Texas receives close to $50 million in federal funds for Tower 55, HSR projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation allocated nearly $50 million in rail investments to bolster both passenger and freight service through the state and jumpstart planning for high-speed rail between Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. 
 


A $34 million TIGER II grant will fund major rail improvements on the Tower 55 project in Fort Worth, Texas and reduce traffic delays by 100,000 hours per year. The Tower 55 project will alleviate congestion at one of the busiest railroad intersections in the United States, where 10 freight and passenger rail routes converge and carry more than 100 trains per day. The high volume of trains currently results in lengthy delays for area commuters and passengers, which will be greatly reduced thanks to these rail upgrades. 


In addition, the U.S. DOT approved a $15 million high-speed rail grant for Texas that will jumpstart engineering and environmental work on a high-speed rail corridor linking two of the largest metro areas in the U.S., Dallas-Fort Worth to Houston.

"Through our robust public-private partnership with state, local and industry partners on the Tower 55 project, we’re eliminating a longstanding bottleneck for freight rail, creating capacity to handle future rail demand as our population grows and strengthening the foundation for economic development across the region," said U.S. Transportatio Secretary Ray LaHood. 
 


In addition to the U.S. DOT’s investment, the City of Ft. Worth, the Texas Department of Transportation, BNSF and Union Pacific are providing funding to help install new signaling, bridge upgrades, a third track line and improved street and pedestrian crossings.

Once complete, rail capacity will increase by more than 30 percent, making it more efficient for rail freight shippers and improve commuter rail reliability and performance.

"Tower 55 is a crossroads of the North American continent," said Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. "This project will allow the Tower to go from a legacy chokepoint to the model of a freight and passenger checkpoint, a facility featuring efficiency, safety and convenience."

The Tower 55 project will create approximately 900 jobs and provide greater safety with reduced delays for motorists and pedestrians at area highway-rail crossings and bridges. With decreased train delays and blocked crossings, the project will achieve a projected 1.9 million ton reduction in carbon emissions from idling locomotives and automobiles.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2012. In addition to the $34 million TIGER II grant, the project will be funded with matching contributions, including: $1 million from TxDOT; $1 million from the City of Ft. Worth and $65 million from BNSF and UP.

GWI completes acquisition of Arizona Eastern Railway

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. has completed its acquisition of the Arizona Eastern Railway (AZER) from Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC, for $90.1 million in cash, subject to adjustment for final working capital. Headquartered near Miami, Ariz., AZER is composed of two rail lines operating more than 200 track miles in southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico that are connected by 52 miles of trackage rights over Union Pacific.

 

North Lights Express gains FRA approval on preferred route

The Federal Rail Administration approved the preferred route for Northern Lights Express. The route uses existing BNSF track from Minneapolis to Duluth, Minn., in the Highway 65 and Interstate 35 corridor. The approval is an important step for addressing the state’s transportation needs, according to U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar.

"A 21st-century economy demands a 21st-century transportation network," Senator Klobuchar said. "Safe and efficient transportation is critical to our state. The approval of the preferred route for this project is another step toward improving travel for Minnesotans and laying the groundwork to address our state’s transportation needs in the future."

The NLX Alliance, made up of elected officials from local governments in the 155-mile corridor, reviewed plans to complete environmental documentation on the selected route and get started on a service development plan, survey and other work to advance this high-speed rail initiative.

An ambitious schedule is required if trains are going to run at 110 miles per hour within three years of securing construction funds, as many NLX Alliance members and supporters envision, including U.S. Representative Keith Ellison.

"Transit projects like the Northern Lights Express create jobs and in the long-term they reduce congestion and help protect our environment," Rep. Ellison said. "A few years from now, when we’re hopefully riding a fast NLX train, we’ll be grateful to the local supporters who championed the project through the approval process."

Last December, the NLX Alliance approved a report for the Federal Rail Administration that demonstrated NLX has the potential for a positive benefit cost ratio. The analysis showed the Alliance’s preferred route met Federal Rail Administration criteria for capital costs, ridership and revenue. The analysis looked at alternate routes in historic rail corridors where some of the tracks had been removed.

A $5 million federal grant awarded in May 2011 and a $3 million appropriation from the state of Minnesota will allow for preliminary engineering to begin spring 2012.

Additional Federal Rail Administration approvals will be needed along the way. Up to 80 percent of the total project’s cost, currently estimated between $650 and $750 million, may be federally funded.

 

TransitAmerica to run Caltrain system

The San Fransisco Bay Caltrain Board of Directors unanimously approved TransitAmerica Services Inc. of St. Joseph, Mo., to operate the Peninsula commuter rail system. The approval comes after an extensive competitive bidding process that took more than 15 months and included detailed and expert evaluation of proposals from top rail management firms.

TransitAmerica submitted the highest ranking proposal which was scored in three major areas of criteria: the management, operations and maintenance plan; the cost proposal and the qualifications and experience of the firm and key personnel proposed by the firm as the management team for the Caltrain service.
Caltrain sought competitive proposals last year to obtain the best value and most innovative approaches to managing the iconic 147-year-old rail system.

"We made an important business decision to go to the marketplace and seek new ideas, new energy and new approaches to how the rail operations contract was administered and performed. The result is an opportunity for a partnership between TransitAmerica and Caltrain that can meet the high expectations we have for a safe, reliable, viable Peninsula commuter rail service now and in the future," said Caltrain Executive Director Michael Scanlon.

Under federal regulations, the current employees working on the Caltrain system will have their jobs protected.

With Board approval, there will be a five-month period during which the new operator will transition into place and mobilize its new management team. During that period, Caltrain and Amtrak will remain in a partnership and Amtrak will continue to operate the railroad as it participates in the transition.

The first full year (FY 2013) of the five-year contract is for $59.5 million, within the projected Caltrain operating and capital budgets. Subsequent contract amounts are subject to annual negotiations. With a transition to a new rail contractor, federal regulations provide job protections for current employees.

The major components of Caltrain’s new five-year contract, with five one-year options, include the daily staffing and operations of trains, as well as inspection and maintenance of tracks, the passenger rail vehicle fleet, rights of way, structures, the signaling and communication network, stations and other facilities.

Caltrain expects there to be cost savings and efficiencies over the five-year life of the contract and praised TransitAmerica for producing a proposal that seeks to implement savings.

As part of the contract, Caltrain has secured a new innovative clause that will require TransitAmerica to achieve certain performance standards around management, safety, on-time performance and other critical tasks that are imperative to the operation of the railroad prior to receiving its full management fee.

 

UP to perform nearly $31 million in trackwork on eastern Wyoming line

Union Pacific will improve the transportation infrastructure in Wyoming by investing nearly $31 million in the rail line that runs from Lusk to Shawnee. Various projects that stretch to almost 37-miles of the line include removing and installing more than 28 miles of rail and nearly 75,000 concrete crossties, as well as renewing the surfaces at seven grade crossings. Crews will also spread nearly 48,000 tons of ballast to help provide a more stable roadbed and replace three switches.

Most of these projects begin September 2 and are scheduled to be completed by mid-November.

North Dakota crude-by-rail facility to open in September

The Lario Logistics LLC subsidiary, Bakken Oil Express LLC, will complete in September The Bakken Oil Express Rail Hub, the first multiple shipper unit train loading operation in North Dakota.

Lario acquired the facility, then owned by EDOG Logistics, in the 4th quarter of 2010 and has managed the accelerated development of the expanded facilities, which will receive crude oil via pipelines and trucks for the loading of unit trains for further transportation to out of state markets. 


Bakken Oil Express is located west of Dickinson, N.D., on the BNSF mainline within the Three Forks shale oil play and in close proximity to pipelines originating from the heart of the Bakken shale oil play.

In September, 2011, the BOE Rail Hub will be connected to an existing regional oil pipeline and will accept first truck deliveries. At startup, BOE facilities will include two rail loops, each approximately 8,000 ft. long, 210,000 barrels of tankage and a "Truck Center" with six independent bays and room for expansion.

Initial take away capacity will be more than 100,000 BOPD. With this large capacity and plans in place to add additional loops, tanks, rail loading racks and pipeline connections, throughput can be expanded to more than 250,000 BOPD. 


 

Feds sign commitment giving $1 billion to Denver FasTracks

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed an agreement committing $1 billion to Denver’s Eagle P3, a 30-mile two-pronged commuter rail project that will expand transportation choices in the greater Denver area, create jobs and cut nearly half the amount of time it now takes to get from downtown Denver to the airport.

Secretary LaHood signed the funding agreement at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Gold Line in Olde Town Arvada, alongside Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter, U.S. Representative Diana DeGette, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and other area officials. 


The federal funding agreement covers roughly half of the $2 billion cost of the entire project, which is expected to generate roughly 4,700 construction-related jobs in the Denver metro area.

The agreement clears the way for construction to begin on the western segment of Eagle P3, also known as the Gold Line, which will serve the suburbs of Arvada and Wheat Ridge. The East Line of Eagle P3, which has already begun construction using local funds, will run from Denver’s historic Union Station nearly 23 miles east to Denver International Airport and will connect to existing light rail and bus service. 



"Denver and its suburbs are executing one of the most ambitious and far-reaching public transportation programs in the country, one that will allow millions of Coloradans to enjoy new and improved access to transit right in their neighborhoods," Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff said. "This will give working families more reliable, affordable transportation that will allow them to spend more time at home and less money at the gas pump."

 

BART appoints Crunican as new GM

Grace Crunican is taking over as the new Bay Area Rapid Transit general manager. Crunican was appointed Wednesday, August 31, 2011.

"The Board selected Ms. Crunican because of her 32 years of experience in the public transportation industry," BART Board President Bob Franklin said. "She brings a transparent and inclusive approach, ideal qualities to lead the BART organization in providing safe and reliable transportation service for its passengers and the communities of the Bay Area."

"I believe any endeavor is stronger through partnerships," Crunican said. "I will work to build those partnerships from the first day of my job. This includes reaching out to BART’s customers, the communities BART serves, employees and other stakeholders. As BART’s general manager, I will coordinate with other regional transit agencies, planning and funding organizations, our partners at the local, regional, state and federal level to enhance the services we provide daily."

In her new position, Crunican will oversee operating and capital budgets totaling $1.4 billion and lead the approximately 3,100 BART employees who serve about 350,000 riders each weekday with service at 44 stations in four counties.

Amtrak to step up security for 9/11 anniversary

During the 10th anniversary period of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Amtrak is enhancing security measures by conducting more passenger and baggage screenings, increasing the use of K-9 explosive detection teams and expanding police patrols at stations, on trains, along the tracks and other key rail infrastructure.

The Amtrak Police Department is performing these security activities in the Northeast Corridor and across the country in coordination with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as with the several host railroads on whose tracks many Amtrak trains operate.

"Amtrak is committed to identifying the most likely security threats and we are focusing our efforts on defeating or deterring the most dangerous and likely threats," said Amtrak Vice President and Chief of Police John O’Connor.

Ten years after the devastating attacks on 9/11, the Amtrak Police Department has transitioned from a traditional police department aimed at preventing and responding to crimes, to a police and security agency geared toward anticipating security threats in the short and long term and staying a step ahead of them. This focus on security allows Amtrak to better protect its passengers, employees and railroad equipment, infrastructure and other facilities.

Throughout the last decade, Amtrak has implemented a number of security programs and initiatives to improve passenger rail safety and security. Efforts include the use of specially trained explosive detection and vapor wake K-9 teams, passenger and baggage screenings and the development of strong partnerships with local, state, federal and international agencies, including active participation in FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces to share intelligence and conduct joint security exercises.

Frontline employees who work at stations, on trains and maintain the tracks and other infrastructure are also involved. Thousands of Amtrak employees have received security training to serve as extra eyes and ears of the railroad.

In addition, Amtrak is engaging passengers and the public to be on alert and report safety or security issues as part of a neighborhood watch style program called Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security (PASS). Individuals are encouraged to report behaviors or activities that are unusual or out of the ordinary such as trespassers and suspicious packages by calling Amtrak Police at 1- 800- 331-0008.

 

Unit Rail, Advanced Track Products change name to Amsted RPS

Unit Rail and Advanced Track Products, a combined company and division of Amsted Rail, launched a new brand and official name change to Amsted Rail Product Solutions (Amsted RPS).

The launch of the Amsted RPS brand is part of the company’s business growth strategy and is intended to strengthen its position in both domestic and international markets.

"We wanted a name that spoke to the landscape in which we operate," said John Stout, director of sales. "We believe our new name, Amsted RPS, conveys certain qualities that give it meaning like: speed, mobility, forward-looking and advanced thinking. These are qualities that are important to us, our customers and our industry."

The company hired Market Driver, LLC, to conduct an extensive brand assessment process that included customer interviews. This customer input guided the company’s name selection along with their commitment to build greater awareness and stronger association with their parent company, Amsted Rail.

"All brands must evolve as the marketplace changes, ours is no different. Our company has experienced substantial growth through acquisition and with multiple brands the message gets muddled, we needed to present a clear picture of who we are and what we provide and that’s different today than it was just two years ago. We have expanded our capabilities, our engineering expertise and positioned ourselves to lead the industry. This rebranding reflects quality and innovation, things we strive to deliver to our customers, " said Wes Hodges, vice president, Amsted RPS.

The new brand identity will formally launch at Railway Interchange 2011 in Minneapolis, Minn.

AECOM awarded preliminary engineering contract of Edmonton LRT expansion

AECOM Technology Corporation has been awarded a US$35.5-million contract by the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for its Southeast to West light-rail transit expansion.

Under the contract, the company will provide preliminary engineering design services for the Southeast LRT line from downtown Edmonton to Mill Woods and the West LRT line from Lewis Estates to downtown Edmonton. The new, low-floor LRT system will include approximately 17 miles of double track with more than half a mile in tunnels and one mile on elevated structure, as well as 29 stations. The project will also include a new light-rail vehicle operations and maintenance facility, transit centers and a park-and-ride facility.

"AECOM is pleased to further its relationship with the city of Edmonton as we help to advance its mass transit systems and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors," said John Dionisio, AECOM president and chief executive officer.

The preliminary design is slated for completion by September 2013.

Crenshaw /LAX Transit Corridor project advancing to next phase

The Federal Transit Administration gave approval to release the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report for the Los Angeles Metro Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor.

The FEIS/R will be presented to the Metro Board of Directors Sept. 22 for its action. Approval by the Metro Board is necessary to move the project into the construction phase.

"For more than 50 years Los Angeles has waited for a rail line connecting the Crenshaw Corridor to LAX. That sound you hear is this train finally moving out of the station. Today we took one large step forward to putting 7,800 people to work constructing the Crenshaw Line," Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa said.

"We have asked the federal government to change their rules and regulations so that we can award contracts to construct this and other lines to local companies who hire local workers. Creating jobs is important to all of us, but putting Angelenos back to work is my top priority," added Villaraigosa.

"FTA approval of the environmental document for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor represents a big step forward," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. "The Crenshaw/LAX Line represents one of the largest public works projects in South Los Angeles. This $1.76 billion investment will bring much needed jobs, economic development, congestion relief and improve air quality along the corridor. I applaud the FTA for working with Metro staff in ensuring environmental approval."

 

Watco names SVP of Watco Transload and Intermodal Development

Dan Smith has been named senior vice president of Watco Transload and Intermodal Development. Smith’s role will consist of driving the implementation of key initiatives across all areas of Watco Transload and Intermodal Services, working closely with Phil Penner, senior vice president, WTIS.

Smith currently serves as senior vice president, Greens Port Industrial Park. In addition to his new role, Smith’s responsibilities will continue to include both the oversight and development of Greens Port and the performance of Watco’s Real Estate Department.

 

NJ Transit restores NEC service between Trenton and NYC

NJ Transit will restore rail service this morning on the busy Northeast Corridor from Trenton Transit Center to New York Penn Station, following a service suspension on a portion of the line between Trenton and New Brunswick due to damage caused by earlier flooding.

After being given the all clear from Amtrak to run test trains at night on August 30, NJ Transit completed several successful test runs and determined that rail service to and from Trenton can operate August 31; however, customers are advised to expect 10-15 minute delays on the Northeast Corridor today due to ongoing signal problems caused by the flood in Trenton.

Some rail customers will still experience delays and cancellations on their lines due to ongoing flooding and storm damage at locations across the system. Customers are urged to check njtransit.com for the latest service information before traveling.

"Our goal is to bring the bus and rail system back to 100 percent as soon as possible, with the understanding that Mother Nature moves at her own pace," said NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein. "I want to thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we work through the residual impacts of Hurricane Irene. And I want to thank NJ Transit’s hard-working employees for continuing to give their all to get the job done."

To give customers additional travel options, NJ Transit is offering system wide cross-honoring, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode: rail, bus or light rail and private carrier buses.

WMATA plans major trackwork over Labor Day weekend

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will advance major track work on sections of the Orange and Blue lines over the three-day Labor Day weekend. Buses will replace Orange Line trains between East Falls Church and West Falls Church as work continues on the Dulles rail extension project. In addition, Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street stations will be closed as WMATA installs new track switches on the Blue Line near Van Dorn Street. Shuttle buses will operate between Franconia-Springfield and Eisenhower Avenue stations via Van Dorn Street Station.

Orange Line

From 8 p.m., Friday, September 2, through closing on Monday, September 5, buses will replace trains between East Falls Church and West Falls Church stations to allow for construction that will eventually connect the Dulles extension to the existing Metrorail system.

East Falls Church and West Falls Church stations will remain open.

Blue Line

From 10 p.m., Friday, September 2, through closing on Monday, September 5, Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street stations will be closed as Metro installs new track switches between Van Dorn Street and King Street stations, which is part of a National Transportation Safety Board recommendation.

WMATA is advancing a six-year, $5 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that is focused on safety and bringing the system into a state of good repair. In FY2012, the CIP includes projects to replace escalators; retrofit track; replace critical track circuitry and equipment along the right of way; rehabilitate third-rail power systems, running rail and track pads; modernize 12 stations; and install 30 new track turnouts.

CSX, NS make progress towards correcting storm damage

Norfolk Southern is making progress in restoring operations following Hurricane Irene. Operations in North and South Carolina and Virginia have generally returned to normal, with a few areas where power has yet to be restored.

On the Delmarva Peninsula, high water and power outages remain in a few areas around Edgemoor, but trains have begun moving into the area.

In the Philadelphia/South Jersey area, normal operations have generally been restored, however, some track areas are still under repair. Flooding along the Raritan River has receded, allowing operation of trains into the North Jersey area.

Repair work on washouts continues in the area around Binghamton, N. Y., impacting NS shipments into areas of New England. An embargo of some shipments in this area will remain in effect until repairs are completed later this week.

Customers with shipments moving into these areas should continue to expect delays for the next few days, as the backlog of shipments moves into the area.

Customers with questions regarding specific shipments should contact the National Customer Service Center.

Working as safely and rapidly as possible, CSX is recovering from the impact of the hurricane in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. The company’s freight operations are moving steadily toward full recovery and commuter train service in the Washington, D.C., and Boston areas was restored on August 29.

The company is continuing to work through power outages, localized flooding and debris on tracks, which is slowing some freight operations. Many signals and highway crossing warning devices are being powered temporarily by generators until commercial power can be restored. While flood waters are receding in many parts of the CSX network impacted by the storm, flooding in New York and New Jersey remains a significant obstacle. Crews and materials, including ballast, are on hand for necessary repairs as quickly as possible.

The company’s Curtis Bay export pier in Baltimore resumed operations on August 28, while export piers served by CSX at Newport News are expected to resume operations August 30. Eastbound intermodal traffic was held temporarily in Chicago until receivers are able to take deliveries. At this time, no intermodal trains are operating out of Boston; Kearny, Little Ferry and North Bergen, N.J.; Philadelphia; or Springfield, Mass.

However, intermodal terminals serving those locations are open and will resume rail service as tracks are restored. TRANSFLO terminals in the affected area are also back in operation.

CSX to invest $59 million for Ohio intermodal terminal expansion

CSX plans to invest in a $59 million intermodal freight terminal expansion in Columbus, Ohio.

This terminal expansion is part of the National Gateway initiative, linking deep water east coast ports with Midwestern markets. The overall project covers six states and the District of Columbia and includes rail capacity enhancements and intermodal terminal capacity improvements.

"CSX’s goal is to consistently provide the highest quality transportation service for our customers," said Wilby Whitt, president of CSX Intermodal Terminals. "We have a proud history of helping the Midwest thrive and we believe this investment will help increase the benefits available in Central Ohio and beyond."

The Columbus terminal expansion will ready the region with the capacity needed for anticipated growth in business and continue to enhance the economical and environmentally-friendly rail intermodal service offered to customers.

The terminal expansion, which is part of the company’s previously stated capital investment plans, includes a redesign of the site footprint, installation and realignment of tracks, reconfiguration of inbound and outbound truck gates, additional onsite parking and three, high-tech, rail-mounted, electric wide-span cranes. This investment is expected to create more than 400 construction-related jobs over the course of the project in Columbus.

The wide-span cranes will operate with zero emissions and regenerate power back to the terminal grid or to the electric utility.

"CSX’s significant private investment in this expansion brings with it great opportunity for Columbus," Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said. "This is a solid example of how Columbus continues to lead in economic development opportunities in Central Ohio. CSX’s investment strengthens the region’s transportation infrastructure and provides our businesses with access to more efficient, cost-effective green transportation."

 

NS releases smartphone app

Norfolk Southern Corporation is making a mobile app available for smart phone users who want to access the company’s latest news and general information, stock information and images. The app is available now for iPhone through the application store. Users can search for it under the following terms: Norfolk Southern, trains, locomotives, infrastructure, freight rail, commercial freight, railroad, rail safety, Thoroughbred and One Line. A version of the app for Droid phones will be available in the next few weeks.

"This puts NS information into the palm of the hand," said Frank Brown, assistant vice president corporate communications. "It’s available wherever there is a mobile signal and it doesn’t hurt that it’s free and easy to use."

The app’s "News" button gives users a choice of company news releases and real-time feeds of the NS Facebook and Twitter pages. The "Stocks" button provides the latest available NS stock price and related industry financial news. "Media" offers photos and videos of locomotives, people, commodities and scenery.

The NS system map and other general company information are found under the "About Us" button, while the "Contact Us" button gives key NS telephone numbers. "TimeLine" helps users explore company milestones going back to 1827.

The Norfolk Southern app was inspired by NS employees and developed by RP3 Agency, the company’s advertising firm.

Metro-North suspends Port Jervis service indefinitely due to “catastrophic damage”

Train service on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Metro-North Railraod Port Jervis Line is suspended until further notice due to extensive damage to many portions of the line as a result of Hurricane Irene.

The full extent of the damage has not been determined, as much of the line remains inaccessible and under water. Through a combination of observations made on the ground and from a helicopter, Metro-North work crews have observed significant washouts and fallen trees at numerous locations along the tracks west of Suffern. Some of the more significant issues that have been identified include:

• Three washout locations of 1,000 feet each near Sloatsburg


• A 400-foot section of track washed out to a depth of eight feet south of Sloatsburg

• Significant damage to several railroad bridges

• Suspected significant damage to the signal system, which is exposed and under water

Metro-North will retain an engineering firm to perform a thorough inspection of 24 miles of infrastructure to determine the full extent of necessary repairs and determine required environmental permitting. Major construction work would follow.

It will take months to rebuild the track, signal and bridge infrastructure required to reinstitute train service, although the exact duration will be determined by the investigation.

Metro-North worked with Orange County to develop an alternate service plan for the 2,300 people who use the Port Jervis Line each weekday. If the NYS Thruway is open, bus service will take customers from the Harriman Station to the Ramsey/Route 17 station to catch trains. For the return trip, customers will get off trains at Ramsey/Route 17 and board a bus for the trip back to Harriman. Buses will follow the train schedule. As road and station conditions improve in Orange County, Metro-North will seek to expand the bus options available.

Timken names Ruel VP of rail business

The Timken Company, a friction management and power transmission products and services company, appointed Brian Ruel to vice president of rail. He assumes the role Oct. 1, upon the retirement of Roger W. Lindsay.

In this role, Ruel will lead the company’s rail segment. Timken’s rail business provides bearings, seals, gearboxes and repair services, ensuring smooth, energy-efficient operation for freight, locomotive, passenger, tram and high-speed train customers around the world.

Ruel most recently held the position of vice president – light vehicle systems, which, like rail, is part of the company’s Mobile Industries business. He joined the company in 1984 as a sales engineer and continued to advance in various sales positions of increasing responsibility. In 2004, he was named director of customer satisfaction for the company’s automotive business and in 2007 was named director – sales – light vehicle systems.

 

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