Digital transformation and rail – news and commentary
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Freight
STB Grants approval for Watco acquisitions in Wisconsin and Michigan
The Surface Transportation Board issued a decision granting approval for exemptions sought by Watco Holdings, Inc., and two of its subsidiaries (collectively, Watco) in the acquisition of approximately 652 miles of rail line in Wisconsin and Michigan from Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL), which is controlled by Canadian National Railway Company.
Michigan DOT announces rail-highway grade crossing surface repair award recipients for 2022
As part of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) commitment to improving safety and the quality of Michigan’s transportation system, MDOT has announced the recipients for the sixth annual Local Grade Crossing Surface Program.
San Pedro train engineer pleads guilty to terrorism charge for intentionally derailing locomotive near U.S. Navy hospital ship
A train engineer at the Port of Los Angeles has pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge for running a locomotive at full speed off the end of railroad tracks near a United States Navy hospital ship that was deployed to provide medical relief during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government of Canada approves changes to improve railway track inspections
The Government of Canada is continuing to move ahead with concrete actions which improve railway track safety to better protect those living and working near Canada’s rail corridors.
FRA deputy chief visits Los Angeles and Long Beach ports
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Deputy Administrator Amit Bose visited the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on December 8, 2021 to discuss recent progress in tackling supply chain issues through collaborative efforts among the Ports, FRA, and rail carriers.
Developing story: SEPTA trolley collides with CSX freight train
A SEPTA trolley and CSX freight train collided outside of Philadelphia this morning.
Illinois officials vow to hold BNSF responsible for flooding
Cicero and Cook County, Ill., officials want BNSF to be held accountable for flooding problems for residents as a result of concrete resurfacing of the Class 1’s properties.
Georgia Ports Authority announces expedited TEU capacity increase
At the Georgia Ports Authority Board meeting Monday, Executive Director Griff Lynch detailed actions that will expedite the completion of 1.6 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in annual capacity.
Critical CN line officially re-opened, but damage might already be done to grain market
A vital Canadian National line in southern British Columbia is officially back on the grid.
For Norfolk Southern, changes at the top
Norfolk Southern (NS) on Dec. 2 reported that Chairman and CEO Jim Squires will retire in May 2022; he will be succeeded by Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Alan H. Shaw, a 27-year NS veteran.
Bossier City reconsiders action on grade crossing; Union Pacific ‘looks forward’ to continuing work
By a 5-2 vote, the Bossier (La.) City Council voted to permanently close Old Shed railroad crossing over Union Pacific tracks.
Canadian Pacific and Canadian National each donate $100,000 to Canadian Red Cross flooding relief efforts
Both Canadian Class 1 railroads suffered significant infrastructure damage from recent floods in the British Columbia region.
Disastrous flooding cuts Vancouver off from rail, road service
Food and toilet paper have been stripped from grocery store shelves across British Columbia as panic buying follows the realization Wednesday, Nov. 17 that the previous day’s Biblical flooding means road and rail connections with Vancouver and southwestern British Columbia could be disrupted for months.
Union Pacific to city: Leave the crossing open and pay the price
Bossier City, La., is not the boss when dealing with railroad property, and Union Pacific let the city council know that earlier this week.
Railway Supply Institute appoints Patty Long president
The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patty Long, an experienced and skilled association leader, as its president.
Despite sinkhole, BNSF will not have to stop freight service through Burlington, Iowa
The city of Burlington, Iowa, made an emergency declaration on Nov. 15 when a sinkhole was discovered under BNSF railroad tracks.
Kemp, Georgia Ports mark Mega Rail milestone
Governor Brian P. Kemp last week announced that the Georgia Ports Authority has completed and is now operating the second set of nine new rail tracks for a total of 18 tracks at its Mason Mega Rail Terminal.
Heavy rain, mudslides cover tracks at Port of Vancouver, derail train
The supply chain has been choked for months, and a long drink of water is the last thing it needs.
November NRC column: My heroes have always been railroaders
No one advances in their career without some inspiration and help from others along the way.