Track Maintenance
Refining profile and saving face
Success in battling defects and extending the life of a rail can be met with a well-planned grinding or milling program.
Materials handling with care and accuracy
Suppliers offer many versatile options to railroads for precise placement and removal of materials needed along the rights-of-way.
CP quits NS bid
On Monday, April 11, 2016, Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. terminated its efforts to merge with Norfolk Southern Corp.. This includes “withdrawal of a resolution asking NS shareholders to vote in favor of good-faith negotiations between the two companies,” CP sais. “No further financial offers or overtures to meet with the NS board of directors are planned at this time.”
Watco acquires River Road Terminals
Watco Transloading has acquired River Road Terminals and has entered into a 10-year lease of the underlying 38 acres of real estate. At the end of the term of the lease, Watco has the option to take ownership of the real estate.
B&P Tunnel proposal revised following community input
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has revised the proposal to replace the Civil War-era Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel based on feedback provided to the FRA by Baltimore residents.
Metra lays out 2016 construction program
Metra has laid out plans to begin infrastructure improvements to its stations, track, bridges and road crossings this year to ensure safe and reliable service and maintain a state of good repair systemwide. Construction work is expected to begin this week and continue through the fall, weather permitting.
NJ Transit Board names Crosbie as executive director
In a unanimous vote, the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors appointed William Crosbie as the new executive director, effective on or about April 25, 2016.
KCS plans to replace more than 92k ties, 100 crossings through five states
Kansas City Southern plans to invest approximately $20 million this year in construction and improvement projects on KCS’s mainline from Kansas through Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and northwest Louisiana, which is a key component of the KCS network.
R.J. Corman begins eastern Carolinas service
Public officials and other community members joined R.J. Corman Railroad Group representatives in late March to celebrate the opening of its railroad service to the eastern regions of North and South Carolina.
American Midstream commences operations at Lonview rail facility
American Midstream Partners, LP, has begun operations at the East Texas Rail Facility, allowing for receipt and delivery of natural gas liquids (NGLs) and condensate by rail to the Longview processing plant, located in the heart of the Cotton Valley shale play in Gregg County, Texas.
Koppers hosts tour of South Carolina tie plant
Representatives from the offices of Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Tim Scott (R-SC) joined representatives from GoRail and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) on April 5 to tour Koppers’ rail tie manufacturing facility in Florence, S.C.
CN reaches training milestone
Fifteen thousand Canadian National employees have completed a range of railway training programs at its two education campuses since they opened in 2014. The railroad also unveiled plans to provide customer safety training under its new CN Campus Partnership Program.
Metro staff recommends light-rail for Southwest Corridor Plan
Staff of Metro, the Portland metropolitan planning organization, recommended light rail as the best kind of high-capacity transit to connect Portland and Bridgeport Village, Ore., for the Southwest Corridor Plan.
In memoriam: Josef Neuhofer
Former President of Plasser American Corporation Josef W. Neuhofer passed away peacefully at home on March 29, 2016, at the age of 78.
RTD Board approve Genova as GM/CEO
The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approved the contract for David Genova as the general manager and chief executive officer of RTD. Genova was chosen following an 11-month international search that included 37 public meetings.
FRA announces $25 million for PTC implementation
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on April 4, 2016 announced that it is accepting applications for $25 million in competitive grant funding available to railroads, suppliers, and state and local governments for Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation. The funding is part of the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act that funds the U.S. Department of Transportation.
ConnDOT continues bidding process for Hartford line; launches Walk Bridge site
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a service provider on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield intercity rail line, now branded as the CTrail Hartford Line. The RFP is open only to those service providers approved and “short-listed” after a Request for Qualifications issued by ConnDOT in 2014.
Watco gains new hire, promotes another
Watco Terminal and Port Services has named Albert Perez II terminal manager at its Linden, NJ, location. In this role, Perez will be responsible for maintaining high quality customer service, ensuring targeted profitability, and supporting the overall attainment of expected performance goals. He will also be coaching his team and driving safety and operational efficiencies.
Former Amtrak chief executive appointed to board of Network Rail Consulting
Network Rail Consulting has appointed Thomas Downs as a non-executive director of Network Rail Consulting Ltd and chair of its North American business, Network Rail Consulting Inc.