WMATA advances trackwork as 2011 ends

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will advance minor projects this week through Dec. 30.

There will be single tracking between Rhode Island Avenue and Fort Totten on the Red Line from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for rail/tie renewal.

There will also be single tracking on the Red Line between Friendship Heights and Medical Center from 10 p.m. – closing, Tuesday through Thursday for rail fastener renewal and between New York Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue for DDOT bridge work.

Between 10 p.m. and closing, Tuesday through Thursday, there will be single tracking between Smithsonian and Eastern Market on the Orange Line for switch replacement prep and between East Falls Church and West Falls Church for cable installation.

On the Blue Line from 10 p.m. until closing, Tuesday through Thursday, there will be single tracking between Smithsonian and Eastern Market for switch replacement prep.

VIA Rail uses bus bridge for Montreal/ Gasp

As a preventive measure, VIA Rail Canada will redirect passengers on board the Montreal/Gaspé train service onto buses for the Matapedia/Gaspé leg of the trip, in both directions. VIA has taken this decision, in consultation with the Société des chemins de fer de la Gaspésie (SCFG), following questions raised as to the condition of the rail network in the area. The situation will remain as such until an updated notice is released.

Watco creates new division

Watco Companies, LLC, has created a new service division named Watco Compliance Services. Team members of this division will be tasked with providing a uniform and standardized approach to compliance, training and operational excellence throughout Watco.

Canada freight rail gains ground

According to the Railway Association of Canada, Canada’s rail sector has bounced back from the 2009 global economic downturn posting solid volume growth. The industry has also continued to invest significantly in increased capacity and efficiencies. The findings are outlined in Rail Trends 2011, an annual anthology of statistics about rail sector performance published by the Railway Association of Canada.

Two rail agreements ratified by UTU members

United Transportation Union-represented trainmen and engineers employed by Evansville & Western Railroad approved a new five-year agreement, while UTU-represented trainmen and engineers employed by Iowa Interstate Railroad ratified a new six-year agreement.

New York MTA approves 2012 budget

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board approved the agency’s budget for 2012, culminating a process that began with the release of the agency’s Preliminary Proposed Budget and Four-Year Financial Plan in July, updated last month by a Final Proposed Budget and Four-Year Financial Plan. In addition, the board approved an amendment to the 2010-2014 Capital Program that outlines how the final three years of the program are to be funded.

BLET reaches tentative agreement with Amtrak

Ballots will go out this week to members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen employed by Amtrak for a new collective bargaining agreement. The tentative five-year deal would provide members with 10 general wage increases totaling 14 percent, compounding to 15 percent, over the life of the contract.

Houston METRO board approves station names for new rail lines

One year and 500 submissions later, the names for Houston, Texas, METRO’s East End, Southeast and North Lines have been finalized. The METRO Board of Directors approved the following names for its new light-rail lines:

NTSB reports U.S. transportation fatalities rose in 2010

Despite an overall downward trend in transportation fatalities in the United States, estimates for 2010 released by the National Transportation Safety Board reveal a rise in several categories, including motorcycles, medium and heavy trucks, buses, rail and pipeline.

“Though the NTSB continues to advocate for changes to address human factors, equipment and infrastructure improvements to prevent crashes, we continue to see far too many deaths each year,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

The data indicate that overall transportation fatalities decreased to 34,925 in 2010 from 35,994 in 2009.
Rail fatalities increased from 742 to 813, with the majority at grade crossings, though deaths on light, heavy and commuter rail rose from 229 to 253.

RailComm to provide remote control yard system at BNSF Longview

RailComm has been selected to provide its wireless remote control automation system at BNSF’s Longview facility in Washington.

ProTran1 wins $1.2 million contract in Australia

After three years of development, ProTran1 has been awarded a major contract from IMTRAM LTD in Australia to supply several wireless fail-safe bi-directional Portable Automatic Track Warning Systems, which will be used by several Australian railways all over the country for work zone protection.

CSX to begin its on-Dock service at Virginia port

CSX will begin the start of on-dock rail services at the Virginia Port Authority’s APM Terminal in Portsmouth on Jan. 3, 2012.

CN receives Toyota Canada’s Carrier of the Year Award

CN received Toyota Canada’s Carrier of the Year Award for 2011.

Armtec secures more than $30 million in rail projects in the Toronto area

Armtec Infrastructure Inc. has secured a number of rail infrastructure projects, valued at more than CA$30 million (US$29 million), within the Greater Toronto Area. These projects were anticipated as part of the previously announced CA$50 million (US$48.6 million) in new contracts that are expected to be booked during the fourth quarter.

Evraz to upgrade Pueblo, Colo. operation

EVRAZ plans to upgrade its Pueblo, Colo., rail facility. The upgrades are primarily focused on product quality and operational improvements and are also intended to expand head hardened rail manufacturing capacity.

Toronto airport rail link priced at $129 million, construction to begin in spring

Aecon Group Inc.’s joint venture with Dufferin Construction Company, a division of Holcim (Canada) Inc., has reached commercial and financial close for the Air Rail Link “spur line” and passenger station at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The project is valued at CA$128.6 million (US$125 million).

Viterra signs service agreements with CN, CP

Viterra Inc. signed new service improvement agreements with both Canadian National and Canadian Pacific.

Under the CN agreement, Viterra and CN will work together to review supply chain key performance indicators, cooperate on planning and forecasting and address supply chain issues in a timely manner. The agreement is based on the belief that the actions of all supply chain participants affect the performance of the entire chain.

Caltrans and Metrolink launch program displaying train travel times to tempt highway users

Southern California’s Caltrans and Metrolink have jointly developed a pilot project to show commuters that trains are a viable alternative to freeway traffic. Both train and freeway travel times are now displayed on electronic highway message signs near the Fullerton and Anaheim train stations.

UP not responsible for drugs smuggled on trains

Union Pacific will not be held liable for drugs hidden in its trains and carried across the border with Mexico nor will the railroad be responsible for paying multi-million dollar fines. U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon ruled that U.S. border officials went beyond the authority granted U.S. Customs and Border Protection by Congress and signed an injunction prohibiting the Department of Homeland Security from seizing UP-owned equipment used in drug smuggling while in Mexican jurisdiction.

KCS’ Starling details infrastructure and equipment investment

Kansas City Southern President and CEO David Starling reviews 2011 and plans the next year’s progress for KCS.

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