MARTA to take over Atlanta Streetcar
Atlanta City Council approved a statute on September 19 transferring all assets and operations of Atlanta Streetcar to Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).
OFF Track Maintenance
UP redesigns Marketing and Sales organization to better meet customer needs
In effort to evolve with its customer needs, Union Pacific announced plans to redesign its Marketing and Sales organization. The Class 1 plans to consolidate six major business units into four and four customer service center subsidiaries into one.
PANYNJ makes Bilich permanent chief security officer
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has named Acting Chief Security Officer John Bilich as its permanent chief security officer.
Sound Transit stumps for Lynnwood funding with congressional tour
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7) joined Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff Sept. 19 for a tour of the Northgate light-rail project construction to emphasize the importance of federal funding to the project’s success.
AREMA hosts most diverse Meet the Next Generation panel
The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) hosted the most diverse Meet the Next Generation Event panel at Railway Interchange. Five panelists from five different disciplines joined to answer questions from students interested to enter the industry.
AAR awards Scott Carey David W. Fries Award
Scott Carey of BatesCarey LLP was posthumously awarded the Association of American Railroads (AAR) 2017 David W. Fries Award for exemplary risk management efforts and practices in the railroad industry.
Progress Rail signs Master Development Agreement with Seeing Machines
Progress Rail has signed and updated Master Development Agreement with computer vision technology company Seeing Machines.
U.S. House passes FY18 omnibus spending bill
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $1.2-trillion omnibus package to provide all discretionary funding for the federal government for the 2018 fiscal year.
Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad installs cameras on entire fleet
Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad recently began installing Railhead Corporation’s new Locomotive Digital Video Recorder HD system.
CTA awards contracts for three major projects
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board approved the award of a design/build contract for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Jefferson Park and Belmont Blue Line stations as well as the construction contract for the Green Line Garfield Gateway Project.
New from Rails Co.: Switch heater wireless control
Rails Co. released a new wireless 900 MHz radio control system.
TraPac utilizes Tideworks management system to automate rail operations
TraPac, LLC, launched the use of a planning management system by Tideworks Technology Inc. at its Los Angeles container facility.
MRT Holdings launches two new products
MRT Holdings has introduced two new systems designed to help freight railroads and transit agencies improve track geometry inspection operations and work-zone sign management.
Southwest LRT bids may all be rejected due to high cost
Metropolitan Council Chair Alene Tchourumoff is recommending that all four civil construction bids for the Southwest LRT project be rejected due to responsiveness and price.
RFP stage closes for Stouffville GO station improvements
The Request for Proposals (RFP) stage has closed for teams to submit their bids to design, build and finance GO Transit station improvements on the Stouffville GO Corridor for the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program.
CHSRA appoints Post, Rodriguez
California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) appointed Thomas Post as director of engineering and Alice Rodriguez as deputy director of external affairs.
FRA issues Southeast HSR DEIS
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Sept. 8 announced completion of the Tier II Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 123-mile section of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor linking Washington, D.C. to south of Richmond, Va.
MTA cleans up with Keep it Clean initiative
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo revealed a new initiative to discourage subway littering. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will run a public awareness campaign for the Keep it Clean initiative.
Penn State Altoona offers first ABET-accredited rail degree in U.S.
Penn State Altoona says it now offers the first and only ABET-accredited rail transportation engineering degree.
Will Trump fund Gateway? Maybe
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, along with 15 other elected officials from New York and New Jersey, met with President Donald Trump at the White House Sept. 7 to discuss the Gateway Project. Accounts of the meeting vary, but are somewhat positive.