Railroad News

A new third track between Kelso and Longview Junction, Wash., is operational and provides expanded capacity for both passenger and freight trains.

The project rids the route of a chokepoint that was formed by freight traffic coming in and out of the Port of Longview that blocked on main line track limiting operations to a single track. The project allows for the separation of freight and passenger rail traffic, which the Washington State Department of Transportation says reduces congestion, as well as passenger/freight rail conflicts, improves reliability for both and allows for better movement of people and goods through the corridor.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners authorized $57 million in planning funds for the first phase of the PATH system extension to Newark Liberty International Airport.

The board says the project, estimated total cost to be $1.7 billion, is a key component of its 2017-2026 capital plan and essential to improved regional rail service for the commuting public. The authorization provides funding to move the project through preliminary design and the required environmental review process. It includes funds for environmental and transportation services, including preliminary engineering work as well as program and project management services.

4/28/2017    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

Sound Transit unveiled plans to kick off what the company calls "one of the most ambitious public transit capital investment programs in the nation's history."

By the end of 2017, Sound Transit will be planning, designing or building 24 train and bus projects in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties.

4/28/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical

Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Marta R. Stewart intends to retire effective Aug. 1, 2017, after a 34-year career.

 

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have published a Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) for the South Station Expansion (SSX) project.

MassDOT says the purpose of the SSX project is to expand South Station terminal capacity to meet current and anticipated future commuter rail and intercity rail service needs. The project would also promote city-building in a key area of Boston, and allow Dorchester Avenue to be reopened for public use and enjoyment for the first time in decades. The expansion of South Station would enable growth in passenger rail transportation within the commonwealth of Massachusetts and along the Northeast Corridor (NEC). Expanding the terminal would improve the passenger experience of using South Station and updating the infrastructure (track and signals) and related layover capacity would improve service reliability.

4/28/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Supplier Spotlight

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 4/27/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
CN announced yesterday a five-year contract has been ratified by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) System Council 11. The union represents approximately 700 CN signals and communications employees in Canada.The agreement is retroactive to Jan. 1, and runs through Dec. 31, 2021. It covers wage increases in each year, plus benefit improvements, according to a CN press release."The contract reinforces our commitment to working together with our employees and their representatives to address workplace issues in a mutually beneficial manner," said Mike Cory, CN executive vice president and chief operating officer. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 4/27/2017

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Rail Industry Trends

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff announced that Rameshwar Godara will be a senior supervising engineer at the company's Orange, Calif. office.

In his new position, Godara will use his 26 years of professional experience as senior manager for rail and transit construction, operations and maintenance to develop design for traction power, overhead catenary system and supervisory control and data acquisition systems for rail and transit projects. Prior to joining WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, he served as chief resident engineer, power supply and traction, for a rapid transit project in Hyderabad, India.

Original author: Maggie Lancaster, assistant editor

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

Amtrak President and CEO Wick Moorman detailed several initiatives aimed at strengthening the infrastructure and operations at New York Penn Station.

The initiatives include four bullet points that include an infrastructure renewal program; a passenger concourse coordination review; development of a joint station concourse operations center and safety and security improvements.

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

4/27/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad