AAR’s Hamberger outlines steps taken to increase safety at Railway Age’s Crude By Rail Conference

Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger touted the many steps freight railroads are taking to boost the safety of moving crude oil by rail, while reiterating the industry’s call for the federal government to increase tank car standards at Railway Age‘s Crude By Rail Conference and Expo in Arlington, Va.

FRA, MDOT, Amtrak partner to further study to improve Civil War-era tunnel

Working to improve rail service, reliability and address a longstanding bottleneck along Amtrak’s busy Northeast Corridor (NEC), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Amtrak are advancing an engineering and environmental study to examine various

House approves fiscal year 2015 THUD bill

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the fiscal year 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill on a vote of 229-192. The legislation includes funding for the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies.

TSB finds inadequate drainage caused VIA Rail derailment on CN track

In its investigation report, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined that inadequate water drainage led to the collapse of an embankment, causing the derailment of a VIA Rail Canada train near Togo, Saskatchewan.

Rail Summit rallies rail executives, decision makers in Chicago

The second annual Rail Summit, held in Chicago, Ill., proved to be another success, rallying some 300 rail executives and decision makers to discuss this year’s theme of economic opportunities resulting from the surge in energy and intermodal growth.

Officials celebrate completion of Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Combo Project

In British Columbia, Canada, federal and local officials celebrated the completion of three Asia-Pacific Gateway projects along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC).

UP named 2013 Railroad Company of the Year

Union Pacific earned the 2013 Railroad Company of the Year Award from Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp. The annual award is presented to suppliers and vendors that provide superior service and maintain high performance levels.

NS, Operation Lifesaver team up on Georgia safety train

The Peach State Whistle-Stop Safety Train this week starts a 327-mile tour from the heart of South Georgia to the city of Dalton, calling attention to safety and trespasser awareness.

HDR hires transit sector director

HDR, Inc., has hired Tom Waldron as transit market sector director, based in HDR’s New York City office. His responsibilities include setting HDR’s vision and initiatives for continued growth and expansion in transit across North America and globally.

Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern completes acquisition of DM&E west end

Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s (GWI) newly-established subsidiary, Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad, Inc., has completed the acquisition of the west end of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) rail line from Canadian Pacific for approximately $210 million plus approximately $7.5 million for the purchase of certain inventory, equipment and vehicles.

Indiana kicks off $71-million rail upgrade

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence joined representatives from Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration and Norfolk Southern on May 29 to kick off the $71.4-million Indiana Gateway project to improve rail lines between Porter, Ind., and the Illinois state line.

FRA Administrator Szabo tours Siemens Louisville Rail Plant

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo visited Siemens’ automation plant in Louisville, Ken., which is one of several companies across the country that are making key components for Positive Train Control (PTC) systems.

UP completes New Mexico rail facility

Union Pacific celebrated the grand opening of its New Mexico rail facility May 28, which officially opened April 1. The 2,200-acre site will create value for UP customers and produce greater logistics efficiencies along Union Pacific’s critical Sunset Route, the rail line running 760 miles from El Paso, Texas, to Los Angeles, Calif.

NS’ Squires taking on additional duties

Norfolk Southern‘s President James Squires will assume additional responsibilities in the marketing and operations divisions in line with the company’s normal succession planning process.

CSX mainline opens in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield

CSX said it has reached a major milestone in the construction of its $100-million intermodal terminal in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QB, Canada with the official opening of its mainline leading directly to the Perron Industrial and Maritime Park.

British Columbia’s Ashcroft Terminal expansion complete

Ashcroft Terminal, an inland transloading facility in British Columbia that is a member of the Canadian government’s Asian Pacific Corridor, completed an expansion project designed to improve the flow of goods by rail and give local industry a competitive edge in international trade.

NCDOT awards $16 million for state rail improvement projects

The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded more than $16 million to 40 projects across the state through the Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program.

CN’s Mongeau underscores railroad’s unwavering commitment to safety

Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National, in a speech to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, said that dangerous goods are an integral part of everyday life and that CN has an unwavering commitment to moving all traffic safely.

RailWorks-Archer Western JV celebrate role in SunRail success

SunRail passenger rail service began May 1 in Central Florida along a 32-mile route comprised of 12 stations between DeBary and south Orlando. The new service marks completion of the first phase of the $1-billion Central Florida Commuter Rail Transit (CFCRT) project.

FCC, railroads reach agreement on PTC towers

An agreement has been reached between the seven Class 1 freight railroads and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the installation of positive train control (PTC) antennas, but the Association of American Railroads (AAR) says the delay in developing the process has severely impeded PTC implementation and a fully operable system by the 2015 deadline is not possible.

LOAD MORE