of track on the state-owned South Orient Rail Line that runs from the border to near Coleman, Texas.

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Aug
10

Cross border bridge between U.S. and Mexico to be rehabbed

A recently recommended federal transportation grant isn't simply helping to perform work on a shortline in Texas, it's helping repair a key cross border link between the U.S. and Mexico.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation included the Texas Department of Transportation on a list of 10 Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant recipients. The $7 million grant will help rebuild the Presidio-Ojinaga International Rail Bridge and 72 miles of track on the state-owned South Orient Rail Line that runs from the border to near Coleman, Texas.

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Aug
10

CTDOT selects Cianbro-Middlesex JV for two Walk Bridge Program projects

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has selected Cianbro-Middlesex Joint Venture for the CP243 Interlocking and Danbury Branch Dockyard projects in Norwalk.

The $237-million contract is the first that CTDOT has awarded under the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) alternative contracting method. CTDOT notes that the CM/GC process encourages innovation, leads to schedule certainty and reduces risk during the construction phase. Further, the contract value is a negotiated price that is verified against an independent cost estimate prepared by a professional estimating firm.

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Aug
10

CTDOT selects Cianbro-Middlesex JV for two Walk Bridge Program projects

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has selected Cianbro-Middlesex Joint Venture for the CP243 Interlocking and Danbury Branch Dockyard projects in Norwalk.

The $237-million contract is the first that CTDOT has awarded under the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) alternative contracting method. CTDOT notes that the CM/GC process encourages innovation, leads to schedule certainty and reduces risk during the construction phase. Further, the contract value is a negotiated price that is verified against an independent cost estimate prepared by a professional estimating firm.

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Aug
10

CTDOT selects Cianbro-Middlesex JV for two Walk Bridge Program projects

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has selected Cianbro-Middlesex Joint Venture for the CP243 Interlocking and Danbury Branch Dockyard projects in Norwalk.

The $237-million contract is the first that CTDOT has awarded under the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) alternative contracting method. CTDOT notes that the CM/GC process encourages innovation, leads to schedule certainty and reduces risk during the construction phase. Further, the contract value is a negotiated price that is verified against an independent cost estimate prepared by a professional estimating firm.

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Aug
10

Rep. Carter tours Temple & Central Rwy.

Shortline railroads continue to emphasize their role as a critical economic link and job provider in events with elected representatives.

Rep. John Carter, a Republican from the 31st District, on Wednesday met with company executives to tour the Temple & Central Texas Railway, one of 12 short line railroads managed by Patriot Rail Company LLC, a member of the American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association.

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Aug
10

Rep. Carter tours Temple & Central Rwy.

Shortline railroads continue to emphasize their role as a critical economic link and job provider in events with elected representatives.

Rep. John Carter, a Republican from the 31st District, on Wednesday met with company executives to tour the Temple & Central Texas Railway, one of 12 short line railroads managed by Patriot Rail Company LLC, a member of the American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association.

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Aug
10

SLSI: Study reveals themes that influence railroads' safety culture

After reviewing a year's worth of safety culture assessments at short lines and regionals, the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has identified areas in need of improvement through training and education, the institute announced yesterday.

The SLSI recently reviewed the results of a study of its safety culture assessments completed during the pilot program and first year of the institute's operations. The study pointed to three measurement categories that influence a positive safety culture, as well as areas in need of improvement, SLSI officials said in a press release.

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Aug
10

SLSI completes safety culture assessment

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) will develop training and education efforts to address and enhance railroad safety culture following the completion of a systematic review of Safety Culture Assessments.

 

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Aug
10

SLSI completes safety culture assessment

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) will develop training and education efforts to address and enhance railroad safety culture following the completion of a systematic review of Safety Culture Assessments.

 

Continue reading