Senate confirms Batory as FRA Administrator
The Senate by voice vote early Tuesday evening, Feb. 13, confirmed Ronald Batory as Federal Railroad Administrator, the nation’s rail safety watchdog agency.
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Acting FRA chief Hall resigns
Heath Hall, the acting administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, the nation’s rail safety watchdog, resigned Feb. 11 amid allegations that he was working a second job as a public relations consultant.
BNSF plans $160M Washington state capital program
BNSF Railway plans to spend $160 million in Washington state during 2018. The state capital plan is part of its larger $3.3 billion 2018 capital plan.
Union Pacific updates Q4 2017 PTC progress
As concerns about the implementation of positive train control (PTC) continue to make headlines, Union Pacific (UP) says it expects to meet all required deadlines for installing PTC on its network.
Pandrol signs new distribution agreements in U.S., Canada
Pandrol signed multi-year distributor partnership agreements with Industry-Railway Suppliers, Inc. (IRS), in the United States and Davanac, Inc., in Canada.
BNSF joins blockchain alliance
BNSF Railway Company announced it recently became the first Class I railroad to join the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), comprising more than 200 freight transportation companies working to develop blockchain standards for the logistics industry and the supply chain as a whole.
Industry-Railway Suppliers acquires ESCO
Industry-Railway Suppliers, Inc. (IRS), a leading distributor of tools and products for railway construction and maintenance, has acquired the business assets of ESCO Equipment Company.
Loram to acquire GREX
Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc., and Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) have completed a definitive merger agreement where Loram will acquire all outstanding shares of GREX.
PANYNJ to study two alternatives to improve freight movement
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has moved into the second phase of environmental review for the Cross Harbor Freight Movement Program.
CP pursues growth with new Shanghai office
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) has opened a new Asia office in Shanghai, China, as the railroad aims to build its business.
BNSF details $3.3B capital program for 2018
BNSF Railway has released details about its 2018 capital plan of $3.3 billion, noting that it reflects a continued focus on maintaining its network, as well as expansion projects aimed at meeting customer demands.
House T&I subcommittee schedules hearing on PTC
A February hearing of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will focus on the progress made toward implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).
New BNSF bridge successfully moved into place
Oklahoma Department of Transportation (OKDOT) successfully moved two BNSF bridge spans into place the weekend of Jan. 26-28 in a complicated maneuver that was part of a highway expansion project.
Sanborn surfaces at Union Pacific
Cindy Sanborn, the first woman to hold a senior operating executive role at a Class I railroad, and who was unceremoniously axed by the late E. Hunter Harrison in a messy management purge at CSX, has joined Union Pacific as Regional Vice President Transportation-Western Region, effective Feb. 16, 2018.
UP’s planned 2018 capital program up 6%
Union Pacific will target a 2018 capital plan of approximately $3.3 billion, pending final approval from its Board of Directors.
NS targets $1.8B capital plan in 2018
Norfolk Southern plans a capital program of $1.845 billion in 2018, continuing what the railroad calls a balanced deployment of capital.
UP begins Brazos Yard construction
Construction began early this month on Brazos Yard in Robertson County, Texas. Union Pacific says the $550-million yard is the largest capital investment in a single facility in its history.
Capacity, equipment, tech investments drive record CN capital program
Canadian National plans a CA$3.2 billion (US$2.59 billion) capital program in 2018; a record for the railroad, as well as an increase of approximately 23 percent over its 2017 program.
KCS reduces planned 2018 capital program around four percent
Kansas City Southern estimates its 2018 capital program will be between $530 million and $550 million; down approximately four percent from 2017.
North American freight rail associations pen joint letter in support of NAFTA
The freight rail associations representing Mexico, the United States and Canada, sent a joint letter to negotiators ahead of the sixth formal round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) discussions being held in Montreal, Quebec, Jan. 23-28.