FEC hires new VP and corporate controller
Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) appointed Melissa Westerman to vice president and corporate controller, effective April 2, 2013.
Freight
Construction begins on rail-served South Carolina inland port
The South Carolina Inland Port (SCIP) project in Greer, S.C., which will be linked to the Port of Charleston by Norfolk Southern (NS) mainline that provides overnight service between Charleston and upstate, started construction on March 1.
New broken rail detection system in operation on KCS de Mexico N line
The Kansas City Southern de Mexico Broken Rail Detection (BRD) system on its N line on the Toluca District became operational in December 2012. If a broken rail is detected, a signal displays red, notifying the train crew that an unsafe condition is ahead and to reduce train speed.
UP named most admired by Fortune
Fortune named Union Pacific the most admired among trucking, transportation and logistics companies for the third consecutive year. The magazine’s annual World’s Most Admired list is published in the March 18 edition.
CP wants Montreal to consider alternatives to pedestrian rail crossings
In response to the city of Montreal’s submission to the Canadian Transportation Agency requesting the installation of six pedestrian level crossings in various locations along Canadian Pacific’s property
TBG Holdings launches new shortline holding company
TBG Holdings Corp. acquired Monkey Rock (MKRO) and will work to transform MKRO shortline and regional railroad holding company. As part of the transition, the company will be renamed Continental Rail Corp.
Pedestrian undercrossing opens along San Diego portion of LOSSAN
The pedestrian rail undercrossing in Encintas, Calif., off Coast Highway 101, near Santa Fe Drive, opened on Feb. 27.
KCS establishes TEaM Training Center in Louisiana
Kansas City Southern is establishing a new Transportation Engineering and Mechanical (TEaM) Training Center in Shreveport, La., to enhance training programs for operating employees.
ARRC names Hopp VP of engineering, Brooks to retire
Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) named Clark Hopp vice president of engineering, effective in May 2013, when Tom Brooks retires.
NS discontinues certain railcar sorting operations in Roanoke; carmen, train crews, track maintenance positions affected
Norfolk Southern (NS) ceased regional railcar classification operations at its Roanoke Terminal hump yard in Roanoke, Va., eliminating about 140 positions.
Port Metro Vancouver begins South Shore Corridor Project
In Vancouver, BC, Canada, construction of the South Shore Corridor Project at Port Metro Vancouver began Feb. 21.
NCDOT undergoes organizational changes
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) made organizational adjustments to focus on being efficient, customer-service-focused and dedicated to leveraging infrastructure to create jobs.
Obama renews call for infrastructure investment
President Obama resumed a push for infrastructure investment first outlined in his State of the Union speech. The plan outlines three main points to bring the nation’s infrastructure into a state-of-good-repair and create jobs “that cannot be outsourced.”
CSX to replace rail, ties in Ashland, Va., area
CSX says it will perform track maintenance on its line through Ashland, Va., starting Feb. 24 as part of its commitment to ensure its rail network provides safe and efficient rail service.
Crude by rail facility to be built on Houston Ship Canal
KW Express LLC, a partnership between Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP and Watco Companies LLC, entered into a long-term agreement with Mercuria Energy Trading Company Inc., to construct a 210,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) crude by rail project at the Greens Port Industrial Park on the Houston Ship Channel.
Reiner to head Norfolk Southern industrial development; Newell Baker retires
Norfolk Southern named Jason Reiner assistant vice president industrial development, effective March 1, succeeding Newell Baker, who is retiring.
Bensenville CREATE grade separation project breaks ground
The $67-million grade separation project in Bensenville, Ill., which is part of the Chicago Regional Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE), began construction Feb. 19.
Schumer: Expedite RRIF loan to Port of Oswego for rail upgrades
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to provide a $1.5-million loan to the Port of Oswego in New York through its Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program. The port would use this funding to upgrade rail along the docks.
CN donates to Michigan Tech rail program, names Vena EVP/COO
Canadian National donated $500,000 to Michigan Technological University’s Rail Transportation Program (RTP) to create the CN Endowed Fellowship in Rail Transportation. This brings CN’s total funding to the program to $750,000.
Pacific Imperial Railroad names CEO, signs lease to operate Desert Line
Pacific Imperial Railroad, Inc., signed a 99-year lease on Dec. 20, 2012, with the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway Company and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board to operate the Desert Line and is now pursuing upgrades to the link.