Railroad intermodal traffic remains steady
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 26, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 518,290 carloads and intermodal units,
Author: David C. Lester
Watco continues to expand
Watco has just added to its network of short line railroads in the United States. The railroad is a new subsidiary of Watco called the Elwood, Joliet & Southern Railroad (EJSR), LLC.
Caltrain to hold virtual public meeting on bridge project
Caltrain will host a virtual public meeting to discuss the Marin & Napoleon Rail Bridge Improvement project on Wednesday, September 30. This meeting will allow local residents and community members to learn more
Herzog’s TASI safety plan approved by FRA
The TransitAmerica Services Inc./Alternate Concepts (TASI), a subsidiary of Herzog Transit Services, Inc., supplied a System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) to the CTrail Hartford Line that was delivered to the Federal Railroad
U.S. DOT announces over $5.6 million for rail capital projects in South Dakota
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has selected five projects in two states to receive more than $6.9 million in Special Transportation Circumstances (STC) Grants made available by the
U.S. DOT announces over $1.2 million for capital improvements in Alaska
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has selected five projects in two states to receive more than $6.9 million in Special Transportation Circumstances (STC) Grants made available by the
Brightline in the middle of commuter rail discussions in Miami
Commuter rail and transit in Miami offers several rail options to move around different parts of the city and county. First, there is Metrorail, which offers rail transit service from southern Dade
FTA announces $6.2 million for transit planning
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced today the availability of $6.2 million in funding to support comprehensive planning that improves access to public transit. The competitive grant funds
Parsons awarded $45 million contract to support new BART train control
Parsons Corporation announced today that the company has been selected by the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to support implementation of a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system. The CBTC System, which
NTSB: Improperly fastened rail joint responsible for employee fatality
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently announced that a loose, improperly fastened rail joint was the cause of a Union Pacific derailment that killed one employee. The accident occurred on September
Intermodal traffic up 6.3% last week
Ed. Note: Intermodal traffic has shown renewed strength over the past several weeks. Last week, it was up 6.3%, which indicates there may be some small improvements in the economy, particularly in
U.S. DOT announces $320.6 million for rail improvements
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has selected 50 projects in 29 states to receive competitive grant funding under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety
U.S. Department of Transportation announces final rule for PMO oversight
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced a final rule amending FTA regulations for Project Management Oversight (PMO) of transit capital investments. The final rule streamlines the PMO
BART’s Transbay Corridor program earns billion dollar federal grant
BART’s long-term effort to reduce crowding and increase service across the Bay is getting a critical funding boost. The Federal Transit Administration has issued a $1.2 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement for
Uptick in rail employment between July and August
For nearly a year, RT&S and other news outlets have reported continuous annual and monthly declines in rail employment. As the pandemic has impacted business activity and PSR has resulted in the
MARTA partners with NextDoor to communicate real-time information directly with neighborhoods
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is partnering with social media site Nextdoor to communicate important information directly with residents. MARTA will share construction updates, major service issues, activities and events
Statement released on train accident in New York City
Ed. Note: Sarah Feinberg is the Interim President of New York City Transit. DCL “NYPD is actively investigating the incident in which a northbound eight-car train came into contact with debris on
MTA to major national suppliers: All contracts are in jeopardy without $12 billion in federal funding
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye today sent a series of letters to the Authority’s 11 largest suppliers, warning that without an immediate injection of $12 billion in
Norfolk Southern dealing with Savannah derailment and Sally clean-up
Ed. Note: Norfolk Southern had a tough day yesterday, with a derailment in Savannah and resuming operations in the hurricane-stricken areas of the Gulf Coast. Two service alerts, reproduced below, were issued
Advanced Rail Systems (ARS) breaks ground on new headquarters
Advanced Rail Systems, ARS, recently hosted the Ground Breaking Ceremony for a new international headquarters on Friday, September 11, 2020. The 20-acre campus, located near Waco TX, will accommodate all administrative and