CN to build two training facilities in Canada and U.S.
Canadian National revitalized its company-wide employee training program, which will be anchored by two modern training centers to be built in Winnipeg, MB, Canada, and in suburban Chicago, Ill.
FEMA will reimburse MTA for storm damage along Port Jervis line
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse $1,581,244 in disaster funding to New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority for damages mainly along the Metro-North Port Jervis line that runs parallel to the Ramapo River.
Rail-delivered sand will move faster through upgraded terminal
Norfolk Southern trains hauling sand used in extracting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation soon will have the ability to unload five times faster due to a $20 million upgrade at the Horseheads (N.Y.) Sand & Transloading Terminal (HOST).
Metro-North celebrates complete reconstruction of the Tarrytown Station
The reconstruction of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Metro-North Tarrytown Station, the second busiest station on the Hudson Line, has been completed under budget, on schedule after three years of work and with no impact on train performance.
Union Pacific names Duren executive vice president
Union Pacific named Diane Duren executive vice president. She will be responsible for strategic planning, administration and human resources upon two senior executive retirements in February. Duren also will become corporate secretary at that time.
AECOM awarded design contract to expand North Metro Rail Line in Denver
AECOM Technology Corporation was awarded a final design contract to assist the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) in the first two segments of its North Metro Rail Line.
RailComm to expand remote control derail system at BNSF Amarillo
RailComm has been selected to provide a wireless remote control derail system at BNSF’s Amarillo yard for the roundhouse engine tracks.
This system will provide wireless remote control for derail locations outside the roundhouse. The derail machines will be outfitted with blue strobe lights that will be activated whenever a derail is in place. RailComm’s Domain Operations Controller (DOC) System will reside in the roundhouse office and will provide the operator with a user interface to remotely control the field devices. All derail operation will be logged, along with the user, date and time.
RailComm’s 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum RADiANT data radios will be used to establish wireless communications networks to link the derail and office locations.
CTC to release $39.8 million to advance Caltrain modernization project
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) released $39.8 million in allocations for critical work to advance the San Francisco-area Caltrain Modernization Program and prepare the corridor for a future blended system with California high-speed rail.
DEIR affirms benefits of proposed BNSF rail facility in Southern California
The updated Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) released by the Port of Los Angeles affirms that BNSF’s proposed Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) facility will result in an overall improvement in air quality, health risk and traffic in both the immediate neighborhoods around the site and throughout the region.
Sound Transit awards light-rail extension contract, begins 2013 budget process
Seattle’s Sound Transit Board approved a contract with PCL Civil Constructors, Inc., to design and build the elevated station and guideway for the light-rail extension from Sea-Tac Airport to South 200th Street.
Greenfield, Ohio receives EDA grant for rail spur
The Village of Greenfield, Ohio, received a $2.2-million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for improvements to a rail line in Highland County. The project is expected to create 72 jobs and save more than 800 at local companies.
Colo Railroad Builders’ Texas Division hits safety milestone
Colo Railroad Builders’ Texas Division has worked 1,000 days injury free.
Charlotte receives federal funds for LYNX Blue Line project
Charlotte, N.C., has received $18 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand the LYNX Blue Line.
SCVTA to begin grade separation, bridge replacement and other safety enhancements
On Friday, September 28, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in California will break ground on the Mission/Warren Area Improvements Project (MW Project).
Rehabbed CTA Thorndale Red Line Station to open
On September 28, Chicago Transit Authority will reopen the doors of a cleaner, brighter and renewed Thorndale Red Line station to customers and the Edgewater community.
New DART budget sets groundwork for expanded rail operations
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors approved a $1.07 billion budget for fiscal year 2013 that supports expanded Orange and Blue Lines, as well as the continued construction towards a direct rail connection to DFW Airport in 2014.
UP makes operating department changes
Union Pacific made operating department changes, which will be effective October 1.
Projected TEX Rail ridership higher in annual update to FTA
New projections show that in Texas, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority’s TEX Rail will reach an average daily ridership of 18,100 by 2035, up 1,500 since the T’s commuter rail project was approved to enter preliminary engineering by the Federal Transit Administration in March, 2012.
ARRC washout repair going better than expected
Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) track repair crews have made better-than-expected progress in repairing a major washout that has left 500 feet of the mainline track dangling just south of Gold Creek (ARRC Milepost 261, about 35 miles north of Talkeetna).
Amtrak testing higher speeds along NEC
Beginning September 24 and continuing into next week, Amtrak plans to operate high-speed test trains at 165 mph in four areas covering more than 100 miles of the Northeast Corridor.