Another PTC extension bill enters the fray
Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced their version of a Positive Train Control (PTC) extension bill that joins a similar effort introduced by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO).
Shortline/Regional
Rep. Jerry McNerney tours Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad
U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA-9) joined representatives from the Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad (STE), OmniTRAX and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of STE’s facility April 8.
AAR launches latest Freight Rail Works campaign
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) debuted the latest installment of its Freight Rail Works campaign, an exploration of freight rail’s investments in building, growing and maintaining the nation’s freight rail network. The campaign combines television, radio and online components to showcase the projects and innovation that help give U.S. businesses a competitive edge.
Rep. Steve Cohen tours Atlantic Track’s Memphis facility
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (R-TN-09) joined representatives from Atlantic Track and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of Atlantic Track’s Memphis, Tenn., operations and facility.
Watco promotes one, hires another
Watco Terminal and Port Services has named Albert Perez II terminal manager at the Linden, N.J., location. In this role, Perez will be responsible for maintaining high-quality customer service, ensuring targeted profitability and supporting the overall attainment of expected performance goals. He will also coach his team and driving safety and operational efficiencies.
HRT supports Stand up 4 Transportation
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) will host a special event April 9 with a coalition of business and political leaders to highlight the urgent need for Congress to approve long-term funding critical for Hampton Roads’ transportation infrastructure.
USDOT makes $500 million available for next round of TIGER
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is making $500 million available for the seventh round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program.
NJDOT grants more than $20 million for rail projects
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), through its Rail Freight Assistance Program, doled out more than $20 million in grants for rail improvement projects throughout the state.
Secretary Foxx sends long-term transportation bill to Congress
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx sent a six-year transportation bill to Congress.
Uncertainty clouds key rail bills in Senate
Two bills of substantial importance to railroads—Staggers Rail Act revisions as part of reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), and extension of the deadline to implement Positive Train Control (PTC)—took meaningful steps forward March 25, gaining the imprimatur of the Senate Commerce Committee.
ASLRRA reveals full list of safety winners
The American Short Line Rail and Regional Association (ASLRRA) disclosed the winners of its 2014 Safety Awards including Safety Person of the Year, Safety Professional of the Year, Most Improved Award, the President’s Awards, Jake Awards with Distinction and Jake Awards.
WSOR begins track rehab to restore service between Plymouth and Kohler
The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) broke ground March 24 to reconstruct nearly 11 miles of state-owned freight rail track between Plymouth and Kohler, Wis.
ASLRRA 2014 Safety Person of the Year: Billie Johnson, OmniTRAX
OmniTRAX Inc.‘s Billie Johnson, general manager for Newburgh & South Shore Railroad and Northern Ohio & Western Railway, has been named the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) 2014 Safety Person of the Year. Johnson will receive the award at the ASLRRA Convention in Orlando, Fla., March 28-30.
Rep. Lowenthal proposes legislation to create Freight Transportation Infrastructure Trust Fund
Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) has introduced legislation he says will provide a dedicated revenue source to invest in rebuilding crumbling freight infrastructure.
Sens. Thune and Nelson introduce bill to streamline STB process
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who serve as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced S. 808, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Act of 2015.
Proposed TRAIN Act would reform environmental permitting process for rail projects
U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) introduced the Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act, which the senators say will reform the environmental permitting process for rail projects in order to facilitate a more efficient way to approve rail infrastructure.
Amtrak Hoosier State to continue through end of April
The Amtrak Hoosier State service between Indianapolis, Ind., and Chicago, Ill., will continue through the end of April. The announcement follows a Federal Railroad Administration phone call with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Commissioner Karl Browning, during which Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg committed to reconsider the position that would force the Hoosier State service to end.
Central, Maine & Quebec: Revive, rebuild
Central Maine & Quebec management faced a massive rebuilding effort of the railroad’s infrastructure, its safety culture and its community relationships.
PTC relief on the way?
The U.S. railroad industry has been scrambling since 2008 to meet the requirements of an unfunded federal government mandate—namely, having Positive Train Control installed and fully operational by Dec. 31, 2015 on 60,000 miles of track where hazmat and passenger trains operate. Parallel to the PTC initiative has been a battle waged on Capitol Hill to extend the end-of-the-year deadline. That effort may be paying off, and the railroads may one day be grateful that they have a Thune on their side.
INRD plans $17.5-million 2015 capex; focuses on bridges
The Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) released plans for a $17.5-million capital program in 2015 that will focus heavily on bridge projects, a trend it anticipates will continue in the future.