MoW union ratifies CP pact

Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC-MWED) announced they have ratified a new five-year labor agreement.

FRA issues Gulf Coast passenger rail report; Class 1s not fully on board

A report submitted to Congress on July 17 says restored Gulf Coast Amtrak service would expand travel markets; improve access to jobs, education and healthcare; reduce vehicular congestion and provide support for disaster and emergency response during coastal storm events.

Norfolk Southern slimming to nine divisions

Norfolk Southern will be consolidating its Central Division headquarters operations in Knoxville, Tenn., into three surrounding divisions “as part of ongoing efforts to enhance customer service and improve operating efficiencies.”

BRACE Act’s short line tax credit attracts majority support in Congress

The Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, introduced in March of this year, has achieved 226 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives (H.R. 721) and 51 co-sponsors in the Senate (S. 407), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced.

New name and logo as Rio Grande Pacific Dispatch rebrands

Rio Grande Pacific Dispatch (RGPD), formerly Nebraska Central Dispatch, has rebranded with a new name and logo, to strengthen its connection to parent company Rio Grande Pacific Corp., and more accurately depict the company’s operations.

UP consolidates Council Bluffs unit

Union Pacific announced it is consolidating its Council Bluffs Service Unit management with its Twin Cities, North Platte and Chicago service units effective July 15.

House Appropriations Committee THUD bill: TIGER eliminated; preserves other grants

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill July 10.

NCDOT, Progressive Rail partner to preserve portion of P&N service

Progressive Rail, Inc., and the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Rail Division have partnered to preserve rail service along a portion of the Piedmont & Northern Railway corridor.

Batory picked for FRA chief

The White House on July 10 announced that President Donald Trump intends to nominate Ronald L. Batory, who recently retired as president and chief operating officer of Conrail, as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

Grupo México completes FEC acquisition

Grupo México, S.A.B. de C.V. has completed the acquisition of Florida East Coast Holdings Corp. (FEC) through its Transportation Business Unit Grupo México Transportes, S.A. de C.V. (GMXT).

Allowing market forces to improve rail safety

Legislation to improve rail safety through amplified use of the free-market forces of competition and innovation has been introduced in the Senate by Surface Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).

Grade separation planned in Columbus, Ind.

A $30-million grade separation will be built in Columbus, Ind., in anticipation of increased train traffic following planned upgrades CSX is making on the Louisville & Indiana (L&I) Railroad line between Louisville, Ky., and Indianapolis, Ind.

Murta named executive director of the Short Line Safety Institute

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has selected Thomas Murta as its executive director, effective July 10, 2017.

AAR honors Andrew Paul of NS with Chafee Environmental Excellence Award

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) awarded the 2017 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award to Andrew Paul from Norfolk Southern. The award recognizes a railroad employee who has demonstrated the highest level of environmental stewardship in the previous year.

Illinois Sens.: FASTLANE change could delay key rail projects

A pair of U.S. senators from Illinois say the restructuring of the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program could delay progress on two key rail projects: the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project and Merchants Railroad Bridge Project.

USDOT rebrands FASTLANE grants as INFRA grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a Notice of Funding Opportunity in the Federal Register for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program.

Union Pacific implementing technology to monitor bridges

Union Pacific is incorporating “smart monitoring,” a technique the railroad says has the potential to revolutionize how the railroad’s 18,000 bridges are inspected.

Whirlpool Canada building at CN’s Calgary Logistics Park

Officials from Canadian National and Whirlpool Canada came together on June 28 to break ground on a new distribution center at the railroad’s Calgary Logistics Park in Rocky View County, AB.

Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board approves Six-Year Improvement Program

The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved the latest Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) for the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).

Union Pacific to invest $2.5 million over two key projects in Wisconsin rail maintenance

Union Pacific is planning a $2.5 million infrastructure investment in Wisconsin this year as a part of its $3.1 billion 2017 capital program.

LOAD MORE