OCTA Identifies Long-Term Rail Stabilization Efforts for San Clemente
The Orange County Transportation Authority announced this week it made a crucial step in identifying ways to protect the coastal rail line that runs through south Orange County.
Safety
Brightline Seeks FRA Approval of Positive Train Control Safety Plan
Brightline is seeking Federal Railroad Administration approval of its Positive Train Control Safety Plan and certification of the agency’s Interoperable Electronic Train Management System as a mixed PTC system, according to documents the agency submitted to the FRA on Feb. 28.
Illinois Commerce Commission Approves St. Clair County Highway-Rail Safety Project
A Stipulated Agreement requiring new automatic warning devices at a highway-rail crossing near New Athens in St. Clair County has been approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission.
NTSB Continues to Investigate Fatal Grade Crossing Crash between SUV, Brightline Train
The National Transportation Safety Board announced that it is continuing to investigate a recent grade crossing collision that occurred on Feb. 8, 2023, when a Nissan Rogue SUV was struck in Palm Beach County, Florida.
CSX Train Derails, Injuring 3 Workers In New River Gorge
A CSX train derailed during the early morning hours of March 8 in West Virginia’s New River Gorge. No life-threatening injuries or hazardous materials were reported.
Pittsburgh to Study Rail Infrastructure, Derailment Prevention
Pittsburgh officials joined leaders from a half-dozen other Pennsylvania municipalities on March 7 in calling for an investigation into the region’s rail infrastructure and tighter regulations for railroad companies.
AAR Outlines Key Class I Safety Actions
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on March 8 reported seven initial steps the Class I railroads are taking “to drive toward a future with zero incidents and zero injuries—one where what
Council Approves Funds for Canadian Pacific, Alberta Rail Crossing Project
Mountain View County Council in central Alberta, Canada, has approved the allocation of CA$225,929 (US$165,966) to help support a rail crossing repair project in collaboration with Canadian Pacific Railway.
Brightline Reaches 130mph, Completes CRISI Grant Program
After hitting speeds of 130 mph, Brightline is officially the fastest train in Florida and the Southeastern U.S.
FRA Publishes Scenario-Based Training, Drone Inspection Studies
The Federal Railroad Administration recently issued two new documents on scenario-based training and drone bridge inspection.
Union Pacific Highlights Derailment Prevention Efforts
To help keep trains on the tracks, Union Pacific employs technology, optimal response and maintenance methodologies, and an aggressive capital renewal strategy. Total Union Pacific derailments have decreased by 21% from 2019 to last year.
Seminole Gulf Railway Identifies Track Issue as Cause of Derailment
After six cars completely derailed from a Seminole Gulf Railway train in Bradenton on Feb. 28, a derailed Seminole Gulf Railway train car carrying 30,000 gallons of liquid propane gas in Manatee County is back on the track.
Transport Canada Allocates C$5.4MM for Rail Resiliency
Transport Canada is distributing up to C$5.4 million to 20 infrastructure projects country-wide that it says will make railroads “more resilient to extreme weather risks.”
OCTA to Study Railroad Relocation to Protect San Clemente Tracks
While the Orange County Transportation Authority’s emergency work to stabilize railroad tracks in San Clemente nears completion, the agency and its partners say they are continuing work on long-term solutions to protect the coastal rail line.
MTA to Complete Renovations at Three Stations
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Feb. 17 that the agency has planned station renovations at its Cypress Hills, 75 St–Elderts Lane on the J and Z and 85 St on the J in Brooklyn and Queens.
CTA Set to Replace Blue Line Belmont Crossover During Weekend Work
The Chicago Transit Authority announced on Feb. 17 that the agency will soon tackle project work to replace key Blue Line track components on the O’Hare branch.
Judge Rules RTD ‘Not Responsible’ for Commuter Rail Costs
A Denver District Court judge on Feb. 10 ruled that the Regional Transportation District (RTD) is not responsible for more than $100 million in costs related to crossing gate problems on three of its commuter rail lines, according to a CPR News report.
C3RS Issues ‘Blue-Signal Protection’ Memo
An alert-message memo describing safety concerns over close-call events involving blue-signal protection has been released by the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), a partnership between the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in conjunction with participating railroad carriers and labor organizations.
OCTA’s San Clemente Costs Climb as Agency Aims to Resume Weekday Service in April
Following several weeks of inclement weather that hindered track stabilization efforts in San Clemente, California, the Orange County Transportation Authority has a new target for resuming weekday service between San Diego and Orange counties: April.
Illinois Commission Approves Effingham Highway-Rail Crossing Project
The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a $623,575 public safety project for a highway-rail crossing in South Central Illinois.