NRC Chairman’s Column – September 2025
2026 NRC Conference Is Positioned to Be the Best Yet The NRC is hard at work all year round, but we proudly acknowledge that the pinnacle of our year starts in January,
SEPTA’s Fiscal Cliff Gets an Extension
PHILADELPHIA –– Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania has given a reprieve to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority teetering on the edge of the fiscal cliff with authorization to access $394 million earmarked for future capital funding so it can continue operations for two years.
2025 RT&S Engineer of the Year: Carl Walker
ATLANTA – CSX and the U.S. Navy: Training grounds for a top-flight engineer – Carl Walker, Engineer of the Year, CSX.
OCTA Delivers Initial Sand Nourishment in San Clemente
ORANGE COUNTY – Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) delivered the initial sand nourishment as part of the emergency efforts to protect the vulnerable coastal rail line.
Atlanta Commissions Study to Find New Location for Amtrak Station
ATLANTA –– The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) recently announced it will, along with the City of Atlanta, fund a study of alternatives for relocating Atlanta’s Amtrak Station.
WATCH: Delta Railroad Services’ New Rail Unloader Car
ASHTABULA, Ohio – Delta Railroad Services introduces a Rail Unloader Car (RUC).
Computer Integration is Not an Issue to Dissuade Mergers
ATLANTA – from the September 2025 issue of Railway Track and Structures, Editor-in-Chief David Lester writes about computer integration after railroad mergers.
RT&S September 2025 Issue Now Available Online
ATLANTA – The September issue of Railway Track and Structures, featuring our Engineer of the Year, is now available to read online.
CHSRA’s Board of Directors Approve Proceeding With Procurements
SACRAMENTO – California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of invitations for bids on rail and other materials for high-speed track.
USDOT Will Train More Than 160 Federal and State Track Inspectors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will train more than 160 Federal and State Track Inspectors across the country.
Sound Transit Announces Link 1 Line Service to Federal Way Will Begin Dec. 6
SEATTLE –– Last week, Sound Transit announced that passenger service will begin on the Link 1 Line to Federal Way on Dec. 6. The line extension runs 7.8 miles and is referred to as the Federal Way Link Extension. The line will include three new stations in South King County, serving Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and Federal Way Downtown. During peak hours, trains will operate every eight minutes.
One Merger at a Time, Please –– Commentary from Railway Age
ATLANTA –– We at RT&S are certainly following, and have our own ideas about, the merger and regulatory situation regarding the Class I rail industry.
Capital Railroad Contracting Acquires Koppers Railroad Structures
MADISON, Wis. – Capital Railroad Contracting announced the acquisition of Koppers Railroad Structures.
Did Primus Engineer His Own Ouster? –– Commentary
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The firing by POTUS 47 of outspoken Surface Transportation Board (STB) member and Democrat Robert E. Primus Aug. 27 leaves the five-member agency short two members as it awaits a formal merger application from Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS). By early morning Aug. 28, Primus’ name was removed from the STB website’s listing of members.
Report: Primus Latest Victim in POTUS 47 Firing Spree
WASHINGTON, D.C.––POTUS 47 on Aug. 27 fired Surface Transportation Board member Robert Primus, The Wall Street Journal reported Aug. 28, noting that the STB is “the railroad regulator weighing the proposed megamerger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.”
Penn Station Transformation Project Timeline Announced
NEW YORK – Amtrak and the USDOT announced the timeline for the Penn Station Transformation project.
People News: American Track, Port NOLA
NEW ORLEANS/FORT WORTH, Texas – American Track, a subsidiary of North American Rail Solutions, names Stacey Posey as its new Chief Operating Officer. Port of New Orleans appoints Chris Gilmore as Chief Engineering Officer.
WIR 2025: How Railroads Merge Environmental Responsibility and Operations
Freight and passenger railroads support communities, ensure reliable service for customers and consumers, and move the economy forward—sustainably and with a commitment to environmental stewardship. The Women in Rail 2025 Conference, presented by Railway
FRA Withdraws More Than $175MM From Rail Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) withdrew more than $175 million in funding for four projects related to California High-Speed Rail.
FRA Withdraws More Than $175MM From Rail Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) withdrew more than $175 million in funding for four projects related to California High-Speed Rail.