North Carolina hump yard to utilize RailComm technology
RailComm has been selected to provide remote control to multiple switch locations and install a shove track protection system at a Class 1 hump yard located in North Carolina.
Class 1
Tower 55 reopens following $100-million retrofit
Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo joined Congresswoman Kay Granger in celebrating the re-opening of Tower 55, a 141-year-old railroad interlocking on Nov. 7. The newly-rebuilt interlocking will improve safety while relieving rail congestion following a multi-million dollar overhaul.
Szabo plans to leave FRA
Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo will be stepping down from the post he has held since April 2009 and, effective Jan. 1, 2015, will be on staff at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)—effectively returning to his Chicagoland roots.
BNSF opens logistics center in Sweetwater, Texas
BNSF celebrated the opening of a new $45-million logistic center in Sweetwater, Texas, November 6. The logistic center, capable of supporting rail, truck and transload services, will accommodate several industries, including agricultural commodities, sand, pipe and aggregate.
CSX names industrial development manager for South Carolina
CSX has appointed Kellen Riley as its South Carolina industrial development manager where he will be responsible for managing existing customer partnerships, helping to locate rail-served industries along the CSX network in South Carolina and identifying new development sites throughout the state.
CSX gains approval to move forward with its Virginia Avenue Tunnel project
The Federal Highway Administration has approved a preferred construction alternative for CSX’s Virginia Avenue Tunnel project, enabling CSX to complete the tunnel’s design and initiate the construction permitting process.
Columbia Basin Railroad named busiest shortline in eastern Washington
According to a recent Washington State Freight and Goods Transportation System report published by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Columbia Basin Railroad line from Connell to Moses Lake/Wheeler, Wash., is the busiest shortline in eastern Washington.
BNSF outlines winter prep plans
BNSF says it will go into the 2014-2015 winter season better prepared than ever before, especially if the United States experiences a return of the polar vortex. The 2013-2014 winter was one of the most severe winters the United States has experienced in decades with extreme temperatures that persisted for long periods and created special challenges for operating the railroad.
Construction begins on new Amtrak Rochester, N.Y., station
Construction has started on the $29.8-million Amtrak Rochester Intermodal Station in Rochester, N.Y., which will reduce regional delays by expanding track service at the station, increase functionality through a new and redesigned concourse and enhance the overall passenger experience in the larger, modern station. Construction is expected to be completed by 2017.
BNSF names Utah Railway Shortline of the Year
BNSF has named Utah Railway as the 2014 Shortline of the Year. Utah Railway operates about 423 miles along the heavily-populated Wasatch Front Corridor, serving a wide variety of customers with growing volumes in Utah.
CREATE’s Englewood Flyover opens
On October 23, federal, state and local officials celebrated the opening of the $142-million Englewood Flyover, a major railroad bridge that has eliminated a significant source of train delays on the south side of Chicago and has reduced emissions and noise from idling trains in the neighborhood.
HDR hires transportation director
Randy Altshuler joined HDR as the firm’s West Region transportation director, based in the Oakland, Calif., office. His responsibilities include leading business development activities and growth strategies throughout the West Region.
Construction begins on Chicago-Moline rail service
Construction has started on the new passenger rail route connecting Chicago and Moline, Ill. The $23 million in improvements underway at the BNSF’s Eola Yard in Aurora, Ill., are made possible by funds from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) $177-million grant toward the project, as well as $78 million in matching funds provided by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program.
Watco, GNPD break ground on South Heart Rail Terminal
Watco Terminal and Port Services and Great Northern Project Development (GNPD) broke ground on the South Heart Rail Terminal (SHRT), a multi-purpose rail transload terminal and railcar maintenance shop near South Heart, N.D., and will serve the energy industry and its service providers in the Bakken, Three Forks, Tyler and emerging oil and gas formations.
KCS appoints SVP human resources
Kansas City Southern has appointed Lora Cheatum to senior vice president human resources.
CP confirms termination of exploratory talks with CSX
Canadian Pacific said that exploratory conversations held with CSX concerning a possible business combination have ended.
CSX celebrates grand opening of Central Florida ILC
CSX, along with federal, state and local officials, celebrated the grand opening of the new Central Florida Intermodal Logistics Center (ILC) in Winter Haven. The facility, which began operations earlier this year, provides a centralized hub for transportation, logistics and distribution serving Orlando, Tampa and other regional Florida markets.
AECOM completes acquisition of URS Corporation
AECOM completed its acquisition of URS Corporation on Oct. 17, 2014, following approval of the merger agreement by URS’ stockholders and the stock issuance proposal by AECOM’s stockholders at each company’s respective special stockholder meetings held on Oct. 16, 2014.
FEIS, ROD issued for CREATE’s 75th Street CIP
The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program partners and the Federal Highway Administration announced the availability of the combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (75th Street CIP).
CN officially opens Illinois training facility
Canadian National (CN) opened a new employee training center in suburban Chicago. The 55,000-square-foot facility will host up to 250 CN students from across the United States every week, with hands-on training for all key railway jobs.