Tom Harding to lead Metrom Rail’s engineering operations as VP of engineering
Metrom Rail hired Tom Harding as vice president of engineering. Harding will lead the company’s engineering operations and expand its product development capabilities.
Class 1
TNW partners with Perry County Port Authority to expand Indiana rail offerings
TNW Logistic Services, LLC, is partnering with the Perry County Port Authority (PCPA) to expand economic development opportunities in the Tell City River Port area, which is located on the Ohio River in southern Indiana. The venture marks TNW’s initial entry into Indiana.
Union Pacific to invest $77.1 million in Oregon rail infrastructure
Union Pacific (UP) is investing approximately $77.1 million in Oregon infrastructure this year to increase safety and efficiency.
Industry-Railway Suppliers hosts Rep. Quigley for tour, public policy discussion
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) joined representatives from the Illinois rail industry for a public policy discussion and a tour of Industry-Railway Suppliers, Inc., (IRS) at its Elmhurst, Ill., headquarters on April 10.
Union Pacific to spend $180 million to improve California infrastructure
Union Pacific plans to invest $180 million into its California infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion capital plan for the year.
Vossloh names new management at several divisions
Vossloh has made six leadership changes that will affect its divisions serving the North American rail market.
Michael Baker hires Ted Coffey as VP to oversee East Coast railroad and transit operations
Michael Baker International hired Ted Coffey as vice president and deputy national market lead in the railroad and transit practice. In this role, Coffey will oversee Michael Baker’s East Coast railroad and transit operations, leading business and strategic development.
Union Pacific repeats as top railroad in employee safety
Union Pacific marks its second consecutive year as the top-performing railroad in employee safety. This milestone follows the Class 1 achieving its best annual employee safety performance in its 154-year history in 2016.
FRA opts for four single train tunnels to replace B&P Tunnel in ROD
Four new one-track tunnels should be bored to replace the existing Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel according to a Record of Decision (ROD) issued by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on March 31.
Sec. Chao: Regulations, not funding are holding up infrastructure advancement
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao says the administration’s forthcoming infrastructure proposal will cover more than infrastructure and reiterated the belief that regulatory red tape, not funding, is responsible for holding up projects.
Report from AAR confirms freight railroads deep connection to international trade
An assessment released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) found that the impact of trade on the freight railroad industry is responsible for at least 42 percent of rail carloads and intermodal units, and more than 35 percent of annual rail revenue, are directly associated with international trade.
Ferromex owner to acquire Florida East Coast Railway
FERROMEX owner Grupo México confirmed in a statement to the Mexican stock exchange on March 27 that it has reached an agreement to acquire a 100% stake in Florida East Coast Railway Holding Corporation (FEC).
Union Pacific plans increase in NW Iowa track speeds; consolidates Pocatello unit management
Union Pacific will increase the maximum track speed limit from 40 to 49 mph on the rail line paralleling Highway 60 in northwest Iowa next month.
CTC allocates $60 million to California rail projects
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $217 million to 72 projects in the state including more than $60 million for state rail projects.
Portageville Bridge construction begins
Bridge engineering firm Modjeski and Masters announced the start of steel construction on the main arch span of the Portageville Bridge across the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park in Portageville, New York.
FRA publishes quarterly PTC status update
The Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a status update today on railroads’ progress implementing positive train control (PTC) systems in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Trump Administration’s proposed budget cuts USDOT funds; TIGER, Amtrak long distance train funding gone
The Trump Administration released its proposed 2017 budget, which includes reducing funds to the U.S. Department of Transportation and eliminating Amtrak’s long distance train funding, as well as popular transportation grants.
SCPA breaks ground on second inland port
The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) broke ground March 10 on the Inland Port Dillon, which is slated to open in early 2018.
Railroads outpace all U.S. infrastructure in new report card
American railroads earned a grade of B for infrastructure while the rest of the U.S. sectors got a barely-passing D+ in the latest report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Tierney to succeed Batory at Conrail
Conrail’s Board of Directors has named Timothy Tierney president and chief operating officer, effective April 1. Tierney succeeds Ronald Batory, who is retiring after nearly 46 years in the railroad industry.