Obituary: C.L. “Larry” Laurello 1938-2012

C. L. “Larry” Laurello of Saybrook, Ohio, passed away on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at his home.



Colo names Cooley VP operations, Texas Division

Colo Railroad Builders appointed Cene Cooley as vice president of operations in Texas.

Parson Brinckerhoff names SVP

Robert Stromsted has been named a senior vice president at Parsons Brinckerhoff.

In his new position, Stromsted will be responsible for strategic planning and business development. He will be based in the firm’s New York office.

Davis joins Stantec as senior railway engineer

Gene Davis, PE, joined Stantec as senior railway engineer to lead Stantec’s freight and commuter railway services in the U.S. Southeast. Davis has more than 27 years of experience in the rail industry including operations, economics and engineering for railroad companies, state departments of transportation and major municipalities.

NRC inducts two to Hall of Fame, names project and field employee of the year

The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association honored individuals and companies by awarding the Railroad Construction Project of the Year, Field Employee of the Year and inducting the inaugural class of the association’s Hall of Fame.

Caltrain Board elects officers, welcomes new member

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which owns and operates Caltrain near San Francisco, Calif., elected officers and welcomed a new board member at its January meeting.

Whitmore Manufacturing Company names Kilpatrick as president & CEO

The Whitmore Manufacturing Company named Jeff Kilpatrick president and chief executive officer of the company on January 3, 2012.

OMNI Products and Jensen Precast team up

Omni Products, Inc., supplier of grade crossing systems to the United States rail industry and Jensen Precast, provider of precast concrete products, have formed an agreement to expand manufacturing and distribution of OMNI Products’ grade crossing systems into the Western United States.

UP named North American Supplier of the Year by Newmont Mining Corp.

Newmont Mining Corporation named Union Pacific its North American Supplier of the Year, recognizing the railroad for its innovative, safe and reliable transportation solutions.

FTA issues milestone approval for Crenshaw/LAX light-rail project

The Federal Transit Administration issued a Record of Decision on December 30, for the Los Angeles Country Metropolitan Transportation Authority Crenshaw/LAX light-rail project based on LACMTA’s Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

Quiet Car Pilot begins in Conn.

On Monday January 9, a pilot program introducing “quiet cars” on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Metro-North New Haven Line begins on select rush-hour trains.

ENSCO, Inc., restructures, forms rail subsidiary

ENSCO, Inc., has initiated the corporate restructuring of several of its key businesses and international activities. This restructuring will allow these businesses to increase their concentration within their distinct market areas and better manage corporate liability.

Patriot Rail Corp. restructures management

Patriot Rail Corp. restructured its operations management team. The changes, effective January 1, 2012, were implemented to better focus management efforts among rail operations and marketing to customers.

Letter From The Publisher

Dear Railway Track & Structures and Rail Group News readers,

Happy New Year. January 1 marked my first day as publisher of the Simmons-Boardman Rail Division, which consists of Railway Age, International Railway Journal and Railway Track & Structures.

Skanska joint venture signs $347 million BART contract

Skanska signed a design-build contract to construct a 16-kilometer (9.9-mile) extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system near San Francisco, Calif. Skanska is leading a joint venture with Shimmick Construction and Herzog Contracting Corporation.

Atlantic Track names four to team

Atlantic Track promoted Ricky Knox to the newly created position of Southeast regional manager. Knox has been with Atlantic Track since 2004 and has been in the railroad industry for more than 20 years.

Metro Gold Line Construction Authority recaps year

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Construction Authority) issued an end of the year statement to project stakeholders highlighting the many project milestone’s reached during 2011. Paramount in the year-in-review statement was the construction progress of the I-210 Gold Line Bridge and award of the $486 million alignment contract to Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture.

Santa Monica City Council approves more than $9.5 million for Expo Line

The Santa Monica City Council approved action advancing the 15.2-mile Expo Line between Los Angeles and Santa Monica, Calif. At the Dec. 13 city council meeting, city staff presented recommendations and the city council entered into agreements with the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority to perform $9.55 million in improvements to three stations.

GWI Australian subsidiary dealing with Cyclone Grant aftermath

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) reported that a train operated by its subsidiary Genesee & Wyoming Australia Pty Ltd (GWA) derailed in the vicinity of the Edith River bridge, approximately 40 km (18.6 miles) north of Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia, December 27.

Amtrak to lead next phase of Lancaster station renovations

Following discussions with its state and local partners, Amtrak is taking the lead on the next phase of renovations at the Lancaster Train Station. The Capstone project will address the much anticipated rehabilitation of the passenger areas, including interior work to the waiting room, concourse, restrooms and hallways and exterior work to stairways and platforms.

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