Intermodal

Proposed FY16 budget includes six-year surface transportation solution; generous rail funds

President Obama unveiled his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016, which includes a six-year $478-billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal that contains rail funding sources through the Generating Renewal, Opportu¬nity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America (GROW AMERICA) Act.

CSX sets 2015 capital expenditures at $2.5 billion

CSX Corporation had a lot of good news for investors during this mornings Quarter 4 2014 earnings conference call including record fourth-quarter 2014 net earnings. The railroad also unveiled that it will target a $2.5-billion capital expenditure program in the upcoming year. In 2014, the railroad targeted a $2.3-billion capital spend program.

How rail fares in spending bill

The House and Senate’s effort to keep the federal government operating through the end of fiscal year 2015 was revealed late Tuesday in the form of a trillion-dollar-plus spending bill, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015.

Fall Conference recap: AREMA, RTA

The 96th Annual Railway Tie Association Symposium and Technical Conference was held October 14 – 17 in Orlando, Fla., where 307 attendees gathered together to discuss the crosstie industry, as well as the railroading environment as a whole.

Szabo plans to leave FRA

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo will be stepping down from the post he has held since April 2009 and, effective Jan. 1, 2015, will be on staff at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)—effectively returning to his Chicagoland roots.

BNSF opens logistics center in Sweetwater, Texas

BNSF celebrated the opening of a new $45-million logistic center in Sweetwater, Texas, November 6. The logistic center, capable of supporting rail, truck and transload services, will accommodate several industries, including agricultural commodities, sand, pipe and aggregate.