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.
Freight
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.
Feds: What Gateway agreement?
Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams outlined a series of concerns regarding an updated financial plan for the Hudson Tunnel project in a letter to New York State Director of Budget Robert Mujica on Dec. 29.
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.
FECR offers safety training for emergency responders
Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) recently provided training for emergency responders on railway safety issues associated with various equipment used in daily rail operations.
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.
CP’s 19th annual holiday train celebrates successful tour
Canadian Pacific’s (CP) 19th annual holiday train made another successful tour across North America this year, spreading cheer by raising more than CA$1.5 million (US$1.18 million) and 300,000 pounds of food for local food banks.
Railway legend Hunter Harrison dies
E. Hunter Harrison, president and CEO of CSX, died Dec. 16 due to unexpectedly severe complications following a recent illness.
New York, New Jersey commit to funding local share of Gateway Project
New York and New Jersey have reached a deal to fund 100 percent the local share of the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project originally laid out in a 2015 framework agreement, which calls on the federal government to fund 50 percent of the project.
SIAP awards nearly $6 million to North Carolina rail projects
Twelve North Carolina freight projects have received nearly $6 million in funding through the Short Line Infrastructure Assistance Program (SIAP), the North Carolina Department of Transportation has announced.
First trains roll over Portageville Bridge
Norfolk Southern began operating trains across its new Portageville Bridge on Dec. 11, following two years of construction.
Conrail restores NJT service in less than three days
It took Conrail maintenance-of-way forces less than three days to repair heavy damage to its Lehigh Line, a busy main line used by New Jersey Transit Raritan Valley Line (RVL) passenger trains and CSX and Norfolk Southern freights, following the derailment of a 141-car CSX mixed freight late on the afternoon of Dec. 8.
NTSB reauthorization bill aims to increase communication, transparency
A bill reauthorizing the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was introduced last week in the Senate and aims to enhance the board’s safety investigations through added transparency.
Alaska Railroad to promote Hopp to COO, Engebretson to retire
The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) has promoted Clark Hopp, vice president of engineering, to serve as chief operating officer (COO) beginning Jan. 1, 2018.
NS trains more than 3k first responders during safety tour
Norfolk Southern (NS) provided training to 3,241 first responders on the company’s safety train in 2017.
R. J. Corman partners with Kentucky to develop apprenticeship program
R. J. Corman Railroad Group has announced a partnership with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet to begin an apprenticeship program.
RFQ issued for Metrolinx Lakeshore West GO corridor projects
Ontario and Metrolinx are proceeding with planned improvements for the Lakeshore West GO Transit corridor with the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
TSB says Carvel accident highlights need for signal fail-safes
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined failure to reduce speed led to a collision of two trains near Carvel, Alberta in June 2016.
AAR, GoRail honor Rep. Shuster
The Association of American Railroads and GoRail have honored House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) with the Railroad Achievement Award.