Railroad News

An SUV driver's actions are the probable cause of a fatal 2015 collision between the vehicle and an MTA Metro-North Railroad train at a grade crossing in Valhalla, New York, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced yesterday.

The collision resulted in the deaths of the SUV driver and five passengers on the train in the Feb. 3, 2015, accident. The passengers were killed when 343 feet of the third rail, which powers the train, penetrated the floor of the first rail car and struck passengers, NTSB said in its final report on the accident investigation.

Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger yesterday testified before the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) regulatory reform task force on proposed regulatory measures.

In prepared remarks, Hamberger reiterated AAR's call for the STB to promote and defend the economic regulatory structure Congress established through the Staggers Act, which deregulated aspects of railroad pricing and routing.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman Joseph Lhota yesterday unveiled an action plan aimed at stabilizing and improving MTA New York City Transit's subway system.

The plan's initial phase will focus on the key drivers of nearly 80 percent of the major incidents that cause delays on the system. Those incidents include problems with signals, track and power, MTA officials said in a press release.

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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 22, 2017.

CN logged "solid" second-quarter 2017 financial results on strong volume growth across most commodity groups, the Class I reported yesterday.

CN's Q2 net income surged 20 percent to CA$1.03 billion, or CA$1.36 diluted earnings per share, compared with CA$858 million, or CA$1.10 diluted EPS, in the same period a year ago, according to a CN press release.

CN logged "solid" second-quarter 2017 financial results on strong volume growth across most commodity groups, the Class I reported yesterday.

CN's Q2 net income surged 20 percent to CA$1.03 billion, or CA$1.36 diluted earnings per share, compared with CA$858 million, or CA$1.10 diluted EPS, in the same period a year ago, according to a CN press release.

Norfolk Southern Corp. second-quarter 2017 net income rose 23 percent to $497 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, compared with the same quarter a year ago, the Class I reported this morning.

The profit growth was driven by a 15 percent increase in railway operations income, and an all-time record operating ratio of 66.3 percent, according to an NS press release.

Norfolk Southern Corp. second-quarter 2017 net income rose 23 percent to $497 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, compared with the same quarter a year ago, the Class I reported this morning.

The profit growth was driven by a 15 percent increase in railway operations income, and an all-time record operating ratio of 66.3 percent, according to an NS press release.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found yesterday that the probable cause of a deadly collision between an SUV and a Metro-North commuter train at a grade crossing in Valhalla, N.Y., in 2015 was due to the actions of the SUV driver.

The NTSB's investigation found the driver of the SUV moved her vehicle into the path of Metro-North commuter train 659 on February 3, 2015. The NTSB says investigators found traffic at the Commerce Street grade crossing was congested when the driver entered the boundary of the grade crossing and stopped. The grade crossing warning system activated properly and a gate came down, striking the rear of the Mercedes-Benz ML350. Witnesses said the driver exited the vehicle and examined where the gate hit the SUV. She then got back into the driver's seat and moved onto the railroad tracks and into the path of the oncoming train.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found yesterday that the probable cause of a deadly collision between an SUV and a Metro-North commuter train at a grade crossing in Valhalla, N.Y., in 2015 was due to the actions of the SUV driver.

The NTSB's investigation found the driver of the SUV moved her vehicle into the path of Metro-North commuter train 659 on February 3, 2015. The NTSB says investigators found traffic at the Commerce Street grade crossing was congested when the driver entered the boundary of the grade crossing and stopped. The grade crossing warning system activated properly and a gate came down, striking the rear of the Mercedes-Benz ML350. Witnesses said the driver exited the vehicle and examined where the gate hit the SUV. She then got back into the driver's seat and moved onto the railroad tracks and into the path of the oncoming train.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found yesterday that the probable cause of a deadly collision between an SUV and a Metro-North commuter train at a grade crossing in Valhalla, N.Y., in 2015 was due to the actions of the SUV driver.

The NTSB's investigation found the driver of the SUV moved her vehicle into the path of Metro-North commuter train 659 on February 3, 2015. The NTSB says investigators found traffic at the Commerce Street grade crossing was congested when the driver entered the boundary of the grade crossing and stopped. The grade crossing warning system activated properly and a gate came down, striking the rear of the Mercedes-Benz ML350. Witnesses said the driver exited the vehicle and examined where the gate hit the SUV. She then got back into the driver's seat and moved onto the railroad tracks and into the path of the oncoming train.

Global design and consulting firm Arup has been chosen to lead the feasibility reassessment of the North-South Rail Link (NSRL) project, a proposed new rail connection between two central Boston commuter hubs.

Global design and consulting firm Arup has been chosen to lead the feasibility reassessment of the North-South Rail Link (NSRL) project, a proposed new rail connection between two central Boston commuter hubs.

Global design and consulting firm Arup has been chosen to lead the feasibility reassessment of the North-South Rail Link (NSRL) project, a proposed new rail connection between two central Boston commuter hubs.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao appointed David Horner and Steve McMillin to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of directors on Monday.

Chosen for their "extensive backgrounds in U.S. transportation infrastructure, innovative financing, and federal regulatory policy," Secretary Chao said that the two men will "help improve the performance and reliability of this vital transit system in the nation's capital."

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao appointed David Horner and Steve McMillin to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of directors on Monday.

Chosen for their "extensive backgrounds in U.S. transportation infrastructure, innovative financing, and federal regulatory policy," Secretary Chao said that the two men will "help improve the performance and reliability of this vital transit system in the nation's capital."

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao appointed David Horner and Steve McMillin to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of directors on Monday.

Chosen for their "extensive backgrounds in U.S. transportation infrastructure, innovative financing, and federal regulatory policy," Secretary Chao said that the two men will "help improve the performance and reliability of this vital transit system in the nation's capital."

Laura Fotiou, 28

Job description: Fotiou has worked in the railroad industry for nearly four years. At Amtrak, she ensures compliance with environmental regulations at stations, yards and facilities; enhances recycling and sustainability initiatives; and tracks greenhouse gas emissions for Amtrak’s corporate reduction goal and its annual report to the Carbon Disclosure Project. Fotiou also volunteers for the family assistance branch of the Amtrak response team that helps passengers and their families at accident sites.

Education: Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, B.S. in chemistry; University of Pennsylvania, M.S. in applied geosciences

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has reopened the Illinois Medical District Station's Damen Avenue entrance, the agency announced yesterday.

The development marked a milestone in CTA's $23 million renovation of the Blue Line station, which serves more than 940,000 riders each year and provides access to four major hospital systems.

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HAMBERGER TO STB: BALANCED ECONOMIC REGULATION SPURS PRIVATE INVESTMENT, WORKS FOR RAIL CUSTOMERS & RAILROADS