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.
Class 1
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.
NRC honors 2017 award recipients
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) honored the recipients of its 2017 awards at the 2018 NRC Conference in Los Angeles last week.
CP’s planned 2018 capital program sees bump over 2017
Canadian Pacific Railway will target a capital program between CA$1.35 billion (US$1.08 billion) and CA$1.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) in 2018.
CSX’s $1.6B 2018 capital plan reflects 20% decrease over 2017
CSX plans a 2018 capital program of $1.6 billion as it continues to strive toward greater capital efficiencies as part of its implementation of precision scheduled railroading.
Infrastructure bill; preventing re-regulation top REMSA 2018 advocacy priorities
The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) announced on Jan. 18 the three main areas of focus for its advocacy priorities in the New Year.
NCDOT’s largest rail infrastructure improvement program wraps up
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is celebrating the completion of the state’s largest program of rail infrastructure improvements after seven years.
Parsons’ House to CTF Board
Sunnie House, vice president and Western regional manager for North America Rail for Parsons, has been appointed Chair of the California Transportation Foundation (CTF) Board of Directors.
Harris new ops lead at CSX
Veteran railroader and long-time Hunter Harrison and Jim Foote colleague Edmond L. Harris has come out of retirement a second time to head operations at CSX.
Oregon DOT receives six transload facility pre-proposals
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) received six pre-proposals from firms willing to build two transload facilities in Treasure Valley and in the mid-Willamette Valley.
Sec. Chao urges swift PTC implementation among US railroads
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Elaine Chao sent a form letter to 47 Class 1, intercity and state and local transit authorities to stress the urgency and importance of implementing positive train control (PTC) by Dec. 31, 2018.
Smart Sand completes rail expansion at frac sand facility
Smart Sand, Inc. has completed construction of its unit train capable rail facility in Byron Township, Wis., and moved its first unit train via Union Pacific on Dec. 26.
Canada, Ontario commit funds to freight rail study
Federal and provincial funding has been committed toward freight rail analysis of Ontario’s Peterborough-Toronto-Havelock-Blue Mountain corridor.
Foote firmly planted at CSX
CSX Corp. on Dec. 22 named James Foote as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Formerly chief operating officer, Foote had been acting CEO since Dec. 14 after E. Hunter Harrison was placed on medical leave.