CSX name Oglesby resident VP of state government affairs for three northeast states
CSX appointed Rodney Oglesby to resident vice president of state government affairs for Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City.
OFF Track Maintenance
NCDOT selects operator for Piedmont & Northern
After a competitive solicitation for proposals to operate the state-owned Piedmont & Northern (P&N) railroad line between Gastonia and Mt. Holly, N.C., the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has selected Piedmont Railway, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC, as the best candidate to operate the rail line.
IDOT launches statewide listening tour to discuss Illinois infrastructure needs
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), in conjunction with the Illinois Capital Development Board, has started a series of listening sessions to discuss the state’s infrastructure needs and the steps required “to make sure the right investments are being made to keep Illinois competitive in a 21st century global economy.” The meetings will be held in multiple communities throughout the state over the next month, with a goal of presenting Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office with a comprehensive package of recommendations for consideration this spring.
Maestri and Martίnez assume new responsibilities for Norfolk Southern; Wimbush retires
Bruno Maestri and Robert Martίnez will assume additional responsibilities for Norfolk Southern, following the retirement of F. Blair Wimbush, the railroad’s vice president real estate and corporate sustainability officer. The changes take effect May 1, 2015.
RailComm installs shove track protection system
RailComm has completed the implementation of a shove track protection system for a private coal mining facility located in Alabama. RailComm provided indication and detection subsystems, as well as wireless communications to keep both subsystems in communication.
Rep. Jerry McNerney tours Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad
U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA-9) joined representatives from the Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad (STE), OmniTRAX and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of STE’s facility April 8.
Eglinton Crosstown TBMs moved to begin western segment boring
Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have moved to begin tunneling the western segment of the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) Metrolinx Eglinton Crosstown light-rail transit (LRT).
CHSRA appoints executive staff
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) named five to executive staff. CHSRA named Scott Jarvis chief engineer, Kevin Thompson director of engineering, Bruce Armistead director of operations and maintenance, Alan Glen director of real property and William Robinson senior legislative analyst.
CN locomotive engineers ratify new labor agreement
Canadian National locomotive engineers, represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union, have ratified a new collective agreement with the railroad.
Ricardo to acquire Lloyd’s Register Rail
Ricardo has signed a Share and Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire the business, operating assets and employees of Lloyd’s Register Rail (LR Rail) for £42.5 million (US$63.5 million).
Metra implements close call reporting system
Chicago’s Metra has created the “Confidential Close Call Reporting System,” which is designed to proactively address safety issues and create a more positive safety culture.
BNSF and CSX extend contracts with Koppers
Koppers Inc. has agreed to contract extensions with each of its two largest railroad customers, BNSF and CSX. Combined revenues from BNSF and CSX accounted for approximately 40 percent of 2014 railroad-related sales for the company.
BNSF recognizes Employees of the Year
BNSF recognized a special group of employees for their outstanding achievements in 2014 at an awards ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas, April 13.
AAR launches latest Freight Rail Works campaign
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) debuted the latest installment of its Freight Rail Works campaign, an exploration of freight rail’s investments in building, growing and maintaining the nation’s freight rail network. The campaign combines television, radio and online components to showcase the projects and innovation that help give U.S. businesses a competitive edge.
Rep. Steve Cohen tours Atlantic Track’s Memphis facility
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (R-TN-09) joined representatives from Atlantic Track and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of Atlantic Track’s Memphis, Tenn., operations and facility.
UP increasing train speed following improvements on Madera County line
Recent track upgrades meeting or exceeding all applicable Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) standards will allow Union Pacific to increase train speed from 60 mph to 70 mph on nearly 15 miles of its rail line between Chowchilla and Madera, Calif.
GE wins All Aboard Florida signaling contract
All Aboard Florida (AAF) has selected GE Transportation to design and manufacture signaling equipment for the entire length of the 235-mile rail corridor connecting Miami and Orlando. The passenger-rail project is scheduled to begin initial service from Miami to West Pam Beach in late 2016.
SEPTA breaks ground on 69th Street West Terminal renovations
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) kicked off the West Terminal Improvements Project at 69th Street Transportation Center.
Dallas returns streetcar service following half a century absence
Dallas streetcar service resumed April 13 after a near 50-year absence on a 1.6-mile route from downtown’s Union Station to Oak Cliff’s Methodist Dallas Medical Center. This marks the first phase of Dallas’ modern streetcar system.
TTC, Bechtel sign project management contract for Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has entered into an agreement with Bechtel Canada Co. for project management of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) for up to $80 million.