BNSF plans $226 million capital program in Nebraska
BNSF ‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in Nebraska will be an estimated $226 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance.
Class 1
Proposed FY16 budget includes six-year surface transportation solution; generous rail funds
President Obama unveiled his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016, which includes a six-year $478-billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal that contains rail funding sources through the Generating Renewal, Opportu¬nity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America (GROW AMERICA) Act.
AAR: Freight railroads to spend a record $29 billion on network; hire 15k in 2015
U.S. freight railroads plan to spend an estimated $29 billion on the nation’s rail network and project to hire about 15,000 people in 2015, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported in its 2015 Outlook. The AAR says these high-paying jobs and record private spending will further strengthen an essential transportation system that is today powering a U.S. economic comeback.
KCS updates PTC progress; highlights Signal group
Kansas City Southern says that implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology is a major, ongoing initiative, especially for the Signal, Mechanical, Telecommunications and IT groups.
CN, Canadian m/w employees ratify four-year agreement
Canadian National and members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union Local 2004 have ratified a four-year labor agreement covering approximately 3,000 maintenance-of-way employees who inspect, maintain and repair CN’s track, bridges and structures in Canada. The new agreement was reached prior to the expiration of the previous agreement and is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015.
Sen. Sanders wants $1 trillion for nation’s infrastructure
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the Senate Budget Committee ranking member, has introduced legislation to rebuild America’s crumbling network of roads, bridges and transit systems and other infrastructure projects. The five-year plan would invest $1 trillion and create or maintain at least 13 million decent-paying jobs, says Sanders.
UP, Metra activate new pedestrian crossing system at Wheaton, Ill., station
A new pedestrian grade-crossing system was activated at the Wheaton, Ill., Metra station along the Union Pacific West Line on January 26. The system was activated at the Maywood, Melrose Park, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, College Avenue, Winfield and Geneva stations in 2011.
Minnesota Gov. Dayton reveals plan to fix state infrastructure
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed a plan to fix Minnesota’s aging transportation systems, which would invest $6 billion over the next 10 years to address the state’s highway funding deficit, invest $2.356 billion in local government transportation projects and provide $2.92 billion for Metro and Greater Minnesota transit systems. The Governor’s proposal would create an estimated 119,000 new jobs and build the infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of a growing population and an expanding state economy.
RailComm upgrades Louisville yard
A North American Class 1 railroad with a large switching yard located in Louisville, Ky., has chosen to upgrade their existing RailComm yard control system.
NS plans $2.4 billion capital expenditure program in 2015
Norfolk Southern is targeting a $2.4-billion capital expenditure program in 2015 the railroad revealed during its fourth-quarter and full-year 2014 results presentation. This year’s program reflects a $277-million increase over the railroad’s 2014 program.
ACE celebrates completion of Baldwin Avenue grade separation
Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority (ACE) completed major construction on a four-lane roadway underpass and a two-track railroad bridge carrying freight trains over Baldwin Avenue, north of Valley Boulevard in the City of El Monte, Calif.
Union Pacific employees achieve best-ever annual safety performance
Union Pacific says its 2014 annual employee safety performance was the best in company history. Employees achieved a 0.98 reportable injury rate, surpassing the previous record established in 2012.
UP increases Arizona line speed following track upgrades
Recent track upgrades meeting or exceeding all applicable Federal Railroad Administration standards will allow Union Pacific to increase the speed of its trains in several locations on its rail line between Arlington and Picacho, Ariz.
CP names new SVP sales and marketing
Canadian Pacific has appointed Timothy Marsh to senior vice-president sales and marketing, effective Feb. 1, 2015.
BNSF details $6-billion capex plan; North Region will see $1.5-billion in work
BNSF announced plans for a $6-billion capital expenditure program in November and has revealed more details about where and on what the money will be spent.
CN reaches tentative labor agreement with Teamsters union representing rail traffic controllers in Canada
Canadian National has negotiated a tentative labor agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Rail Canada Traffic Controllers (TCRC-RCTC) union.
Mongeau: CN’s critical Chicago investments keep network fluid, help railroad handle rising demand and free up capacity in rail hub
Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National, says CN’s substantial investments in its U.S. Midwest operations, particularly the former Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway (EJ&E), are keeping its network fluid,
TSB points finger at wheel climb at switch point for 2013 Alberta derailment
In its investigation report, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined that a Canadian Pacific train derailed when a wheel flange struck and climbed a switch point and then fell between the switch point and the rail.
NCDOT, CSX to begin A-line crossover project
CSX, in partnership with North Carolina Department of Transporation, will begin construction on a series of projects to build universal crossovers on the CSX A-line in three eastern North Carolina locations: South Weldon, Enfield and Rocky Mount. Construction at the three project locations will include grading, drainage improvements, track and signal construction.
CSX sets 2015 capital expenditures at $2.5 billion
CSX Corporation had a lot of good news for investors during this mornings Quarter 4 2014 earnings conference call including record fourth-quarter 2014 net earnings. The railroad also unveiled that it will target a $2.5-billion capital expenditure program in the upcoming year. In 2014, the railroad targeted a $2.3-billion capital spend program.