Parsons adds Abruzzo as rail bridge leader
Parsons has hired Joseph Abruzzo as its railroad bridge practice leader, where he will be responsible for directing the pursuit and execution of railroad bridge projects worldwide.
Shortline/Regional
Rail energy storage project receives lease from federal agency
The Advanced Rail Energy Storage, LLC (ARES), proposed commercial-scale gravity-based rail energy storage project (ARES Nevada) has been granted a right-of-way lease by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Pacific Harbor Line hosts FRA for tour
Pacific Harbor Line (PHL), a subsidiary railroad of Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH), hosted a tour for several guests, including Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Sarah Feinberg, Region 7 Regional Administrator James Jordan and Linda Darr, President of the American Short Line Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).
Yolo County rail relocation study says area would benefit
A study designed to quantify the economic benefits of relocating existing shortline rail infrastructure in Yolo County, Calif., has found the area could tap into significant benefits if it were to follow through with the relocation.
Port of New Orleans dedicates Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal
The Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners joined a host of elected officials and industry partners April 12 to dedicate the port’s new $25-million Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal.
Port of Long Beach studying business case behind short-haul rail
The Port of Long Beach in California is looking to an old idea with new variables to combat traffic congestion: Short-haul rail.
Various cost-effective maintenance practices for conventional track structures
Use determines a given maintenance strategy, but planning determines that strategy’s cost effectiveness.
FTA issues safety advisory to gather stop signal overrun information
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued Safety Advisory 16-1 to collect information on the frequency of stop signal overruns in rail transit and the actions being taken to address these occurrences.
Watco acquires River Road Terminals
Watco Transloading has acquired River Road Terminals and has entered into a 10-year lease of the underlying 38 acres of real estate. At the end of the term of the lease, Watco has the option to take ownership of the real estate.
OmniTRAX names Bridgewell Resources Supplier of the Year
OmniTRAX, Inc., selected Bridgewell Resources LLC, a wholesale distributor of ties and other materials, as the recipient of its first annual Supplier of the Year award.
Palmetto Railways proposes 10-mile line in South Carolina
Palmetto Railways is exploring the development of a 10-mile industrial rail line to serve the Camp Hall Commerce Park in Berkeley County, S.C.
R.J. Corman begins eastern Carolinas service
Public officials and other community members joined R.J. Corman Railroad Group representatives in late March to celebrate the opening of its railroad service to the eastern regions of North and South Carolina.
Koppers hosts tour of South Carolina tie plant
Representatives from the offices of Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Tim Scott (R-SC) joined representatives from GoRail and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) on April 5 to tour Koppers’ rail tie manufacturing facility in Florence, S.C.
ASLRRA awards 2015 safety honors
The American Short Line Rail and Regional Association (ASLRRA) disclosed the winners of its 2015 Safety Awards including Safety Person of the Year, Safety Professional of the Year, Jake Awards with Distinction and Jake Awards.
Watco to build liquid fuels terminal in Mexico
Watco Companies has reached a definitive agreement with WTC Industrial to design, build and operate a new public, unit train liquid fuels terminal and general cargo facility at WTC Industrial Park in San Luis Potosi (SLP), Mexico.
Short Line Safety Institute fills two senior positions
The Short Line Safety Institute on March 24, 2016 announced the onboarding of two key staff members—Mike Long, Senior Safety and Operations Manager, and Michele Malski, Safety Programs Manager. These two new positions will be instrumental in driving the Institute’s key initiatives forward.
BLET members ratify first union contract with Illinois Railway
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified their first-ever union contract with the Illinois Railway (IR) on March 21, 2016. More than 80 percent of members who cast a valid ballot voted in favor of the agreement.
Work continues on NYS&W service restoration in New York
The Rail Revitalization Project begun by the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) in 2011 will mark a major milestone March 23, when Frontier Railroad Services, LLC, begins removing brush and other obstacles along the 45.5 miles of New York Susquehanna and Western (NYS&W) rail right-of-way in Chenango County, N.Y.
OmniTRAX Logistics expands service territory in 2016
OmniTRAX Logistics Services, LLC (OLS) is rapidly expanding its service territory throughout the United States in 2016. OmniTRAX, Inc., is promoting the unit’s growth with the launch of a new website at www.myshippingmadeeasy.com . OLS, which provides a full range of transportation and handling services, built the website to accentuate the company’s “We Make Shipping Easy” slogan.
More than 400 take to Capitol Hill for Railroad Day
The industry’s annual single day blitz of congressional officials brought more than 400 industry representatives to Washington, D.C., on March 3.