Axion receives purchase order from BART

Axion International Holdings, Inc. received its third purchase order for an additional 270 switch ties from San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The 100-percent recycled ECOTRAX switch ties are to be installed BART’s 104 miles of tracks.

Metrolink sets ridership record

In California, Metrolink experienced record ridership this Thanksgiving holiday. Operating the same number of trains as last year, Metrolink reported 4,448 Thanksgiving Day riders; a 36 percent increase from 2011.

KCS celebrates 125th anniversary

Kansas City Southern celebrated its 125th anniversary of railroad operations on Nov. 27, by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Welding begins on TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Project

Crews began welding together the first section of rail for TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project in Oregon.

Canadian court dismisses Air Rail Link complaint

The Canadian Divisional Court has dismissed an action brought by Clean Train Coalition in reference to the Metrolinx Air Rail Link (ARL) in Toronto, ON.

Amtrak names two to executive and management positions

Amtrak named Bruce Pohlot chief engineer and Tom Quigley general manager, state-supported services. Both will report directly to D.J. Stadtler, vice president of operations, effective Dec. 10, 2012.

Stella-Jones signs definitive agreement for McFarland Cascade acquisition

Stella-Jones Inc. signed a definitive agreement to acquire the shares of McFarland Cascade Holdings, Inc., a provider of treated wood products based in the state of Washington.

REMSA sets officers and directors for 2013

The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) named new officers and directors for 2013.

Edmonton LRT hits tunnel construction milestone

In Edmonton, AB, Canada, tunneling crews working on the North Light Rail Transit (LRT) to Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) project broke through the wall at Churchill Station, connecting the North LRT with Edmonton’s existing light-rail network.

CTA releases 2013 budget recommendations

The Chicago Transit Authority proposed a $1.39 billion budget for 2013 that maintains current service levels, freezes base fares and calls for modest reductions in discounts for CTA passes to bring them in line with other major U.S. cities.

FTA approves $1.55 billion for Honolulu rail project

The Federal Transit Administration has notified Congress that it will sign a $1.55 billion full funding grant agreement (FFGA) with the city and county of Honolulu by the end of this year.

Santa Clara VTA proposing Los Gatos light-rail extension

In California, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is proposing to extend the existing Mountain View to Winchester light-rail line by 1.6 miles by way of the Vasona Light Rail Extension Project.

FRA launches effort to end electronic device distraction in rail industry

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo joined senior railroad industry leaders and labor officials to launch a collaborative effort to educate and raise awareness among rail industry employees of the dangers of using electronic devices on the job.

NJ Transit fully or partially restores service to all but one rail line

New Jersey Transit rail lines are running full or modified service effective Monday, November 19, with the exception of one line.

New Windsor VIA Rail Station officially opens

As part of the ongoing modernization of VIA Rail Canada facilities, the new VIA Rail Windsor Station is now open.

Archaeological work for Honolulu rail project ahead of schedule

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s (HART) archaeological inventory survey work for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project is ahead of schedule and all fieldwork is now slated for completion in early December.

NS Atlanta welding plant named in honor of late engineering executive

Norfolk Southern named its rail welding facility in Atlanta, Ga., after the late Hubert Rose, who retired from Norfolk Southern as senior assistant vice president maintenance-of-way and structures and planning in 1991, after a 43-year career with the company.

Chicago-St. Louis HSR gets environmental approval from feds and state

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have signed and issued the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the full build-out of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor.

FTA to expedite $25 million in funding for NJ Transit continued recovery

U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) have worked with the Federal Transit Administration to expedite $25 million in funding to New Jersey Transit that will aid in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

Sound Transit, Seattle to explore transit possibilities between downtown Seattle and Ballard

Sound Transit and the city of Seattle, Wash., have agreed to jointly study transit improvements between downtown Seattle and Ballard.

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