In January, Railway Age announced that it had named KCS president and CEO Dave Starling its 2012 Railroader of the Year.

David L. Starling, president and chief executive officer of Kansas City Southern, has been named 2012 Railroader of the Year by Railway Age magazine. Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures are both owned by Simmons-Boardman Publishing Co.

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded three grants to Caltrans, totaling $55 million, to reduce congestion and increase safety on the Pacific Surfliner intercity rail corridor between Los Angeles and San Diego, Calif.
"More Californians are choosing trains for travel and Caltrans is committed to ensuring a safe ride for all our passengers," said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

The final segment of a third rail track between Los Angeles and Fullerton will be funded by $38 million. The Pacific Surfliner, Metrolink and freight trains currently share two rail tracks, which can create congestion and delays. $3.4 million will fund new track construction at the Oceanside station to move Metrolink commuter trains off the mainline.

$13.5 million will fund Positive Train Control, which will increase railroad safety by monitoring and controlling trains to prevent collisions and derailments.

In a partnering effort, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, which operates Metrolink, will install the PTC system on tracks between San Onofre and Moorpark, where Metrolink shares the line with the Pacific Surfliner. The state will match the federal funds for the PTC dollar-for-dollar with 2009 Proposition 1A rail bond funds, increasing the project's funding to $27 million.

"Metrolink is grateful to the leaders, who demonstrated their commitment to rail safety by allocating these funds. Our program is now fully funded, and Metrolink is well on our way to being the first commuter rail agency in the nation to implement Positive Train Control," said Metrolink Chairman Richard Katz.

"Enhancing our commuter rail service is a critical component in ensuring Southern California's transportation network can carry us successfully into the future," said Will Kempton, CEO of the Orange County Transportation Authority. "We are thankful for the strong partnership we have forged with the federal government and appreciate the continued support of our ongoing efforts to improve safety and mobility in the region."

 

AECOM Technology Corporation announced that its TrackStar alliance was awarded a US$15 million contract to build transit rail infrastructure in Queensland, Australia.

The Richlands-to-Springfield section of the Darra-to-Springfield Rail program west of Brisbane, which has a construction value of US$488 million, comprises six miles of dual track and two stations at Springfield and Springfield Lakes, including 100- and 200-space park-and-ride facilities.

"The new rail line will help reduce congestion and ease the commutes of travelers on Centenary Highway," said John M. Dionisio, AECOM president and chief executive officer.

AECOM will be providing civil and structural design of all road and rail infrastructure on the project, including alignments, drainage, pavements, utilities, bridges, station buildings and associated urban and landscape design.

 

 

Transportation planners have narrowed their proposals for expanded Amtrak passenger rail service across Kansas to two possible routes, according to the Kansas Reporter. Depending on which route is chosen, if either of them is, transportation department officials estimate the service will require either $154 million for infrastructure and equipment costs, plus a potential $3.2-million annual operating subsidy paid by Kansas taxpayers, or $476 million for infrastructure and equipment, plus $8 million annually in state support.

Because of extensive grade crossing work, shuttle buses will replace trains for several weekends on the light rail Blue and Green lines this spring. The lines are operated by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. During this time, workers will replace existing grade crossings, track and sidewalks with a new concrete crossing surface, asphalt road approaches, new track and new concrete sidewalks.

L.B. Foster Company said it is extending its previously announced cash tender offer, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Foster Thomas Company, for all outstanding shares of common stock of Portec Rail Products, Inc., until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on August 30, 2010. The tender offer was previously set to expire at midnight, New York City time on August 16, 2010.

Track maintenance on the Washington, D.C., Metrorail Red and Orange lines Oct. 30-Nov.2 will cause inbound and outbound trains to take turns sharing one track. Customers should add at least 30 minutes of time to their trips. 

Metrorail customers traveling between the Friendship Heights and Van Ness-UDC Metrorail stations should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time for their trips because Metro will replace rail fasteners that stabilize tracks and make tunnel repairs. Trains will share one track between these locations throughout the weekend from 9:30 p.m. Oct. 30, to closing (midnight) on Nov. 1. 



The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which owns and operates Caltrain in the San Francisco Bay Area, approved a proclamation for Railroad Safety Month at its monthly board meeting. The proclamation was accepted by Vic Ryerson on behalf of Operation Lifesaver, an internationally renowned program promoting rail safety.

Work on Caltrain's Grade Crossing Improvement Program, which will enhance safety at 25 grade crossings in San Mateo County, will continue the week of Dec. 14. Throughout the project area, at least one lane of the impacted street will remain open. Flagmen will direct traffic and pedestrians around the construction.