Rail traffic slide continues
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 20, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 457,278 carloads and intermodal units,
Freight
Homeowner sues railroad company over new rail yard construction
A historic home on a Navy base in North Charleston, S.C., is in the middle of a battle between a homeowner and a shortline railroad company. Mike Turner bought the home, which
The ‘throat’ in Boston could be a tough one to swallow
Between Boston University and the Charles River in Boston there is 204 ft of space. Officials involved in a Massachusetts Turnpike project call this area the “throat,” and the hope is there
Bells & Whistles—6/19/20
HEROES Act would do little for mid-sized transit agencies. House INVEST Act would bolster CRISI program. Austin’s Project Connect project is now up to the voters. Contractor on Purple Line project is
Norfolk Southern announces idling of hump at Bellevue Yard
Norfolk Southern has announced that it will idle the hump at Bellevue Yard in Bellevue, Ohio, also known as Moorman Yard (named in honor of NS’s former chairman, president & CEO, Wick
U.S. DOT issues final rule for the safe transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail tank car
Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), issued a final rule authorizing the bulk transportation
House INVEST Act would bolster CRISI program
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s approval of H.R. 2, the INVEST in America Act, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), which represents the nation’s 600 small business freight
CSX lays off 86 management employees
General business conditions, COVID, and PSR continue to reduce North America’s railroad workforce. The latest announcement of layoffs comes from CSX, based in Jacksonville, Fla. And, the layoffs occurred within the management
Rail traffic takes another big dip
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 13, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 449,291 carloads and intermodal units,
Train derailment causes explosion, sends two deputies to the hospital
A train derailment in Rock Springs, Wyo., has left two deputies injured following an explosion on June 13. Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1 Fire Chief Scot Kitchner says about 30 rail
Sunday Cinema—Sections of concrete tie placement
Came across the video below on LinkedIn last week. It doesn’t appear to be a project in North America, but the process of laying down sections of concrete tie is pretty cool.
L.B. Foster introduces RPM2.0 for optimization of friction management programs
RPM2.0, L.B. Foster’s next generation Remote Performance Monitoring (RPM) interface for trackside wheel/rail Friction Management systems, is here. The system that provides immediate, intuitive insight into the operation and performance of friction
Rail Group On Air: Talking projects, maintenance and COVID with CSX V.P. of Engineering Ricky Johnson
Railway Track & Structures Editor-in-Chief Bill Wilson talks construction projects, maintenance and dealing with a pandemic with CSX Vice President of Engineering Ricky Johnson. Rail Group On Air · Rail Group on
Rail traffic continues downward trend as of week ending June 6, 2020
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 6, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 433,171 carloads and intermodal units,
Gateless in Seattle: BNSF technology eases truck entrance into intermodal facilities
From steam engines to hybrid diesel-electric locomotives, the freight rail industry has long been a pioneer of technology to expand our ability to move the global economy. As a technology leader, BNSF
Norfolk Southern braces for Tropical System Cristobal
With Tropical System Cristobal approaching New Orleans, Norfolk Southern issued this service alert today: “The New Orleans Flood Protection Authority will close the floodgates in and around New Orleans beginning Saturday, June
Precision scheduled railroading: Longer trains means dramatic derailments
Having worked in the industry for 50 years, if you consider my postretirement involvement, I will be the first to admit that today’s railroads are, in many respects, much safer than they
CP completes acquisition of Central Maine & Quebec Railway, expanding reach and optionality
Canadian Pacific [yesterday] completed its previously announced acquisition of the Central Maine & Quebec Railway US Inc. (CMQ US). Together with the earlier acquisition of Central Maine & Quebec Railway Canada Inc.
Rails to trails project not a total loss as 85 miles of track will be refurbished
Lake Placid was home to the 1980 Winter Olympics, which produced the “Miracle on Ice” when team USA defeated the Soviet Union en route to hockey gold. Some might say the Lake
INVEST Act appears to fund Gateway Project but comes down hard on liquefied natural gas transport by rail
The House of Representatives has introduced the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act. The measure, introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure