NTSB takes over BNSF Texas derailment investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken control of the investigation into the June 28, 2016 accident between two BNSF intermodal trains near Panhandle, Texas.
Transpoint Intermodal breaks ground on Indiana intermodal facility
Indiana Economic Development Corporation President Jim Schellinger and Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry joined executives from Transpoint Intermodal LLC June 28, 2016, to break ground on a new $13.5-million cargo transfer facility on Fort Wayne’s southeast side.
Anacostia promotes two, hires one at two affiliate railroads
Anacostia Rail Holdings Company (ARH) promoted two of its employees and hired one new employee to its Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) and Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC) operating companies.
Encore Rail Systems hosts Rep. Polis for demonstration, discussion
Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO-2) joined representatives from Encore Rail Systems on June 29, 2016, for a product demonstration and discussion on public policy priorities for greater Denver’s manufacturing and rail communities.
Work on expanded GO Transit service between Hamilton and the Niagara Region to begin in 2017
Ontario is planning to bring new weekday GO rail service between the future Confederation GO Station in Hamilton and the Niagara Region starting in 2021, with service to Niagara Falls by 2023.
CN names Cory COO; Houle as CFO
Luc Jobin, incoming president and chief executive officer of Canadian National has appointed Mike Cory as executive vice-president and chief operating officer and Ghislain Houle as executive vice-president and chief financial officer, effective July 1, 2016.
CTA’s Pink Line marks decade of service
After 10 years and 50 million rides, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) celebrated the 10th birthday of the Pink Line this week, which began service on June 25, 2006.
FWTA gets greenlight to start TEX Rail construction
The Federal Transit Administration has awarded a Letter of No Prejudice (LONP) to the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) for TEX Rail, which means that construction for the 27-mile commuter rail can break ground next month.
Koppers signs rail joint contracts with Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific
Koppers Inc. has signed long-term contracts with Norfolk Southern (three years) and Union Pacific (five years) for bonded rail joint assemblies.
SacRT GM/CEO Wiley to retire earlier than planned
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Mike Wiley plans to accelerate his retirement date from December 2016 up to August 1, 2016, when Henry Li takes over the position.
STB takes action against CSX to keep Elsdon Line crossings clear
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has ordered CSX to not allow a train to enter the Elsdon Line on the Chicago’s south side unless the line is clear. This ruling is effective immediately and is the result of legal action against CSX for repeatedly blocking grade crossings along the Elsdon railroad line in violation of federally imposed requirements.
Union Pacific plans tie replacement project in Montana
Union Pacific plans to invest $1.7 million in 2016 to improve its transportation infrastructure in Montana, which will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
Reading & Northern promotes three to VP positions
As reported by Railway Age, Reading and Northern Railroad has promoted three veteran employees to Vice President positions at the company.
St. Louis to study three potential MetroLink routes
In St. Louis, Mo., studies have been planned to evaluate three potential MetroLink routes in St. Louis County, pending approval by city council. The routes were identified in the region’s long-range transportation plan developed by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments based on public input.
R.J. Corman’s King to retire
After nearly four years of dedicated service to R.J. Corman Railroad Group, Craig King he retire from his position as president and chief executive officer and will be assuming a seat on the board of directors.
LACMTA adopts FY 2017 budget; releases DEIR for Airport Connector 96th Street Transit Station
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors approved a $5.66-billion budget for fiscal year 2017. The adopted budget represents over a two percent decrease from FY16 budget — even with the addition of new rail services, rising costs and new projects and programs.
Sound Transit sends light-rail expansion plan to November ballot
The Sound Transit Board has capped three and a half years of discussion and public input by unanimously voting to send voters a final Sound Transit 3 (ST3) ballot measure for consideration in November. The plan’s proposals include completion of a regional light-rail network as the area’s population grows an estimated 800,000 by 2040.
FRA’s preliminary report on Mosier derailment points to broken bolts as cause
A Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) preliminary report of the June 3 Union Pacific oil train derailment near Mosier, Ore., found broken lag bolts that led to gauge widening to be the cause of the accident.
Meridian Speedway to receive tie, crossing and rail work
Meridian Speedway, LLC (MSLLC), a joint venture between Kansas City Southern (KCS) and Norfolk Southern (NS) for a 320-mile rail line between Meridian, Miss. and Shreveport, La., will invest approximately $28 million in 2016 on construction and improvement projects on its Vicksburg and Meridian Subdivisions.
Additional GO Transit stations proposed for east Toronto
Ontario has proposed four new GO Train stations along the Stouffville and Lakeshore East GO Transit lines as part of Metrolinx’s Regional Express Rail (RER) program.