Better Track Geometry Through Better Ballast Maintenance
ATLANTA – From the May 2025 issue of Railway Track & Structures, Jeff Tuzik writes about track geometry based on a Wheel/Rail Interaction presentation.
NRC Chairman’s Column: The Pros Know There’s More than Meets the Eye to a Big Win
ATLANTA – From the May 2025 issue of Railway Track & Structures, Joe Daloisio writes the NRC Chairman’s Column.
May Issue of Railway Track & Structures Now Available Online
ATLANTA – The digital version of the May 2025 issue of RT&S is now available to be read online.
RailWorks Appoints Matt Violin to Chief Commercial Officer
NEW YORK CITY – Matt Violin is now Chief Commercial Officer of RailWorks.
Former Amtrak Director of Network Planning and Engineering, Two Vendors Indicted for Extensive Bribery Scheme
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Richard Thompson, 57, of Falls Church, Virginia, Shaun Hanrahan, 66, of Hampton, Virginia, and Darren Hannam, 57, of Haymarket, Virginia, were charged by indictment with honest services fraud through bribery for engaging in schemes to pay off Thompson, in exchange for Thompson steering millions of dollars in Amtrak work to companies owned by Hanrahan, Hannam, and others.
MTA Inspector General Releases Report Warning Of The Dangers Of ‘Self Evacuation’ Of Passengers On The New York Subway
NEW YORK –– The Inspector General responsible for the New York Subway, Daniel G. Cort, announced this week that incidents of passenger self evacuation must be reduced.
Montana Passenger Rail Service Remains The Subject of Debate
MISSOULA, Mont. –– Montana just completed its state legislative session, and one of the issues on the table is a proposed rail corridor from Seattle to Chicago, which would run through Montana. Although the bill failed in this session, proponents are optimistic that the bill will be taken up again in the 2027 session.
NTSB Issues RIR 25-07 for CSX MoW Accident
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. – The NTSB issued Railroad Investigation Report 25-07 for an incident that occurred on February 13, 2024.
Kevin Maloney Joins VHB as Senior Project/Design-Build Manager
BOSTON – VHB announces Kevin Maloney as its new Senior Project and Design-Build Manager.
San Clemente Emergency Work: Week One Progress
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – OCTA has begun maintenance work to stabilize the track in San Clemente.
Editor’s Opinion and Commentary –– New York Governor Kathy Hochul Announces Budget Increases to Improve Subway Safety.
ALBANY, N.Y. — I have written before about the challenges of subway safety in New York and elsewhere in the United States. I am a huge fan of public transit, especially rail and light rail, and the safety challenges riders and operators have endured for years have been of great concern to me. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced funding measures to help combat safety issues. The question is, how much good will these investments really do?
Just For Fun –– Union Pacific Unveils Commemorative Lincoln Locomotive No. 1616 with First Trip Planned in May
OMAHA –– Union Pacific has added another locomotive to its Heritage Fleet. The new addition honors the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, one of the most consequential presidents of the United States.
Does Your State Need Infrastructure Funds From The Federal Government? If So, USDOT Says You Must Scrap Your DEI Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced recently that states will no longer be eligible for federal infrastructure funds unless they follow the Trump administration’s directives regarding cooperation with immigration enforcement efforts and end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Stillwater Central Railroad Rebuilds Bridge After Oklahoma Wildfires
CHANDLER, Okla. – In Watco’s newsletter, it documented the Stillwater Central Railroad’s efforts to rebuild a rail bridge after it sustained damage from a wildfire on March 14th.
Amtrak Issues Statement on East River Tunnels Project
NEW YORK CITY – Amtrak President Roger Harris issued a statement on the East River Tunnels project.
FRA Issues Safety Advisory 2025-01 for Proper Configuration of Grand Master 4000 and 4000A Switch Machines
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Safety Advisory was issued to increase awareness of the potential for “unintended movement” of the machines. If improperly configured, the machines could allow for the presence of power that would lead to unintended switch movement.
NY Gov. Hochul Calls for Amtrak to Reevaluate its East River Tunnel Construction Plans
ALBANY – In a letter to Anthony Coscia and Roger Harris from Amtrak, New York Governor Hochul urged Amtrak to reevaluate its plans to shut down the East River Tunnels for its rehabilitation project. Instead, Gov. Hochul asked to shift to a ‘repair-in-place’ method.
NJ TRANSIT Completes Lyndhurst Station
LYNDHURST, N.J. – NJ TRANSIT completed construction on the new Lyndhurst Station in New Jersey.
ICC Approves Rail Safety Upgrades Across Counties
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved rail safety upgrades across Rock Island, Henry, and Bureau Counties.
Passenger Service Temporarily Suspended as Crews Work in San Clemente
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service will be suspended for six weeks starting Monday, April 28th. During this six-week closure, crews will work on emergency construction to stabilize the track.