Bells & Whistles — Episode 11
What were the top news stories RT&S was following the week ending Oct. 4? Check out the latest episode of Bells & Whistles here. For the latest news, go to www.rtands.com.
Railroad News
Microsoft invests in Pacific Northwest high-speed rail study
GeekWire reports Microsoft has donated a total of $573,667 to a study assessing the feasibility of high-speed rail between Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, and Portland. This is part of the company’s effort to
Did someone say Gateway Project? Survey reveals rail transportation not keeping up with demand in New York, New Jersey
From New Jersey, transit is the gateway into New York City. And if you are going to mention gateway, you might as well bring up the Gateway Project.
Officials spar over railroad track use in New York
There might be too many stones at stake. Warren County, N.Y., officials do not want a section of rail line marked abandoned and switched over to a recreational trail, and one of
REMSA Member Oldcastle Infrastructure Hosts Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger
Today, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Maryland) joined the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) and its member Oldcastle Infrastructure at their manufacturing facility in Edgewood, MD. Congressman Ruppersberger spoke with company officials and rail
Executive Leadership Changes at CSX
CSX today announced the appointments of Kevin Boone as executive vice president and chief financial officer and Jamie Boychuk as executive vice president of Operations. Ed Harris, who previously led the Operations
Shippers say Class 1 railroad group raked in billions of dollars with unfair fuel surcharges
A number of Class 1 railroad companies have been hit by lawsuits involving fuel surcharges.
FreightCar America will close Roanoke plant and open a new one in Mexico
The Roanoke Times is reporting that FreightCar American plans to close its railcar manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Va. and open a new one Castanos, Mexico. The new Mexico plant will be a
County steps up to get federal funding for 112 miles of failing railroad track
A letter of recommendation is always a good start. The Nebraska, Kansas & Colorado Railway received one from the Lincoln County Board, and officials hope it will lead to funding for a
Freight railroads push back on state train crew laws
The Courthouse News Service is reporting that freight railroads and other rail agencies have requested a federal judge not enforce a law regarding train crew size, created when Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Washington’s Metro transit in line to receive $150 million annually for next decade
Washington, D.C.’s, Metro can almost touch it. However, it needs to wait on a blessing from Congress.
NJ Transit set to begin Elizabeth upgrades
New Jersey Transit recently announced that construction of the new Elizabeth train station and platform extension project on the Northeast Corridor is set to begin later this fall. The NJ Transit Board
BNSF and YRC strengthen their intermodal partnership
YRC Freight announced today that, together with BNSF, the company will have more than 600 branded containers in service by the end of this year. YRC freight wants to have 1,000 branded
Baltimore to Maryland governor: Give us our transit funding back
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is cutting transit spending in the state. Check that, he is moving transit funding in the state, and the city of Baltimore is not happy.
Bells & Whistles—Episode 10
What were the top news items RT&S was following this week? To watch the latest Bells & Whistles, click here. For the latest news, go to www.rtands.com.
From six trains back to 28; MBTA completes reconstruction of signal system following derailment
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced this week the completion of all Red Line signal repair efforts, resulting in the restoration of regularly scheduled Red Line service. Back on June 11,
Claude Mongeau joins Norfolk Southern board of directors
Claude Mongeau has been elected a director of Norfolk Southern Corporation effective Sept. 23, Chairman, President and CEO James A. Squires announced Monday. Mongeau, 57, is former president and chief executive officer
Operation Lifesaver orchestrates Rail Safety Week
Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit organization operating in the U.S. and Canada, works
Watch video of work on BART’s Lafayette Station; workers’ progress quicker than expected
Work resumes this weekend on a critical Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) track-rebuilding project near the Lafayette Station. There will be a track shutdown between the Orinda and Walnut Creek stations on
Sound Transit CEO defends commuter rail in front of House subcommittee, says plans are to build second track between Tacoma and South Tacoma
Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff testified before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee on “Challenges and Opportunities for Commuter Railroads.” Rogoff noted Sounder’s 30 percent ridership increase since 2014 and talked about