Track Maintenance

BNSF plans $100M capital plan for Kansas

BNSF’s 2016 capital expenditure program in Kansas will be about $100 million and focus on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network. The largest component of this year’s capital plan in the state will be for replacing and upgrading rail, ties and ballast.

KCS promotes Songer to EVP/COO


Kansas City Southern has promoted Jeffrey Songer from senior vice president engineering and chief transportation officer to executive vice president and chief operating officer. In addition to his responsibilities for transportation and engineering, he is now also responsible for the mechanical function. Songer reports to KCS president Patrick Ottensmeyer.

BNSF to replace 280k ties, 30 miles of rail in Illinois

BNSF’s 2016 capital expenditure program in Illinois will be about $180 million, which will focus on maintenance projects and improvements to BNSF facilities. The railroad says this year’s plan in Illinois brings capital investments more in line with forecasted customer freight service demand.

Rep. Joyce tours Iron Horse Engineering manufacturing facility

Rep. David Joyce (OH-14) joined representatives from Iron Horse Engineering, the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) to tour Iron Horse’s manufacturing facility, learn about the burgeoning rail and manufacturing communities in Northeast Ohio and discuss public policy priorities for the industries.

Union Pacific: Safest Class 1 railroad in 2015

Union Pacific employees set an all-time reportable personal injury rate record in 2015, improving 11 percent from 2014 to 0.87, making Union Pacific the safest Class 1 railroad in the United States, according to data reported by the Federal Railroad Administration.

BNSF’s California capital program to top $180 million

BNSF’s 2016 capital expenditure program in California will be about $180 million, which will focus on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network. The largest component of this year’s capital plan in the state will be for replacing and upgrading rail, ties and ballast.

NS to combine three operating regions into two

Norfolk Southern is consolidating its three operating regions into two, effective March 15. The decision to further streamline railroad operations is part of the company’s ongoing execution of its five-year strategic plan.

LACMTA taps FTA’s McMillan as CPO

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has selected the current Acting Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Therese McMillan as its new chief planning officer.