Opinion: What’s up with the FRA?
Why has the Federal Railroad Administration put the brakes on automated track inspection testing?
Regulatory
WMATA in hot water with WMSC again
The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission issued a statement this week claiming that WMATA “did not follow through on all safety commitments made in April and May 2022.”
Transport Canada announces new rail safety measures
This week, the Canadian Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced that the Government of Canada is taking new actions to improve rail safety, in alignment with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s recommendations regarding the derailment in Field, British Columbia, in 2019.
Watch: First NTSB report on Amtrak collision with dump truck in June
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its first report on the collision between Amtrak’s Southwest Chief and a dump truck in rural Missouri.
U.S. DOT announces over $573 million in funding for new grade crossing elimination program
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing more than $573 million in available grant funding this year alone for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.
Texas Central scores a win in court
The beleaguered Texas Central Railroad won a victory in the Texas Supreme Court, the first positive development since the railroad’s former CEO, Carlos Aguilar, resigned earlier this month.
BNSF places limited embargo on some shipments headed for California
In response to significant ongoing service challenges, BNSF plans to issue a temporary permit embargo affecting some westbound traffic moving to destinations in California.
METRO Blue Line Extension route recommendation gets the green light
The METRO Blue Line Extension officially has a new route after the Hennepin County Board and Metropolitan Council voted to adopt the revised route modification on June 22.
Canadian Minister of Transport announces new measures to improve track conditions
The Government of Canada is continuing to move ahead with concrete actions which improve railway track safety to better protect those living and working near Canada’s rail corridors.
NTSB releases initial report on Caltrain collision with hi-rail vehicles
Last month, a Caltrain commuter train collided with three stopped hi-rail vehicles on mainline track near San Bruno, Calif.
Transportation Safety Board of Canada reports on fatal Canadian Pacific 2019 derailment – CP pushes back
Last week, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report (R19C0015) into the 2019 derailment of two locomotives and 99 cars of a 112 car grain train, in which the three crew members were fatally injured near Field, B.C. CP disputes aspects of the report.
Rail Group on Air: 2022 legislative look-ahead with the Commuter Rail Coalition
Commuter Rail Coalition Director of Government Relations John Cline of Cline Strategic Consulting, industry lobbyists Julie Minerva of Carpi & Clay and Bennett Resnik of Cardinal Infrastructure, and CRC Executive Director KellyAnne Gallagher join Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono for a conversation on what 2022 may hold in store for commuter rail priorities.
Walla Walla County in Washington received approval of rail crossing safety upgrades
Washington state regulators approved $96,348 in grant funding for safety upgrades at railroad crossings in Walla Walla County.
Virginia rail and transportation director to become deputy administrator at FRA
Jennifer Miller, the director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, will become deputy administrator of the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) in April.
Amtrak employee charged with CARES Act fraud and theft of government funds
U.S. Attorney Duane Evans announced that Stacey Santemore, Sr., age 46, formerly of New Orleans but now a resident of Houston, Texas, was charged on March 3, 2022 in a two-count bill of information with making false statements and theft of government funds related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
Editorial: ESG–Worthwhile or a waste of time?
ESG is one of the latest business acronyms. If you haven’t run across it yet, you will soon.
Report: Former Amtrak engineer found not guilty in 2015 derailment
Ex-Amtrak engineer Brandon Bostian was acquitted on March 4 of all charges related to the May 12, 2015 derailment of Northeast Regional Train 188 in Philadelphia that killed eight and injured more than 200.
Illinois investing in rail improvements
The Illinois Commerce Commission announced a couple of upcoming grade crossing protection projects in the state.
NTSB issues final report on 2020 Watco employee death
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its final report on the 2020 death of an employee of the Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad, a Watco railroad.
NTSB releases initial report on Norfolk Southern contractor death in December 2021
The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report on the death of a contractor to Norfolk Southern working with a track gang. The accident took place on December 8, 2021.