KCS-served rail park to be built in southern Illinois
A collaboration between Stonemont Financial Group and the Jerseyville Economic Development Council in Jerseyville, Ill., unveiled plans to build a 1,400-acre, rail-served industrial park.
Freight
CN’s Jobin out; Ruest named interim president and CEO
An international search for a new CEO of Canadian National is underway following the news that Luc Jobin is leaving the railroad effective immediately.
Washington state approves first railroad oil spill response plan
The Washington Department of Ecology has approved the state’s first oil spill response plan for BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), the largest freight railroad company in the state.
Senate staffer, SEPTA attorney to be nominated to STB
President Donald Trump intends to nominate two Republicans to fill open seats on the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
BNSF to invest $80 million in New Mexico during 2018
BNSF Railway has released details of its planned $80 million capital program in New Mexico this year.
NTSB releases preliminary report on Amtrak-CSX accident
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the preliminary report into the Feb. 4, 2018 collision between an Amtrak and CSX train on CSX’s Columbia Subdivision in Cayce, S.C.
It’s official: Batory sworn in as FRA Administrator
WASHINGTON – Ronald L. Batory officially became the 14th United States Federal Railroad Administrator on Feb. 28, 2018.
BNSF eyes $110M Nebraska investment in 2018
BNSF Railway Company plans to invest $110 million in its Nebraska network, where it moves nearly 2 million carloads of freight annually.
NY state grant to help build rail siding
State Sen. James L. Seward, representatives from Hoober Feeds and officials from Schoharie County announced a $200,000 state grant Feb. 26 that will pay for improvements to the rail line in Central Bridge, the New York State Senate announced.
South Shore expands railcar storage options
Short line Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad (CSS) is offering expanded capacity for railcar storage.
OL Canada aims to reduce train vs. snowmobile accidents
Virtually, all incidents involving winter recreation vehicles and trains can be avoided says Operation Lifesaver’s (OL) Canadian arm, which released a new video campaign addressing the subject.
B-256 gets an extended life span
One of the oldest railroad bridges in Wisconsin, a more-than-century-old, 2,200-foot timber structure spanning the Wisconsin River at Spring Green on the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad’s (WSOR) Prairie Subdivision, has undergone a a major improvement project. WSOR, a Watco Cos.subsidiary, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) collaborated on the project.
New York state has $26.5 million available for rail and port grants
New York state has $26.5 million in funds available for rail and port projects as part of the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program.
BNSF to spend $260 million in Illinois, Oklahoma this year
BNSF plans to invest $260 million in its Illinois and Oklahoma network as part of its $3.3 billion 2018 capital plan.
Canadian railway accidents up per TSB preliminary numbers
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its preliminary transportation occurrence statistics for 2017. Total railway incidents were up, but still in line with five-year averages.
Quebec transshipment center awarded government funds
A project to develop a railroad transshipment center at the regional industrial park in Saint-Tite, Quebec has been awarded funds from the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).
NCRR, High Point partner on rail improvements
The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) and the city of High Point, N.C., are tackling $5.1 million in improvements to the railroad corridor and drainage in the city’s downtown.
House T&I Committee holds PTC hearing
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing on Feb. 15 examining the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
NTSB issues three safety recs following LIRR, CSX/Amtrak incidents
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued three urgent safety recommendations, two to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and one to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) based on the agency’s findings in two ongoing railroad accident investigations.
BNSF to spend $375 million on Texas capital program
BNSF plans to spend more than 11 percent of its total capital program in Texas this year, with nearly half of the $375 million state plan going toward maintenance projects.