WMSC Issues Safety Audit of WMATA Metrorail’s Power Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) issued a safety audit report for Metrorail’s power systems.

NTSB Investigates Ohio Central Railroad Employee Fatality

JEWETT, Ohio – NTSB investigators have begun conducting observations and interviews regarding the fatality of a Ohio Central Railroad signal maintainer.

Federal Railroad Administration Issues Order to Stop Operation of Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad in Oklahoma

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, the Federal Railroad Administration published an Emergency Order in the Federal Register that prevents operation of trains and other on-track equipment on the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad (BNGR).

Orange County Coastal Rail Resiliency Study

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. –– The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the LOSSAN Rail Corridor (Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo) are working together on an Orange County Coastal Rail Resiliency Study. The study began in November 2023 and completion is expected in Fall 2025. OCTA is studying rail challenges in south Orange County to assess existing and future environmental risks and issues with operations and maintenance along the LOSSAN Rail Corridor. The study will evaluate strategies to address these challenges.

Extreme Winter Weather Prompts TriMet To Shift ‘A Better Red’ Disruption One Week

PORTLAND, Ore. –– RT&S has reported for a while on the transit project in Portland, Oregon known as “A Better Red” for the city’s TriMet system. The agency recently announced that due to the severe winter weather experienced in the region, construction will be delayed one week. This story details both the nature of the disruption and how passengers can work around it.

NTSB Chair Blasts WMATA, Citing ‘Poor Safety Culture’

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Earlier this month, the Chair of the National Transportation Board, Jennifer Homendy, held a press conference announcing the findings of the agency’s investigation into a train derailment that occurred in October 2021.

MTA Announces Scarsdale Station Becomes Second Metro-North Station to Be Made Fully Accessible This Year

NEW YORK ––The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the Scarsdale Metro-North Station has been made fully accessible with the opening of a second elevator, in an enclosed tower, that serves the Grand Central-bound platform. As part of the improvement project, the overpass was raised seven inches to provide greater vertical clearance for Metro-North work trains and was enhanced with new customer amenities. 

RailWorks Co-Workers Performed Life Saving CPR on L.K. Comstock Project

LOS ANGELES – RailWorks Corp. shares its sincere appreciation for the heroism of three employees’ actions that saved a life on L.K. Comstock’s LAX ConRAC – Arbor Vitae Street Grade Crossing Improvements project in Los Angeles.

ICC Approves Highway/Rail Grade Crossing Projects

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has signed off on stipulated agreements to improve safety at highway/rail grade crossings in Cumberland and Stark counties. Total cost: $1.84 million.

UTC Approves Safety Upgrades in Yakima and Walla Walla Counties

LACEY, Wash. – UTC approves Grade Crossing Protective Fund grants for rail safety upgrades in Washington.

NTSB Investigates CTA Yellow Line Train and Snow Removal Machine Collision

CHICAGO – The National Transportation Safety Board has released details on a collision between a Chicago Transit Authority Yellow Line train and a rail-bound snow removal machine.

NTSB’s Railroad Investigation Report RIR-23-14

REED, Pa. – The National Transportation Safety Board released its Railroad Investigation Report RIR-23-14.

Ohio Rail Crossing Upgrades in Ashtabula and Warren Counties

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, approved safety upgrades at rail crossings in both Ashtabula and Warren counties in Ohio.

PUCO Approves Upgrades in Warren, Fayette, and Butler Counties

COLUMBUS, Ohio – PUCO, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, approved safety upgrades in Warren, Fayette, and Butler Counties.

BNSF North Construction Gang Achieves 10 Injury-Free Years

FRESNO, Calif. – BNSF is celebrating its California North Construction Gang for 10 years without a single reportable injury.

Union Pacific’s Switch Modernization Project; Color-Based Switch Targets

OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific is undergoing a switch modernization project.

Two Ohio Rail Crossings to Receive Safety Upgrades

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, approved safety upgrades in Lucas and Washington counties in Ohio.

CN is among the Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program award recipients, and will receive C$300,000 to develop a “Climate-Induced Ground Hazard Risk Assessment Tool.” (Photograph Courtesy of CN via Twitter)

CN Releases 2023-2024 Winter Safety Plan

MONTREAL, Quebec – CN announces it has published its 2023-2024 Winter Safety Plan.

WMSC Releases Safety Audit of WMATA Roadway Maintenance Machine Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, or WMSC, released its 44-page safety audit of WMATA’s Roadway Maintenance Machine Program.

NS, BRS Partner to Enhance Safety

Norfolk Southern (NS) and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) on Oct. 19 announced a partnership to create the Signal Safety Collaboration initiative, a one-year pilot program developed with input from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA),

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