Patriot Rail names new CFO and VP sales
Patriot Rail Company LLC promoted Jennifer Whiteman to chief financial officer and added Justin Broyles as vice president sales.
OFF Track Maintenance
TCRC reaches deal with CN; agrees to arbitration with CP, while CP reaches deal with Unifor
Canadian National has negotiated a tentative labor agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union that represents approximately 1,800 of the company’s locomotive engineers in Canada.
JFK AirTran completes new phase of heater control system
JFK AirTrain in New York has recently increased the number of third rail heaters that are remotely controlled using RailComm technology.
Munoz named CSX Corporation president, operations gets new leadership
The CSX Board of Directors have unanimously elected Oscar Munoz as president, overseeing operations, sales and marketing, human resources, service design and information technology. Munoz assumes this new role effective immediately and also remains chief operating officer.
Port of Quincy requests Washington state funds to expand intermodal terminal
Port of Quincy is requesting $16.2 million in transportation funding from the Washington State Legislature to expand the infrastructure at its intermodal terminal to help restore critical domestic eastbound intermodal rail service for Central Washington fresh produce, perishable and frozen foods shippers.
Denver Transit Partners Eagle P3 project qualifies for OSHA VPP
Denver Transit Partners’ work for the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Eagle P3 Commuter Rail Project was recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as qualifying for the Star Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
Teamsters put CP on strike notice
On February 10, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) advised Canadian Pacific negotiators that in the event ongoing negotiations do not result in an agreement by midnight February 14, the entire bargaining unit of Locomotive Engineers, Conductors, Trainmen and Yardmen will be exercising their legal right to strike action throughout each location in Canada. The group represents more than 3,000 active engineers and conductors at CP. A work stoppage could occur as early as 12:01 a.m., Feb. 15, 2015.
Shortline tax credit legislation enters House
Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) introduced H.R. 721, the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2015. This legislation would extend the Section 45G shortline track maintenance tax credit that expired at the end of 2014.
RTD begins Operation Lifesaver outreach program
Denver Regional Transportation District says “Safety first” is plastered on every light-rail vehicle for a reason – it’s the agency’s top priority.
UP achieves seven-percent derailment decrease
Union Pacific says training, technology and investments helped the railroad improve safety in 2014, which reduced its reportable derailment rate seven percent. UP improved its reportable derailment rate to 3.0 from 3.24 in 2013 and has improved this rate 38 percent over the past 10 years.
CTA opens new Green Line station
On February 9, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) opened the newly constructed Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line station, which will serve the growing area near historic Motor Row area and provide a crucial additional transportation option for the Near South Side.
University of Delaware conference aims to help railroads deal with big data
A railroad track geometry vehicle regularly collects a terabyte or two of data every month. How to store that much data is one challenge, but a much more pressing challenge is how to turn the raw material into useful information.
Simmons-Boardman Rail Group awarded Railway Interchange 2015 event guide contract and electronic media partnership
Simmons-Boardman Rail Group, which consists of Railway Age, Railway Track & Structures (RT&S) and International Railway Journal (IRJ), has been awarded the event guide contract and emedia partner for Railway Interchange 2015.
NJDOT provides $4.3-million grant for rail bridge
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) awarded a $4.3-million grant to replace the rail bridge spanning the Overpeck Creek in Ridgefield Park.
North Dakota DOT to work with partners on statewide rail plan
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) formed a partnership with the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) in updating the current rail plan to include a component enhancing statewide rail safety to meet growing transportation needs in the state.
Texas Central Railway selects two possible Dallas station locations
Texas Central Railway (TCR) selected two locations as potential candidate sites for the Dallas high-speed rail station. As part of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process, TCR identified seven areas as possible station locations in Dallas.
MTA awards contract to build LIRR’s future terminal under Grand Central
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) awarded a contract to GCT Constructors, JV, a joint venture consisting of Schiavone Construction Co. and John P. Picone Inc., to build the future Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) concourse at Grand Central Terminal. The $404.8-million dollar contract, which with options could increase to a total of $428.9 million, was awarded after a competitive request for proposal process that drew nine other firms.
Funding for this contract will come from a federal grant through the Federal Transit Administration and MTA local funds.
Under the contract, workers will build the architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical facilities, escalators and elevators, that will comprise the future LIRR 375,000 square-foot passenger train concourse and related ventilation plants at 44th and 50th Streets.
Work in the concourse includes building 17 deep escalators at 45th, 46th, 47th and 48th Streets and installing elevators connecting the LIRR passenger concourse to the train station caverns 140 feet below Park Avenue. The work also includes installation of emergency egress stairs and the associated architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical finishes and equipment.
The contract includes major civil work to create passenger connections from the new LIRR Concourse up to Grand Central’s Lower Level Dining Concourse, Grand Central’s Biltmore Room on the Upper Level, the 47th Street Cross Passageway and the 45th Street cross passageway.
The contract also requires mechanical and electrical fit-out of ventilation buildings at 44th and 50th Streets, including installation of eight large fans, as well as associated system equipment.
“This world class project will be an economic game-changer for New York City and Long Island. There is no other transit infrastructure project in the United States that is as complex as East Side Access or carries as much economic promise for the region it will serve,” said MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast.
The Western Group adds system director; makes management changes at two railroads
The Western Group, a railroad industry consortium, named Dr. Art Miller as system director, responsible for safety training, as well as standards and regulatory compliance. For almost 30 years, Miller has blended his knowledge of railroad operations with safety management. Since 2009, Miller has served as director of safety and operations standards for Iowa Pacific Holdings.
RTD presents final list of Southeast Rail Extension bidders
Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) staff presented a final list of four teams to its board of directors to bid on building out the Southeast Rail Extension Feb. 3.
Proposed FY16 budget includes $3.2 billion for transit
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx highlighted $3.2 billion recommended in President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget to advance the construction or completion of 25 rail, bus rapid transit (BRT) and streetcar projects in 13 states.