Union Pacific plans rail replacement project near Chicago
Union Pacific will begin a major rail replacement project September 15 on its West Line, which serves freight and Metra passenger trains in Illinois.
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KCS names Jameson AVP safety and standardization
Kansas City Southern promoted L.E. Jameson to assistant vice president safety and standardization where he will report to vice president transportation and safety Steven Truitt.
Overpass opening marks completion of Roberts Bank Rail Corridor improvements
The official opening of the Mufford Crescent overpass marks the official completion of all nine Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) infrastructure improvement projects in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada.
California agencies kick off rail safety month
Metrolink, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Operation Lifesaver Inc., launched a combined safety campaign September 4 of “See Tracks? Think Train!” to honor Rail Safety Awareness month in California.
PHL now serving Los Angeles-Long Beach spur
Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) is now serving customers located in three industrial areas near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., linked to a 10-mile industrial spur owned by Union Pacific.
UP reorganizes its operating department
Union Pacific made multiple operating department appointments, which went into affect September 1.
Maryland DOT terminates agreement, pulls funding of CSX Morrell Park facility
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) said on Aug. 28 that it has terminated its agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc., and CSX Intermodal Terminals, Inc., (CSX) to attempt location of the Baltimore Rail Intermodal Facility at Morrell Park and has pulled all state funding from the project.
UP invests $20 million in Kansas’ infrastructure; begins double track project in Texas
Union Pacific will strengthen Kansas’ transportation infrastructure by investing $20 million in the rail line between Topeka and Kansas City, Kan. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began June 16 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-November.
Rocla opens new crosstie manufacturing facility
Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc. (RCTI), supplier of pre-stressed concrete ties, has opened a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in San Jose Iturbide, Mexico.
Springfield Rail Improvements Project begins with grade separation
Local and federal officials gathered on Thursday, August 21, 2014, for a ground-breaking ceremony of a underpass at Carpenter Street in Springfield, Ill. The grade separation is part of a larger rail project that will consolidate rail traffic and improve safety as part of the Chicago to St. Louis high-speed corridor.
KCS names Vecellio AVP production and standards
Kansas City Southern promoted Shawn Vecellio from director to assistant vice president production and standards for the engineering department.
Exemptions expanded in FRA’s final PTC rule
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published its final rule concerning Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in the Aug. 22 Federal Register. The rule, which takes effect Oct. 21, 2014, expands certain exemptions and comes 16 months before the full implementation deadline of Dec. 31, 2015.
Proposal outlined for North Dakota rail safety program
North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak has outlined a proposal for a state-run rail safety program to increase oversight of North Dakota rail operations. The program is included in the agency’s budget request submitted last week to the governor.
Massachusetts to purchase rail line for Knowledge Corridor project
The commonwealth of Massachusetts plans to purchase the Knowledge Corridor rail line between East Northfield and Springfield from Pan Am Southern, a joint venture of Pan Am and Norfolk Southern.
Track rehabilitation results in higher speeds along KCS’ Gulfport to Hattiesburg Line
Effective September 1, Kansas City Southern will increase train speed on portions of its line from Gulfport to Hattiesburg, Miss., from 25 miles per hour to 49 miles per hour.
Illinois grade separation in Lynwood breaks ground
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn joined local and state officials August 19 to break ground on a $29.6-million grade separation project in Lynwood, Ill., which will improve traffic flow and safety at the U.S. Route 30 and Canadian National crossing.
Reading & Northern Railroad to replace bridge with state grant
The Reading & Northern Railroad has been awarded a $10 million State Capital budget grant to build a new railroad bridge over the Lehigh River near Nesquehoning in Carbon County, Pa. The project cost is in excess of $14 million with Reading & Northern investing the balance.
Port of East St. Louis road and rail project breaks ground
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn was joined by local and state officials August 14 to break ground on a new $7-million multimodal transportation project that will service the future Port of East St. Louis. The state-funded project will increase access, create jobs and establish utility service to the area.
Jenkins named CSX VP market strategy e-business
CSX named Ed Jenkins vice president market strategy e-business, effective August 15. Jenkins, who will continue to report to Executive Vice Presient and Chief Commercial Officer Clarence Gooden, has fostered the development of the team responsible for translating customer needs and growth opportunities into service innovations that support each of the railroad’s key markets.
Koppers completes Osmose Wood Preservation and Railroad Services acquisition
Koppers Inc., has completed its acquisition of the wood preservation and railroad services businesses of Osmose Holdings, Inc.