Railroad News

Rail News Home Positive Train Control 5/30/2017 Rail News: Positive Train Control
The funds will be used to implement PTC on Metra's Milwaukee North and West lines.Photo – Metra

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved Port Everglades' plans for a $437.5-million expansion to add new berths for larger cargo ships and install infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax container cranes.

The most expensive capital project in the port's history, the Southport Turning Notch Expansion project will lengthen the existing deepwater turn-around area for cargo ships from approximately 900 feet to 2,400 feet, which will allow for up to five new cargo berths. The existing gantry crane rails will be extended to the full length of the extended Turning Notch berth to utilize the existing cranes. The port in June will seek approval for a separate agreement to purchase three new Super Post-Panamax container gantry cranes, to be delivered in 2019, with an option to purchase as many as three more, from the county commission.

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved Port Everglades' plans for a $437.5-million expansion to add new berths for larger cargo ships and install infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax container cranes.

The most expensive capital project in the port's history, the Southport Turning Notch Expansion project will lengthen the existing deepwater turn-around area for cargo ships from approximately 900 feet to 2,400 feet, which will allow for up to five new cargo berths. The existing gantry crane rails will be extended to the full length of the extended Turning Notch berth to utilize the existing cranes. The port in June will seek approval for a separate agreement to purchase three new Super Post-Panamax container gantry cranes, to be delivered in 2019, with an option to purchase as many as three more, from the county commission.

Rail News Home Railroading People 5/30/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
John HellmannPhoto – Genesee & Wyoming Inc.

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 5/26/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed bipartisan legislation to eliminate certain regulations under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approved use of pesticides.H.R. 953 would eliminate "pointless duplication of regulation over the lawful use of pesticides," said House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) in a press release. "Under this bill, the use of pesticides will continue to be properly regulated, but without excessive burdens on communities, farmers, and private citizens, and without requirements that cause federal and state agencies to spend limited funds on red tape instead of on protecting public health," Shuster added.The bill was supported by a coalition of businesses and organizations that use pesticides. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/26/2017

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 5/26/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is requesting a $37.1 million budget for operating costs in fiscal-year 2018, up slightly over the board's FY2017 appropriations and 15 percent over FY2016.STB is seeking an increase in funding to fill staff vacancies, improve its information technology systems and continue to carry out directives under the STB Reauthorization Act enacted in December 2015.Additionally, the board is requesting $1.6 million to cover lease renewal and costs for a planned relocation of the staff's offices.The Freight Rail Customer Alliance (FRCA) yesterday issued a press release to advocate for an increased budget at STB."In this difficult budgetary environment, we are pleased that the Trump administration saw fit to provide an increase for the STB for FY2018, especially after Congress provided the STB with a needed funding increase for FY2017," said FRCA President David Sauer, chief operating officer and senior vice president of Dakota Gasification Co. "FRCA will work with the administration and the Congress to enact legislation appropriating the maximum possible funding for the STB," said FRCA Executive Director Ann Warner. "We need to help ensure that the efforts of the Board continue — particularly enhancing its IT infrastructure and data collection capabilities." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/26/2017

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/26/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The station will serve as the northern terminus of Brightline's route.Photo – Brightline

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/26/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
MBTA Acting General Manager Brian Shortsleeve (left) and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (right) in 2015.Photo – MBTA

Rail News Home Positive Train Control 5/26/2017 Rail News: Positive Train Control
The FRA is providing $33.7 million for Amtrak's PTC efforts on a route in New York.Photo – Amtrak

Rail News Home Shippers 5/26/2017 Rail News: Shippers
The rail park is located on the Union Pacific Railroad.Photo – Permian Rail Park

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/26/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Trump's proposal would slash funds for the agencies' expansion plans.Photo – L.A. Metro

Rail News Home Amtrak 5/26/2017 Rail News: Amtrak
A rendering of the development area.Photo – Amtrak.com

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) appointed Sally Librera, to vice president and chief officer of the Staten Island Railway (SIR).

Librera, a longtime professional in MTA New York City Transit's Department of Subways operations, is the first woman to lead SIR; her appointment is effective immediately.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) appointed Sally Librera, to vice president and chief officer of the Staten Island Railway (SIR).

Librera, a longtime professional in MTA New York City Transit's Department of Subways operations, is the first woman to lead SIR; her appointment is effective immediately.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) appointed Sally Librera, to vice president and chief officer of the Staten Island Railway (SIR).

Librera, a longtime professional in MTA New York City Transit's Department of Subways operations, is the first woman to lead SIR; her appointment is effective immediately.

GO Transit marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating the Ontario transit's ability to make it easier for people to travel across Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

GO Transit, short for Government of Ontario Transit, began operating on May 23, 1967, as a 14-stop commuter rail line from Hamilton to Pickering. In its first year of operation, GO Transit carried 2.5 million riders, exceeding its projected ridership for that year in just six months. Today, GO Transit says it accommodates about 70 million trips per year on seven rail lines, connecting to 15 GO bus terminals and 17 municipal transit systems across the GTHA.

GO Transit marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating the Ontario transit's ability to make it easier for people to travel across Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

GO Transit, short for Government of Ontario Transit, began operating on May 23, 1967, as a 14-stop commuter rail line from Hamilton to Pickering. In its first year of operation, GO Transit carried 2.5 million riders, exceeding its projected ridership for that year in just six months. Today, GO Transit says it accommodates about 70 million trips per year on seven rail lines, connecting to 15 GO bus terminals and 17 municipal transit systems across the GTHA.

GO Transit marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating the Ontario transit's ability to make it easier for people to travel across Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

GO Transit, short for Government of Ontario Transit, began operating on May 23, 1967, as a 14-stop commuter rail line from Hamilton to Pickering. In its first year of operation, GO Transit carried 2.5 million riders, exceeding its projected ridership for that year in just six months. Today, GO Transit says it accommodates about 70 million trips per year on seven rail lines, connecting to 15 GO bus terminals and 17 municipal transit systems across the GTHA.

Watco Companies celebrated a new Safety Through Awareness and Training (STAT) Center with a ribbon cutting.

The state-of-the-art facility is located in Fairfield, Ala. and will be home to training hundreds of Watco team members each year. The center was created as Watco ramped up efforts to provide standardized safety training for all team members. The company said that the addition of the STAT Center will ensure that team members receive the same training regardless of their location.

Watco Companies celebrated a new Safety Through Awareness and Training (STAT) Center with a ribbon cutting.

The state-of-the-art facility is located in Fairfield, Ala. and will be home to training hundreds of Watco team members each year. The center was created as Watco ramped up efforts to provide standardized safety training for all team members. The company said that the addition of the STAT Center will ensure that team members receive the same training regardless of their location.