TorQuest Partners invests in A&B Rail Services Ltd.
TorQuest Partners, in partnership with a group of co-investors, has acquired a majority interest in A&B Rail Services Ltd., a national railway services company based in Edmonton, AB, Canada.
FRA launches in-depth safety assessment of Metro-North
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) launched a 60-day safety assessment of Metro-North Railroad in response a December 1 derailment in the Bronx. Operation Deep Dive, beginning December 16, 2013, will exhaustively review Metro-North’s compliance with federal regulations, its procedures and practices and its safety culture.
Ice to take BNSF helm in January, Rose named executive chairman
BNSF promoted President and Chief Operating Officer Carl Ice to president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2014. Matthew Rose, chairman and chief executive officer, will assume the role of executive chairman.
TriMet GM launches outside review of light-rail maintenance needs
TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane has launched an outside review of the Portland, Ore., agency’s light-rail maintenance system, which includes MAX vehicles and trackway. In order to better address both an aging and an expanding rail system, McFarlane wants a more comprehensive look at maintenance needs and to set a course for continuous improvement in the years ahead.
MDOT/MTA receive six statements of qualification for Purple Line
Maryland Department of Transportation/Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT/MTA) received six private-sector responses to a Request for Qualifications to design, build, construct, finance, operate and maintain the Purple Line in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties under Maryland’s newly adopted Public-Private Partnership (P3) law.
FRA issues industry-wide safety advisory on speed restrictions
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued an industry-wide Safety Advisory to help ensure railroads adhere to federal regulations regarding maximum authorized train speed limits. The advisory contains four recommendations to ensure railroads comply with speed restrictions through appropriate operating policies, procedures and effective implementation.
RTD Board of Directors approves North Metro Rail Line contract
The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approved a $343-million contract award to Graham, Balfour Beatty, Hamon Constructors (GBBH) to design and build the North Metro Rail Line to 124th Avenue.
Gold Line Bridge received five engineering and construction awards in 2013
This year, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority was honored with five industry awards for the Gold Line Bridge, a 584-linear foot structure is says now serves as a gateway to the San Gabriel Valley.
NCDOT seeks applicants for grants to improve shortlines
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is accepting applications through January 18, 2014, for recipients of $2.5 million to $3 million available in state grants through the Shortline Industrial Access Program (SIAP).
Metrolink’s Perris Valley Line extension receives federal money
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will dole out $75 million in federal grant funds to extend the Metrolink 91 passenger rail line from Riverside to Perris, Calif.
MTA set to greet Old Man Winter
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT), Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and MTA Bridges and Tunnels are once again preparing for the arrival of winter weather.
CN’s rehabbed Barron Sub lands another frac sand producer
Canadian National will start serving a new frac sand producer on its Wisconsin rail network this month.
Educating the future of railway engineering
Railroad engineering education programs, both established and new, are offering a variety of courses and training opportunities for the young and growing workforce.
Seattle digs deep for light rail
Three machines the length of a football field tunnel a three-mile extension for Sound Transit’s light-rail system.
Strong and helpful hand-held tools
Notable jobs sometimes require the smallest of tools. Suppliers are offering up big improvements for these hand-held devices in 2013.
Metro-North answers state and federal directive with immediate safety improvements
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad is making immediate improvements to reinforce safety at critical curves and movable bridges along the railroad’s right-of-way. These improvements were directed by New York Gov.Andrew Cuomo in a letter to the MTA and by an emergency order from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Sens. Schumer and Blumenthal want cameras inside and outside of cabs
U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to immediately begin requiring critical safety monitoring systems that consist of inward and outward facing cameras in locomotives and operating railway cabs following the December 1 Metro-North derailment.
Sen. Schumer calls for 2017 shortline tax credit extension
At Pactiv, a food packaging manufacturing company in Canandaigua, N.Y., U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) joined Finger Lakes Railway President Mike Smith and Pactiv Plant Manager Rod Kucera to launch his push for the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2013, which extends the tax credit to shortline freight railroads.
CTA to make largest Blue Line investment in 30 years
The Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) will overhaul its Blue Line O’Hare Branch, which will provide faster travel times and updated stations while creating more than 1,300 jobs.
UTA readies S-Line for official opening
The first segment of the Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) Sugar House Streetcar line (S-Line) will open December 8. The UTA says new service connects thousands of area residents with local employers, shops and area attractions while spurring millions of dollars in residential and retail development along the route.