CP to sell west end of DM&E to Genesee & Wyoming

Canadian Pacific (CP) and Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) have executed an agreement pursuant to which CP will sell the west end of its Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) line to GWI for continued rail operations.

NYSDOT receives federal grant to improve freight, passenger train movement

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) received an $18.5-million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to reduce passenger and freight train congestion along Amtrak’s Empire Corridor at the Syracuse, N.Y., train station.

FRA adjusts accident/incident reporting threshold

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published a Final Rule on Dec. 24, 2013, that increases the rail equipment accident/incident reporting threshold for 2014 from $9,900 to $10,500.

NCRR pays dividend to state freight rail and safety fund

The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) paid a $15.5-million dividend to the state of North Carolina on December 20, 2013 to be designated for a freight rail and safety fund to support the state’s economic development efforts.

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.

UP awards 21 grants to support community railroad safety initiatives

Union Pacific has awarded 21 grants to community-owned railroad safety initiatives across its 23-state operating system. Ranging from $500 to $5,000, the grants support initiatives developed by community organizations to enhance and promote railroad safety through activities tailored for their communities.

Sen. Schumer continues call for shortline tax credit extension

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) launched his push for the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2013 while visiting Saratoga Train Station in New York.

Pacific Imperial Railroad names chief commercial officer

Pacific Imperial Railroad is moving forward with plans to provide freight rail services to the Tijuana-Tecate region of Baja California by naming Charles Patterson as chief commercial officer.

More than a dozen freight projects receive Pennsylvania state grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Transporation has released $25.8 million in rail freight grants, which will help improve facilities, help businesses expand operations and ensure safety across the state.

Ice to take BNSF helm in January, Rose named executive chairman

BNSF promoted President and Chief Operating Officer Carl Ice to president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2014. Matthew Rose, chairman and chief executive officer, will assume the role of executive chairman.

NCDOT seeks applicants for grants to improve shortlines

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is accepting applications through January 18, 2014, for recipients of $2.5 million to $3 million available in state grants through the Shortline Industrial Access Program (SIAP).

CN’s rehabbed Barron Sub lands another frac sand producer

Canadian National will start serving a new frac sand producer on its Wisconsin rail network this month.

Sen. Schumer calls for 2017 shortline tax credit extension

At Pactiv, a food packaging manufacturing company in Canandaigua, N.Y., U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) joined Finger Lakes Railway President Mike Smith and Pactiv Plant Manager Rod Kucera to launch his push for the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2013, which extends the tax credit to shortline freight railroads.

ICC approves rail spur, two crossing projects

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) issued an order approving construction of a new highway-rail grade rail crossing on Broadway Road in Coal City.

Mongeau: CN is a true backbone of the economy

Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National, said the railway’s reach, service, innovation, understanding of its customers’ markets and commitment to delivering safely make it a true backbone of the economy.

UP performing trackwork in Colorado

Union Pacific plans to strengthen Colorado’s transportation infrastructure by investing $6.5 million in the rail line between Boyero and Limon. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began November 21 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of December.

CN enhances rail and wheel flaw defect program

Canadian National started a special program to acquire additional monitoring equipment to enhance its technological base for early detection of defects.

CP names Demosky as EVP-CFO

Canadian Pacific appointed Bart Demosky to executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), effective December 28, 2013; Brian Grassby will retire as the company’s senior vice president and CFO at year-end.

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