In memoriam: Stephen Tobias, 72
Stephen C. Tobias, former Norfolk Southern vice chairman and chief operating officer and former member of the Canadian Pacific Board of Directors, died Aug. 7.
Freight
Sen. Schumer demands FRA, FMCSA reverse sleep apnea rule withdrawal
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to reverse the withdrawal of pending regulation that would require sleep apnea testing of workers in safety critical roles.
FRA, FMCSA withdraw potential rule affecting sleep apnea mitigation
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have withdrawn a proposed rule that would have regulated actions addressing sleep apnea for workers in safety sensitive positions.
FASTLANE small project grants: More than $56M to go to rail
Rail specific and rail related projects across six states have been selected to receive grants as part of the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) program.
Mississippi, Maine rail projects awarded FASTLANE grants
More than $15 million in the latest round of Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grants will benefit rail projects in Mississippi and Maine.
TSB makes safety recommendations for improved track inspections following 2015 derailment in Ontario
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is recommending that Transport Canada (TC) incorporate predictive data on rail surface conditions to help better focus its targeted regulatory track inspections.
Senate Commerce Committee advances Batory FRA nomination
The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.
Omaha Track hosts Rep. Bacon for tour, policy discussion
Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.
Christie, Cuomo appoint new leaders to PANYNJ
Kevin O’Toole and Rick Cotton have joined leadership at the Port Authority of New York and Jersey (PANYNJ).
NCRR joins state to help bring jobs, goods to area and promote economic growth
EGGER Wood Products, an Austrian manufacturer of wood products used in furniture, wood construction and flooring, will be locating in North Carolina. The decision settle in Davidson County was made easier by key partnerships, which include companies such as the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR).
KCS appoints VPs for energy & short line, intermodal
Kansas City Southern announced the appointments of Ginger Adamiak as vice president, sales and marketing for the energy and short line relations business unit, and Darin Selby as vice president intermodal operations.
San Gabriel trench welcomes inaugural train service
The first train service rolled through the San Gabriel trench earlier this week.
Bhavesh “Bob” Patel joins UP board of directors
Union Pacific Corporation elected Bhavesh “Bob” V. Patel to the company’s board of directors.
UP sees safety boost at rail crossings in first half of 2017
Vehicle-train collisions at Union Pacific railroad crossings declined by five percent in the first half of 2017, compared to last year, according to Class 1. Union Pacific attributes this decline to its rail safety programs geared towards improved public safety.
Service to start soon for North Carolina Ports, CSX’s Queen City Express
North Carolina Ports and CSX will commence a daily, intermodal rail service between Wilmington and Charlotte. This double-stacked train, dubbed the Queen City Express, will begin service on July 28, 2017.
Anderson joins Genesee & Wyoming Australia
Genesee & Wyoming Australia Pty Ltd (GWA) announced that Luke C. Anderson has been appointed chief executive officer, effective October 2, 2017.
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.
OmniTRAX estimates HBR service restoration could top $60M
OmniTRAX is developing a 60-day plan to return the northern portion of the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) to service following floods that caused significant damage to the line in May.
PHL appoints new Vice President Stephen Hoye
Stephen Hoye has been appointed vice president of Anacostia Rail Holdings’s Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) subsidiary. The position is effective in early August.
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.