USCBP Border Blockage Still Suffocating Railroads (Updated Dec. 22) –– From Our Colleagues at Railway Age

EAGLE PASS AND EL PASO, Texas ––
The rail bridge blockages continue.

NCDOT Awards Short Line Railroad Grants

RALEIGH –The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division is investing $10.2 million as part of 50-50 matching grant funding for rail infrastructure projects along 10 short line railroads and at the North Carolina Ports.

Pennsylvania Invests $42.5MM; Approves 25 Rail Improvement Projects

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced 25 rail freight improvement projects have been approved.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

USDOT Awards $645MM in Rural Rail Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded over $645 million from the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program.

Union Pacific Invests in Composite Ties

TEXARKANA, Ark. – Union Pacific shares its focus on sustainability efforts through its investment in alternative materials for railroad ties.

VPRA Awarded $729MM for TRV Initiative Projects

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) announced it was awarded a grant totaling $729 million from the FRA via the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (FSP-National).

NTSB’s Railroad Investigation Report RIR-23-14

REED, Pa. – The National Transportation Safety Board released its Railroad Investigation Report RIR-23-14.

Robert “Bob” Cigrang

Robert ‘Bob’ Cigrang, 1942-2023

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. – Robert “Bob” Cigrang, Vice President of Sales for Omni Rail Products, died Dec. 3. He was 74.

CN to Acquire Iowa Northern

MONTREAL –– CN on Dec. 6 reported signing and closing an agreement to acquire Iowa Northern (IANR), an approximately 275-mile U.S. regional railroad that it interchanges with in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids. Terms were not disclosed.

Ohio Rail Crossing Upgrades in Ashtabula and Warren Counties

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, approved safety upgrades at rail crossings in both Ashtabula and Warren counties in Ohio.

Watco Completes 33-Day Construction of Trestle Bridge After Wildfire

WINONA, Wash. – Watco announced the completion of a 33-day construction of a 210-foot steel and concrete rail trestle bridge in Winona, Washington.

Presidio International Rail Bridge Project Pushed to Summer 2025

PRESIDIO, Texas – The international rail bridge opening between Presidio and Ojinaga has been pushed from December 2024 to summer 2025.

Tamping Down the Details: Union Pacific Completes ‘First-of-its-Kind’ Equipment Overhaul

DENVER, Colo. – Union Pacific Railroad’s Engineering team recently tackled a monumental effort at its equipment shop in Denver, Colorado – rebuilding the first of 32 massive track maintenance machines to make them more user-friendly, enhance safety and simplify repairs.

Union Pacific Announces New Phoenix International Intermodal Terminal

OMAHA –– New service offers a sustainable, fast rail option that takes trucks off the road, reducing emissions on California and Arizona highways.

Jeff Thomas, Industrial Sales Manager, Viance

Thomas Joins Viance as Industrial Sales Manager

Viance, a Charlotte, N.C.-based provider of wood treatment technologies and services, announced Nov. 28 that it has hired Jeff Thomas as Industrial Sales Manager. He will be responsible for customer relations to service growing market demand for the company’s line of DCOI preservative products.

CSX: Failed Wheel Bearing Behind Kentucky Derailment

ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, Ky. – An investigation has determined that a failed railcar wheel bearing caused the Nov. 22 CSX train derailment just north of Livingston, Ky., the Class I railroad reported Nov. 26. Sixteen cars, including two molten sulphur cars that breached and caught fire, were involved.

Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge; FORB Argues a Failure to Follow Proper Permit Process

BISMARCK, ND – The non-profit group, Friends of the Rail Bridge, appeared before the North Dakota Supreme Court on November 16th to argue against tearing down the 140-year old structure.

The Indiana Rail Road Partners With Cathcart Rail

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cathcart Rail announced it has partnered with the Indiana Rail Road (INRD) to handle its railcar interchange inspection and repair needs.

Helicopters: Norfolk Southern’s Vegetation Management Strategy

ATLANTA – Norfolk Southern’s Maintenance of Way and Structures Team utilize a helicopter as part of its vegetation management strategy.

Ohio Rail Development Commission Approves Federal Grants

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Rail Development Commission has approved federal grants for several rail projects.

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