South Shore Freight steps in to help stranded Indiana passengers
An estimated 5,500 Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) South Shore Line riders were stranded on Jan. 12 following a “severe flash freeze situation.”
Freight
Tim Rock to lead freight and intermodal sector of TranSystems
TranSystems Corp., a transportation-focused consulting firm, has chosen Tim Rock as its market sector leader for its freight rail and intermodal sector.
KCS Ottensmeyer to lead U.S.-Mexico working group
Kansas City Southern (KCS) President and CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer has been named as the U.S. chairman of its strategic trade initiatives working group by the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue.
Davis named COO of TNW Corporation
Jeff Davis, a railroad industry veteran, has joined TNW Corporation (TNW) as its chief operating officer (COO). Davis assumed the role effective Jan. 1.
KCS, Watco, WTC announce joint venture for Mexico refined energy products terminal
Kansas City Southern (KCS), Watco Companies, LLC (Watco) and WTC Industrial (WTC) have announced a joint venture investment through which they will facilitate and expand U.S. exports of liquid fuels to Mexico.
Harsco makes new sale of safety systems to RTD
Harsco’s Protran Technology unit, part of the Harsco Rail division, has announced a new sale of safety systems to be implemented in Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) railway fleet.
KCS subsidiary appoints Kurt Jacobs as VP transportation
Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced Jan. 9 that its subsidiary, KCSM Servicios S.A. de C.V. (KCSMS), has appointed Kurt Jacobs as vice president transportation.
NRC names Brown, Ebersold, Zuspan to Hall of Fame
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) has announced the selection of Ronald Brown, Rick Ebersold and John Zuspan by the association’s executive committee as this year’s additions to the NRC Hall of Fame.
Minnesota governor proposes “make up” bonding bill with $91M for rail
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith introduced a bill that would spend $1.5 billion to build more than 240 projects across the state, including more than $91 million in rail projects.
Reading & Northern increases track speed between Reading and Port Clinton, Penn.
Reading & Northern Railroad has increased the track speed of its Main Line between Reading, Penn., and Port Clinton to 40 mph.
BNSF, J.B. Hunt request arbitration for intermodal agreement revenue division
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., and BNSF have both requested a panel of arbitrators review their Joint Service Agreement revenue division.
Union Pacific acquires Railex LLC assets
Union Pacific (UP) has announced its acquisition of Railex LLC, a refrigerated rail service and third-party logistics leader.
Martin Klepper to lead Build America Bureau
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced last week that Martin Klepper has been appointed to serve the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Build America Bureau as its executive director.
MnDOT recommends bridge grade separation for troublesome crossing
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has completed a study into grade separation options at the state’s worst ranked grade crossing and has recommended an overpass option.
Ground breaking ceremony held for New Mexico rail park
Officials broke ground on a new rail park hailed as a potentially transformational project for central New Mexico.
Illinois law doubles fines for grade-crossing warning scofflaws
Illinois will have the strictest penalties in the nation beginning Jan. 1, 2017 for vehicular offenses associated with attempting to cross railroad tracks after grade-crossing systems have activated.
Gordon Trafton joins Canadian Pacific’s board of directors
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) has appointed Gordon Trafton to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2017.
First CSX trains roll through Virginia Ave. Tunnel
The Virginia Avenue Tunnel in Washington, D.C., hosted its first train on Dec. 23., marking the on-time completion of the first phase of the project.
FRA civil penalty rate sets new record
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has collected a record-breaking rate of civil penalties, surpassing the bar set last year, which was also a record.
Shortline executive David Parkinson dies at 78
Shortline railroad executive David L. Parkinson died Dec. 17 in Palm Desert, Calif., following a brief illness. He was 78 years old.