Rep. Blum tours HiRAIL Corp.
More than 20 Class 1 and shortline railroad representatives, local officials and other industry stakeholders joined HiRAIL Corporation Aug. 18 for a tour of its facility and discussion with Rep. Rod Blum (R-IA).
Freight
RailWorks Track Systems, GoRail, NRC host Rep. Babin
Infrastructure and policy affecting the rail industry were discussed at an event hosted by RailWorks Track Systems at its Deer Park, Texas facility on Aug. 18 with Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX).
Wick Moorman to take helm of Amtrak
Charles “Wick” Moorman, retired chairman, CEO and president of Norfolk Southern will take the lead of Amtrak beginning Sept. 1.
FRA awards $25 million for PTC implementation
Eleven projects across six states and the District of Columbia will receive grants from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to assist in the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
Genesee & Wyoming to acquire Providence and Worcester for $126 million
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) announced Aug. 15 that the company plans to acquire Providence and Worcester Railroad Company (P&W) for $126 million at $25.00 per share.
LIRC, CSX prepare for longer, faster trains
CSX Transportation (CSX) and the Louisville and Indiana Railroad (LIRC) have announced that train traffic on LIRC between Louisville, Ky., and Seymour, Ind., is set to increase within the next few weeks.
Pennsylvania to allocate $61.9 billion to statewide transportation improvements
Pennsylvania’s State Transportation Commission (STC) has announced updates to the state’s 12-Year Transportation program, effective Oct. 1.
Kansas City Southern plans $13 million in improvements along Greenville Sub
Kansas City Southern (KCS) Railway is performing approximately $13 million of construction and improvement projects in 2016 on its Greenville Subdivision, which runs between Louisiana and Texas.
Safety, diversity and energy efficiency outlined in NS sustainability report
Norfolk Southern believes it has the answer to what efficiency looks like: Cleaner-running locomotives; greater energy efficiency; support for safer communities; fewer workplace injuries and a more diverse workforce.
Newly-appointed VP to lead safety efforts at Patriot Rail
Patriot Rail Company yesterday appointed Matthew Reddell as vice president and chief safety officer. Reddell joined the company in January 2015 as vice president and chief mechanical officer.
Three states see Southwest Chief renovations
Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman visited Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico last week, along the Southwest Chief route, showing his appreciation of local, state and federal partners for their support of Amtrak and BNSF Railway efforts that began last October to improve passengers’ experiences.
New Union Pacific bridge to boost freshwater flow into Bayou Lafourche
Union Pacific Railroad broke ground this week with the construction of a new bridge over Bayou Lafourche in Donaldsonville, La., a popular travel destination just 45 minutes from New Orleans. Towering 102 feet, the bridge will replace the current crossing in its place constructed from box culverts.
Union Pacific makes marketing and sales leadership appointments
Union Pacific made four appointments in marketing and sales leadership roles, effective Sept. 1.
Central Texas & Colorado River begins operations
A new rail operation looks to convince potential customers it still brings heart to Texas railroading.
FRA issues final rule on identifying passenger railroad safety hazards
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a final rule on System Safety Programs (SSP).
PennDOT opens application process for freight grant program
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports and Waterways opened the application period for the 2016 Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and the 2016 Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).
TIGER VIII: Rail projects receive more than $135 million
Twelve rail projects totaling $135.3 million have been awarded grants from the eighth round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.
Union Pacific achieves safest first half of year in history
Union Pacific’s employee reportable injury rate from January through June was .70, the lowest in its 154-year history.
TIGER VIII: Rail projects receive $80.7 million
Elected officials have begun releasing information about projects awarded grants from the eighth round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.
Feinberg calls for greater action to enhance crossing safety
Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah E. Feinberg is calling for additional action to remedy a “solvable problem” by preventing fatalities at grade crossings.