KCS PTC update: Data surveying and training underway

Kansas City Southern says it has begun training on Positive Train Control (PTC) track and wayside data management at the TEaM Training Center in Shreveport, La. Approximately 160 people were trained last week and another group will start this week.

NCRR completes work on siding and bridge at Lenoir-Wayne County Line

Construction has been completed on a new passing siding and bridge on the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) corridor near the Lenoir-Wayne County line.

KCS leaders visit PCRC, expansion projects

In December 2014, several Kansas City Southern officers and Chairman of the Board of Directors Bob Druten traveled to Panama to visit the Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC) to see the railroad and review its maintenance and expansion projects.

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.

NS worked on 94 industrial development projects in 2014

Norfolk Southern assisted 94 industries in locating or expanding their businesses along its rail lines in 2014.

GWI completes acquisition of Pinsly Arkansas Railroads

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. has completed the acquisition of Pinsly Railroad Company’s Arkansas Division for approximately $40 million in cash, subject to adjustment for final working capital.

CSX worked on 107 industrial infrastructure projects in 2014

In 2014, CSX and its customers worked together on 107 projects to build or expand facilities on CSX’s network and shortline partners.

MnDOT study prioritizes rail safety improvements

Safety improvements at grade crossings along crude-by-rail corridors are the focus of a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) study that identifies locations where improvements will make the transport of oil safer for residents, workers and emergency responders.

New York gets federal approval for new Portageville Bridge

New York state has received federal approval for the plan to build a new arch bridge to replace the historic Portageville Bridge carrying the Norfolk Southern’s Southern Tier Line over the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park.

Washington state approves funds to upgrade 59 crossings in five counties

Washington state regulators approved funding for safety upgrades at 59 railroad crossings in Spokane, Whitman, Grant, Adams and King counties.

BNSF wye project partners sign MOU to apply for federal funds

BNSF, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the city of Willmar, Kandiyohi County and the Kandiyohi/Willmar Economic Development Commission have entered into a revised Memorandum of Understanding allowing the partners to apply for federal funds to help pay for a wye project.

Sioux Falls rail yard project completes land appraisal

An important step has been completed in the rail yard redevelopment project in downtown Sioux Falls, S.D.

Watco names SVP finance

Watco Transportation Services named Joe King senior vice president of finance. King will lead the teams of finance, accounting, revenue accounting and the SAP Team.

CP’s Hunter Harrison is 2015 Railroader of the Year

Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific E. Hunter Harrison has been named 2015 Railroader of the Year by Railway Age.

KCS’ Starling issues annual “State of the Railroad” memo

“This year, the Kansas City Southern management team refined the company’s vision, restating it to be the leading transportation provider both within and between the U.S. and Mexico by consistently providing superior value to our customers, offering challenging careers to our employees and increasing value to our shareholders,” stated KCS’s President and Chief Executive Officer David Starling in his annual “State of the Railroad” memo.

NCDOT issues state rail plan executive summary

In anticipation of the January 2015 release of the Draft North Carolina Comprehensive State Rail Plan, the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has issued the Plan’s Executive Summary.

President Obama signs legislation extending shortline tax credit extension and enacting omnibus spending bill

President Obama signed two key pieces of legislation last week that will impact the rail industry.

Meeting held to discuss Connell Rail Interchange

Approximately 30 people attended a meeting December 15 in Moses Lake, Wash., to discuss the Connell Rail Interchange, a key rail interchange in Eastern Washington where the Columbia Basin Railroad line intersects with BNSF’s Lakeside Subdivision line, which runs between Spokane and Pasco, Wash.

Coos Bay Rail Link, San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad general managers named

ARG Transportation Services’ Coos Bay Rail Link Director of Rail Operations Darrell Rodley and San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad Manager of Operations Richard Archunde have been promoted to general managers of their respective companies, effective January 1.

Boxhold appointed FDOT secretary

Jim Boxold has been named Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, (FDOT) effective January 3, 2015.

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