NTSB takes over BNSF Texas derailment investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken control of the investigation into the June 28, 2016 accident between two BNSF intermodal trains near Panhandle, Texas.
Author: Mischa Wanek-Libman
FRA’s preliminary report on Mosier derailment points to broken bolts as cause
A Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) preliminary report of the June 3 Union Pacific oil train derailment near Mosier, Ore., found broken lag bolts that led to gauge widening to be the cause of the accident.
GREX names Euston VP of engineering
Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) promoted its director of inspection technology, Todd Euston, to the position of vice president of engineering.
Optimizing friction management
Suppliers are investing in the development of new products that maximize uptime while reducing total cost of ownership.
The measured approach to transit expansion
LACMTA is in the middle of a building boom and has plans to continue that trend in an effort to transform L.A. into a premier transit-friendly city.
SEPTA ramps up Crum Creek Viaduct work
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will halt train service between Elwyn and Swarthmore Stations on the Media/Elwyn Line June 18-19 as work on the Crum Creek Viaduct project intensifies.
NAMRC names Rauch Supplier of the Year
The North American Maintenance Railway Club (NAMRC) named Ian Rauch, manager of Steel and OTM Sales at Omaha Track as its 2015-2016 Supplier of the Year.
WSDOT opens availability for loans, grants for freight rail improvement projects
Applications are now being accepted for Washington state-funded grants and loans for projects that improve freight rail services. Funds will be available in July 2017.
New York grants to rehab three bridges; 52 miles of track
New York state has awarded $16.3 million in grants through the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program to projects that Gov. Andrew Cuomo said will strengthen infrastructure, as well as support economic development by leveraging an additional $12.8 million in additional public and private investments.
Union Pacific Nevada program includes rail, tie replacements
Union Pacific plans to spend $33.7 million on improvements to its Nevada infrastructure in 2016. This year’s investment is on top of the $180 million UP spent in the state from 2011-2015.
Trackwork complete for Toronto-York Spadina extension
Premier Kathleen Wynne visited the site of the future Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station at Highway 7 in York Region on June 6 to mark the completion of track work on the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE).
Ontario makes another big funding commitment to rail transit
The province of Ontario is committing more than CA$1 billion (US$779 million) toward the city of Ottawa’s light-rail transit (LRT) expansion project, which the province says will help grow the economy, reduce travel times and connect people to jobs.
Canadian environmental agency seeks input on potential impacts of rail yard
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is seeking comments regarding the proposed North American Polypropylene Rail Yard Project, located in Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada.
CTC pulls, delays more than $175 million in rail project funds
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) adopted a five-year state transportation funding plan that cuts $754 million and delays another $755 million in highway, rail, transit, bicycle and pedestrian project spending on May 18.
LACMTA opens Phase 2 of Expo Line
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) began service May 20 on Phase 2 of the Expo Line project.
VRE completes Spotsylvania third track project
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) service began May 17 along a new third track built on CSX’s right-of-way from the VRE Crossroads Yard to Hamilton.
FRA, CHSRA revise grant agreement
The Federal Railroad Administration and California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) updated an existing 2010 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant agreement.
NTSB shines spotlight on PTC following Amtrak 188 meeting
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deemed human error as the probable cause for the May 2015 Amtrak accident in Philadelphia, but said better windows would have lessened the severity of injuries of the crash and Positive Train Control (PTC) would have prevented it.
NTSB: Loss of situational awareness caused Amtrak 188 derailment
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) voted 3-1 to determine the probable cause of the May 12, 2015 Amtrak 188 derailment in Philadelphia to be the locomotive engineer’s loss of situational awareness.
Tulsa Port of Catoosa completes $11M dock renovation
Tulsa is primed to expand shipping capacity as the Panama Canal expansion nears completion with newly renovated dock and rail facilities.