NS facilitates $2.3 billion in industrial investment in 2013

Norfolk Southern says that it participated in the location of 67 new industries and the expansion of 25 existing industries along its rail lines in 2013.

UP appoints two executives to new positions

Union Pacific has placed D. Lynn Kelley and Joseph O’Connor in new positions within the organization.

IntegriCo receives an order for 22,000 crossties

IntegriCo Composites, Inc., manufacturer of recycled plastic railroad ties, has received an initial 22,000 crosstie order for its composite railroad ties from a Class 1 railroad.

UP initiates Laredo, Texas – Memphis, Tenn., intermodal service

Union Pacific recently initiated a new intermodal service between Laredo, Texas, and Memphis, Tenn., supporting growing transportation needs for the automotive manufacturing and intermodal marketplaces.

Watco appoints two to management positions

Watco Transportation Services has hired Brad Peot as marketing manager for the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. He will work to develop industrial development opportunities, support organic growth in carloads and revenue while supporting and applying the Watco Customer First Foundation Principles.

MTA brings FASTRACK to the G line in Brooklyn

Beginning January 6, for the first time, Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the G Subway Line in Brooklyn. G Line service will be suspended between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Church Avenue for four consecutive weeknights until early morning, January 10.

Watco appoints VP of operations, transportation services and regional VP of operations for East Region

Watco Transportation Services appointed Steve Coomes to vice president of operations, transportation services. He will be responsible for the continued development and improvement of safety, service, growth, people, asset utilization and efficiency in all areas of Watco Transportation Services. This will cover both railroad and switching sites.

BART Board approves labor contract, employees to vote next

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors voted eight to one to approve the 2013-2017 Collective Bargaining Agreements reached with BART’s two largest unions, ATU, Local 1555 and SEIU, Local 1021, at a special meeting on January 2, 2014.

Houston METRO marks a decade of service

Houston METRO celebrated 10 years of successful light-rail service on the Main Street Line January 1, 2014.

NYCT upgrading vacuum train to keep subways clean

After years of sucking up tons of track debris from the underground portions of the subway system, one of Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit’s (NYCT) two vacuum trains is receiving an extensive late-life overhaul and upgrade aimed at improving efficiency, increasing reliability and easing maintenance tasks.

Presidential Emergency Board issues recommendations regarding LIRR employees and labor unions.

Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 244 issued its recommendations December 21 for settling a dispute between the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and its employees represented by the United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (UTU-SMART) and several other labor unions.

WMATA weekend rebuilding work begins on the Red Line

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Red Line will undergo construction upgrades December 27-29, beginning Friday evening and concluding late Sunday. Track maintenance and signage installation will occur between Dupont Circle and Judiciary Square.

Watco hires Greens Port terminal manager

Watco Terminal and Port Services appointed Earon Berotte to terminal manager at the Greens Port Crude by Rail Terminal in Houston, Texas.

KCS State of the Railroad: Starling outlines m/w accomplishments and future projects

Kansas City Southern’s President and CEO David Starling issued his annual State of the Railroad letter sharing KCS’ “successes and tremendous potential.”

Edmonton Rail Terminal to open at the end of 2014

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners L.P. and Imperial Oil have entered into a 50-50 joint venture to build a crude oil rail-loading facility in Strathcona County, Alberta, called the Edmonton Rail Terminal.

Eglinton Crosstown RFP issued to two pre-qualified consortia

Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario issued a request for proposals for Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown light-rail project to the consortia pre-qualified to deliver the balance of the Crosstown project, an integrated system consisting of stations, trackwork, signaling, communications and other required infrastructure.

BART and unions resolve remaining labor contract issue

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) General Manager Grace Crunican says all contract issues have been settled between BART and its two largest labor Unions. She will recommend the ratification of a final collective bargaining agreement with SEIU Local 1021 and ATU Local 1555 to the BART Board of Directors as soon as possible.

NTSB issues urgent safety recommendations to protect ROW workers

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued two urgent safety recommendations to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to protect track workers.

Sound Transit board approves $1.1 billion 2014 budget

The Sound Transit Board approved a $1.1-billion 2014 budget that continues major light-rail expansions, carries more than 31 million riders next year and continues work to update the regional transit Long-Range Plan. The overall budget is relatively unchanged from 2013.

SEPTA unveils new capital improvement plan

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) presented a new capital improvement plan for addressing some of the transit system’s most pressing needs, including critical infrastructure upgrades and equipment replacement.

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