Will Trump fund Gateway? Maybe

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, along with 15 other elected officials from New York and New Jersey, met with President Donald Trump at the White House Sept. 7 to discuss the Gateway Project. Accounts of the meeting vary, but are somewhat positive.

Amtrak: Diesel fleet PTC-compliant by deadline

Working with Rockwell Collins, Amtrak plans to equip approximately 310 diesel-electric locomotives with Positive Train Control (PTC) technology by the Dec. 31, 2018 federal deadline mandate.

STB nixes Great Lakes Basin line

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Aug. 30 rejected an application filed by Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc. (GLBT) for authority to construct and operate a rail line in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.

NS bridge inspection “drones” on

Norfolk Southern has one of the most comprehensive drone-based railroad bridge inspection programs in the nation, recently surpassing more than 100,000 linear feet.

Construction under way on NY Penn expansion

More than a half-century after the cashed-strapped, bankruptcy-headed Pennsylvania Railroad demolished the original, spacious and beautiful Pennsylvania Station New York…

Staff, board appointments at NYMTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA) has a new President and Managing Director, as well as three new board members.

Senate Commerce Committee advances Batory FRA nomination

The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

MoW union ratifies CP pact

Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC-MWED) announced they have ratified a new five-year labor agreement.

WSP USA taps Bonina, Cox

WSP USA, the company formerly called Parsons Brinckerhoff, has named two rail transit industry veterans to executive positions.

Norfolk Southern slimming to nine divisions

Norfolk Southern will be consolidating its Central Division headquarters operations in Knoxville, Tenn., into three surrounding divisions “as part of ongoing efforts to enhance customer service and improve operating efficiencies.”

NJT FY 2018 budget: $3.6 billion

New Jersey Transit (NJT) has adopted a Fiscal Year 2018 budget of $3.6 billion “that supports continued investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and enhance the overall customer experience.”

Batory picked for FRA chief

The White House on July 10 announced that President Donald Trump intends to nominate Ronald L. Batory, who recently retired as president and chief operating officer of Conrail, as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

Calgary: Green tax to fund Green Line

The Canadian province of Alberta plans to spend CA$1.53 billion (US$1.187 billion) in provincial carbon tax money to fund one-third of Calgary Transit’s Green Line light-rail transit expansion project.

MTA plans to overhaul subway system

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an edict to the MTA to focus on “transformational change” for the city’s rapid transit network, the first segment of which opened in 1904.

Hall named FRA Deputy Administrator

The Federal Railroad Administration has named public relations practitioner Heath Hall as Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator, a post that does not require Senate confirmation.

UP veteran Tate joins RailPros Field Services

RailPros Field Services, a provider of railroad engineering and field support, has named Terry Tate as Assistant Vice President of Rail Operations. He will focus on the expansion of existing projects and the development of new business ventures.

WSP USA’s new tunnel doctor

Dr. Axel Nitschke has been named a tunnel practice leader in the Washington, D.C. office of WSP USA (formerly WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff).

FTA: Get those SSOs in!

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has notified the 30 U.S. states where rail transit systems operate that federal law requires they establish an FTA-certified State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program by April 15, 2019, otherwise they risk losing funds.

WSP USA promotes Arens

WSP USA, formerly WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, has promoted Barbara Arens to Central Region Business Manager, Transportation and Infrastructure Sector.

R. J. Corman marks 30 years

R. J. Corman Railroad Co. LLC is commemorating its 30th anniversary this year. The company that the late Rick Corman founded in January 1987 with the acquisition of a branch line has blossomed into a diverse organization with numerous divisions.