Bells & Whistles—Metro Council ignored warning about light-rail project
The top news stories RT&S was following the week ending May 6.
Freight
Washouts in Oklahoma plaguing Union Pacific
Oklahoma has been hit with heavy rains this week, causing washouts for Union Pacific.
Last chance to submit for 2022 RT&S Top Projects
The deadline to submit your project for consideration for the 2022 RT&S Top Projects list is May 7.
Move by Texas governor has Mexico taking billion-dollar rail project elsewhere
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s crackdown on border crossing inspections has Mexico drawing a line in the sand. Make that a line in New Mexico.
NRC appoints two new board members
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) announced that two railway industry professionals have been appointed to its Board of Directors.
N.J. congressman visits Point No Point Bridge site
New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., spent the afternoon of May 2 learning about critical infrastructure with leaders from Conrail, Norfolk Southern, and CSX.
Railroad line, salmon need to live in harmony in state of Washington
Rail lines and water lines are both important in Bellingham, Wash.
Port of Long Beach increases rail capacity
The Port of Long Beach has completed construction of a new rail project that will increase efficiency of goods movement and reduce congestion on local roadways by shifting more cargo to trains.
LAST WEEK to nominate for Top Projects
The deadline to nominate your top project in North America for the 2022 RT&S Top Projects list is May 7.
Oregon port prepares for the future, replaces key rail bridge
There is plenty of rail maintenance and construction activity going on at the International Port of Coos Bay in Oregon, and an important phase was recently completed.
Watch: Wildfire takes out railroad bridge in Texas
The Little Highline Fire in Potter County, Texas, destroyed a railroad bridge over the weekend.
Union Pacific’s Big Boy tour for spring has been postponed
We only cover steam and heritage activities when something truly special is happening, which is pretty rare. However . . .
Friday fun: BNSF paints former Santa Fe locomotive 5704 in bicentennial colors
America celebrated the 1976 bicentennial in many ways. The railroad industry celebrated in a big way by painting locomotives in bicentennial schemes.
Watch: Final Federal Environmental Impact Statement released on Port of Long Beach
The U.S. Maritime Administration has issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision, approving the planned Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, a Port of Long Beach project designed to enhance the flow of cargo by rail.
Rail Group On Air: Grand Slam tunnel project still taking its swings
Railway Track & Structures Editor-in-Chief Bill Wilson talks with AmeriStarRail’s Scott Spencer about the potential of the Grand Slam rail tunnel project.
What are we watching? Preventing railroad trespassing with video
Trespassing is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in the U.S. Addressing trespassing along railroad rights-of-way (ROW) is a leading priority for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Industry-Railway Suppliers partners up with Milwaukee power tools
Industry-Railway Suppliers, Inc. (IRS), a North America railroad distributor of AREMA track tools, abrasives, heavy railroad equipment, work equipment wear parts, and mechanical shop tools, announced its official partnership with Milwaukee, making Industry-Railway Suppliers an authorized distributor of Milwaukee tools to the railroad industry.
Transportation Safety Board of Canada reports on fatal Canadian Pacific 2019 derailment – CP pushes back
Last week, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report (R19C0015) into the 2019 derailment of two locomotives and 99 cars of a 112 car grain train, in which the three crew members were fatally injured near Field, B.C. CP disputes aspects of the report.
Ohio Rail Development Commission approves $75,000 grant to Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.
On March 9, 2022, the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) approved a grant in the amount of $75,000 to assist Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. expand the on-site rail infrastructure at the site of the company’s new facility located in Defiance.
ICC approves annual Five-Year (FY 2023-2027) Crossing Safety Improvement Plan
The Illinois Commerce Commission recently approved its annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program to start implementing highway-rail safety capital projects for local roads across the state.