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Jul
10

Rail boosts South Carolina ports' cargo growth in FY19

South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) handled nearly 2.4 million 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) in fiscal-year 2019, which represents an 8.8 percent increase over FY2018 container volume, port officials announced yesterday.

In its first full year of business, Inland Port Dillon handled 29,580 rail moves in FY2019, which ended June 30, SCPA officials said in a press release.

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Jul
10

FTA allocates $300M for three transit-rail projects

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/10/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Los Angeles Metro’s third and final section of the Purple Line Extension project will receive $100 million in FY2019 Capital Investment Grant funds.Photo – LA Metro Facebook

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) yesterday announced a total of $300 million in federal funding allocations to three transit-rail projects in California, Washington and Arizona. 

Through tje FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program, which provides funding for major transit infrastructure capital investments, each of the following projects with be allocated $100 million: 

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Jul
09

Kansas City Southern employs PSR to improve service performance, forge a traffic-growth foothold

The new mantra "service begets growth" was developed by KCS to emphasize the correlation between optimal operational performance and accelerated business generation. Senior execs believe a fluid and resilient railroad is much better positioned to capitalize on traffic-growth opportunities.Photo – Kansas City Southern

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing Editor

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Jul
09

Kansas City Southern employs PSR to improve service performance, forge a traffic-growth foothold

The new mantra "service begets growth" was developed by KCS to emphasize the correlation between optimal operational performance and accelerated business generation. Senior execs believe a fluid and resilient railroad is much better positioned to capitalize on traffic-growth opportunities.Photo – Kansas City Southern

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing Editor

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Jul
09

NRC names Wieland president

Rail News Home Railroading Supplier Spotlight 7/9/2019 Rail News: Railroading Supplier Spotlight
Ashley WielandPhoto – NRC

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) has hired Ashley Wieland to serve as the organization's president.

Wieland previously worked for the NRC in roles that covered operations, conference planning, government affairs and grassroots events.

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Jul
09

PATH creates bike parking facility to generate revenue

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/9/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The Oonee Pod is a secure, freestanding bike parking facility accessible via keycard or cellphone app for riders using the PATH system.Photo – Oonee Twitter

The Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH) last week finalized an agreement with bike parking facility maintainer Oonee for placement of a 20-bike parking facility at the Journal Square Station in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Aug. 1.

The agreement is part of an effort to expand biking options for employees, riders and other patrons of the railroad's facilities. It will also generate revenue through a small subscription fee for users and paid advertisements on the facility exterior, PATH officials said in a press release.

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Jul
09

TriMet to begin light-rail track work

Rail News Home Maintenance Of Way 7/9/2019 Rail News: Maintenance Of Way
TriMet crews will replace some sections of track and switches, as well as upgrade signal components and eliminate a manual switch.Photo – TriMet Facebook

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) announced that later this month it will begin track improvements on the MAX light-rail near the Lloyd Center/NE 11th Avenue Station in Portland, Oregon. 

TriMet crews will replace some sections of curved track and switches, as well as upgrade signal components in the Rose Quarter area, located east of downtown Portland, TriMet officials said in a press release.

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Jul
09

LIRR station to be built at Belmont Park redevelopment

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo yesterday announced that an MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station will be built to serve the Elmont community in Long Island, New York, as part of a $1.26 billion project to redevelop Belmont Park into an arena and entertainment complex.

The $105 million cost of constructing the Elmont Station will be paid for in part by New York Arena Partners, which will provide $97 million, and the state, which will provide $8 million, Cuomo said in a press release.

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Jul
09

CSX recognized for 'Responsible Care' protocols

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 7/9/2019 Rail News: CSX Transportation
CSX has received the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care Management certification, the Class I announced last week.The certification was granted to recognize the railroad's health, safety, security and environmental policies and protocols, CSX officials said in a press release.To qualify for certification, independent auditors examine CSX's public safety, health and environment management system to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with the American Chemistry Council's responsible care standards.CSX first received the chemistry council's certification more than 20 years ago, said Raghu Chatrathi, senior director of public safety, health and environment for CSX."It is a testament to CSX’s longstanding commitment to health, safety, security, environmental sustainability and process excellence in the responsible management of company facilities and shipment of hazardous materials across our network," Chatrathi said.

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CSX
Jul
09

CSX recognized for 'Responsible Care' protocols

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 7/9/2019 Rail News: CSX Transportation
CSX has received the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care Management certification, the Class I announced last week.The certification was granted to recognize the railroad's health, safety, security and environmental policies and protocols, CSX officials said in a press release.To qualify for certification, independent auditors examine CSX's public safety, health and environment management system to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with the American Chemistry Council's responsible care standards.CSX first received the chemistry council's certification more than 20 years ago, said Raghu Chatrathi, senior director of public safety, health and environment for CSX."It is a testament to CSX’s longstanding commitment to health, safety, security, environmental sustainability and process excellence in the responsible management of company facilities and shipment of hazardous materials across our network," Chatrathi said.

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Jul
09

Feds solicit comments for Long Beach port's on-dock rail project

Rail News Home Intermodal 7/9/2019 Rail News: Intermodal
The project is designed address current traffic and cargo distribution bottlenecks into, out of and within the port.Photo – polb.com

Tomorrow, the U.S. Maritime Administration will hold a public scoping meeting to discuss the environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed Pier B on-dock rail support facility project at the Port of Long Beach, California.

The administration is preparing an EIS on the project, which calls for reconfiguring, expanding and enhancing the existing Pier B on-dock rail support facility located along Anaheim Street and the 710 Freeway.

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Jul
09

Amtrak reports FY2018 sustainability actions

Rail News Home Amtrak 7/9/2019 Rail News: Amtrak
Sustainability efforts have become a consistent component of Amtrak projects, operations and strategic plans.Photo – amtrak.com

Amtrak yesterday released its Sustainability Report for fiscal-year 2018, which states the railroad met its year-over-year targets for energy, fuel, recycling and emissions.

Sustainability efforts have become a consistent component of Amtrak projects, operations and strategic plans, said President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson in a press release.

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Jul
09

FTA seeks expedited delivery of Santa Clara VTA rail extension

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/9/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced yesterday it's pursuing an agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to expedite delivery of the second phase of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley project.The project includes constructing a 5-mile subway tunnel through San Jose and extending the BART system to Santa Clara, California.The agreement is part of the FTA’s Expedited Project Delivery pilot program aimed at speeding up fixed guideway capital, small starts or core capacity improvement projects. All projects must use public-private partnerships, plan to be operated and maintained by an existing public transportation provider and have a federal share not exceeding 25 percent of the project cost, FTA officials said in a press release.In September 2018, the FTA announced it was accepting submissions from transit agencies to enter the program. Four agencies submitted seven projects for consideration, including VTA, which now has been selected to further define the steps required before a construction grant agreement is awarded.Up to eight grant agreements can be awarded, so the administration will continue to work with the other agencies as projects become ready for an agreement under the program, FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams said.Congress appropriated $125 million for the Expedited Project Delivery program through fiscal-year 2019.

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Jul
08

New Orleans RTA closes streetcar line for catenary work

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/8/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Fifteen overhead catenary system poles on the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority’s St. Charles streetcar line will be replaced due to corrosion.Photo – NORTA

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) next week will partially close the St. Charles streetcar line as crews begin replacing catenary poles. 

The poles must be replaced as a result of corrosion.

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Jul
08

MTA Metro-North restores New Haven main line service

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/8/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Connecticut Department of Transportation’s bridge project reduced the number of main line tracks available to Metro-North from five to two.Photo – Connecticut DOT

MTA Metro-North Railroad today restored regular service on the New Haven main line following the rebuilding of three of five main line tracks that had been out of service for nine days during replacement work on the Atlantic Street Bridge in Stamford, Connecticut. 

Connecticut Department of Transportation’s bridge project reduced the number of main line tracks available to Metro-North from five to two since the start of reconstruction on June 29, railroad officials said in a Metro-North press release.

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Jul
08

Caltrain, SamTrans partner with Miles on rewards program

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/8/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
During a one-year pilot program, Caltrain and SamTrans riders will be offered exclusive rewards through the Miles app.Photo – Caltrain Twitter

Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) in California have partnered with the Miles app to offer riders a rewards program to incentivize rail use.

Miles is an app-based platform that offers rewards — such as gift cars and tickets to local events — for choosing alternative and environmentally friendly modes of transportation. 

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Jul
08

Amtrak begins Philadelphia station's name change

Rail News Home Amtrak 7/8/2019 Rail News: Amtrak
Gray represented Pennsylvania's Second District in Congress from 1979 to 1991. He later served as president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund.Photo – amtrak.com

Last week, Amtrak began taking steps to officially rename the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia in honor of the late William Gray III, a former U.S. congressman who died six years ago.

Legislation calling for the name change was passed in 2014. Gray represented Pennsylvania's Second District in Congress from 1979 to 1991. He later served as president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund.

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Jul
08

SFMTA resumes two-car train service after door redesign

Rail News Home Mechanical 7/8/2019 Rail News: Mechanical
Siemens developed an updated door design that provides increased sensitivity to account for a broader range of obstructions.Photo – SFMTA

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will resume two-car train service on its Siemens S200 light-rail vehicles after retrofitting all single panel rear-doors with additional sensors.

Between November 2017 and April 2019, passengers were injured in three incidents involving the vehicles' rear doors. In the most recent incident, a passenger tried to hold open the rear door and fell into the trackway at Embarcadero Station in San Francisco.

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Jul
08

Short-line operator Regional Rail sold to 3i Group

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced today that it has completed the sale of short-line operator Regional Rail LLC to 3i Group plc.

Based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Regional Rail operates short lines and rail-related businesses in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region with more than 155 miles of track. The company was formed in 2007.

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Jul
08

CN train derailed on Canada's side of international tunnel, TSB says

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 7/8/2019 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) will conduct the accident investigation into the June 28 CN train derailment that occurred in the St. Clair Tunnel between Sarnia, Ontario, and Port Huron, Michigan, the agency announced last week.Following initial assessments by the TSB and U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, it was determined that the derailment began in Canada, TSB officials said in a press release.The train derailed inside the tunnel under the St. Clair River. About 40 cars derailed in the tunnel — which connects Michigan to Ontario — in various positions, CTVnews.ca reported, citing CN.A car containing about 52,000 liters of sulfuric acid leaked as a result of the derailment, the news station reported.

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