FRA proposes revisions to PTC rule
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is proposing a revision to the rule concerning positive train control (PTC) in response to a petition from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Freight
Alton & Southern to expand RailComm system
Alton and Southern Railroad will expand its existing RailComm Yard Control System by adding several new components to the yard.
Canadian Pacific outlines vision for future, weighs interest in DM&E west end
Canadian Pacific has outlined the railroad’s go-forward plan for change with plans to improve service, increase efficiency, lower cost and grow the business.
Amtrak/CSX Hudson Line deal to improve service, move projects forward
A long-term lease agreement between CSX Corporation and Amtrak has been made, enabling Amtrak to take full control of the Hudson Line between Schenectady and Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
NCDOT awards safety improvement contract
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded a $10.9-million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contract to Fred Smith Co. of Raleigh, N.C., for a rail safety improvement project.
CP defers Powder River Basin expansion plan
Canadian Pacific will take a fourth quarter pre-tax non-cash charge of approximately CA$180 million (US$181 million) on its option to build into the Powder River Basin (PRB).
Genesee & Wyoming expands role in Utica shale development
Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s (GWI) wholly owned subsidiary, The Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road Company (CUOH), has signed a long-term agreement to serve the $900-million natural gas liquids (NGLs) fractionation hub being constructed in Scio, Ohio,
Alabama to relocate rail line with federal funds
The Federal Railroad Administration has provided the city of Sylacauga, Ala., a $1.59-million Rail Line Relocation Grant to relocate East Alabama Railway and Norfolk Southern interchange tracks away from the downtown area.
Construction stay lifted on Port MacKenzie rail project
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a stay on construction for Alaska’s Port MacKenzie Rail project Nov. 28 and indicated that the environmental groups’ court challenge to the project will not prevail.
Norfolk Southern completes Pier 6 upgrades
Norfolk Southern has completed a major upgrade to its Lamberts Point export coal transload facility in Norfolk, Va.
USDOT awards $3.2 million to the state of Washington
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $3.2 million to the state of Washington to enhance capacity and improve reliability for intercity passenger and freight rail in the Pacific Northwest.
KCS celebrates 125th anniversary
Kansas City Southern celebrated its 125th anniversary of railroad operations on Nov. 27, by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
UP to increase speeds on south-central Kansas line
Recent track improvements will allow Union Pacific to increase the speed of its trains from 40 mph to 49 mph on nearly 22 miles of its rail line in Kansas between Wellington and the Kansas/Oklahoma border.
NS Atlanta welding plant named in honor of late engineering executive
Norfolk Southern named its rail welding facility in Atlanta, Ga., after the late Hubert Rose, who retired from Norfolk Southern as senior assistant vice president maintenance-of-way and structures and planning in 1991, after a 43-year career with the company.
Agreement would put X Train on UP-owned track
Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), and Union Pacific signed a conditional agreement to provide passenger service on Union Pacific-owned right-of-way between Las Vegas, Nev., and Daggett, Calif.
New union agreements on CP and Central Railroad of Indiana
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), System Council 11 and Canadian Pacific reached a tentative five-year labor agreement covering approximately 450 employees who maintain and install railway signals and communications systems across Canada.
AAR: Railroads committed to PTC implementation, despite challenges
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reinforced the railroad industry’s commitment to implementing PTC but recognized significant challenges remain to doing so.
CSX opens new TRANSFLO facility in Westborough
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray joined CSX, Town Manager Jim Malloy of Westborough and businesses to celebrate the opening of CSX’s TRANSFLO facility in Westborough, Mass.
First Nations and Alaskan Tribes show support for Alberta-Alaska rail link
Canada’s First Nations and Alaskan Tribes have expressed support for a new “purpose built” railway that would link Alaska with Yukon, northern British Columbia and northern Alberta to the rest of North America.
Patriot Rail, TC&W name new executives
Patriot Rail Corp. hired George Avery Grimes, PE, Ph.D., to its management team as executive vice president and chief strategy officer. Grimes will be responsible for revenue growth through initiation and evaluation of strategic acquisitions, infrastructure investments and margin expansion opportunities. He will also be Patriot Rail’s liaison with Class 1 railroad strategic projects.