More than 400 take to Capitol Hill for Railroad Day
The industry’s annual single day blitz of congressional officials brought more than 400 industry representatives to Washington, D.C., on March 3.
Track Structure
British university to build prototype switch
Loughborough University has received funding from Britain’s Railway Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) for a two-and-a-half-year project to build a full-size prototype of its Repoint track switch.
Maryland Transit Administration plans partial summer shutdown for track maintenance
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will shut down Baltimore Metro Subway service from the Milford Mill to Mondawmin stations for 21 days – July 23 to August 12 – for replacement of major components of Metro rail.
BNSF’s California capital program to top $180 million
BNSF’s 2016 capital expenditure program in California will be about $180 million, which will focus on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network. The largest component of this year’s capital plan in the state will be for replacing and upgrading rail, ties and ballast.
Harsco Rail awarded contracts for two maintenance machines
Harsco Rail has won two contracts for two separate projects on major transit railroads in the northeastern U.S. totaling approximately $10 million in projected revenues.
BNSF plans $180 million capital plan for Montana
BNSF ‘s 2016 capital expenditure program in Montana will be about $180 million, which will be focused on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network. The largest component of this year’s capital plan in the state will be for replacing and upgrading rail, rail ties and ballast.
BNSF plans $100 million capital plan in North Dakota
BNSF‘s 2016 capital expenditure program in North Dakota will be more than $100 million, which will focus on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network. The largest component of this year’s capital plan in the state will be for replacing and upgrading rail, rail ties and ballast.
KCS says first major M/W job of the year accomplished safely
In their first project of the year, the Kansas City Southern Maintenance of Way Production team relayed 25 miles of rail between Dequincy and DeRidder, La. As part of the job, they installed 175,000 tie plates, 175,000 rail anchors, 876,000 spikes and almost 13,000 feet of rail per day for a total of 264,000 feet of rail.
Effort to make shortline tax credit permanent enters both houses of Congress
Less than a week before the rail industry gathers in Washington, D.C., to promote issues, such as the 45G shortline tax credit, legislation was introduced in both houses of Congress that would make the tax credit permanent.
FRA launches website for states, municipalities to request bridge inspection reports
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has launched a new tool on its website that allows states and municipalities to request inspection reports for rail bridges in their communities.
BNSF plans $140 million capital plan in Missouri
BNSF‘s 2016 capital expenditure program in Missouri will be an estimated $140 million and will focus on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network.
USDOT accepting applications for new $800M FASTLANE grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is soliciting applications for a new grant program authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
BNSF to replace 15 miles of rail; 115K ties in Colorado this year
BNSF‘s 2016 capital expenditure program in Colorado will be nearly $100 million, which will be focused on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network.
KCS to replace ties, improve crossings along Shreveport Terminal Sub
Kansas City Southern plans to invest approximately $5.6 million in 2016 in construction and improvement projects on its Shreveport Terminal Subdivision in Louisiana. The work will begin on March 8 and continue through March 22, including the installation of approximately 37,000 crossties and improvements to more than 20 public and private grade crossings in Shreveport.
BNSF plans six miles of double track, 160k ties for Nebraska this year
BNSF’s 2016 capital expenditure program in Nebraska will be more than $110 million, which will focus on maintenance projects that help BNSF to operate a safe and reliable network.
BNSF to focus on rail, ties and ballast in New Mexico
BNSF revealed more details about its planned 2016 capital expenditure program in New Mexico. The railroad said the $100-million plan is focused on projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network and reflects the success BNSF has had in adding capacity in prior years to support customer demand.
Rep. Mooney tours Appalachian Timber Services
On Feb. 17, U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV-02) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) member company Appalachian Timber Services (ATS) for a tour of its facility in Sutton, W.Va.
BNSF to spend $130M on Minnesota capital program
BNSF’s 2016 capital expenditure program in Minnesota will be an estimated $130 million, which focuses on maintenance projects that help ensure the railroad continues to operate a safe and reliable network.
BNSF plans $220M capital program for Washington state
BNSF‘s 2016 capital expenditure program in Washington state will be nearly $220 million. This year’s plan is focused on maintenance projects that help operate a safe and reliable network and will bring capital investments more in line with forecasted customer freight service demand.
KCS improves capacity of cross border bridge
Kansas City Southern identified the International Rail Bridge at Laredo/Nuevo Laredo as an opportunity to improve operational efficiency and a candidate for the Business Process Improvement (BPI) Program in 2015.