GREX board elects former ARRC CEO Aadnesen as executive chairman
Georgetown Rail Equipment Company’s (GREX) Board of Directors has elected Christopher Aadnesen as executive chairman of GREX.
OFF Track Maintenance
RailComm appoints new CEO
RailComm appointed Joe Forgione as president and chief executive officer, succeeding former President and CEO Joe Denny, who has steped down after almost 15 years of continuous service since founding RailComm in 1999.
RTD staff recommends GBBH North Metro Rail proposal
The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District (RTD) staff has recommended its board of directors to move forward with a proposal from Graham, Balfour Beatty, Hamon Constructors (GBBH) to design and build the North Metro Rail Line to 124th Avenue. The proposal commits to completing construction of the line to 124th by January 2018.
NTSB closes seven WMATA safety recommendations
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has closed seven more of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) outstanding safety recommendations, bringing the total number of recommendations closed to 20 out of 29.
CSX’s Adkins wins AAR’s environmental excellence award
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has awarded its 2013 North American Environmental Employee Excellence Award to CSX Manager of Environmental Remediation Matthew Adkins. Adkins was one of seven industry professionals nominated for this annual award and is the sixth CSX employee to win in the past 12 years.
Advances in switch machines and stands
As technologies advance, manufacturers of switch machines and switch stands are keeping up to speed to provide railroads reliable switching equipment.
TriMet reorganizes Operations Division with goal to improve service to riders
In Portland, Ore., TriMet reorganized its Operations Division with a goal to improve service to riders with greater reliability.
Metra dedicates rebuilt Fox River Grove Station
In Illinois, Fox River Grove President Robert Nunamaker, Metra Board Member Jack Schaffer, interim Executive Director Don Orseno and other officials dedicated the newly rebuilt Metra Fox River Grove Station on the UP Northwest Line.
BART labor contracts approved by two largest unions
Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) four-year labor contract agreements have been approved by its two largest unions. According to BART, the agreements lay the groundwork for continued reliable service for years to come.
Regional Advisory Council launches cooperative planning for Washington state’s Eastside Rail Corridor
Washington state’s Eastside Rail Corridor Regional Advisory Council (RAC) has given its unanimous approval of a report affirming cooperation on future uses of the corridor.
BNSF names Montana Rail Link 2013 Shortline of the Year
BNSF selected Montana Rail Link, Inc. (MRL) as its 2013 Shortline of the Year for its significant growth and continued emphasis on a strong safety record. In addition, Bighorn Divide & Wyoming Railroad (BDW) won the Special Recognition Award. The awards were presented during the annual BNSF Shortline Conference on October 21 in Irving, Texas.
CN and TCRC-CTY reach tentative agreement
Canadian National has reached tentative collective agreements with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference – Conductors, Trainpersons and Yardpersons (TCRC-CTY).
MBTA to extend silver line by 2015
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority plans to extend the Silver Line to South Station and the Seaport District with East Boston.
“Growth requires investment and connecting the people of Chelsea directly to the airport, Seaport District and South Station and will bring new opportunities for the residents of these communities,” said Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. “If we want to expand opportunity in our commonwealth, this is what government must do and do well.”
The Silver Line Gateway Expansion will create a new branch of the MBTA Silver Line service that will connect South Station and the Seaport District with East Boston and Chelsea. This service is projected to carry 9,000 riders per day with an estimated travel time of 15 to 19 minutes from the Seaport to Chelsea, connecting thousands of residents north of downtown Boston with work and play opportunities in the rapidly growing Seaport District.
The Silver Line Gateway Expansion will also include the modernization of the Chelsea passenger rail station, which will be relocated to Everett Avenue as part of a new multimodal Silver Line/passenger rail station that will be fully accessible. In addition, Massachusetts Department of Transportation will begin reconstruction on the Washington Avenue Bridge.
The project is will cost an estimated $82.5 million, with the bulk of funding, $20 million, being dedicated to the new Chelsea passenger rail station. Service is expected to begin in late 2015.
San Pedro & Southwestern turns 10
San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad (SPSR) will celebrate its 10th anniversary on November 3. Based in Benson, Ariz., where it connects with Union Pacific’s Los Angeles-Chicago main line, SPSR began operations in 2003 after acquiring the line from RailAmerica, Inc. (now Genesee & Wyoming, Inc.).
LIRR unveils restored Queens Village Station
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) unveiled the newly renovated and enhanced Queens Village LIRR Station.
Harsco Rail receives Swiss maintenance equipment order
Harsco Rail received a railway track and infrastructure maintenance equipment award from SBB, the federal railway system of Switzerland.
Special T&I panel releases report on improving U.S. freight transportation
The Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation, led by the panel’s Chairman, U.S. Rep. John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), released its final report on the current state of freight transportation in the United States and its recommendations for freight transportation improvements to strengthen the U.S. economy.
Sandy Resiliency Tour displays MTA efforts to protect and strengthen infrastructure
Officials on October 29 toured Lower Manhattan to see some of the emerging technologies the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is considering as part of the agency’s hardening and resiliency efforts to protect the system from future storms.
HART receives more than $63 million in GET surcharge revenue for project
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has been informed by the Hawaii tax department that it will receive more than $63.7 million in General Excise and Use Tax (GET) surcharge revenue this quarter.
Pacific Imperial Railroad president retires, search is on to fill role
Pacific Imperial Railroad, which provides freight services on the Desert Line servicing the Tijuana-Tecate region of Baja California, Mexico and eastern San Diego County through its 99-year lease with the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), has made changes to its senior management team. Donald Stoecklein has chosen to retire as president to focus on his family and other ventures.