OFF Track Maintenance

SacRT reorganizes executive leadership

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) Board of Directors have announced an executive leadership reorganization that it says focuses on putting the customers first in everything that SacRT does, building effective partnerships throughout the community, inspiring employees to journey for excellence, striving for organizational efficiency and ensuring performance excellence through the implementation of fiscal policies and strict accountability.

OmniTRAX affiliate partners with Topflight Grain Cooperative to operate Decatur Central Railroad

A managed affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., and an affiliate of The Broe Group and Topflight Grain Cooperative, Inc., are entering into a joint venture to operate, drive business to and rehabilitate the rail line currently owned by Topflight Grain. OmniTRAX will manage the newly renamed Decatur Central Railroad, LLC, which links Cisco and Decatur, Ill., commencing in late 2016.

Hunter Harrison readies for a transition

E. Hunter Harrison came out of retirement in 2012 to lead Canadian Pacific out of the Class I basement, where it had languished for several years. The following year, his protégé, Keith Creel, left CN to join his mentor. Next July, Creel will officially fill Harrison’s shoes upon Harrison’s retirement after more than a half-century in railroading.

FRA; TxDOT outline south Texas HSR options

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) have released 10 service and route options for new and improved conventional and high-speed passenger rail service connecting Oklahoma City, Okla., Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and South Texas.

STB rejects Texas Central petition

The Surface Transportation Board announced on July 18 that a proposed, 240-mile, high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston, Tex., does not fall under STB jurisdiction and does not require Board approval.

Minnesota establishes council on freight rail

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton issued an executive order, establishing the Governor’s Council on Freight Rail, which will bring together state officials and railroads in a public-private working group to improve communication and enhance safety and economic development in communities.

Two arguments on two-person crews

As reported by Railway Age, the Federal Railroad Administration, at a June 15, 2016 hearing regarding the agency’s proposed rule mandating two-person crews, heard two sharply contrasting arguments, one from freight rail management, the other from labor.

OmniTRAX transloads major steel shipment

OmniTRAX Logistics Services, LLC, the transloading, terminal and logistics affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., recently managed the handling and warehousing of more than 10 million pounds of coiled steel for one of its transload customers in Sand Springs, Okla.