BLET, UP reach tentative agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen reached a tentative on-property contract agreement with Union Pacific.
Fry named curator of Barriger National Railroad Library
Nicholas Fry was named curator of the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, the sixth archivist/curator since the creation of the Barriger collections at the St. Louis Mercantile Library Association in the early 1980s.
KONE awarded escalator at Washington, D.C. Union Station
KONE has been chosen by Jones Lang LaSalle and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) to supply 18 new escalators in Washington, D.C.’s historic Union Station. The escalator modernization project was designed by Newmont Elevator Analysts, Inc. of Stone Ridge, N.Y.
FRA doles out $17 million for rail line relocation projects
Twelve cities and states will share $16.9 million to relocate, replace and improve segments of railroad track under the Federal Railroad Administration’s Rail Line Relocation and Improvement competitive grant program.
Amtrak, TxDOT to study new service possibility
Amtrak and the Texas Department of Transportation agreed on the scope of a feasibility study for new Amtrak service between the Bossier City -Shreveport area in Northwest Louisiana and along the Interstate 20 corridor to Dallas and Fort Worth.
UP’s Young to take medical leave of absence
Union Pacific’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer James Young will take a medical leave of absence from his responsibilities as president and CEO while he is being treated for recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer.
HART names Grabauskas executive director
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors selected Daniel Grabauskas as the agency’s CEO/executive director to oversee the Honolulu rail transit project.
NS names Sinquefield director railroad police; Shackelford retires
Mark Sinquefield has been named director police for Norfolk Southern, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., effective March 1. He succeeds Al Shackelford II, who retires after 39 years with Norfolk Southern.
CSX presents Partnershipping Award to Wheeling Regional Economic Development Partnership
CSX Transportation presented its Partnershipping Award to the Regional Economic Development Partnership in Wheeling, W. Va., in recognition of its efforts to locate three energy-related projects that will be served by CSX. The organization also supported state legislation providing incentives for energy companies investing in the state.
Caltrain celebrates renovations and improvements at two stations
San Francisco-area Caltrain and its partners celebrated the completion of a $61 million station improvement project that will allow it to offer more service now and in the future.
Chicago mass transit may get funding boost from proposed gas tax hike
Riders for Better Transit joined with transit riders and advocates from across the Chicago region to propose Transit Fast Forward (SB 3236), state legislation that the group says would improve Chicagoland transit service through increased investment and a dedicated source of funding that would grow over time.
Houston METRO ridership continues climb
Houton, Texas-area METRO’s ridership is on the rise for a sixth consecutive month, recording a 5.2 percent increase to 6,357,131 boardings in January 2012 compared to 6,043,280 in January 2011.
LaHood’s blog reiterates administration’s commitment to HSR
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reemphasized President Obama’s focus on high-speed rail in the United States in his blog, Fast Lane.
Iowa Pacific Holdings joins AAR
Iowa Pacific Holdings (IPH) has become the Association of American Railroads’ newest full member. Based in Chicago, IPH is a privately-held company that provides freight and passenger rail service in six states and the United Kingdom.
Washington approves crossing funds
Washington state regulators approved funds to improve the safety at a railroad crossing in Washougal, Wash.
NS names new VP Mechanical, elects new board member
Donald Graab has been named vice president mechanical for Norfolk Southern Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., effective March 1. He will be responsible for maintenance and repair of the railroad’s motive power and rolling stock. Graab succeeds Tim Heilig, who has retired after 41 years with Norfolk Southern.
GWI opens Australian bridge damaged in cyclone
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. reopened the Edith River Bridge in Australia’s Northern Territory following the December 27, 2011, derailment of a Genesee & Wyoming Australia Pty Ltd freight train in flood waters associated with Cyclone Grant.
Metrolink receives $3.7 million to enhance safety at busy crossing
The California Transportation Commission allocated $3.7 million to fund safety enhancements to one of Metrolink’s busiest crossings, the Broadway/Brazil crossing in Glendale, Calif.
UP named Logistics/Transportation Provider of the Year at American Metals Market Steel Tube and Pipe
Union Pacific was named Logistics/Transportation Provider of the Year at the 2012 American Metals Market (AMM) Steel Tube and Pipe Conference. This award recognizes a transportation or distribution company that best meets the needs of the tube and pipe industry. Union Pacific was recognized for its Pipeline Express Product.
Watco names Swan Ranch Railroad GM
Watco Transportation Services named Dave Ruggles as general manager for the Swan Ranch Railroad.