Railroad Day on Capitol Hill marks record attendance
A record number of rail industry participants came to Washington, D.C., on March 2, 2017 to take part in the 18th annual Railroad Day on Capitol Hill.
Shortline/Regional
Georgia Ports Authority plans to reduce Garden City rail crossings
Representatives from Garden City, Chatham County and the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) discussed a proposal that would reduce the use of grade crossings around GPA’s Garden City Terminal during a public meeting Feb. 28.
Bills to repeal MPO consolidation rule enter Congress
Legislation was introduced to both houses of Congress last week that would repeal a final U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) rule aimed at reforming areas where multiple Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) exist.
Brohm named EVP of PNR RailWorks, Inc.
RailWorks Corporation named John Brohm as executive vice president with responsibility for the Ontario operations of PNR RailWorks Inc., its Canadian subsidiary.
Reading & Northern names Clark as SVP Coal
Reading & Northern Railroad has named William Clark as senior vice president – Coal where he will be responsible for managing the anthracite coal business, as well as the railroad’s freight car fleet of more than 1,200 cars.
BRACE Act to make shortline tax credit permanent re-enters Senate
Legislation has been introduced into the U.S. Senate that would make permanent a tax credit used to repair and upgrade shortline and regional railroads.
Alaska Railroad eliminates 49 positions, lays off 31
The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC), citing reduced business and revenues, has cut 49 positions, laying off 31 employees.
Short Line Safety Institute hopes small tips produce big safety gains
The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) launched a new safety initiative aimed at providing small railroads with seasonal safety tips.
GWI adds Heart of Georgia to its family of shortlines
The 219-mile Heart of Georgia Railroad (HOG), Inc., will be under new ownership in the second quarter of 2017, following approval by the Surface Transportation Board.
Patriot Rail restructures commercial sales team
Patriot Rail Company, LLC (Patriot Rail), a shortline railroad and rail services company based in the U.S., has announced promotions in two key roles and an addition to the commercial sales team.
Fuller to retire as GWI chairman; Hellmann to take role in May 2017
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) Chairman of the Board of Directors Mortimer B. Fuller III has announced his retirement effective following the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting this May.
New York awards $25 million to rail, port projects
The state of New York awarded $25 million in grants to 19 rail and port projects through the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program.
AAR estimates freight railroads will spend $22 billion on capital programs in 2017
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) estimates U.S. freight railroads will spend an estimated $22 billion in 2017 on capital programs.
Chao sworn in as Secretary of Transportation
Elaine Chao has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn in to serve as the 18th Secretary of Transportation.
Legislation to make 45G tax credit permanent re-enters House
A bill that would make the shortline maintenance tax credit permanent was introduced to the House of Representatives during the evening of Jan. 30.
House T&I Committee to tackle what is needed from infrastructure at first hearing
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold its first hearing of the 115th Congress next week and will explore how and what to build in order to meet the needs of the 21st century.
REMSA outlines advocacy priorities for 2017
The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) shared Jan. 24 its three advocacy priorities for 2017.
Henderson named president of R.J. Corman Railroad Services; Rush to serve as SVP Commercial Development R.J. Corman Railroad Group
R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC, named Nathan Henderson as president of R. J. Corman Railroad Services, LLC, and of Noel Rush to serve as senior vice president Commercial Development, R.J. Corman Railroad Group effective immediately. Both will continue to report to R.J. Corman Railroad Group President and CEO Ed Quinn.
South Shore Freight steps in to help stranded Indiana passengers
An estimated 5,500 Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) South Shore Line riders were stranded on Jan. 12 following a “severe flash freeze situation.”
Davis named COO of TNW Corporation
Jeff Davis, a railroad industry veteran, has joined TNW Corporation (TNW) as its chief operating officer (COO). Davis assumed the role effective Jan. 1.