The T appoints Bob Baulsir TEX Rail VP
The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) appointed Bob Baulsir to vice president of TEX Rail and Procurement.
Haddad named EVP of the Northeast Maglev
The Northeast Maglev (TNEM) appointed Nazih Haddad to executive vice president, effective February 3. Haddad will manage the development of a high-speed rail system between Washington, D.C., and New York City, using Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV) technology.
CSX sets 2015 capital expenditures at $2.5 billion
CSX Corporation had a lot of good news for investors during this mornings Quarter 4 2014 earnings conference call including record fourth-quarter 2014 net earnings. The railroad also unveiled that it will target a $2.5-billion capital expenditure program in the upcoming year. In 2014, the railroad targeted a $2.3-billion capital spend program.
NS’ Seale to retire in March
Donald Seale, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Norfolk Southern Corp., plans to retire, effective March 1, 2015.
La Caisse enters agreement with Quebec government to focus on public transit system projects
La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has entered into an agreement with the Québec government establishing a business model for the execution of major infrastructure projects. The model updates the government’s business practices by entrusting la Caisse with the execution of infrastructure projects, which will speed up their delivery and strengthen Québec’s economic growth. For la Caisse, the deal represents an opportunity to grow Quebecers’ savings by developing and operating assets that will generate commercial returns.
Railway Age seeks Short Line/Regional Railroad of the Year
Railway Age is now accepting entries for its annual Short Line/Regional Railroad of the Year competition. Shortlines and regionals—and there are more than 500 of them—are invited to submit entries describing outstanding achievement in one or a combination of areas.
NTSB Most Wanted 2015: PTC implementation; improved tank car and mass transit safety
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says rail tank cars that carry crude oil, ethanol and other hazardous materials across the country must do it more safely, which is why it is one of four new issues on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List for 2015.
NJ Transit’s plan for $55-million Elizabeth Station restoration project
Transportation Commissioner and New Jersey Transit Board Chairman Jamie Fox and NJ Transit Executive Director Veronique Hakim unveiled the preliminary design plans for a $55-million restoration of Elizabeth Station.
House T&I vice chairman, subcommittee chairmen named
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) has made selections for the committee’s six subcommittee chairmen and the full committee vice chairman for the 114th Congress.
KCS PTC update: Data surveying and training underway
Kansas City Southern says it has begun training on Positive Train Control (PTC) track and wayside data management at the TEaM Training Center in Shreveport, La. Approximately 160 people were trained last week and another group will start this week.
Feinberg named Acting Administrator of FRA
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Chief of Staff Sarah Feinberg will serve as acting administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), succeeding Joseph Szabo who was appointed and confirmed as the agency’s twelfth Administrator in 2009. Szabo stepped down as the agency’s head Jan 9.
NCRR completes work on siding and bridge at Lenoir-Wayne County Line
Construction has been completed on a new passing siding and bridge on the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) corridor near the Lenoir-Wayne County line.
KCS leaders visit PCRC, expansion projects
In December 2014, several Kansas City Southern officers and Chairman of the Board of Directors Bob Druten traveled to Panama to visit the Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC) to see the railroad and review its maintenance and expansion projects.
BNSF adds director of tribal relations
BNSF‘s new director of tribal relations, Chris Howell, will focus on strengthening and reinforcing BNSF relationships with Native American tribes. That focus will include a lot of “windshield” time as Howell travels the system making connections with the 86 tribes that BNSF touches every day – and more than 150 within close driving range of the BNSF rail network.
Caltrain’s electrification project receives FEIR certification
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board today certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and approved the planned electrification of the Caltrain corridor between San Jose and San Francisco, Calif.
Gov. Malloy tours Meriden station; outlines long-term transportation infrastructure vision
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy on Jan. 8 toured the Meriden train station on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) rail corridor, which is the site of an ongoing transit-oriented development (TOD) project with a primary focus on stimulating the area within a half-mile of the proposed new Meriden Intermodal Center.
WMATA Board appoints Requa as interim general manager/CEO
Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) appointed Jack Requa as interim general manager and chief executive officer (CEO) and commended the service of General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles, who is retiring on January 16. Requa, who joined WAMTA in April 1998, is currently the assistant general manager for Bus Services.
NJ Transit expands Quiet Commute program to include Atlantic City Rail Line
New Jersey Transit is expanding its Quiet Commute program to trains on the Atlantic City Rail Line, operating between Philadelphia, Pa., and Atlantic City, N.J. The program goes into effect January 20 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays.
NS worked on 94 industrial development projects in 2014
Norfolk Southern assisted 94 industries in locating or expanding their businesses along its rail lines in 2014.
LEJAK and Associates Inc. acquires Alpha products
Alpha Products, Inc., a metal fabrication and stamping company based in Bedford Park, Ill., has completed its sale to a new ownership group led by John Marks of LEJAK & Associates.