Harsco makes new sale of safety systems to RTD
Harsco’s Protran Technology unit, part of the Harsco Rail division, has announced a new sale of safety systems to be implemented in Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) railway fleet.
Shortline/Regional
NRC names Brown, Ebersold, Zuspan to Hall of Fame
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) has announced the selection of Ronald Brown, Rick Ebersold and John Zuspan by the association’s executive committee as this year’s additions to the NRC Hall of Fame.
Reading & Northern increases track speed between Reading and Port Clinton, Penn.
Reading & Northern Railroad has increased the track speed of its Main Line between Reading, Penn., and Port Clinton to 40 mph.
Martin Klepper to lead Build America Bureau
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced last week that Martin Klepper has been appointed to serve the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Build America Bureau as its executive director.
Illinois law doubles fines for grade-crossing warning scofflaws
Illinois will have the strictest penalties in the nation beginning Jan. 1, 2017 for vehicular offenses associated with attempting to cross railroad tracks after grade-crossing systems have activated.
FRA civil penalty rate sets new record
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has collected a record-breaking rate of civil penalties, surpassing the bar set last year, which was also a record.
Shortline executive David Parkinson dies at 78
Shortline railroad executive David L. Parkinson died Dec. 17 in Palm Desert, Calif., following a brief illness. He was 78 years old.
Vermont rail tunnel project delayed for environmental analysis
A plan to replace two road bridges and build a rail tunnel in Middlebury, Vt., is being delayed in order for the project’s environmental impact to be studied.
Port of Long Beach releases Pier B environmental study
The Port of Long Beach (POLB) released a draft environmental study on its proposal to reconfigure and expand the Pier B on-dock rail facility.
NCDOT helps kick off NCVA rail project
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Dec. 12 to celebrate improvements along a 52-mile rail corridor that will allow for the transport of 286,000-pound cars.
Crew member fatigue faulted for Union Pacific Hoxie accident
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) named crew member fatigue as the probable cause of a 2014 Union Pacific (UP) Hoxie, Ark., accident that killed two crew members and seriously injured two others.
Vossloh acquires Rocla Concrete Tie
Vossloh has acquired Rocla Concrete Tie, a manufacturer of concrete ties, switch ties, concrete low vibration track blocks and crossing panels.
Alstom receives N.Y. state funds to expand Hornell facility
New York state funds totaling at $30 million will go toward Alstom Transportation, Inc.’s $66 million expansion project, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Nov. 30.
Hoffman Construction awarded contract to build Sound Transit’s Roosevelt Station
Sound Transit, the Greater Seattle area’s regional transportation system, has awarded a contract to Hoffman Construction Company to begin building its Roosevelt Station in early 2017.
Chao Trump’s DOT Secretary choice
President-elect Donald Trump has named Elaine Chao as his choice for U.S. Transportation Secretary. Chao is a former Deputy Transportation Secretary and a former Labor Secretary, and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) since 1993.
OneRail report makes case for rail’s role in safe transportation network
A new report from the OneRail Coalition highlights the decline in rail accidents during the past decade and calls for more people and goods to travel by rail to continue the positive safety trend.
NTSB unveils two-year Most Wanted List
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unveiled its 2017-2018 Most Wanted List, implementing a new two-year cycle as opposed to the annual one previously used.
Watco to purchase 20 additional bulk terminals from Kinder Morgan
Watco Companies, LLC (Watco), and Kinder Morgan Terminals (KMT) have established a definitive agreement for Watco to purchase 20 U.S. bulk terminal operations.
TPW begins unit train service to Pacific Ethanol facility
Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (PEIX) and Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (TPW), a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. (GWI), began unit train service Nov. 14 from PEIX’s Pekin, Ill., plant.
Jim Hansen joins Herzog Railroad Services as CCO
Herzog Railroad Services, Inc. (HRSI), has named James Hansen chief commercial officer, where he will report directly to HRSI President Rob Crawford.