BNSF includes double tracking; siding work and CTC included in North Dakota plans

BNSF ‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in North Dakota will be an estimated $326 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance.

Port of Quincy requests Washington state funds to expand intermodal terminal

Port of Quincy is requesting $16.2 million in transportation funding from the Washington State Legislature to expand the infrastructure at its intermodal terminal to help restore critical domestic eastbound intermodal rail service for Central Washington fresh produce, perishable and frozen foods shippers.

Teamsters put CP on strike notice

On February 10, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) advised Canadian Pacific negotiators that in the event ongoing negotiations do not result in an agreement by midnight February 14, the entire bargaining unit of Locomotive Engineers, Conductors, Trainmen and Yardmen will be exercising their legal right to strike action throughout each location in Canada. The group represents more than 3,000 active engineers and conductors at CP. A work stoppage could occur as early as 12:01 a.m., Feb. 15, 2015.

BNSF outlines planned 2015 capital investment for Illinois

BNSF‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in Illinois will be an estimated $339 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance.

Shortline tax credit legislation enters House

Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) introduced H.R. 721, the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2015. This legislation would extend the Section 45G shortline track maintenance tax credit that expired at the end of 2014.

UIUC’s RailTEC receives federal grant to develop transit system track components

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign received a $2.4-million, two-year grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

UP achieves seven-percent derailment decrease

Union Pacific says training, technology and investments helped the railroad improve safety in 2014, which reduced its reportable derailment rate seven percent. UP improved its reportable derailment rate to 3.0 from 3.24 in 2013 and has improved this rate 38 percent over the past 10 years.

BNSF plans $189-million capital program on its Washington network

BNSF ‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in Washington will be an estimated $189 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance.

Simmons-Boardman Rail Group awarded Railway Interchange 2015 event guide contract and electronic media partnership

Simmons-Boardman Rail Group, which consists of Railway Age, Railway Track & Structures (RT&S) and International Railway Journal (IRJ), has been awarded the event guide contract and emedia partner for Railway Interchange 2015.

NJDOT provides $4.3-million grant for rail bridge

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) awarded a $4.3-million grant to replace the rail bridge spanning the Overpeck Creek in Ridgefield Park.

UP names Fritz president, CEO; plans $4.3 billion capital plan for 2015

Union Pacific‘s board of directors elected Lance Fritz president and chief executive officer, succeeding John Koraleski, who was named executive chairman, effective immediately. Fritz was also elected to the company’s board of directors. Fritz had been president and chief operating officer since February 6, 2014.

BNSF plans $326 million investment in Minnesota network

BNSF‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in Minnesota will be more than last year’s investment with an estimated $326 million for key rail capacity improvement projects and a robust maintenance program.

The Western Group adds system director; makes management changes at two railroads

The Western Group, a railroad industry consortium, named Dr. Art Miller as system director, responsible for safety training, as well as standards and regulatory compliance. For almost 30 years, Miller has blended his knowledge of railroad operations with safety management. Since 2009, Miller has served as director of safety and operations standards for Iowa Pacific Holdings.

BNSF plans $226 million capital program in Nebraska

BNSF ‘s 2015 capital program for its operations in Nebraska will be an estimated $226 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance.

Port Everglades partners with FEC, state of Florida to strengthen landside cargo connections

Port Everglades in Broward County, Fla., says it is partnering with public and private entities on several multi-million-dollar landside infrastructure improvements designed to improve connections with south Florida’s major highway and railroad systems.

Proposed FY16 budget includes six-year surface transportation solution; generous rail funds

President Obama unveiled his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016, which includes a six-year $478-billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal that contains rail funding sources through the Generating Renewal, Opportu¬nity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America (GROW AMERICA) Act.

AAR: Freight railroads to spend a record $29 billion on network; hire 15k in 2015

U.S. freight railroads plan to spend an estimated $29 billion on the nation’s rail network and project to hire about 15,000 people in 2015, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported in its 2015 Outlook. The AAR says these high-paying jobs and record private spending will further strengthen an essential transportation system that is today powering a U.S. economic comeback.

KCS updates PTC progress; highlights Signal group

Kansas City Southern says that implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology is a major, ongoing initiative, especially for the Signal, Mechanical, Telecommunications and IT groups.

CN, Canadian m/w employees ratify four-year agreement

Canadian National and members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union Local 2004 have ratified a four-year labor agreement covering approximately 3,000 maintenance-of-way employees who inspect, maintain and repair CN’s track, bridges and structures in Canada. The new agreement was reached prior to the expiration of the previous agreement and is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015.

LIRR plans Mid-Suffolk Yard expansion

Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) opened the Mid-Suffolk Train Yard Information Center at Ronkonkoma Station so customers and community residents can learn about the LIRR’s proposal for enlarging its train yard in Ronkonkoma.

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