Acting FRA chief Hall resigns
Heath Hall, the acting administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, the nation’s rail safety watchdog, resigned Feb. 11 amid allegations that he was working a second job as a public relations consultant.
Shortline/Regional
Small-railroad tax credit in budget bill
The regional and short line railroad investment tax credit (known as 45-G for its provision in the Internal Revenue Code) is poised to be signed into law by President Trump following its unexpected insertion into the massive two-year Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 passed in the predawn hours Friday, Feb. 9, by the House and Senate.
Return of Queens commuter rail feasible, but costly
A study conducted by AECOM on behalf of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) finds it feasible that passenger rail service could return to the Lower Montauk Branch rail corridor.
Loram to acquire GREX
Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc., and Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) have completed a definitive merger agreement where Loram will acquire all outstanding shares of GREX.
Lindamood named Alaska Railroad VP of engineering
Brian Lindamood has been promoted to vice president engineering at the Alaska Railroad and will oversee the evaluation, planning and construction of the railroad’s infrastructure including engineering, bridge maintenance and construction, and capital project management.
PANYNJ to study two alternatives to improve freight movement
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has moved into the second phase of environmental review for the Cross Harbor Freight Movement Program.
House T&I subcommittee schedules hearing on PTC
A February hearing of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will focus on the progress made toward implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).
Stay off the tracks: simple message behind joint educational effort
A trio of rail advocacy groups, the Rail Passengers Association (RPA), the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), are joining forces to make one thing clear: Railroad tracks are no place for pedestrians, cars and bicyclists.
NYA knocks out sleep apnea with new program
New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA), a subsidiary of Anacostia Rail Holdings, began a program Jan. 23 to screen employees for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
CSS leases five miles of CN track in Indiana
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad (CSS) has set out to expand its business opportunities in Gary, Ind., with the lease of five miles of track from Canadian National Railway (CN).
POLB advances Pier B plan
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, progressing a plan to allow for more efficient cargo movement.
Lac-Mégantic rail bypass gets big financial commitment from Canadian government
A plan to move a rail line from out of downtown Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, received financial backing from the federal government of Canada, but no solid dollar amount.
North American freight rail associations pen joint letter in support of NAFTA
The freight rail associations representing Mexico, the United States and Canada, sent a joint letter to negotiators ahead of the sixth formal round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) discussions being held in Montreal, Quebec, Jan. 23-28.
R. J. Corman makes sale of RWT to RailPros
R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC, announced Jan. 19 that it has completed the sale of Roadway Worker Training (RWT) to RailPros.
Darr outlines ASLRRA priorities
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) President Linda Bauer Darr outlined three critical priorities for members Jan. 18 in any considered infrastructure funding package at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “America’s Infrastructure Summit: Time to Modernize.”
Infrastructure bill; preventing re-regulation top REMSA 2018 advocacy priorities
The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) announced on Jan. 18 the three main areas of focus for its advocacy priorities in the New Year.
POLB releases FEIR for on-dock rail facility
The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) has been released for the Port of Long Beach’s (POLB) proposed redeveloped of a rail yard to transition more cargo to rail.
CMQ promotes two in operating department
The Central Maine & Québec Railway (CMQ) has announced two appointments in the New Year.
Asplund new head of Florida East Coast Rwy.
Florida East Coast Railway, the regional carrier operating 350 miles of main line from Miami to Jacksonville, has a new president and chief executive officer.
NCDOT’s largest rail infrastructure improvement program wraps up
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is celebrating the completion of the state’s largest program of rail infrastructure improvements after seven years.