SEPTA West Trenton passenger service to separate from CSX freight operations
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) will finalize separation of its West Trenton Regional Rail Line from a CSX freight line.
Track Maintenance
Mississippi Transportation Commission approves state rail grants
The Mississippi Transportation Commission (MTC) has given its approval for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to award $1.44 million in grants to several railroads across the state for maintenance and improvement projects.
New York Assemblyman wants MTA to look into reactivating rail spur
New York Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Howard Beach) has called on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to apply for funds from a recently-announced New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) infrastructure grant to fund a comprehensive feasibility study into reactivation of the abandoned Rockaway Beach rail spur.
SEPTA GM Joseph M. Casey to retire
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) General Manager Joseph Casey, who has led the authority since 2008 and completed 34 years of service in a number of roles, will retire September 30, 2015.
BLET members ratify new contract with Indiana Southern
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) after 16 months of negotiations.
Lindsey Collins joins NRC as grassroots VP
Lindsey Collins has joined the NRC (National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association) as Vice President of Grassroots Advocacy.
WSDOT resumes landslide mitigation work along Everett and Mukilteo rail lines
This week in Washington state, crews will start landslide mitigation work near Mukilteo and Everett to help limit landslides that disrupt passenger train service north of Seattle.
R.J. Corman takes possession of Carolina Southern; renovation of track underway
R. J. Corman Railroad Company took possession of the former Carolina Southern on August 17, but began moving equipment into place and clearing shrubs on the overgrown line two weeks before the deal was sealed in an effort to return the line to working order as quickly as possible.
Fiscal Management Board endorses MBTA, Keolis service improvement plan
The Fiscal and Management Control Board has endorsed the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) plan to improve service for tens of thousands of commuter rail passengers over the course of the next five months.
Metro-North to receive additional federal funds for Sandy resiliency work
Metro-North Railroad is set to receive more than $20 million in federal emergency relief funding for its Power and Signal Resiliency Improvements project. Local match will be provided through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Plan Amendment 2010-2014 in the amount of $6,932,500.
Whitmore names VP Product Development
Whitmore has hired Douglas Reid as vice president of product development. He brings more than 20 years of experience to the Whitmore leadership team in the areas of new business development, marketing and product management.
Port of Vancouver USA celebrates new rail entrance
The Port of Vancouver USA opened a new rail entrance August 13 that will help ensure trains move, goods flow from regional businesses and Washington state remains competitive in the global market.
FASTRACK returns to 1, 2 and 3 lines
For the first time this year, Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit’s FASTRACK program returns to stations along the 1, 2 and 3 lines between Midtown Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn for two consecutive weeks starting August 17.
CN’s Luc Jobin to steer railroad so Mongeau can focus on health
Canadian National‘s Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer, will soon undergo surgery to remove a rare type of precancerous soft-tissue tumour located in the upper left part of his larynx.
UTA CEO/President Michael Allegra to retire
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Allegra has given notice of his intention to retire and will step down on August 28, 2015. Allegra will remain available as a senior advisor to the chair of the board of trustees through March 2016 and the board will begin a national search for a new transit executive to lead the agency. During this time of transition, Vice President of Operations Jerry Benson will serve as interim general manager.
Maryland could lose $100 million in federal funds over canceled Red Line
Maryland may lose out on $100 million in federal funding that was slated for use in the Red Line transit project, which was canceled by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.
TNW completes logistics center upgrade
TNW Corporation (TNW), operator of shortline railroads and logistics centers, has completed a multimillion dollar upgrade at its Panhandle Logistics Center, which is located on the TXNW Railway complex in Sunray, Texas.
OLI awards $204,000 for public awareness campaigns
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), announced on August 11, 2015 more than $200,0000 in grants to 13 State Operation Lifesaver programs for a variety of highway-rail grade crossing safety public education projects, in conjunction with the nonprofit safety group’s ongoing “See Tracks? Think Train!” public awareness campaigns.
Trackwork to begin on Metra’s Rock Island Line
As part of Metra‘s continued efforts to maintain and improve the quality and reliability of its service, a major tie replacement and track resurfacing project will begin August 17 on the Rock Island Line to Joliet.
MTA appoints interim NYCT president
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast named James Ferrara as interim president of MTA New York City Transit (NYCT).