Watco Transloading to operate Norfolk Southern TBT Terminal in Ohio
Watco Transloading, LLC, reached a definitive licensed agreement with Norfolk Southern to operate the Class 1’s Sandusky, Ohio, Thoroughbred Bulk Terminal (TBT Terminal).
Freight
HDR names Hjelholt director of freight rail
Bill Hjelholt joined HDR as director of freight rail. His responsibilities include developing HDR’s vision and initiatives for continued growth and expansion of the freight rail sector across North America and globally.
Shortline tax credit gains 2,000th co-sponsor since 2004
The Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation Act, also referred to as 45G, reached a significant milestone this week when it gained its 2,000th co-sponsor since its first introduction in 2004.
AKMD to offer first ethanol unit train solution
Beginning this fall, Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s Arkansas Midland Railroad Company, Inc., (AKMD) subsidiary will offer the first ethanol unit train solution for the North Little Rock and surrounding gasoline-blending markets, serving the JP Energy terminal, which is the largest terminal at North Little Rock’s tank farm complex.
KCS and Odessa Police promote safety with Officer on a Train event
Kansas City Southern and the Odessa Police Department hosted an Officer on a Train event July 20 to promote public safety at railroad crossings in Odessa, Mo. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also participated in the safety event.
USDOT creates Build America Bureau
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has established the Build America Bureau, which will drive transportation infrastructure development projects in the United States by streamlining credit and grant opportunities while providing technical assistance and encouraging innovative best practices in project planning, financing, delivery and monitoring.
OmniTRAX affiliate partners with Topflight Grain Cooperative to operate Decatur Central Railroad
A managed affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., and an affiliate of The Broe Group and Topflight Grain Cooperative, Inc., are entering into a joint venture to operate, drive business to and rehabilitate the rail line currently owned by Topflight Grain. OmniTRAX will manage the newly renamed Decatur Central Railroad, LLC, which links Cisco and Decatur, Ill., commencing in late 2016.
Hunter Harrison readies for a transition
E. Hunter Harrison came out of retirement in 2012 to lead Canadian Pacific out of the Class I basement, where it had languished for several years. The following year, his protégé, Keith Creel, left CN to join his mentor. Next July, Creel will officially fill Harrison’s shoes upon Harrison’s retirement after more than a half-century in railroading.
CSX moves Carolina Connector; debuts new intermodal service
CSX put a stop to the controversy surrounding its planned Carolina Connector (CCX) intermodal facility in Johnson County, N.C., by moving the project to Rocky Mount in Edgecombe County.
Minnesota establishes council on freight rail
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton issued an executive order, establishing the Governor’s Council on Freight Rail, which will bring together state officials and railroads in a public-private working group to improve communication and enhance safety and economic development in communities.
Two arguments on two-person crews
As reported by Railway Age, the Federal Railroad Administration, at a June 15, 2016 hearing regarding the agency’s proposed rule mandating two-person crews, heard two sharply contrasting arguments, one from freight rail management, the other from labor.
INRD opens new transload facility
Indiana Rail Road (INRD) officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 14 to officially open the railroad’s new Merom Transload, designed to provide efficient movement of commerce for current and future customers in the Wabash Valley.
OmniTRAX transloads major steel shipment
OmniTRAX Logistics Services, LLC, the transloading, terminal and logistics affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., recently managed the handling and warehousing of more than 10 million pounds of coiled steel for one of its transload customers in Sand Springs, Okla.
NTSB releases preliminary report on BNSF Panhandle collision
One of the trains involved in the June 28 head-on collision between two BNSF intermodal trains outside of Panhandle, Texas passed a red signal before the accident.
PHMSA proposes new response plan and info sharing rules for HHFTs
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), has proposed regulations for Oil Spill Response Plans and Information Sharing for High-Hazard Flammable Trains (HHFTs) to improve oil spill response readiness and mitigate effects of rail incidents involving petroleum oil.
NC Hopson Road grade separation and track passing project complete
North Carolina state transportation officials gathered in Durham July 12 to celebrate the completion of the Hopson Road grade separation and passing track project, which was designed to enhance rail safety and efficiency.
Northern Lines Railway extends lease of Minnesota line
Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) subsidiary, Northern Lines Railway (NLR), has reached an agreement with BNSF to extend NLR’s lease of rail lines to 2025.
RCP&E celebrates completion of $5.65M project
The Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCP&E) held a grand opening ceremony in Aurora, S.D., July 8 to celebrate the completion of a $5.65 million project.
Sanveo opens L.A. office
Sanveo, Inc., has officially opened its new office in Los Angeles, Calif., adding to its existing offices in Newark, Calif., Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Aurangabad, India.
Anacostia names Fox as managing director
Anacostia Rail Holdings Company (ARH) has named Andrew Fox managing director, where he will work on special projects for Anacostia and its operating companies.