Union Pacific makes marketing and sales leadership appointments

Union Pacific made four appointments in marketing and sales leadership roles, effective Sept. 1.

Central Texas & Colorado River begins operations

A new rail operation looks to convince potential customers it still brings heart to Texas railroading.

PennDOT opens application process for freight grant program

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports and Waterways opened the application period for the 2016 Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and the 2016 Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).

Union Pacific achieves safest first half of year in history

Union Pacific’s employee reportable injury rate from January through June was .70, the lowest in its 154-year history.

Feinberg calls for greater action to enhance crossing safety

Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah E. Feinberg is calling for additional action to remedy a “solvable problem” by preventing fatalities at grade crossings.

HDR names Hjelholt director of freight rail

Bill Hjelholt joined HDR as director of freight rail. His responsibilities include developing HDR’s vision and initiatives for continued growth and expansion of the freight rail sector across North America and globally.

KCS and Odessa Police promote safety with Officer on a Train event

Kansas City Southern and the Odessa Police Department hosted an Officer on a Train event July 20 to promote public safety at railroad crossings in Odessa, Mo. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also participated in the safety event.

USDOT creates Build America Bureau

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has established the Build America Bureau, which will drive transportation infrastructure development projects in the United States by streamlining credit and grant opportunities while providing technical assistance and encouraging innovative best practices in project planning, financing, delivery and monitoring.

Hunter Harrison readies for a transition

E. Hunter Harrison came out of retirement in 2012 to lead Canadian Pacific out of the Class I basement, where it had languished for several years. The following year, his protégé, Keith Creel, left CN to join his mentor. Next July, Creel will officially fill Harrison’s shoes upon Harrison’s retirement after more than a half-century in railroading.

CSX moves Carolina Connector; debuts new intermodal service

CSX put a stop to the controversy surrounding its planned Carolina Connector (CCX) intermodal facility in Johnson County, N.C., by moving the project to Rocky Mount in Edgecombe County.

Minnesota establishes council on freight rail

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton issued an executive order, establishing the Governor’s Council on Freight Rail, which will bring together state officials and railroads in a public-private working group to improve communication and enhance safety and economic development in communities.

Two arguments on two-person crews

As reported by Railway Age, the Federal Railroad Administration, at a June 15, 2016 hearing regarding the agency’s proposed rule mandating two-person crews, heard two sharply contrasting arguments, one from freight rail management, the other from labor.

NTSB releases preliminary report on BNSF Panhandle collision

One of the trains involved in the June 28 head-on collision between two BNSF intermodal trains outside of Panhandle, Texas passed a red signal before the accident.

PHMSA proposes new response plan and info sharing rules for HHFTs

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), has proposed regulations for Oil Spill Response Plans and Information Sharing for High-Hazard Flammable Trains (HHFTs) to improve oil spill response readiness and mitigate effects of rail incidents involving petroleum oil.

NC Hopson Road grade separation and track passing project complete

North Carolina state transportation officials gathered in Durham July 12 to celebrate the completion of the Hopson Road grade separation and passing track project, which was designed to enhance rail safety and efficiency.

Sanveo opens L.A. office

Sanveo, Inc., has officially opened its new office in Los Angeles, Calif., adding to its existing offices in Newark, Calif., Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Aurangabad, India.

Port, grade separation projects receive FASTLANE grants

Several intermodal projects, as well as two grade separation projects will benefit from Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-Term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grants.

Norfolk Southern brings “Train Your Brain” safety campaign to Indiana

Norfolk Southern is bringing its “Train Your Brain” public safety campaign to Indiana to encourage motorists to be smart and safe when crossing train tracks.

Virginia awarded $165 million FASTLANE grant for Atlantic Gateway Project

Virginia’s proposed Atlantic Gateway Project has been selected for a federal FASTLANE grant of $165 million. 

Lor to manage rail projects for WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff has hired Rik Lor, who will manage the delivery of rail projects as a senior engineering manager in its transit and rail technical excellence center.

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