Suppliers to Congress: STB shooting first, asking questions later

The industry groundswell attacking the Surface Transportation Board’s pending actions on forced access and commodity reregulation has grown to include the railway supply community, including the three principal trade associations (REMSA, RSI and RSSI) and numerous members, and the railway contracting community, led by the NRC.

MassDOT awards grants to enhance freight rail access

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has awarded seven grants totaling more than $2.2 million as part of the 2016 Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP).

Proposed Great Lakes Basin Rail line files new preferred route

Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc. (GLBT), submitted a new route for the proposed rail project that is 21 miles shorter and avoids Boone County, Ill., where it faced strong opposition.

Infrastructure investments on D&H line results in improved service for Norfolk Southern

It’s been one year since Norfolk Southern purchased the Delaware & Hudson Railway Co.’s (D&H) line between Sunbury, Pa., and Schenectady, N.Y.

Georgia Ports Authority betting big on rail

Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Griff Lynch detailed a new strategic rail initiative, GPA’s Mid-American Arc, and said bigger ships, deeper water and expanded rail are converging to make GPA a powerhouse across the Southeast and Midwest during the annual Savannah State of the Port address.

Wisconsin awards $37 million to freight rail projects

Six Wisconsin freight rail projects were awarded $37 million in grants and loans from the state’s Freight Railroad Assistance Program.

Freight Shuttle eyes redefinition of goods movement

A plan to deploy a new transport mode of transporting freight will be studied and fleshed out over the next few months at the Port of Houston Authority.

FRA awards $25 million in safety grants

Safety at crossings, stations and tracks in 14 states and the District of Columbia will be enhanced thanks to $25 million in grants awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

ATN boosts speed on Alabama line

Alabama & Tennessee River Railway, LLC (ATN) announced this week it raised the speed limit along a portion of the line effective immediately.

ConnDOT prefers long span vertical lift bridge for Walk Bridge replacement

The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (ConnDOT) preferred alternative to replace the Walk Bridge in Norwalk, Conn., is a Long Span Vertical Lift bridge.

WSDOT still has $5 million available for freight rail projects

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has reopened the application period for $5 million in loans for freight rail projects.

RRVW names Zink VP economic development

The Red River Valley & Western Railroad (RRVW) has appointed Daniel Zink to the newly-created post of vice president – economic development and community affairs of the 577-mile shortline railroad.

Sand Springs Railway acquires Oklahoma mill site

Sand Springs Railway Company (SS) has announced its acquisition of the Oklahoma-based Gerdau mill site.

SLSI completes pilot phase

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) marked an important milestone with the completion of the Pilot Phase of its work to assess and address safety culture gaps in the shortline and regional rail industry.

LACMTA, NCDOT outline plans for federal grants

Officials on opposite sides of the country outlined plans to enhance safety of local rail systems using recently awarded federal funds.

Hall to take over as FEC’s VP of sales

Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) has announced that Bradley S. Hall will serve as the company’s new vice president of sales in the carload segment.

Sound Transit to open new light-rail station in Seattle

Sound Transit, the Greater Seattle area’s regional transportation system, has announced that light-rail service will begin Sept. 24 at the new Angle Lake light-rail station.

University of Huddersfield finds cost-effective way to increase crossing safety

A United Kingdom-based team says it is feasible to enhance grade-crossing safety using a network of tiny wireless sensors powered by vibrations of an approaching train.

CSX to boost capacity, efficiency on Indiana route

CSX Transportation (CSX) has announced that longer, faster trains—and more of them—will travel along an Indiana route as early as Sept. 7.

Oregon DOT approves nearly $12 million for rail projects

The Oregon Transportation Commission has approved nearly $12 million in funding for rail projects statewide.

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