JAXPORT rail terminal begins receiving trains

The Jacksonville Port Authority’s (JAXPORT) newly completed Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) at Dames Point is being used in support of a high-level military training exercise this month in advance of its official opening to commercial container movements later this year.

AAR names environmental award recipients

The Association of American Railroads on April 12, 2016 presented Michael Hoey, a CSX Transportation civil engineer from Philadelphia, Pa., the 2016 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award. U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) was the 2016 John H. Chafee Congressional Environmental Award.

Port of Long Beach studying business case behind short-haul rail

The Port of Long Beach in California is looking to an old idea with new variables to combat traffic congestion: Short-haul rail.

Various cost-effective maintenance practices for conventional track structures

Use determines a given maintenance strategy, but planning determines that strategy’s cost effectiveness.

CP quits NS bid

On Monday, April 11, 2016, Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. terminated its efforts to merge with Norfolk Southern Corp.. This includes “withdrawal of a resolution asking NS shareholders to vote in favor of good-faith negotiations between the two companies,” CP sais. “No further financial offers or overtures to meet with the NS board of directors are planned at this time.”

BNSF mulls ending California port project

BNSF is weighing the fate of a planned $500-million intermodal facility following a court ruling last week that questioned the adequacy of the environmental analysis for the project.

FTA issues safety advisory to gather stop signal overrun information

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued Safety Advisory 16-1 to collect information on the frequency of stop signal overruns in rail transit and the actions being taken to address these occurrences.

Watco acquires River Road Terminals

Watco Transloading has acquired River Road Terminals and has entered into a 10-year lease of the underlying 38 acres of real estate. At the end of the term of the lease, Watco has the option to take ownership of the real estate.

Metra lays out 2016 construction program

Metra has laid out plans to begin infrastructure improvements to its stations, track, bridges and road crossings this year to ensure safe and reliable service and maintain a state of good repair systemwide. Construction work is expected to begin this week and continue through the fall, weather permitting.

OmniTRAX names Bridgewell Resources Supplier of the Year

OmniTRAX, Inc., selected Bridgewell Resources LLC, a wholesale distributor of ties and other materials, as the recipient of its first annual Supplier of the Year award.

Palmetto Railways proposes 10-mile line in South Carolina

Palmetto Railways is exploring the development of a 10-mile industrial rail line to serve the Camp Hall Commerce Park in Berkeley County, S.C.

KCS plans to replace more than 92k ties, 100 crossings through five states

Kansas City Southern plans to invest approximately $20 million this year in construction and improvement projects on KCS’s mainline from Kansas through Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and northwest Louisiana, which is a key component of the KCS network.

R.J. Corman begins eastern Carolinas service

Public officials and other community members joined R.J. Corman Railroad Group representatives in late March to celebrate the opening of its railroad service to the eastern regions of North and South Carolina.

American Midstream commences operations at Lonview rail facility

American Midstream Partners, LP, has begun operations at the East Texas Rail Facility, allowing for receipt and delivery of natural gas liquids (NGLs) and condensate by rail to the Longview processing plant, located in the heart of the Cotton Valley shale play in Gregg County, Texas.

Koppers hosts tour of South Carolina tie plant

Representatives from the offices of Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Tim Scott (R-SC) joined representatives from GoRail and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) on April 5 to tour Koppers’ rail tie manufacturing facility in Florence, S.C.

CN reaches training milestone

Fifteen thousand Canadian National employees have completed a range of railway training programs at its two education campuses since they opened in 2014. The railroad also unveiled plans to provide customer safety training under its new CN Campus Partnership Program.

ASLRRA awards 2015 safety honors

The American Short Line Rail and Regional Association (ASLRRA) disclosed the winners of its 2015 Safety Awards including Safety Person of the Year, Safety Professional of the Year, Jake Awards with Distinction and Jake Awards.

Watco gains new hire, promotes another

Watco Terminal and Port Services has named Albert Perez II terminal manager at its Linden, NJ, location. In this role, Perez will be responsible for maintaining high quality customer service, ensuring targeted profitability, and supporting the overall attainment of expected performance goals. He will also be coaching his team and driving safety and operational efficiencies.

Union Pacific’s Denver, Council Bluffs Service Units hit safety marks

Union Pacific’s Denver Service Unit, which includes about 1,700 miles of track across Colorado and parts of Wyoming, Utah and Kansas, improved community and employee safety in 2015.

NS CEO highlights past accomplishments, looks ahead in annual report

Norfolk Southern Corporation on March 31, 2016 posted its 2015 Annual Report online, highlighting early accomplishments of a recently announced five-year strategic plan to drive growth, streamline operations, improve network performance and deliver enhanced shareholder value.

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