CP, Unimin Corporation enter long-term agreement for frac sand transport
Canadian Pacific Railway entered into a multi-year agreement with Unimin Corporation of New Canaan, Conn., for the movement of frac sand from Unimin’s facility in Wisconsin.
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STB slates hearing on effect of BNSF purchase price
From the editors at Railway Age.
The Surface Transportation Board announced that it will hold a public hearing March 22 “to explore the impact of the Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. acquisition of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. on certain costing determinations.”
BNSF employees take plunge for Special Olympics
BNSF Twin Cities Division employees in Northtown, Minn., braved freezing temperatures, wind and snow flurries to participate in the Polar Bear Plunge for the second consecutive year, so far raising more than $27,200 for Special Olympics of Minnesota.
UP names several to executive positions
Union Pacific’s board of directors named Eric Butler executive vice president marketing and sales. Butler succeeds Jack Koraleski, who recently was appointed acting president and CEO while Chairman Jim Young is on medical leave.
CN introducing new Prince Rupert intermodal services
Canadian National will offer new import/export container train services between the Port of Prince Rupert, B.C., and Calgary (now in operation) and Edmonton, starting in June 2012. According to CN, Alberta is one of the fastest growing industrial and consumer-based economies in North America and has a fast increasing need for efficient supply chains.
BNSF reduces customers’ CO2 emissions by more than 30 million metric tons in 2011
BNSF customers reduced carbon dioxide emissions in 2011 shipping freight by rail instead of its products moving entirely over the road. In 2011, customers avoided emitting more than 30 million metric tons of CO2 by using BNSF, which is equivalent to reducing the annual fuel consumption and resultant greenhouse gas emissions of more than six million passenger vehicles.
UP to spend $9.2 million on Arizona infrastructure improvements
Union Pacific is enhancing Arizona’s transportation infrastructure by investing $9.2 million in the rail line that runs between Crag and downtown Phoenix. The project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by the end of April.
Operation Lifesaver notes reductions in 2011 U.S. crossing collisions
Sustained public education efforts, engineering improvements and law enforcement programs have contributed to a nationwide reduction in vehicle-train collisions and pedestrian-train deaths and injuries in 2011, according to Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
CP: Customer relations drives Multi-Year Plan’s success
In a letter to shareholders, John Cleghorn, Chairman of the Board of Canadian Pacific outlined the railroad’s Multi-Year Plan and customer relationship success.
CSX recognized as a top employer for veterans
CSX Corporation was named a finalist in CivilianJobs.com’s 2012 Most Valuable Employer (MVE) for military ranking. CivilianJobs.com is a career resource organization dedicated to connecting American employers with experienced military talent.
Port of Stockton California improves capacity
The Port of Stockton California in a public/ private partnership with Union Pacific and Metropolitan Stevedore Company completed a project to add 5,828 feet of track to the East Port interchange Tracks. This new track allows a loop upon which inbound and outbound trains can move on without interfering with operations of the port’s east complex class yard. The track will be in service effective March 9, 2012.
KCS and Poteau, Okla. law enforcement partner for “Officer on a Train” safety event
Kansas City Southern is partnering with the Poteau, Okla., Police Department to conduct an Operation Lifesaver “Officer on a Train” event on March 7 to promote public safety at railroad grade crossings. The event will start at 4:00 p.m. at the Dewey Street crossing in Poteau.
UP to improve track, surrounding area in West Central Colorado
Union Pacific Railroad will improve the transportation infrastructure in Colorado by investing nearly $1 million in the rail line that runs in the Grand Junction area. Crews will be stabilizing the railroad track banking along the Colorado River. The bank stabilization project will begin March 12 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of May.
U.S. Mayors press for passage of bipartisan transportation bill
The nation’s mayors renewed their call for enactment of job-creating bipartisan transportation legislation now pending in Congress.
NTSB issues safety recommendations regarding storm water drainage to US DOT
The National Transportation Safety Board made safety recommendations regarding storm water issues that push for greater collaboration between entities affected by these issues. The following recommendation was sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation:
BLET, UP reach tentative agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen reached a tentative on-property contract agreement with Union Pacific.
Fry named curator of Barriger National Railroad Library
Nicholas Fry was named curator of the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, the sixth archivist/curator since the creation of the Barriger collections at the St. Louis Mercantile Library Association in the early 1980s.
Amtrak, TxDOT to study new service possibility
Amtrak and the Texas Department of Transportation agreed on the scope of a feasibility study for new Amtrak service between the Bossier City -Shreveport area in Northwest Louisiana and along the Interstate 20 corridor to Dallas and Fort Worth.
UP’s Young to take medical leave of absence
Union Pacific’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer James Young will take a medical leave of absence from his responsibilities as president and CEO while he is being treated for recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer.
NS names Sinquefield director railroad police; Shackelford retires
Mark Sinquefield has been named director police for Norfolk Southern, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., effective March 1. He succeeds Al Shackelford II, who retires after 39 years with Norfolk Southern.