CSX suffers derailment in Atlanta suburb
A CSX freight train derailed in the Atlanta suburb of Lilburn, Ga. on Sunday at approximately 2:00 a.m. The train had about 170 cars, and 38 derailed, including several cars loaded with
Maryland takes over Purple Line project after private firm walks away
The Maryland Transit Administration is taking over day-to-day management of the Purple Line project after Purple Line Transit Partners walked off the job. Hundreds of contracts are now being handled by the
Bells & Whistles—Light-rail contractor tries to prove COVID-19 caused delays, cost overruns
Four of eight and six of seven—LIRR Expansion Project burns through summer FRA publishes Final Rule on rail integrity and track safety standards Phoenix appears primed and ready for I-10 light-rail extension
Eglinton Crosstown builder says agency does not believe COVID-19 has caused cost overruns, delays
Crosslinx Transit Solutions (CTS) wants some credit for working through a pandemic. An acknowledgement of cost overruns would be nice, too. CTS, which is building the Eglinton Crosstown project in Toronto, is
Norfolk Southern continues to monitor Hurricane Delta
According to the New York Times, Louisiana has been hit by six major storms since June 2020, and the cleanup from Hurricane Laura, which hit the state in August, is still not
Four of eight and six of seven—LIRR Expansion Project burns through summer
With four-of-eight railroad crossings eliminated and six-of-seven bridges rebuilt or upgraded, among other accomplishments, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that construction of the LIRR Expansion Project has hit the halfway point, ahead of schedule and under budget. The project, one of
FRA publishes Final Rule on rail integrity and track safety standards
FRA is revising its regulations governing the minimum safety requirements for railroad track. The changes include allowing inspection of rail using continuous rail testing; allowing the use of flange-bearing frogs in crossing
Washington Metro chooses Hitachi Rail to build new cars
Metro has been looking for a manufacturer for the past two years to build its next group of rail cars. The Washington Post reports that last week, Metro chose Hitachi Rail. The
Plasser American Corporation expanding facilities in Chesapeake, Va.
A new era has begun with the signing of the contract to increase manufacturing capacities at Plasser American on August 28, 2020. The expansion is their commitment to the Chesapeake, VA site
Big changes on Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension
On Oct. 7 Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension marked the beginning of building the light-rail guideway with construction of drill shafts at the site of the future Kent/Des Moines Station. Crews
Phoenix appears primed and ready for I-10 light-rail extension
City officials in Phoenix took one step closer toward an I-10 light-rail extension. The city’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee approved Phase 1 of the project. A full track loop is being
Kansas program will help fund 13 short line rail projects
The Kansas Department of Transportation has handed short line railroad companies $5 million in grants that will help fund 13 railroad projects. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced
Construction of rail port a game-changer for Texas town
A game-changer for San Angelo, Texas, could quickly become a game winner for the local economy there. City officials approved ratifying a $600,000 real estate contract and performance agreement with South Plains
U.S. intermodal traffic continues to show strength
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 3, 2020, as well as volumes for September 2020. U.S. railroads originated 1,119,546 carloads in September 2020,
Caltrain board considers options for addressing growing financial challenges
Ed. Note: The financial mess that most transit agencies have found themselves in as a result of the pandemic, and resulting plunges in ridership, are well known to most readers. Periodically, we
PS Technology releases Precision Train Builder
PS Technology (PST) has released Precision Train Builder, which the company says “is designed for analyzing derailments and improving the safety of train operations by physically accurate simulation. Precision Train Builder (PTB)
Worker blitz helps MTA install new rail bridge on main line in one weekend
New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Construction & Development successfully installed a new 1,315-ton bridge this weekend that will carry the Long Island Rail Road main line over School Street in Westbury
Fla. county loses chance to fight Brightline in front of U.S. Supreme Court
Indian River County knew its chances to be heard in front of the U.S. Supreme Court was slim, but a small group thought it was better than none. The county was in
Norfolk Southern eyeing Tropical Storm Delta
Hurricane season is continuing to throw fast pitches in the Gulf Coast strike zone. Norfolk Southern released a service alert yesterday regarding Tropical Storm Delta, which is reproduced below. The New York
Canadian railroad grain movements blowing the doors off
Canada’s Class 1 railroads, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific are reporting record numbers for grain movements in the third quarter. Canadian National reported that it moved 7.76 million metric tons (MMT) (8.5