FRA’s Close Call Reporting Program shows improvement; present R&D agenda

In recent analysis, the Federal Railroad Administration said its Close Call Confidential Reporting System (C3RS) demonstration project has shown significant improvements in both safety and safety culture since C3RS was introduced, including a decrease in derailments.

WMATA completes Guarded #8 switch installation along mainline

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority safely completed a key National Transportation Safety Board recommendation, the Guarded #8 project, late Monday, May 28, with the installation of the 178th mainline guarded rail switch on the Metrorail system.

BNSF plans $111 million capital program in Montana

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $111 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in Montana this year.

BNSF plans $30 million capital program in South Dakota

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $30 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in South Dakota this year.

Five Ohio crossings to receive upgrades

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization from the Ohio

BNSF plans $199 million capital program in Texas

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $199 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement and expansion projects in Texas this year.

RailComm expands its remote control detrail system at Indiana Harbor Belt RIP Track Facility

RailComm has been selected to expand its wireless remote control derail system at Indiana Harbor Belt’s RIP Track Facility. The customized local control panel, located within the shop, will be modified to include the new derail locations.

LIRR plans $211.5 million in infrastructure improvements

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road plans to invest $211.5 million in Main Line infrastructure improvements, including a $55 million facelift for Hicksville Station. Other projects include a new bridge in Westbury and track drainage fix in Mineola.

NCRR, CATS and NS reach agreements for LYNX Blue Line extension

The North Carolina Railroad Company, the Charlotte Area Transit System and Norfolk Southern signed lease, construction and operating agreements for the LYNX Blue Line Extension light-rail project along the North Carolina Railroad corridor. The 2.7-mile section begins near East 12th Street and ends a half mile east of Eastway Drive in Charlotte, N.C.

Ohio commission approves crossing work

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission, authorizing Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway to install flashing lights and gates at the County Road 35A (001-913V) grade crossing in Wyandot County.

Sample PATH reports record ridership in 2011

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s PATH rail system reported record ridership in 2011, with 76.6 million commuter trips made during the year, the highest

NRC hires operations manager

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association hired Ashley Bosch as its operations manager.

TTCI elects three to board

Transportation Technology Center, Inc.’s Board of Directors approved three organizational changes. Firdausi Irani was elected to the position of vice president of business development and officer of TTCI, Robert Florom was elected to the position of vice president of engineering and quality services and officer of TTCI and Michael Sherer was elected to the position of vice president of operations and officer of TTCI.

BNSF plans $372 million capital investment in Kansas and Missouri

BNSF Railway Company plans to invest an estimated $242 million on maintenance and rail capacity enhancement and expansion projects in Kansas and an additional $130 million in Missouri this year.

CalAmp receives initial production orders for PTC radios

CalAmp Corp., provider of wireless products, services and solutions, received initial purchase orders totaling approximately $5 million to supply interoperable Positive Train Control radios to two North American Class 1 railroads for delivery in the second half of calendar 2012.

Invensys Rail and DPS Electronics sign agreement

Invensys Rail and DPS Electronics entered into a manufacturer’s licensing arrangement under which DPS may manufacture and sell its end of train devices (EOTs) with certain telemetry features patented by Invensys. For those EOTs, Invensys Rail will provide the communications, central office services and end-user experience through its software as a service business hosted at www.eotph.com and commonly referred to as EOT Phone Home.

Invensys Rail acquires PHW, Inc.

Invensys Rail Corp. acquired PHW, Inc., from the current owner/managers for up to $24,000,000.00. The company will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Invensys Rail Corp.

New York MTA celebrates completion of Far Rockaway-Mott Av. Station rehab

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority has completed the work that transformed the southern terminal of the A Line into a sparkling, steel and glass, state-of-the art transit facility and was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by MTA leaders and local elected officials.

NS invites public to help protect the rail line; joins BNSF in expanding community rail security

Norfolk Southern is making it easier for communities, businesses and informed observers to report issues relating to public safety and security to the railroad’s police force. The NS announcement is a significant expansion of the community-based rail security initiative started by BNSF.

KCS pursues public safety improvements through engineering

There are three components to Kansas City Southern’ U.S. public safety program, education, enforcement and engineering. KCS works closely with Operation Lifesaver on the education and enforcement components. Example activities include Officer on a Train events, like the one in May in Gulfport, Miss., that yielded 42 citations for violations at public crossings; the multitude of presentations given by employees who volunteer their time to speak to community organizations about public safety and KCS police participation with local law enforcement at annual public safety expos throughout Louisiana.

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