Simmons-Boardman and RailAdvisor join forces
Railway Age, International Railway Journal and Railway Track and Structures have partnered with RailAdvisor to present the world’s railway information in a more concise and global manner than ever before.
Freight
Watco Transportation Services names AVP transportation safety
Keith Barksdale has accepted the position of assistant vice president of transportation safety at Watco Transportation Services. As assistant vice president of transportation safety, his responsibilities include leading the regional safety quality and assurance managers in carrying safety initiatives to the field level and ensure that the company has rule compliance on existing programs.
University of Alberta opens rail research facility
The University of Alberta in Canada has launched a new partnership that will support jobs and long-term success in the Canadian rail sector. This new partnership, the Canadian Rail Research laboratory, is a joint initiative between the Government of Canada, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures (AITF), the Association of American Railroads, Canadian Pacific, Canadian National and the University of Alberta.
KCS maintenance pattern ensures consistent service
KCS president and CEO Dave Starling, executive vice president and chief operating officer Dave Ebbrecht and several others from the transportation, engineering, mechanical, sales and marketing and purchasing teams participated in an inspection trip of the lines between Heavener, Okla. and Shreveport, La., between Shreveport and Wylie, Texas, and south from Shreveport to the intermodal shipper facility in Kendleton, Texas.
Georgia & Florida Railway UTU members to vote on new pact
United Transportation Union-represented maintenance-of-way employees on Georgia & Florida Railway are voting through September 22 on a tentative new agreement, their first since joining the union.
UP performs nearly $14 million in Iowa infrastructure improvements
Union Pacific is enhancing Iowa’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $14 million in the rail line that runs between Grand Mound and Boone. The project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by mid November.
Watco Transportation Services names chief engineer structures
Phillip Allen has accepted the position of chief engineer of structures for Watco Transportation Services. In this new role, Allen will be responsible for the bridge management program.
BNSF expands Bakken Oil transport capacity to one million barrels per day
BNSF has increased capacity in 2012 to enable the railroad to haul one million barrels per day out of the Williston Basin in North Dakota and Montana. This increased capacity will allow the energy industry to continue the record expansion of oil production in the Williston Basin and to ship the new production to markets throughout the U.S.
RailAmerica launches new industrial development website
RailAmerica, Inc., now has a new industrial development website that will help current and prospective customers who are interested in building or expanding a rail-served facility or developing transloading solutions. Additionally, this tool provides a listing of all locations accessible to RailAmerica railroads.
Washington state transportation commission OKs improvements at two crossings
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved $40,000 from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to pay for upgrades at grade crossings in Mason and Kitsap Counties. The crossings are located at the intersection of Old State Route 101 (SR-101) and Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad (PSAP) tracks near the city of Shelton and at the intersection of Provost Road and PSAP tracks near the city of Silverdale.
LOSSAN pedestrian safety project installs rail bridge
A portion of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) coastal rail line between Oceanside and Downtown San Diego, Calif., will be shut down as construction crews work to install a new rail bridge for the pedestrian safety undercrossing at Santa Fe Drive in Encinitas.
City of Indianapolis receives $900,000 for rail relocation
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded nearly $900,000 to the city of Indianapolis, Ind., to relocate freight rail traffic from the CSX Transportation mainline that goes through the heart of downtown Indianapolis to the nearby Indianapolis Belt Railroad. This project will separate passenger and freight rail operations, remove 10-12 existing grade crossings and improve safety while decreasing congestion and emissions.
UTU members ratify pacts on EJ&E, TP&W
United Transportation Union-represented employees of Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway and Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway have ratified new five-year agreements.
UP to rebuild Shermer Road bridge
Union Pacific plans to replace the current berm/rail system on Shermer Road south of Willow Road in Glenview, Ill., with a permanent bridge. It is expected to be rebuilt within two years.
Chicago-area commuter rail bridge move a success
A commuter rail bridge, believed to be the largest truss bridge ever moved after assembly, was rolled into place over Torrence Avenue near 130th Street in Chicago, Ill.
KCS to expand supplier diversity program
As part of a continuing commitment to diversity and inclusion, Kansas City Southern recently expanded the scope of its U.S. Supplier Diversity Program Initiative (SDPI) for suppliers, contractors and professional service providers to include small businesses, as well as disadvantaged, minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses.
Freight Policy Council formed
U.S. Department of Transportation formed the Freight Policy Council, which it says will focus on improving the condition and performance of the national freight network to better ensure the ability of the United States to compete in today’s global economy. The council will develop a national intermodal plan for improving the efficiency of freight movement and will work with states to encourage development of a forward-looking state freight strategy.
Columbia & Cowlitz workers ratify first UTU agreement
Train and engine, mechanical and maintenance-of-way employees on Columbia and Cowlitz Railway in Washington state, all represented by the United Transportation Union, have ratified their first agreement since joining the union in October 2011.
Utilities commissions in Ohio, Washington approve crossing improvements
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Cleveland Commercial Railroad to install mast-mounted and cantilevered flashing lights and gates at the E. 156th Street grade crossing in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County.
Former shortline management team behind new international rail business
International Rail Partners LLC was recently formed to pursue the acquisition and operation of freight railroads outside of the United States, as well as other rail-related support businesses worldwide. In addition to its corporate headquarters located in Boca Raton, Fla., the company also has an office in San Francisco, Calif.