Caltrain on its way to an electrified system
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which owns and operates the San Fransisco Bay area’s Caltrain, unanimously approved a regional agreement to fully fund the electrification of the railroad.
LACMTA launches transit navigation system smart phone app
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority released a new mobile “Go Metro Los Angeles” smartphone app that will make it easier for the public to navigate L.A. County’s extensive and growing bus and rail system utilizing their mobile devices.
FRA strengthens PTC team with Hartong
The Federal Railroad Administration strengthened its positive train control team by naming Mark Hartong senior scientific technical adviser for railroad electronic systems within the FRA’s Office of Safety.
Modjeski and Masters names David Petermeier to vice president
Modjeski and Masters, a bridge engineering firm, has named David Petermeier, PE, SE vice president. In this role, Petermeier will help guide strategy for Modjeski and Masters, while continuing to oversee operations throughout the Mid-America region.
Metrolink proposes potential fare increase
Southern California’s Metrolink Board of Directors us initiating a public outreach process for a potential system-wide fare increase to help close an existing $13 million funding gap for Fiscal Year 12-13 budget and Metrolink’s proposed Title VI Service Delivery Policy. The public will be asked to give feedback regarding an average system-wide fare increase between five and nine percent to go into effect on or after July 1, 2012.
Caltrain to review preliminary operating budget
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, the agency that owns and operates Caltrain, will consider a preliminary operating budget at its board meeting on May 3 that will be balanced using one-time funds for the fourth consecutive year.
NRC’s annual auction a success
The NRC’s Annual Railroad Construction and Maintenance Equipment Auction was held on Thursday, April 26 at the RailWorks/E&L Paving and Construction facility in La Porte, Ind. The auction was a success with nearly $500,000 of equipment auctioned to on-site and online bidders.
BNSF plans $202 million capital program in Nebraska
BNSF plans to invest an estimated $202 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement and expansion projects in Nebraska this year.
Southern California Triple Track Project breaks ground
Caltrans, BNSF and Amtrak broke ground on a $38 million rail project that will add 3.8 additional miles of track to the Los Angeles area, increasing efficiency and rail capacity.
NS breaks ground on Charlotte Regional Intermodal Facility
Norfolk Southern broke ground on the Charlotte Regional Intermodal Facility at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The facility, which will transfer trailers and containers between trucks and trains, will be capable of 200,000 lifts per year and will replace Norfolk Southern’s existing intermodal facility in downtown Charlotte.
DART names new deputy executive director, executive vice presidents and vice president
Dallas Area Rapid Transit named Jesse Oliver as deputy executive director and Carol Wise as executive vice president, chief operating officer. DART Senior Vice Presidents David Leininger and Timothy McKay were promoted to executive vice president.
RMI selected as top logistics technology company by Inbound Logistics
RMI, a GE Transportation company and provider of transportation management software and analytics to the railroad industry, has been selected as a 2012 Top 100 Logistics Technology Company by Inbound Logistics magazine for the seventh consecutive year.
Gannett Fleming promotes Hricak to chief marketing officer
Judy Hricak, CPSM, vice president, was promoted to chief marketing officer of Gannett Fleming. Hricak is the first Gannett Fleming employee to hold this title, reflecting her efforts to develop and maintain a corporate marketing strategy that consistently and effectively promotes Gannett Fleming on a national and international basis.
KCSR receives Responsible Care Partner Award
Kansas City Southern’s subsidiary, The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, received the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care Partner Award on April 30 at the 21st annual Responsible Care Conference and Expo in Hollywood, Fla.
RailAmerica acquires Marquette Rail
Jacksonville, Fla.-based RailAmerica, Inc., has officially completed its acquisition of Marquette Rail LLC for approximately $40 million. Marquette Rail is based in Ludington, Mich.
LACMTA’s Expo Line officially open for business
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Expo light-rail line officially opened to the public on April 28.
CTA adds 145th rail station to the
The Chicago Transit Authority along with the Village of Skokie opened the Oakton Station, the first new ‘L’ station to open in 18 years.
“This joint effort resulted in a state-of-the art station and an additional, accessible station option for the expanding business and transportation needs of Skokie residents,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool.
GWI leases southeast Alabama line from NS
Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s newly-formed subsidiary, the Columbus & Chattahoochee Railroad, Inc., signed an agreement with Norfolk Southern to lease and operate a 26-mile segment of NS track that runs from Girard, Ala., to Mahrt, Ala. The CCR will interchange with NS in Columbus, Ga., where GWI’s Georgia Southwestern Railroad also has operations.
Patriot Rail to provide rail service at Kingman Arizona Industrial Park
Patriot Rail Corp. newly-formed rail subsidiary, Kingman Terminal Railroad has been awarded a long-term license agreement to provide rail operating services to customers at the Kingman Airport & Industrial Park, located in Mohave County, Ariz.
Koppers signs five-year contract extension with UP
Koppers Inc. and Union Pacific agreed to extend their existing sales contract for an additional five years through January 31, 2017. Koppers provides treated railroad crossties and other railroad-related products and services to Union Pacific.