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,
Freight
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
AAR rail traffic for May and the week ending May 30—’somewhat heartening’
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 30, 2020, as well as volumes for May 2020. U.S. railroads originated 740,171 carloads in May
Georgia Port Authority selects RailComm for Savannah Yard automation
The Georgia Port Authority selected RailComm, LLC as the Yard Management System provider for the new Port of Savannah Multi-Modal Connector. In a competitive bid, the Georgia Port Authority awarded the yard
Norfolk Southern derailment in Virginia on Friday morning
A Norfolk Southern train derailed Friday morning in Warren County, Va. Norfolk Southern and its contractors worked through the day to assess the derailment site and begin work to clear the area.
NCRR to build lead track, switches for foundry relocation in N.C.
Charlotte Pipe and Foundry will construct a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Oakboro, N.C., an investment of $325 million. Charlotte Pipe and Foundry is a North Carolina-based manufacturer and distributer of cast
Bells & Whistles—5/29/20
Officials believe the Gateway Project should be funded in the next stimulus bill. Federal Railroad Administration awards $302.6 million in grants. Austin voters might be reluctant to pass tax hike for Project
BNSF continues layoffs in Topeka, Kan.
RT&S has reported previously on BNSF layoffs in Topeka, Kan. This week, the railroad announced the layoff of 8 additional employees. In a statement from BNSF spokesman Ben Wilemon, the railroad said:
RT&S Special Report: Railroad Cybersecurity – an interview with AAR
During the past several months, RT&S News has reported on concerns about cybersecurity in the industry. These concerns are not new, as they have been the subjects of numerous articles, speeches and
U.S. DOT to distribute cloth facial coverings to America’s transportation workforce
Today, the Trump Administration announced millions of cloth facial coverings will be sent to workers in critical sectors of America’s economy. Approximately 15.5 million will be sent to the Nation’s transportation workforce.