OFF Track Maintenance

LYNX Blue Line Extension Project celebrates dedicated state funding

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) and state and local leaders will “Stake their Claim” at a State Full Funding Grant Agreement ceremony for the LYNX Blue Line Light Rail Extension Project, on Thursday, April 19. The event will take place on the campus of UNC Charlotte at its Bioinformatics Building.

Consolidated Fastfrate to join CP at Global Transportation Hub

Consolidated Fastfrate (CFF), a transportation and logistics services company in Canada, has proposed a 10,000 sq. ft. cross dock facility, co-located with Canadian Pacific’s intermodal rail yard, as the first phase of a multi-phased project that would start construction at the Global Transportation Hub (GTH) in the spring of 2012.
The 10-acre development is scheduled to be operational on or before fall of 2013. CFF has an option for further expansion.

FTA unveils new environmental benefits website

The Federal Transit Administration celebrated Earth Day by unveiling a new environmental benefits website highlighting a commitment to investing in affordable, innovative and sustainable public transit alternatives that reduce the nation’s carbon footprint and help secure an independent energy future.

TSA recognizes Amtrak’s BASE security program as Gold Standard

Amtrak is being recognized by the Transportation Security Administration for earning the agency’s Gold Standard on the railroad’s most recent Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancements (BASE). This designation recognizes Amtrak’s dedication to building a strong security program.

BLET members ratify Union Pacific contract

By a nearly four to one margin, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a new on-property collective bargaining agreement with Union Pacific.

Watco names chief engineer to Gulf Region

Watco Transportation Services named Ron Isaacs chief engineer for the Gulf Region. Isaacs will be responsible for the continued development and im¬provement of safety, track team member development and track efficiency in all areas of the Gulf Region.

CHSRA Board passes revised business plan

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board passed a 2012 revised business plan that will provide for high-speed rail service within a decade, connect the state’s major metropolitan areas, utilize existing rail infrastructure in northern and southern California and provide earlier statewide benefits to commuters in the Bay Area and Los Angeles at a cost of $68.4 billion.

WSDOT, ODOT work toward continuous rail corridor goal

Washington and Oregon are creating a new partnership and will develop a plan for managing passenger-rail service between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., Canada, as one continuous rail corridor rather than two separate state operations. Transportation officials for each state signed an agreement as another step toward offering faster, more frequent Amtrak Cascades service. 



Amtrak on pace to set new ridership record

Amtrak is on pace to set another new annual ridership record as passenger counts across its national network for the first six months of fiscal year 2012 (October 2011 – March 2012) are up 3.7 percent over the same period last year when the current record was established.

UP recognizes 74 companies as Pinnacle Award Winners

Union Pacific named 74 companies as annual Pinnacle Award recipients for chemical transportation safety. The award recognizes Union Pacific customers that implemented successful prevention and corrective plans and achieved a rate of zero non-accident releases (NARs) for regulated hazardous materials shipments.

Recap of a big month

This is always a busy time of year around our offices. Between the Railroader of the Year dinner, Railroad Day on the Hill and AAR’s annual research review, I sometimes wish I had a cheat sheet of where everyone will be and on what day.