Karen Hedlund, former deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), has been named director of public-private partnerships (P3s) in the strategic consulting group of Parsons Brinckerhoff.
Koppers Inc. has acquired the creosote distribution business of KMG Chemicals, Inc., for $12.5 million plus the fair market value of inventory, which is estimated at $3 million. In addition to inventory, the acquisition includes the transfer of leased railcars and storage tanks from KMG to Koppers, as well as various customer agreements. Operating results from this business will be included in Koppers Carbon Materials and Chemicals business segment.
RailComm completed the installation of an advanced remote switch and third rail heater control system for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
L.B. Foster Company acquired TEW Engineering Ltd., a U.K.-based engineering group that designs, manufactures and supports applications for rail markets and other industries. The 100-year-old firm specializes in rail engineering solutions for control room, passenger information and trackside signaling applications.
Canadian National has negotiated a tentative labor agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Rail Canada Traffic Controllers (TCRC-RCTC) union.
Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National, says CN’s substantial investments in its U.S. Midwest operations, particularly the former Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway (EJ&E), are keeping its network fluid,
Continental Rail Corporation (CRC) says it has established a strategic relationship with energy and infrastructure banking firm Taylor-DeJongh that will target transportation infrastructure assets in North America.
The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) appointed Bob Baulsir to vice president of TEX Rail and Procurement.
The Northeast Maglev (TNEM) appointed Nazih Haddad to executive vice president, effective February 3. Haddad will manage the development of a high-speed rail system between Washington, D.C., and New York City, using Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV) technology.
Donald Seale, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Norfolk Southern Corp., plans to retire, effective March 1, 2015.
La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has entered into an agreement with the Québec government establishing a business model for the execution of major infrastructure projects. The model updates the government’s business practices by entrusting la Caisse with the execution of infrastructure projects, which will speed up their delivery and strengthen Québec’s economic growth. For la Caisse, the deal represents an opportunity to grow Quebecers’ savings by developing and operating assets that will generate commercial returns.
Railway Age is now accepting entries for its annual Short Line/Regional Railroad of the Year competition. Shortlines and regionals—and there are more than 500 of them—are invited to submit entries describing outstanding achievement in one or a combination of areas.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says rail tank cars that carry crude oil, ethanol and other hazardous materials across the country must do it more safely, which is why it is one of four new issues on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List for 2015.
Transportation Commissioner and New Jersey Transit Board Chairman Jamie Fox and NJ Transit Executive Director Veronique Hakim unveiled the preliminary design plans for a $55-million restoration of Elizabeth Station.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) has made selections for the committee’s six subcommittee chairmen and the full committee vice chairman for the 114th Congress.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Chief of Staff Sarah Feinberg will serve as acting administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), succeeding Joseph Szabo who was appointed and confirmed as the agency’s twelfth Administrator in 2009. Szabo stepped down as the agency’s head Jan 9.
BNSF‘s new director of tribal relations, Chris Howell, will focus on strengthening and reinforcing BNSF relationships with Native American tribes. That focus will include a lot of “windshield” time as Howell travels the system making connections with the 86 tribes that BNSF touches every day – and more than 150 within close driving range of the BNSF rail network.
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board today certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and approved the planned electrification of the Caltrain corridor between San Jose and San Francisco, Calif.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) appointed Jack Requa as interim general manager and chief executive officer (CEO) and commended the service of General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles, who is retiring on January 16. Requa, who joined WAMTA in April 1998, is currently the assistant general manager for Bus Services.
New Jersey Transit is expanding its Quiet Commute program to trains on the Atlantic City Rail Line, operating between Philadelphia, Pa., and Atlantic City, N.J. The program goes into effect January 20 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays.