Norfolk Southern facilitates $2.1 billion in industrial investment in 2012
Norfolk Southern invested $2.1 billion in the location of 64 new industries and the expansion of 30 existing industries along its rail lines in 2012.
Freight
Pioneer Railcorp purchases rail line from Maumee & Western Railroad
Pioneer Railcorp’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Michigan Southern Railroad Company, purchased the rail line formerly known as the Maumee & Western Railroad Corporation (MAW).
Shortline tax credit extended as part of fiscal cliff deal
The shortline industry began the New Year with good news: Extension of the railroad track maintenance credit.
CN completes EJ&E/WC merger, reaches agreement with IBEW
Canadian National has completed the merger of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E) into its Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WC) subsidiary, effective Jan. 1, 2013.
Watco to buy Ann Arbor Railroad
Watco Railroad Company Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Watco Companies, L.L.C., has reached a definitive agreement to purchase the stock of the Ann Arbor Railroad, Inc. (AA).
FRA grants funds for Pennsylvania rail bridge
The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded the county of Lycoming, Pa., a $2.4-million Rail Line Relocation grant to build a new bridge spanning the Loyalsock Creek in Loyalsock Township and Montoursville Borough.
San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad sets safety record
The San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad (SPSR) set a new safety record December 23, 2012, completing 5,000 days of accident-free operations on the Benson, Ariz.-based shortline.
KCS’ Starling outlines infrastructure plans in state of the railroad
David L. Starling, Kansas City Southern’s president and CEO, outlined the state of the railroad in a letter dated Dec. 21 and posted to the KCS website. Starling says the railroad’s 125th anniversary year has been a success; something he aims to continue into 2013.
STB approves GWI’s control of RailAmerica railroads
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s application to control RailAmerica, Inc., and the RailAmerica railroads, effective December 28, 2012.
Two Ohio grade crossings to see upgrades
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission to upgrade two grade crossings in Wellston and Cincinnati.
CSX appoints operations, technology leaders to new roles
CSX has made executive position changes, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2013.
WisDOT awards funds to revive freight service
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is contributing more than $17 million toward a rail restoration project in Sheboygan County.
Local officials urge CN to allow Metra expanded service on Heritage Corridor
U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) was joined by more than 20 local officials in urging Canadian National to allow Chicago-area’s commuter railroad Metra to expand service on the Heritage Corridor Line and accommodate at least two additional trains a day.
MDOT buys 135 miles of NS line
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Norfolk Southern signed a sale agreement that transfers ownership of 135 miles of NS railroad to MDOT for $140 million.
Alabama railroad votes SMART representation
According to the United Transportation Union, train and engine service employees on Birmingham Terminal Railway, a Watco Transportation property, have voted to be represented by the SMART Transportation Division.
TTCI selects new board of directors member
Transportation Technology Center, Inc., (TTCI) Board of Directors elected Scott MacDonald, senior vice president, system, Canadian Pacific, as a new board member December 13, 2012.
Canadian government introduces freight service bill, CN, CP respond
On Dec. 11, the Canadian government introduced the Fair Rail Freight Service Act bill, which will give companies that ship goods by rail the right to a service agreement with railways. It will also create an arbitration process to establish an agreement when commercial negotiations are not met.
TCRC- MWED and Canadian Pacific reach tentative contract agreement
Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC-MWED), which represents 2,600 maintenance-of-way workers, reached a tentative five-year contract settlement.
BLET members ratify new contract at Montana Rail Link
By a better than three-to-one majority, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Montana Rail Link (MRL) on November 20. The agreement covers approximately 400 members.
L.B. Foster, Union Pacific enter agreement for concrete crossties
L.B. Foster Company has agreed on a multi-year contract extension with Union Pacific for the supply of prestressed concrete railroad ties from its Tucson, Ariz., facility. The previous supply contract was set to expire on December 31, 2012.