• October 28, 2015
• Class 1

House passes H.R. 3819, extends PTC deadline

The House of Representatives on Oct. 27, 2015 approved H.R. 3819, The Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015, legislation that funds and extends the authorization for federal highway and transit programs through Nov. 20, but more important, extends the deadline for implementation of Positive Train Control by at least three years. The bill now goes to the Senate, which has two days to consider it—with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) vehemently opposed.

• October 27, 2015
• Class 1

Union Pacific marks employee safety milestone

Union Pacific’s employees achieved a 0.92 reportable injury rate through the third quarter, improving 12 percent over the same period in 2014.

• October 27, 2015
• Ballast, Ties, Rail

Rail projects to receive more than $170 million in TIGER grants (so far)

Elected officials sounded their victory horns as the notification process of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) VII awards began.

• October 26, 2015
• Yards & Terminals

GCT Canada breaks ground on rail yard reconfiguration project

GCT Canada, the operator of Canada’s flagship container terminal located in Port Metro Vancouver, has broken ground on its GCT Deltaport Intermodal Yard Reconfiguration Project.

• October 23, 2015
• Shortline/Regional

BNSF names Austin Western Railroad its shortline of the year

BNSF has named Austin Western Railroad (AWRR) as its 2015 Shortline Railroad of the Year during its annual Shortline Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

• October 22, 2015
• Commuter/Regional

VRE says service suspension imminent without PTC extension

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) gave notice that it will be forced to suspend some, if not all, of its commuter rail service in Virginia and Washington, D.C., after December 31, 2015 if Congress does not act to extend the deadline for implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).

• October 22, 2015
• Class 1

SANDAG Board adopts 35-year regional transportation plan

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors voted unanimously on October 9, 2015, to adopt the final version of San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan, a sweeping blueprint for the future that will invest $204 billion into transportation infrastructure projects over the next 35 years.

• October 22, 2015
• Class 1

Trio of Illinois Congressmen urge passing of PTC extension

On Oct. 21, U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), a member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations subcommittee, Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), a member of the House Agriculture Committee and Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03)

• October 21, 2015
• Class 1

Norfolk Southern says no PIH commodities, no passenger service due to PTC deadline

Norfolk Southern said its rail operating subsidiaries will no longer accept shipments of Poisonous-Inhalation-Hazard (PIH) commodities, effective Dec. 1, 2015.

• October 21, 2015
• Yards & Terminals

Georgia Ports Authority plans $152 million capital plan for Brunswick

At the annual Brunswick State of the Port event October 20, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Curtis Foltz discussed an ambitious $152 million capital improvement plan for Brunswick terminals during the next 10 years.

• October 21, 2015
• OFF Track Maintenance

GREX names Grissom COO/EVP customer delivery

Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) promoted current Vice President Engineering Greg Grissom to chief operating officer/executive vice president customer delivery.

• October 20, 2015
• Class 1

CSX to close mechanical shops in Corbin, Ky.

As CSX continues to evaluate network resources and match them to demand in a changing business environment, the company plans to close its mechanical shops in Corbin, Ky.

• October 20, 2015
• Class 1

Gov. Walker proclaims it Wisconsin Freight Rail Week

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has proclaimed October 19 to 25 Wisconsin Freight Rail Week, where the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin (TDA) will team up to promote, educate and celebrate the freight rail system that contributes to the state’s economy, environment and quality of life.

• October 19, 2015
• Class 1

National Freight Strategic Plan provides roadmap to freight transport challenges

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released the draft National Freight Strategic Plan that offers specific policy proposals and solutions to address the challenges of moving freight in the U.S.

• October 16, 2015
• ON Track Maintenance

Rep. Norcross tours Port of Paulsboro rail project

On October 15, U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-1) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) member Railroad Construction Co. of South Jersey (RCCSJ) for a tour of its facility and its project at the Port of Paulsboro.

• October 15, 2015
• Rapid Transit/Light Rail

CTA awards 95th Street Terminal construction contract

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board has approved the award of a construction contract for the new, modern and larger 95th Street Terminal, one of the largest rail station projects in CTA history that will modernize transit and promote economic opportunity on Chicago’s south side.

• October 14, 2015
• Shortline/Regional

SEDA-COG JRA, Graymont rail project supports clean coal

The SEDA – Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Joint Rail Authority (JRA), its private operator, Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad, and Graymont, a lime and limestone product supplier, are partnering on a rail project aimed at moving material that helps reduce power plan emissions.

• October 14, 2015
• OFF Track Maintenance

Rep. Huelskamp tours Landoll, discusses policy priorities

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS-1) joined representatives from Landoll Corporation and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association (REMSA) on Oct. 13 for a tour of Landoll’s Marysville facility and to discuss policy priorities for the Kansas business.

• October 13, 2015
• Safety

Union Pacific launches new social media safety campaign

Union Pacific this week launched a new campaign exclusively on social media, urging drivers and pedestrians to think about their personal safety first and wait at grade crossings.

• October 13, 2015
• OFF Track Maintenance

Wabtec Corporation acquires Track IQ

Wabtec Corporation has acquired the assets of Track IQ, a manufacturer of wayside sensor systems for the global rail industry. Track IQ has annual sales of about $15 million.