Freight

UP’s Young to take medical leave of absence

Union Pacific’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer James Young will take a medical leave of absence from his responsibilities as president and CEO while he is being treated for recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer.

Iowa Pacific Holdings joins AAR

Iowa Pacific Holdings (IPH) has become the Association of American Railroads’ newest full member. Based in Chicago, IPH is a privately-held company that provides freight and passenger rail service in six states and the United Kingdom.

NS names new VP Mechanical, elects new board member

Donald Graab has been named vice president mechanical for Norfolk Southern Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., effective March 1. He will be responsible for maintenance and repair of the railroad’s motive power and rolling stock. Graab succeeds Tim Heilig, who has retired after 41 years with Norfolk Southern.

GWI opens Australian bridge damaged in cyclone

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. reopened the Edith River Bridge in Australia’s Northern Territory following the December 27, 2011, derailment of a Genesee & Wyoming Australia Pty Ltd freight train in flood waters associated with Cyclone Grant.

Parks Canada, CP receive research grants to protect Banff bears

Research grants were awarded to teams to further mitigate rail-related grizzly bear mortality in Banff and Yoho national parks in Canada. Projects will be supported by robust monitoring to determine effectiveness and begin in spring 2012, pending approval of animal care protocols.

Watco adds to management team

Aaron Coester has been named vice president, informa¬tion technology of Watco Companies, LLC. His responsibilities will include overseeing information technol¬ogy software and services related to RMI, WATSS and SAP.

Del Cueto addresses KCS

On February 15, KCS de Mexico director ejecutivo de operaciones Oscar Del Cueto and gerente de desarrollo de negocios internacionales Marco Cervantes attended BNamericas Mexico Infrastructure Summit in Mexico City.

Trains are operating again on P&N corridor

The first train in more than 20 years operated on the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Piedmont & Northern Railroad corridor February 20, from Gastonia to Mount Holly, N.C. The train was operated by Patriot Rail, a freight shortline and regional railroad company based in Boca Raton, Fla., under a lease that has been signed with that company.