BLET restructures Safety Task Force
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division has restructured its Safety Task Force (STF).
Gov. Hogan: Purple Line a go, Red Line gets a no
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan gave the go ahead on a “more cost-effective and streamlined” version of the proposed Purple Line, but said the Red Line project would not proceed.
Contract awarded to design, build and maintain MTA police radio system
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved a 20-year, $70.7-million contract to the Harris Corporation of Rochester for the design, construction and maintenance of an enhanced radio system for the MTA Police Department.
SCVTA using Tire Derived Aggregate as vibration reducing material
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) says it makes every effort to be a good neighbor and steward of the earth.
FRA prepared to levy penalties for non-PTC compliance
Positive Train Control (PTC) was again in the spotlight this week, as the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials held a hearing June 24 on “The State of Positive Train Control in the United States.”
Metrolink has PTC in Revenue Service Demonstration across network
Metrolink says Positive Train Control (PTC) is in Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD) across its entire 341-mile network earlier this month, making it the first railroad in the nation to have PTC running during regular service on all of its hosted lines.
R. J. Corman plans purchase, rehab of Carolina Southern
R. J. Corman Railroad Company has signed an agreement to purchase Carolina Southern Railroad, an 80-mile shortline railroad in eastern North and South Carolina, for $13.9 million.
Sound Transit completes first phase of University Link testing
Sound Transit contractors have completed initial work to integrate and test University Link light-rail signal and power systems as part of the push to open the extension in early 2016.
Siemens-sponsored study shows commuter projects have paid off for Salt Lake City region
A public transportation technology partnership between Salt Lake City and Siemens has resulted in 1,300 new jobs that have spurred an estimated $225 million in value to the local economy, according to a Siemens-sponsored study conducted by the Economic Development Research Group.
Oldcastle Precast, Stacy & Witbeck partner on vibration dampening light-rail
Oldcastle Precast collaborated with Stacy & Witbeck and Sound Transit in the engineering and manufacture of a 450-foot long prototype section of precast concrete “floating” rail.
EPW Committee hopes to DRIVE surface transportation bill through Senate
The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee introduced a six-year, $278-billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal on June 23, S.1647, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act.
BNSF helps fund congestion relief study for Washington town
BNSF plans to contribute $50,000 to help study potential solutions to ease congestion at railroad crossings along the Edmonds waterfront in the state of Washington.
MTA marks centennial anniversary of Fourth Avenue Line
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) marked the centennial anniversary of the Fourth Avenue Line, which the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company (eventually the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation or BMT) originally opened on June 22, 1915, to shuttle riders between Manhattan and Coney Island.
Gannett Fleming names Edraki VP of Canadian operations
Alireza Edraki, PEng, PMP, has joined Gannett Fleming as a vice president of Canadian operations for Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems.
APTA recognizes winners of Rail Rodeo, safety and security awards
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) named the winners of its annual Rail Safety & Security Excellence Awards, as well as the Rail Transit Team Achievement Award during its annual Rail Conference taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Gov. Baker pledges funding for Springfield Union Station redevelopment
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito have committed the remaining funds necessary to reach the total goal required to complete the redevelopment of Union Station in Springfield, Mass.
LRIW sets annual conference agenda as part of Railway Interchange 2015
The League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW) released the agenda for its annual conference, which will be held in conjunction with Railway Interchange 2015, taking place October 4-7 in Minneapolis, Minn.
Blitzes, new machinery help KCS crews focus on safety
Kansas City Southern (KCS) says transportation and safety teams from Kansas City Southern de Mexico (KCSM) and KCS met in Laredo, Texas, for a safety blitz, which covered observation and testing of safety behaviors, such as slip trip and fall prevention and switching techniques; star rules for vehicles, equipment and tools inspections; securing equipment and air brake testing and General Code of Operating Rules, such as shove movements and safe and efficient switching.
SEPTA begins monthly PTC update as deadline approaches
With the Congressionally-mandated December 31, 2015, deadline for many freight lines and all intercity and commuter rail systems to install, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has been working continuously over the past seven years to build and install a Positive Train Control (PTC) system across its regional rail network.
RailWorks executive Brace retires
Scott Brace, who has served as president of RailWorks Track Systems, Inc., for the past five years, has retired.