Temporary rail service to return to Lac-Mégantic

Rail service will return to Lac-Mégantic via a temporary link to be built by the end of the year, according to the province’s Premier Pauline Marois.

Alaska Railroad seeks new president and CEO

The Alaska Railroad Corporation is looking for someone to fill the position of president and chief executive officer.

OmniTRAX names new chief strategy officer

OmniTRAX, Inc., hired Pierre-Luc Mathieu as chief strategy officer. In his role, Mathieu will have the primary responsibility for strategy development, service expansion, new market entry and mergers and acquisitions processes.

Canadian Senate committee calls for review of railway systems; TSB Canada eyes PTC

A Canadian Senate committee is recommending a review of the country’s practices regarding dangerous goods, while the Transportation Safety Board of Canada is turning its eyes toward the possibility of implementing positive train control (PTC) systems on its railroads.

FRA approves Marquette Rail’s product safety plan

The Federal Railroad Administration approved Marquette Rail, LLC‘s Product Safety Plan (PSP), allowing the railroad to use RailSoft Systems Inc.’s TrackAccess Track Reservation System in the autonomous mode.

Van Schaick joins Watco as AVP government affairs

Watco Companies hired Jeff Van Schaick as assistant vice president, government affairs.

SCCRTC approves contract for scaled down bridge repair project

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) approved a $4.2 million contract to make repairs to four bridges that “require attention more immediately” along the Santa Cruz Branch Line in California.

Grade crossing repairs planned in New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has planned railroad crossing repair projects in Woodstown, Salem County.

San Pedro & Southwestern named EPA “SmartWay” transport partner

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad (SPSR) as a partner in EPA’s “SmartWay” Transport Partnership program.

Wisconsin Oks loans to freight rail projects

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) approved four state awards totaling $7,605,081 to improve freight rail infrastructure and support economic growth. The funds will be administered through its Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP).

South Dakota Department of Transportation wins award for rail project

The South Dakota Department of Transportation‘s 2012 Mitchell to Chamberlain (MRC) Railroad Rehabilitation project has won regional acclaim in the America’s Transportation Awards competition.

NCDOT awards contract for railbed construction

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded a $24.9-million contract to Crowder Construction Co. to construct railroad roadbed along a 12-mile segment of the North Carolina Railroad/Norfolk Southern corridor. The work will span from north of Rocky River Road in Concord to Orr Road in Charlotte.

FRA issues emergency order to prevent unintended hazardous materials train movement

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) late last week issued an Emergency Order and Safety Advisory to help prevent trains operating on mainline tracks or sidings from moving unintentionally. The order was made in response to the July 6, 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic, QB, Canada.

FAMES Committee finds spike in fatal accidents following lunch

The Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) Committee issued three recommendations following a report finding a spike in roadway worker fatalities in the hour following the traditional noon mealtime.

Officials tour condition of Housatonic Rail Line, talk upgrades for passenger service

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick joined Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO Richard Davey and other MassDOT officials July 30, for a 37-mile tour of the Housatonic Railroad line.

IGSM renamed Continental Rail Corp., acquires shortline consulting company

IGSM Group, Inc., has repositioned itself within the railroad industry as a publicly-held shortline and regional railroad holding company. As part of the shareholder-approved plan, IGSM has filed to change its name to Continental Rail Corp. (CRC).

PIR picks contractor to rebuild Desert Line

Pacific Imperial Railroad, Inc. (PIR), has entered into a construction agreement with Watkins Environmental, Inc. to restore the Desert Line in Southern California.

PHL and BLET sign new agreement

Pacific Harbor Line, Inc. (PHL), and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have signed a new five-year labor agreement covering PHL’s operating and maintenance-of-way employees.

Ann Arbor Railroad to lease Ohio track from NS

Ann Arbor Railroad, Inc. (AA), filed with the Surface Transportation Board on June 24 for permission to lease approximately 3.69 miles of track in Toledo, Ohio, from Norfolk Southern (NS).

TranSystems hires SVP of passenger and freight rail

TranSystems hired Sam Mansour, P.E., as senior vice president and client manager for the company’s passenger and freight rail practice areas. Mansour will be responsible for business development, client service and growth strategies across the West region.

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