CN joins Midwest Inland Port Strategic Development Coalition

Canadian National has joined the Midwest Inland Port Strategic Development Coalition (MIPSDC) to provide strategic and marketing support to the development of the Midwest Inland Port in Decatur, Ill.

Union Pacific to invest $513 million in Texas

Union Pacific plans to invest $513 million in 2016 to improve Texas’s transportation infrastructure, which the Class 1 says will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.

ASLRRA installs new board leadership

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) installed Judy Petry, president and general manager of Farmrail System, as its new chairman. Peter Claussen, Jr., president of the Gulf & Ohio Railways, was selected as the new vice-chairman of the association, filling the role Petry previously held.

FRA makes $25 million available for rail infrastructure safety upgrades

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is now accepting applications from local governments, states and railroads for $25 million in competitive grants to increase rail safety. Applications are due by June 14, 2016.

Lodestar Energy Group to develop new multimodal site

Lodestar Energy Group (LEG) is developing a new multimodal site at the Gulf Inland Logistics Park near Dayton, Texas. The site will contain two facilities: a rail-served Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a complementary rail car storage yard.

Canada celebrates Rail Safety Week

Although safety is always a focus, the Canadian railway industry celebrates Rail Safety Week April 25 through May 1.

NS introduces new educational train and website

In keeping with the important railroad tradition of safety, Norfolk Southern rolled out a new educational train and website to help first responders across its network respond to potential rail-related incidents.

Anacostia promotes Marlon Taylor, transitions to new railroad

Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) has promoted Pacific Harbor Line’s (PHL) Director of Operations Marlon Taylor to a new role with New York & Atlantic Railway (NY&A) as assistant vice president.

THUD allocates $56.5 billion to fund transportation

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development passed $56.5 billion legislation to fund its programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, including several allocations for rail.

J-Track LLC names Dorris VP/GM of new Central Division

J-Track LLC will open a new railroad construction and maintenance company in the Chicagoland area on May 1. The new company, J-Track LLC Central Division, will be led by Vice President and General Manager, Bill Dorris.

BNSF honors four Safety Employees of the Year

BNSF has named Jeff Ahmann Engineering Safety Employee of the Year, Eric Henry Telecommunications Safety Employee of the Year, Kyle Carosella Mechanical Safety Employee of the Year and Kevin Beville Intermodal Safety Employee of the Year.

Lower traffic, bid to drive efficiencies prompt NS to reduce Knoxville operations

Norfolk Southern will reduce train operations at its Knoxville, Tenn., rail yard, effective May 1, which is in response to lower traffic volumes and is consistent with the company’s ongoing implementation of its strategic plan to enhance operating efficiencies, reduce costs, drive profitability and support long-term growth.

TranSystems marks 50 years of business

TranSystems Corporation celebrated 50 years in business April 21 throughout its more than 30 offices nationwide.

Parsons adds Abruzzo as rail bridge leader

Parsons has hired Joseph Abruzzo as its railroad bridge practice leader, where he will be responsible for directing the pursuit and execution of railroad bridge projects worldwide.

NYCT installs composite ties as part of Staten Island project

As Earth Day approaches and as part of recommendations from a blue-ribbon commission tasked with reducing the impact of public transit on the environment, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) has installed approximately 6,500 sustainable composite ties in a major Staten Island Railway (SIR)

Rail energy storage project receives lease from federal agency

The Advanced Rail Energy Storage, LLC (ARES), proposed commercial-scale gravity-based rail energy storage project (ARES Nevada) has been granted a right-of-way lease by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Pacific Harbor Line hosts FRA for tour

Pacific Harbor Line (PHL), a subsidiary railroad of Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH), hosted a tour for several guests, including Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Sarah Feinberg, Region 7 Regional Administrator James Jordan and Linda Darr, President of the American Short Line Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).

Yolo County rail relocation study says area would benefit

A study designed to quantify the economic benefits of relocating existing shortline rail infrastructure in Yolo County, Calif., has found the area could tap into significant benefits if it were to follow through with the relocation.

NCDOT prioritizes $100M for CSX’s planned Carolina Connector

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has identified $100 million for a planned CSX terminal in Johnston County in a preliminary priority list of state transportation improvements.

Port of New Orleans dedicates Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal

The Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners joined a host of elected officials and industry partners April 12 to dedicate the port’s new $25-million Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal.

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