Railroad News

4/26/2017    

Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway

Rail News Home Norfolk Southern Railway 4/26/2017 Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway
NS CFO Marta Stewart will retire Aug. 1.Photo – nscorp.com

Canadian National has named its national employee training center in Winnipeg after former President and Chief Executive Officer Claude Mongeau.

The newly named CN Claude Mongeau National Training Centre, originally opened in 2014 and the railroad says it provides consistent, quality training with a modern curriculum, coupled with skilled instructors, for jobs ranging from conductor to track maintainer, and car mechanic to supervisor. Employees receive hands-on training in learning laboratories with equipment such as locomotive, crane and signals and communication simulators. The facility also has outdoor labs with dedicated rolling stock and other equipment for field training.

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) has a new master plan that aims to accelerate its timeframe to bring its equipment, infrastructure and operations into a State of Good Repair from 15 years from the previously projected 25 years.

The agency's Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) this week approved a comprehensive MBTA Strategic Plan to serve as a blueprint for the objectives and strategies needed to ensure continuous improvement across all areas of the transit operator.

Commissioners in Durham County, N.C., approved an updated transit plan and cost sharing agreement for the Durham-Orange LRT line on April 24, taking the project a step closer to a federal funding application.

The 28.5km (17.7 mile) line will connect North Carolina Central University in Durham with UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, serving 18 stations - nine with park-and-ride facilities - and running on a dedicated alignment. Services will operate at 10-minute headways in the peak and every 20 minutes at other times.

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

4/25/2017    

Rail News: MOW

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced conceptual plans to revitalize and renovate the CTA's Cottage Grove Green Line station and the surrounding area.

The mayor was joined by U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. and Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner (CDOT) Rebekah Scheinfeld. The project is the latest investment on the Green Line by Mayor Emanuel and CTA, and complements the ongoing commercial and residential developments near the station, including the recently announced new 70-unit Woodlawn Station mixed use residential and commercial project next to the station.

4/25/2017    

Rail News: MOW

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Security

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 4/25/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
CN raised its outlook for the year after reporting "solid" first-quarter results that included increases in revenue, earnings and volumes, the Class I's executives announced yesterday.CN's Q1 volume included a 14 percent increase in Western Canadian grain that moved over the network, despite more demanding winter conditions this year compared to 2016, President and Chief Executive Officer Luc Jobin said in a press release.Revenue rose 8 percent to 3.2 billion in Canadian dollars, net income increased 12 percent to CA$884 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) climbed 16 percent to CA$1.16 compared with last year's Q1 results.Adjusted net income rose 11 percent to CA$879 million, with adjusted diluted EPS increasing 15 percent to CA$1.15.Compared with the same period last year, carloadings for the quarter were up 9 percent and revenue ton-miles, 14 percent.CN posted an operating ratio of 59.4 percent, up 0.5 of a point from the prior-year quarter.Jobin described CN's results as a "solid response" in accommodating the strong demand during the first quarter."Our ongoing investments in people, equipment and infrastructure continue to position us well to leverage CN's industry-leading operational performance and superior customer service," Jobin said. "With a strong start in Q1 and an increased volume outlook for the rest of the year, I am pleased to announce an upward revision to our 2017 financial outlook."CN now aims to deliver a 2017 adjusted diluted EPS in the range of CA$4.95 to
CA$5.10, versus last year's adjusted diluted EPS  of CA$4.59. On Jan. 24, the company's financial outlook called for mid-single-digit growth this year.Additionally, the Class I raised its capital expenditures program by CA$100 million to CA$2.6 billion, of which CA$1.6 billion is still targeted toward track infrastructure projects. The additional capital investment will be used to purchase 22 locomotives and other projects to support growth.The increase in revenue was mainly attributable to higher volumes of Canadian and U.S. grain, frac sand, coal exports, overseas intermodal traffic, and finished vehicles; freight rate increases; and higher applicable fuel surcharge rates. Those factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of a stronger Canadian dollar on U.S.-dollar-denominated revenues. Operating expenses rose 9 percent, primarily due to higher fuel prices and costs associated with higher volumes, partly offset by the positive translation impact of a stronger Canadian dollar on U.S.-dollar-denominated expenses. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 4/25/2017

Union Pacific (UP) plans to invest approximately $57 million in Nebraska infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of UP's $3.1-billion capital plan.

The Class 1 says the plan will fund a range of initiatives including $53 million to maintain railroad track and $721,000 to maintain bridges in the state.

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff has named Thomas Gibson Vice President and Western Regional Manager of its Transit and Rail practice, based in Sacramento. Gibson is responsible for technical and operational management, project delivery, staff acquisition and business growth.

Gibson has 37 years of experience in rail systems projects throughout the U.S. and internationally, including implementation of systems and track work for a major light rail transit extension in St. Louis, procurement and manufacturing of light rail vehicles under a contract for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), and implementation of systems for the Seoul, Korea subway lines 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. In addition, he was responsible for management and oversight of general engineering consultant services for a Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transit Administration (MARTA) five-year track and systems project.

Carlos Rojas has been named chief of police for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).

Rojas brings 27 years of extensive experience and leadership in community policing. Rojas comes to BART from the Santa Ana Police Department, where he served his last five years as chief. He is an advocate and educator in community oriented policing practices, having taught the practices to national police forces in Central America and mentored college students.

Pennsylvania's State Transportation Commission approved more than $40 million through two state programs to help fund freight rail projects across the state.