Railroad News

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has appointed Kimberly Howell assistant inspector general for investigations.

The job involves overseeing the department's internal investigations into potential criminal fraud, waste and abuse, WMATA officials said today in a press release.

Developers of the Texas bullet train project have unveiled details of a proposed rail station in Grimes County, Texas.

The station, which would be the only midway stop on the Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, will be built on 60 acres in the Roans Prairie area of the county, located along Highway 30 and west of Highway 90, Texas Central Railway officials announced yesterday in a press release.

Railroad associations unveiled their 2018 legislative wish lists, including ideas for President Donald Trump's highly anticipated infrastructure package.

At a U.S. Chamber of Commerce-hosted infrastructure summit yesterday, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) called for any infrastructure package to include a permanent extension of the so-called 45G tax credit, which provides a tax credit to short lines that invest in their rail infrastructure.

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) President Linda Bauer Darr outlined three critical priorities for members Jan. 18 in any considered infrastructure funding package at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "America's Infrastructure Summit: Time to Modernize."

The California Public Utilities Commission earlier this week approved Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) "Fleet of the Future" rail cars to enter service.

The Kansas City Southern (KCS) Mossville Yard Expansion Project in Westlake, La., by Ragnar Benson, LLC, received the 2017 award for Large Project of the Year.

Carload Express Inc. has purchased a BASF polymer plant in Seaford, Delaware.

Due to its close proximity to a main north-south rail line, the 37,000-square-foot building was an "ideal match" for Carload Express, according to a press release issued by SVN-Miller Commercial Real Estate, which advised the sale.

Kansas City Southern today reported record fourth-quarter 2017 revenue of $660 million, up 10 percent from the same period a year ago due to a 5 percent increase in volume.

KCS reported Q4 2017 operating income rose 13 percent to $238 million compared with Q4 2016, KCS officials said in a press release.

Kansas City Southern today reported record fourth-quarter 2017 revenue of $660 million, up 10 percent from the same period a year ago due to a 5 percent increase in volume.

KCS reported Q4 2017 operating income rose 13 percent to $238 million compared with Q4 2016, KCS officials said in a press release.

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. yesterday announced record fourth-quarter and full-year results for 2017.

Fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) soared 159 percent to CA$6.77 from $2.61 a year ago. The 2017 results includes an income tax recovery of $527 million, primarily as a result of U.S. tax reform net of Canadian provincial tax rate increases. Adjusted diluted EPS rose 6 percent to a new quarterly record of $3.22 from $3.04.

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. yesterday announced record fourth-quarter and full-year results for 2017.

Fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) soared 159 percent to CA$6.77 from $2.61 a year ago. The 2017 results includes an income tax recovery of $527 million, primarily as a result of U.S. tax reform net of Canadian provincial tax rate increases. Adjusted diluted EPS rose 6 percent to a new quarterly record of $3.22 from $3.04.

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Canadian Pacific Railway will target a capital program between CA$1.35 billion (US$1.08 billion) and CA$1.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) in 2018.

At the low end, the capital plan reflects an eight percent increase over 2017's targeted CA$1.25 billion (US$955 million) capital plan, while at the high end, it could represent a 20% increase over 2017 numbers.

St. Louis city leaders this week unveiled potential routes and other details of a proposed Northside-Southside light-rail line.

At community meetings, officials shared maps, ridership figures and budget options for the proposed route, according to the Northside-Southside Twitter account.

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon's (TriMet) board has chosen Doug Kelsey as the single finalist for the agency's next general manager.

The board will interview Kelsey on Jan. 24. After considering public comments, the board will convene a special meeting on Jan. 31 to authorize its chair to negotiate a contract with Kelsey or to continue the search.

CSX plans a 2018 capital program of $1.6 billion as it continues to strive toward greater capital efficiencies as part of its implementation of precision scheduled railroading.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week proposed increasing the federal gas tax by 25 cents per gallon to help pay for critical infrastructure projects.

The proposed increase was among a series of principles the business lobby is offering in a bid to help shape the debate about upgrading U.S. roads, bridges, airports and other significant infrastructure projects, U.S. Chamber officials said in a press release.

REMSA intends to focus on working with its members and associated railroad and rail supply associations to put forth a pro-rail agenda in Congress.

Two U.S. Representatives who serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure have requested an update on Amtrak's safety culture and implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).

TriMet's Board of Directors has named current TriMet Chief Operating Officer (COO) Doug Kelsey as the single finalist in the search for a new general manager.