CP’s planned 2018 capital program sees bump over 2017
Canadian Pacific Railway will target a capital program between CA$1.35 billion (US$1.08 billion) and CA$1.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) in 2018.
Safety
CSX’s $1.6B 2018 capital plan reflects 20% decrease over 2017
CSX plans a 2018 capital program of $1.6 billion as it continues to strive toward greater capital efficiencies as part of its implementation of precision scheduled railroading.
Infrastructure bill; preventing re-regulation top REMSA 2018 advocacy priorities
The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) announced on Jan. 18 the three main areas of focus for its advocacy priorities in the New Year.
Update on Amtrak safety culture, PTC plan requested by Reps. DeFazio and Capuano
Two U.S. Representatives who serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure have requested an update on Amtrak’s safety culture and implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
House T&I Dems intro PTC funding, final deadline bill
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA) introduced legislation Jan. 11 aimed at speeding up the implementation of positive train control (PTC) technology that could prevent catastrophic human-caused rail accidents.
NCDOT’s largest rail infrastructure improvement program wraps up
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is celebrating the completion of the state’s largest program of rail infrastructure improvements after seven years.
Amtrak names Hylander as EVP, chief safety officer
Amtrak has appointed Ken Hylander to serve as executive vice president and chief safety officer.
PennDOT aims to put the brakes on human trafficking
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced Jan. 9 that it has signed the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking pledge.
FTA approval advances KC Streetcar extension to development phase
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has given official authorization to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) and the Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSA) as well as the City of Kansas City, Mo., (KCMO) to move the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension project into the project development phase.
NTSB preliminary report on Amtrak 501 accident says PTC would have prevented over speed
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the Amtrak 501 accident in Washington state and explains that positive train control (PTC) could have prevented the over speed condition.
Sec. Chao urges swift PTC implementation among US railroads
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Elaine Chao sent a form letter to 47 Class 1, intercity and state and local transit authorities to stress the urgency and importance of implementing positive train control (PTC) by Dec. 31, 2018.
Progress Rail acquires Italian signal provider
Progress Rail has acquired ECM S.p.A., an international signal solutions and technologies provider, in a transaction that officially closed Jan. 2.
NRC/RT&S recognize record number of companies with safety awards
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC)/RT&S Contractor Safety Awards recipients were announced in a Jan. 2 e-mail, with a record of 65 companies winning awards.
Next round of RTD G Line testing to focus on C&S systems
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver, Colo., has resumed testing on its G Line as of today, emphasizing the evaluation of its communication and signaling systems.
Feds: What Gateway agreement?
Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams outlined a series of concerns regarding an updated financial plan for the Hudson Tunnel project in a letter to New York State Director of Budget Robert Mujica on Dec. 29.
MTA unveils 19 finalists for Genius Challenge
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released the names of the 19 finalists in three categories as part of “The MTA Genius Transit Challenge.”
FECR offers safety training for emergency responders
Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) recently provided training for emergency responders on railway safety issues associated with various equipment used in daily rail operations.
Ontario issues bid notice for HSR environmental assessment
Ontario has issued a Request for Bids (RFB) to develop the environmental assessment terms of reference for a portion of its corridor linking Kitchener-Waterloo to London in southwestern Ontario.
Keolis, MBTA driving toward drones
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV, aka, drones) are becoming an important tool in railroad engineering and maintenance. Keolis Commuter Services, which operates regional/commuter rail for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, is among the latest to adopt the technology.
MTA Board approves contract for Metro-North station enhancements
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved a $91.5 million design-build contract to the firm Halmar International to make improvements to five Metro-North stations.