CN funds AREMA endowment for education
Canadian National has committed a $50,000 endowment to the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Educational Foundation, according to a release from the association.
Freight
North Dakota rail line to benefit from TIGER III money
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has obligated $10 million to rebuild a rail line near Devils Lake, N.D.
Six Class 1s recognized for transport safety
Six Class 1 railroads were recognized by Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER) through its 2012 National Awards Recognition Program.
Thelen retires; Schnautz to lead NS’ research and technology group
Norfolk Southern (NS) promoted Tom Schnautz to assistant vice president of research and advanced technology. He has assumed some of the responsibilities of Gerhard Thelen, including Positive Train Control (PTC) and research. Thelen retired March 31 as vice president operations planning and support.
UP putting $7 million into Nebraska infrastructure
Union Pacific (UP) plans to strengthen Nebraska’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $7 million in the rail line between North Bend and Grand Island. The project, funded entirely by UP without taxpayer dollars, is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.
UTU, Kyle Railroad reach tentative agreement
United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART) and Kyle Railroad reached an agreement on a proposed contract for all crafts under UTU-SMART’s jurisdiction, which include: engineers, conductors, brakemen, maintenance of way employees, signal employees, mechanics, helpers and apprentices, carmen and welders.
New Mexico to give railroads a fuel tax break after eligible infrastructure investment
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has signed the Locomotive Fuel Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) exemption bill, designed to encourage further growth of the railroad industry, as well as continued growth of exports and manufacturing in New Mexico.
NCDOT names Worley Rail Division director
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) named Paul Worley director of the Rail Division.
Obama details Rebuild America Partnership plan at Port Miami
President Obama pushed his plan, the Rebuild America Partnership, to encourage private investment in public infrastructure while in Miami, Fla., touring Port Miami’s tunnel project, which provides a direct connection between the port and major highway.
OmniTRAX fills executive positions
OmniTRAX, Inc., has made four management appointments and promotions.
Coos Bay Rail Link wins second consecutive Jake Award for safety
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association honored the Coos Bay Rail Link (CBR) for the second year in a row with its Jake Award with distinction “For achieving a perfect safety record with no reportable injuries.”
Port of Long Beach begins construction on rail expansion project
Construction has begun on the Green Port Gateway, a major port-to-rail infrastructure expansion project in California that will help reduce congestion near the Port of Long Beach by shifting more cargo from trucks to trains.
Construction on three sections of Port Mac rail project underway
Work has begun on $88 million in construction projects for three segments of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension in Alaska. Contracts were recently awarded to three construction companies and up to 200 jobs in the construction industry could be created this summer.
CN, Coalspur sign transportation agreement that includes rail line construction
Coalspur Mines Limited has reached a definitive agreement with Canadian National (CN) for the transportation of thermal coal from its Vista Coal Project to Ridley Terminals Inc., as well as final agreement with CN regarding the construction of the railway line to serve the mine.
The rail line construction agreement will govern the construction of a 6.5-kilometer (four-mile) long line providing CN access to Coalspur’s loading site. The rail line will enable Coalspur to load the entire train in one continuous load. Subject to regulatory approval, construction activity is expected to begin in Q3 2013 and be completed in early 2015. CN will ensure the rail line meets its design and construction specifications.
“We are very pleased to have finalized these contracts with CN,” said Gill Winckler, Coalspur president and CEO. “The agreements provide further clarity and stability over our operating costs in the initial years of mining at Vista. Rail and port logistics costs account for approximately 50 percent of Coalspur’s Freight on Board cash costs, which are now under contracted rates.
The definitive rail transportation agreement with CN is for a seven-year period, effective from Jan. 1, 2013 and extending through to Dec. 31, 2019. CN will supply the equipment to carry Coalspur’s coal to tidewater. The agreement includes transportation of up to 12 million tons per annum of coal and defined rates with agreed escalation and fuel surcharge calculations.
Dennis Glenn Boll, 1947-2013
As reported by Railway Age, Dennis Glenn Boll, retired Assistant Vice President-Signals, BNSF Railway, died Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minn., after a long battle with cancer. He was 65.
Senate railroad antitrust bill introduced; AAR says industry self-sufficiency threatened
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and David Vitter (R-LA) introduced the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act on Thursday, March 21.
UP building second track in southeast Missouri
Union Pacific (UP) plans to strengthen Missouri’s transportation infrastructure by investing $21 million to construct a more-than-nine-mile second mainline track in the Bell City area, in southeast Missouri.
CN relocates Chicago forest products reload center to Port of Chicago
Canadian National (CN) has relocated its forest products transload operation to North America Stevedoring Company, LLC’s operation at the Port of Chicago to improve supply chain efficiencies for lumber customers.
Schuster names new head of House T&I Committee communications team
U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) appointed Jim Billimoria to lead the committee’s communications and public relations efforts in the 113th Congress.
