Former FRA Administrator Szabo named executive director of CMAP

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) will soon have a new executive director, Joseph Szabo.

Union Pacific plans $85 million investment in Washington and Oregon property

Union Pacific‘s infrastructure in Oregon and Washington state will see $85 million in track and signal work that the railroad says will enhance employee, community and customer safety while increasing rail operating efficiency.

NTSB says evidence does not point to phone use in Amtrak 188 accident

The National Transportation Safety Board says analysis of phone records of the locomotive engineer operating Amtrak 188, Brandon Bostian, did not indicate the phone was in use at the time of the accident, which occurred on May 12.

NS renames Bellevue yard in honor of Wick Moorman

Norfolk Southern is naming its largest freight train classification yard after Wick Moorman for his leadership in support of freight railroads and their investors, customers and employees.

Railway Interchange exhibits sell out

Railway Interchange 2015 host associations say they are gearing up for the biggest event to-date. With four months to go before the event, indoor and outdoor exhibition space is sold out and 60 percent of available hotel rooms have been reserved.

Jerome Marullo joins Simmons-Boardman Railway Division

Jerome Marullo has joined the Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corp. Railway Division as Eastern Regional Advertising Sales Manager, with responsibility for Railway Age, Railway Track & Structures and International Railway Journal. He replaces Mark Connolly, who retired on May 22, 2015 after nine years with the company.

KCS to build SIT yard, expand classification yard in Louisiana

Kansas City Southern reached an agreement with Sasol Chemicals LLC for the construction and long-term lease of a storage-in-transit (SIT) rail yard to support Sasol’s new ethane cracker and derivatives project in Lake Charles, La. In addition to building the SIT yard for lease to Sasol, KCS will replace and expand its existing rail car classification yard in Mossville, La.

Metrolinx’s UP Express opens for service

Metrolinx‘s Union Pearson Express (UP Express) in Toronto opened to the public June 6 and offers a seamless airport-to-downtown connection. The trip between Union Station and Pearson International Airport, Canada’s two busiest transportation hubs, will take just 25 minutes and trains will depart every 15 minutes.

Maryland applies for Maglev funds as governor rides Japan’s system

In support of private-sector efforts to explore building high-speed rail in Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan joined executives from the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) and the Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail LLC (BWRR) to ride the 27-mile-long Yamanashi Maglev Line located outside of Tokyo, Japan.

MBTA, Massachusetts develop winter resiliency plan

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has prepared a $82.7-million Winter Resiliency Plan, which includes investments this summer and over the next five years in snow removal equipment, infrastructure upgrades and operations during harsh weather to improve service reliability.

Valley Metro’s Mesa extension to open seven months early

Beginning August 22, Valley Metro Rail will be traveling to new destinations along Main Street into downtown Mesa, Ariz. With service beginning seven months earlier than scheduled, the Central Mesa extension will soon take riders beyond Sycamore to Mesa Drive.

Union Pacific to spend $137 million in California to maintain track systems

Union Pacific plans to invest about $137 million in 2015 to improve its transportation infrastructure in California. The railroad says its multi-million dollar investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.

TEX Rail receives FTA approval to enter engineering phase

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) has received approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to advance TEX Rail into the engineering phase that immediately precedes the start of construction.

UP invests $43 million in its rail infrastructure in Idaho

Union Pacific plans to invest about $43 million in 2015 to improve its rail infrastructure in Idaho. The railroad says this investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.

The rail community comes together for the 7th Annual International Level Crossing Awareness Day

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) joined the international rail transportation community to raise awareness among cyclists and pedestrians about the dangers of railroad grade crossings during the 7th Annual International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) June 3. Major U.S. freight railroads hosted ILCAD events across the U.S. with an additional 43 countries and numerous international railroad organizations and companies doing the same worldwide with a focus on the common message: “Take your time, don’t risk your life!”

Leavitt now offers Pettibone equipment

Pettibone/Traverse Lift, LLC has added Leavitt Machinery to its dealer network for all material handling product lines. Leavitt will carry Pettibone equipment at its locations in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia in Canada and Washington in the U.S.

UP invests $20 million in Southern Illinois

Union Pacific will strengthen Illinois’ transportation infrastructure investing more than $20 million in the rail line between Chester and Illinois/Missouri border. The project began May 25 and is scheduled to be completed mid-October.

Bianco retires from MTA NYCT

President of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT), Carmen Bianco plans to retire later this year from his position running the largest mass transit system in North America. In his time as president, Bianco transformed the agency’s organizational culture to align management strategies, enhance safety and improve customer service to advance the subways, buses, paratransit and Staten Island Railway in New York City.

New report brings eastern Washington rail line priorities into focus

According to a plan developed and finalized by the Washington State Department of Transportation, improvements to a state-owned eastern Washington rail line would help Washington farmers deliver their goods to market more efficiently and benefit the state’s overall economy.

CN to expand cold supply chain reefer capacity

Canadian National will invest CA$20-million (US$-16 million) in the expansion of its cold supply chain capacity to help producers and distributors of chilled or frozen foods grow their businesses in 20 North American and overseas markets.

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