BNSF details capital programs for Montana, Missouri and Kansas
BNSF unveiled details of its planned $385 million capital plan across Montana, Missouri and Kansas. The focus of all three state programs will be on maintenance projects.
Freight
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.
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.
Small-railroad tax credit in budget bill
The regional and short line railroad investment tax credit (known as 45-G for its provision in the Internal Revenue Code) is poised to be signed into law by President Trump following its unexpected insertion into the massive two-year Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 passed in the predawn hours Friday, Feb. 9, by the House and Senate.
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.
CDPQ Infra awards REM contracts; set construction date
CDPQ Infra said two consortia, Groupe NouvLR and Groupe des Partenaires pour la Mobilité des Montréalais (PMM), won contracts for the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project, which will begin construction in April.
Return of Queens commuter rail feasible, but costly
A study conducted by AECOM on behalf of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) finds it feasible that passenger rail service could return to the Lower Montauk Branch rail corridor.
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.
Lindamood named Alaska Railroad VP of engineering
Brian Lindamood has been promoted to vice president engineering at the Alaska Railroad and will oversee the evaluation, planning and construction of the railroad’s infrastructure including engineering, bridge maintenance and construction, and capital project management.
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.
Stay off the tracks: simple message behind joint educational effort
A trio of rail advocacy groups, the Rail Passengers Association (RPA), the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), are joining forces to make one thing clear: Railroad tracks are no place for pedestrians, cars and bicyclists.
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.