Author: jrood

Owner of Fulton railroad spur seeks to reinstate freight service

Mike Williams, owner of the shortline railroad between Mexico and Fulton, Mo. Says he plans to reopen the line if there is enough interest for rail shipping in the Fulton area.

Callaway County Western District Commissioner Doc Kritzer said Williams met with the Callaway County Transit Authority to inform them of his plans for the rail spur. Kritzer said he feared earlier that Williams might want to sell the railroad tracks for scrap instead of restoring the line to service.

Fulton, Callaway County and the Fulton Area Development Corporation funded a study of the railroad line two years ago. It concluded it would cost from $3 million to $5 million to conduct renovations. Williams on the other hand said he believes he can restore the line spending between $1 million to $2 million, which he plans to spend his own money if he receives enough assurances from firms wanting to ship freight and raw materials on the line.

Williams wants to lower the cost of shipping in order to attract more business volume. He would like potential users to show some interest before investing in restoring the line.

"I feel good about this shortline. I believe it can be done," he said.

Amsted Rail considers reopening of its Bessemer, Ala. wheel facility

Amsted Rail officials are planning to reopen their Alabama wheel manufacturing facility in Jefferson County.

The company recently was in talks with representatives from Birmingham Business Alliance, Alabama Development Office, Jefferson County Commission, Jefferson County Economic Industrial Development Authority, Birmingham Industrial Development Board and the City of Birmingham in hopes to resume manufacturing that was stopped in 2001.

"The market for railroad wheels in North America has always been cyclical but we are committed to being prepared for the anticipated upturn in demand stemming from projected increases in new freight car builds and rail traffic volumes over the next few years," said John Wories, president of Amsted Rail.

Historic Wilmington Amtrak station re-opens

The Amtrak station located in Wilmington, Del. opened December 6 to the public after being closed for extensive renovations since May 2009. Respected architect Frank Furness designed the historic station, built in 1907, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"This beautiful and historic train station, which is a gem for Wilmington and its citizens and one of the most popular and important station in the Amtrak system, is looking better and brighter every day," said Wilmington Mayor James M. Baker.

The project included the restoration and waterproofing of the station’s exterior, a complete renovation of the interior, along with track and platform improvements. Currently, repairs to numerous nearby bridges, installation of a new public address system, restroom upgrades and ADA improvements are being made.

Final construction activities over the next few months will include completion of the concourse renovations and demolition of the temporary station. A rededication ceremony will be held in March 2011 when renovations are completed.

The Wilmington Station is the 12th busiest station in the Amtrak family with 696,979 passengers in fiscal year 2010.

OSPT Alliance releases open security standard for transit fare collections

The Open Standard for Public Transport Alliance introduced an open security standard to foster the next generation of more secure, cost-effective, scalable and extensible transit fare collection systems. The Alliance will work to establish a network of transit operators, technology suppliers, consultants and integrators, government agencies, and mobile ecosystem product and service providers, as well as other industry associations, to develop new, interoperable transit fare collection solutions based on open-standard security both for current and future fare collection systems.

The OSPT Alliance ecosystem will be a key component for advancing the open security standard for transit fare collection, known as CipurseTM. The ecosystem will offer transit operators the opportunity to choose from among a number of vendors, consultants and integrators to help them deploy or upgrade to a more secure and cost-effective transit fare collection system. Additionally, it will provide mobile device manufacturers with next- generation open standard solutions.

The OSPT Alliance ecosystem will benefit transit system consultants and integrators by bringing together a greater assortment of vendors offering more product choices and richer capabilities than available with proprietary systems. For mobile device manufacturers, the open security standard will be the next "must-have" checklist item they include in all next-generation NFC implementations.

GE and CSR embark on joint venture for rail technology in the U.S.

General Electric and CSR Corporation have joined forces to advance high-speed and other rail technology in the U.S. The approximated $50 million shared endeavor has the potential to sustain or create 250 U.S. jobs by 2012 for the first phase of the agreement.

"We are committed to advancing the global high-speed rail technology market and this agreement provides a significant opportunity for infrastructure and business growth," said GE Vice Chairman John Rice. "It is in line with GE’s company-to-country initiatives and will help support investment and high-tech job growth in America."

All final production will be in the U.S., sustaining approximately 3,500 long-term high-tech manufacturing U.S. jobs in support of the cooperative.

Zhao Xiaogang, chairman of CSR said, "CSR and GE will create a leading passenger transportation business in the U.S. by combining CSR’s extensive experience in developing and operating high-speed, medium-speed EMUs and urban rail transit vehicles with GE’s manufacturing and supply chain management expertise in America, as well as in-depth knowledge of the U.S. rail market."

Union Pacific increases train speed on rail line in east central Wisconsin

Recent track improvements will allow Union Pacific to increase the speed of its trains in central and eastern Wisconsin communities, reducing motorist wait time at crossings. The speed will increase from 25 mph to 50 mph across Union Pacific’s 112-mile line between Milwaukee and Adams, Wis.

Train speeds will be increased 10 mph on December 10 and another 15 mph on December 17 when the new maximum speed limit of 50 mph goes into effect.

Union Pacific invested more than $1 million replacing the rail between Adams, Wis., and Oxford, Wis., last year and this year invested more than $9 million to improve the rail line from Milwaukee, Wis., to near Lebanon, Wis., by removing and installing more than 33,000 ties, replacing the surfaces at 57 grade crossings and replacing nearly 24 miles of rail.

ICC approves bridge replacement, grade-crossing and safety improvements in Illinois

The Illinois Commerce Commission has granted approval for the demolition and reconstruction of the East Denker Road Bridge over the Illinois Central Railroad’s track near Bluford, Jefferson County.

The total estimated cost for the bridge replacement is $761,000. The Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) will be used to pay 60 percent of the project costs, not to exceed $456,000. The Illinois Central Railroad Company is paying 10 percent of the costs, not to exceed $76,100. Jefferson County and the Webber Township Road District will pay all remaining construction costs, as well as all future maintenance costs related to the new bridge. All work is to be completed by Dec. 2, 2012.

ICC also approved BNSF to renew grade-crossing surfaces at State Street near Litchfield, Waggoner Road near Girard, North 1150th Road near Adair and 1175E Road near Gladstone.

The estimated cost of materials and contractual services for asphalt paving and work zone traffic control is $265,916. The GCPF will be used to pay 100 percent of these costs, not to exceed $265,916. BNSF will pay all other costs, including labor, to install the new surfaces, as well as all future maintenance costs. All work is to be completed by Sept. 2, 2011.

In addition, ICC granted approval for the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates and roadway approach grade improvements at the 90E Road/TR 12 and 150E Road/TR 24 grade crossings of the Norfolk Southern Railway Company’s track near Homer, Vermilion County.

The total estimated cost for the new automatic warning devices is $530,906 and the GCPF will be used to pay 95 percent of the signal installation costs, not to exceed $504,361. Norfolk Southern will pay all remaining installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs related to the new automatic warning devices.

The total estimated cost for improving the highway approaches at both crossings is $148,725. The GCPF will be used to pay 100 percent of the highway approach improvement costs, not to exceed $148,725.

The signal installation work is to be completed within 12 months and the highway approach work is to be completed within 18 months.

Railroad firm seeks to buy line out of North Creek

Iowa Pacific Holdings LLC, which has hopes to operate the Upper Hudson River Railroad next year, is looking to acquire an extension of the rail line that runs from North Creek to Essex County, NY.

IPH is currently in talks with NL Industries Inc., which owns 28 miles of track between North Creek and Newcomb, and has been sitting unused since the late 1980s.

President of Iowa Pacific Holdings, Ed Ellis, said the company only plans to purchase the line if it gets the contract to operate the train line in Warren County. The chief reason his company would like to make this deal is to get trains five miles closer to Barton Mines Co.’s complex in North River he said.

"We don’t have any immediate plans for it, other than to see the tracks remain in place." Ellis said.

Warren County acquired 39 miles of the line from North Creek to Antone Mountain Road in Corinth in the mid-1990s, and looked at purchasing the northern portion of the line in 2004 but lack of funding terminated the deal.

BNSF objects to story published by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune

BNSF Railway tremendously objects to the story published by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on December 5. They want to reassure the public that the company operates with honesty and integrity and has achieved an excellent safety record.

Since the story was published, BNSF launched a Website an effort to correct the Minneapolis Star-Tribune/ProPublica’s coverage of BNSF’s conduct in grade-crossing and railroad employee safety issues. Documents, data and other evidence can be found on the site: www.bnsf.com/casefacts .

SFMTA and MSR unveil canopy for Geneva streetcar yard

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and its non-profit partner the Market Street Railway unveiled the canopy for Geneva Streetcar Yard on December 2, which was completed by Shimmick Construction Company, Inc.

The Canopy will provide a safe haven for historic streetcars of the F Market & Wharves streetcar line and the line’s latest addition, President’s Conference Committee streetcar number 1071. The venture cost approximately $11 million.

"The success of the F Line is a tribute to SFMTA’s streetcar operators, mechanics and crafts workers along with a host of City advocates who work so tirelessly to keep these streetcars on the rails," said Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., SFMTA executive director. "While we can all appreciate these streetcars as important pieces of history, for our transit operations they are a key part of Muni’s effort to provide daily service to nearly 700,000 customers."

The canopy will protect these antique vehicles from rough weather, moisture and long-term sunlight exposure. It covers six tracks, which includes the primary storage and maintenance yard for these vehicles, covering up to 24 streetcars.

This project is just one component of a larger, $31.5 million fleet expansion program that will rehabilitate 26 additional streetcars.

Boston to T.F Green commuter line service begins

State and federal officials celebrated the new Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority service to T.F. Green Airport today. The "T", a new commuter rail, connects Warwick, Providence and Boston.

There will be six stops per day, Monday through Friday, during the peak hours of 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., and 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The fare is $2.25 each way for travel between Providence and T.F. Green, and $8.25 each way for travel between T.F. Green and Boston.

Commuters told the Associated Press they’re happy to have a new way to get into Boston, rather than driving up congested Interstate 95 or taking Amtrak from Kingston.

The MBTA’s Providence/Stoughton line is expected to expand in the future to North Kingstown and have 10 stops each day.

Green Line opens ahead of schedule in Dallas

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s Green Line opens today; finishing six months ahead of schedule and under budget due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"Dart continues to demonstrate visionary leadership for transit, delivering the project ahead of schedule and under budget," said Administrator Rogoff who attended the opening.

The Federal Transit Administration agreed to give $700 million over a seven-year period for the Green Line project. Currently, DART has received $435 million from the federal government, which includes a $78 million payment that was made ahead of schedule.

DART finished this project early and the Recovery Act gave them the resources they needed to bring it in under budget," said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. "The Green Line will increase access to the downtown business district, provide an alternative to driving on congested roadways and give a boost to the economy."

The 24-mile northwest-southeast extension to the city’s light rail system includes16 new stations, 10 park-and-ride lots and 18 new high-capacity light rail vehicles. Additionally, 38 DART light rail vehicles were redesigned to boost passenger capacity.

The new line is expected to generate nearly 30,000 daily trips after one year in operation.

Governor Rendell proposes temporary funding for Port Authority

The Port Authority of Allegheny County issued the following statement regarding: Pennsylvania Governor Rendell’s announcement on temporary funding for the Port Authority:

This morning, Gov. Ed Rendell detailed a proposal to local leaders that would provide $45 million in funding to help sustain public transportation service in Allegheny County. The plan would have to be approved by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), which is a regional planning agency that directs the use of transportation funds in the region.

The $45 million would come from unused economic development funds and not from other transportation projects.

The governor made the announcement during a press conference this morning in downtown Pittsburgh, following a briefing with SPC members.

This would be a temporary fix for Port Authority and would not resolve the state’s transportation funding crisis. Port Authority is anxious to have serious discussions with state leaders in the new year about a responsible long-term solution for transit and highway funding.

Port Authority will examine the proposal in the coming weeks and determine how it might impact fares and service. The Authority will not take any action until after the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission votes on the matter later this month.

California’s high-speed rail begins in Fresno

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has picked the area where the first segment of California’s and the nation’s first high-speed rail track will be constructed.

The 65-mile portion of track, with a price tag of $4.15 billion, will stretch from just north of Fresno and continue north of Bakersfield, passing straight through Fresno. It is just the start of an 800-mile high-speed rail project that will ultimately connect San Diego to San Francisco with trains running up to 220 miles per hour.

Two new stations will be constructed along the track, one in downtown Fresno and the other near Hanford. The new track will be aligned with existing tracks. The entire Central Valley portion of the high-speed rail project, from Merced to Bakersfield, will generate 135,000 much-needed full-time construction jobs. Yet to be chosen is the site for the 800-mile system’s heavy maintenance facility, which could be located in Fresno County and would bring an additional 1,500 jobs.

"The Authority Board’s courageous decision today will create major economic stimulus for Fresno County," Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea said. "Not only will we will see thousands of jobs for Fresno County residents, but we’ll also see Fresno County position itself as the nation’s high-speed rail development center."

TAMC to buy land for rail line

California’s Transportation Agency for Monterey County approved its first land purchase of about three acres near the Salinas train station for its planned $110 million project for commuter rail service between Salinas and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Monterey County Herald reports that the agency will use state rail transportation money to acquire the property at 20 New St. from Powers RV. The parcel will be used for part of the overnight layover area for commuter trains.

Agency directors approved the real estate acquisition at their Wednesday meeting in Salinas.

The project, which TAMC estimates will begin service in 2014, is in the final stages of environmental review with preliminary design work being done. The agency is poised to move into land-acquisition efforts, Hale said.

The commuter line will have stations in Salinas, Castroville and Pajaro for service to Silicon Valley and San Francisco. The agency has been planning the project for several years.

The Salinas parcel was acquired early in the process because the owners were planning to sell the land and asked the agency to go ahead with the purchase. Negotiations started in 2009. The $1.93 million price includes $219,000 for cleanup of hazardous arsenic and petrochemical hydrocarbons on the site.

APTA commends National Deficit Commission gas tax recommendation






"On behalf of the American Public
Transportation Association’s (APTA) 1,500 members, I commend Chairmen Erskine
Bowles and Alan Simpson for including in their recommendations to the National
Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform proposals to support the
critical need to preserve and improve the nation’s surface transportation
network, which includes public transportation systems, highways, and bridges,"
said American Public Transportation Association President William Millar.
 

Work to begin on Appalachian Regional Short-Line Rail Project






Work can begin on the
Appalachian Regional Short-Line Rail project with the signing of a $12.9-million
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray
LaHood said. The signing took place between the U.S. Department of
Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

KCS launches new branding






Kansas City Southern has
launched a new branding initiative, honoring its unique legacy and embracing
the future of freight rail transportation. The new branding includes the
grouping of original logos for The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, Kansas
City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. and Panama Canal Railway Company and adds
the statement, "Business Without Borders." The original logos and new
tag line, along with the red, gold and black colors of the heritage paint
scheme displayed on KCS locomotives, will be featured on marketing collateral,
video, print advertisements and a new Website, now in development.

Patriot Rail executes agreement to operate railroad in North Carolina






Patriot Rail Corp. said it
has executed a long-term license and operating agreement with the North
Carolina Department of Transportation to commence rail service on the Piedmont
and Northern Railway in Gaston County, North Carolina. Under the 20-year
agreement, Patriot will be responsible for operating, maintaining and marketing
freight rail service on the P&N.