NTSB shines spotlight on PTC following Amtrak 188 meeting

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deemed human error as the probable cause for the May 2015 Amtrak accident in Philadelphia, but said better windows would have lessened the severity of injuries of the crash and Positive Train Control (PTC) would have prevented it.

Gov. Cuomo approves plan to partially preserve Adirondack rail line

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved a $23-million plan that will essentially split a 119-mile travel corridor into a scenic railway south of Tupper Lake and a multi-use trail north of Tupper Lake.

NTSB: Loss of situational awareness caused Amtrak 188 derailment

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) voted 3-1 to determine the probable cause of the May 12, 2015 Amtrak 188 derailment in Philadelphia to be the locomotive engineer’s loss of situational awareness.

Amtrak 188 anniversary: FRA calls for safety measures; NTSB sets meeting date for probable cause

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released the following statement from Administrator Sarah Feinberg on the one-year anniversary of the Amtrak 188 derailment. The passenger train derailed during the evening of May 12, 2015. Eight people died and more than 200 were injured.

Hyperloop One marks successful test in Nevada

Hyperloop One, formerly Hyperloop Technologies, officially changed its name to coincide with the company’s successful propulsion open-air test of the high-speed transportation concept.

Environmental review sprouts for northern section of CAHSR project

Both the California High-Speed Rail Authority and its federal partner, the Federal Railroad Administration, initiated the environmental review process for the project’s northern section: the 51-mile line between San Francisco and San Jose.

RailWorks hosts elected officials for tour of Minnesota facility

On May 6, Minnesota State Representative Jon Koznick and Lynda Boudreau, staff for U.S. Representative John Kline, joined GoRail and National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) shared member company – RailWorks Corporation – for a tour of its facility in Lakeville, Minn.

Event highlights $10M TIGER grant to extend Vermont passenger rail

An event held in Burlington, Vt., placed the spotlight on a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) that will be used to extend passenger rail from New York City to Burlington.

CHSRA acquires radio spectrum required for train communications

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) received final approval to acquire exclusive rights to the radio spectrum needed to operate future communications systems for its trains.

CHSRA Board of Directors adopts 2016 Business Plan

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors adopted the 2016 Business Plan, which lays out an approach to sequencing the Phase 1 system that will ultimately connect the San Francisco Bay Area to the Los Angeles Basin via the Central Valley with high-speed passenger rail service. The plan will now be delivered to the legislature by May 2.

FRA makes $25 million available for rail infrastructure safety upgrades

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is now accepting applications from local governments, states and railroads for $25 million in competitive grants to increase rail safety. Applications are due by June 14, 2016.

THUD allocates $56.5 billion to fund transportation

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development passed $56.5 billion legislation to fund its programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, including several allocations for rail.

J-Track LLC names Dorris VP/GM of new Central Division

J-Track LLC will open a new railroad construction and maintenance company in the Chicagoland area on May 1. The new company, J-Track LLC Central Division, will be led by Vice President and General Manager, Bill Dorris.

Various cost-effective maintenance practices for conventional track structures

Use determines a given maintenance strategy, but planning determines that strategy’s cost effectiveness.

FTA issues safety advisory to gather stop signal overrun information

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued Safety Advisory 16-1 to collect information on the frequency of stop signal overruns in rail transit and the actions being taken to address these occurrences.

B&P Tunnel proposal revised following community input

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has revised the proposal to replace the Civil War-era Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel based on feedback provided to the FRA by Baltimore residents.

Metra lays out 2016 construction program

Metra has laid out plans to begin infrastructure improvements to its stations, track, bridges and road crossings this year to ensure safe and reliable service and maintain a state of good repair systemwide. Construction work is expected to begin this week and continue through the fall, weather permitting.

ConnDOT continues bidding process for Hartford line; launches Walk Bridge site

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a service provider on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield intercity rail line, now branded as the CTrail Hartford Line. The RFP is open only to those service providers approved and “short-listed” after a Request for Qualifications issued by ConnDOT in 2014.

Former Amtrak chief executive appointed to board of Network Rail Consulting

Network Rail Consulting has appointed Thomas Downs as a non-executive director of Network Rail Consulting Ltd and chair of its North American business, Network Rail Consulting Inc.

FRA awards California $1.5 million to separate tracks and road at crossing in Oxnard

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded a $1.5 million grant to California to fund the design of a bridge which will carry vehicular traffic on Rice Avenue over railroad tracks in Oxnard. Currently, the Union Pacific tracks, which Metrolink, Amtrak and freight trains utilize, intersect with Rice Avenue.

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