Koppers purchases creosote business from KMG Chemicals; agrees to sell utility pole business

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 installs heater control system at SEPTA

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 acquires U.K.’s TEW Engineering

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.

BNSF details $6-billion capex plan; North Region will see $1.5-billion in work

BNSF announced plans for a $6-billion capital expenditure program in November and has revealed more details about where and on what the money will be spent.

CN reaches tentative labor agreement with Teamsters union representing rail traffic controllers in Canada

Canadian National has negotiated a tentative labor agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Rail Canada Traffic Controllers (TCRC-RCTC) union.

Mongeau: CN’s critical Chicago investments keep network fluid, help railroad handle rising demand and free up capacity in rail hub

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,

TSB points finger at wheel climb at switch point for 2013 Alberta derailment

In its investigation report, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined that a Canadian Pacific train derailed when a wheel flange struck and climbed a switch point and then fell between the switch point and the rail.

NCDOT, CSX to begin A-line crossover project

CSX, in partnership with North Carolina Department of Transporation, will begin construction on a series of projects to build universal crossovers on the CSX A-line in three eastern North Carolina locations: South Weldon, Enfield and Rocky Mount. Construction at the three project locations will include grading, drainage improvements, track and signal construction.

CRC alliance with Taylor-DeJongh to target expansion of CRC shortline portfolio

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 T appoints Bob Baulsir TEX Rail VP

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) appointed Bob Baulsir to vice president of TEX Rail and Procurement.

Haddad named EVP of the Northeast Maglev

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.

CSX sets 2015 capital expenditures at $2.5 billion

CSX Corporation had a lot of good news for investors during this mornings Quarter 4 2014 earnings conference call including record fourth-quarter 2014 net earnings. The railroad also unveiled that it will target a $2.5-billion capital expenditure program in the upcoming year. In 2014, the railroad targeted a $2.3-billion capital spend program.

NS’ Seale to retire in March

Donald Seale, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Norfolk Southern Corp., plans to retire, effective March 1, 2015.

La Caisse enters agreement with Quebec government to focus on public transit system projects

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 seeks Short Line/Regional Railroad of the Year

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.

NTSB Most Wanted 2015: PTC implementation; improved tank car and mass transit safety

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.

NJ Transit’s plan for $55-million Elizabeth Station restoration project

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.

House T&I vice chairman, subcommittee chairmen named

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.

Feinberg named Acting Administrator of FRA

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 adds director of tribal relations

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.

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