Progress Rail acquires Coast to Coast Signal Engineering

Progress Rail Services has acquired Coast to Coast Signal Engineering, Inc., based in Omaha, Neb. The acquisition marks the third of its kind this year for Progress Rail.

Coast to Coast Signal Engineering is a full-service signal engineering business serving Class 1 railroads, shortline railroads and other signal engineering firms. Through its acquisition of Coast to Coast, Progress Rail will once again complement the company’s existing Signal Division, allowing even broader service coverage for signal customers.

"Progress Rail continues to invest in the signal sector to better meet our customers’ growing needs for the latest in signal design and manufacturing. This year alone, we have taken aggressive steps to broaden our signal operations through the acquisition of Coast to Coast, C&S Signaling and earlier this year, the acquisition of GE’s Inspection Products business," said Dave Roeder, senior vice president of Engineering and Track Services at Progress Rail.

As the latest addition to the Signal Division, Coast to Coast’s signal design expertise will allow Progress Rail to focus on increased signal engineering capacity and coordinate customer-focused efforts through Progress Rail’s existing Hudson, Wisconsin, signal engineering facility.

The company will operate under Progress Rail’s Signal Division, as part of the Engineering and Track Services group. The Signal Division currently includes facilities dedicated to signal manufacturing, installation and maintenance, engineering and software programming and Progress Rail’s Inspection and Information Systems group. Coast to Coast’s headquarters will remain in Omaha in addition to another facility that will remain operational in Jacksonville, Fla.

West Rail Relocation Project begins in Brownsville, Texas

At the sound of Union Pacific Engine No. 5936 firing up, officials from both sides of the border broke ground December 17 on the West Rail Relocation Project at the Olmito Switchyard in Brownsville, Tex., The Brownsville Herald reports. Ten years in the planning, the West Rail project will relocate the international railroad bridge from the downtown areas of Brownsville and Matamoros to less populated areas of both cities. The new bridge will enter the U.S. about a half-mile west of the River Bend Resort area.

The project is a collaboration with Cameron County, the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, the city of Brownsville and Union Pacific.
Officials said it has been at least 100 years since a new railroad bridge was built between the United States and Mexico.

The $35-million bi-national project is expected to take 15 months to complete, with the new bridge in operation by the summer of 2012.

Juan José Erazo García Cano, secretary of communications and transportation for Mexico, said the project has been supported by Mexican President Felipe Calderón.

"This project is historic and symbolic for President Calderón," he said.
The new railroad bridge is expected to make it easier for trains to cross at all hours, and should eliminate the three- to six-hour delays during peak travel times in the morning and evening when trains have not been allowed to cross, officials said.

Joe Adams, vice president for Union Pacific Railroad, noted that there are many proposals such as this but few gain approval. He said rail traffic between Mexico and the United States is bringing in revenues of about $1.5 billion year.

Mario Jorge, district engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation Pharr District, said the West Rail Relocation Project was the result of officials listening to residents who wanted the train traffic moved out of the city. Officials first had proposed building an overpass over the railway, but Brownsville residents were opposed to the idea, he said.

"We listened to the community," Jorge said. "They did not want that overpass. They wanted the railroad out. This project provides more benefits than a single overpass."

Chicago-area Metra gives update on Emissions Task Force

Metra’s Emissions Task Force, formed by the rail agency to investigate the level of diesel emissions on trains and downtown platforms and to identify ways to improve air quality, has taken several steps since it was formed last month in response to a Chicago Tribune story.

Metra staff updated the Board of Directors about the task force’s work at the December 17 board meeting. The task force is composed of Metra officials and representatives of its unions, its freight railroad partners, Amtrak, federal and state regulatory agencies and other interested parties.

Metra has already hired an independent testing firm, Carnow, Conibear & Associates, to conduct a full round of tests on Metra trains and downtown stations. The first phase of that work, which covered testing of the air on railcars, was completed in mid-December and the data is now being analyzed. Testing of station platforms and engineer locomotive cabs, cabs cars and shops will be done in the next phases starting in January.

The railcar tests were performed on the two cars closest to the locomotive and the rear car of each train. Tests were conducted on multiple trips on multiple trains. The industrial hygienist used a variety of instruments to test for total particulates, fine particulates, carbon, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and other diesel exhaust components. Since Metra has a variety of different locomotives, each required to meet a different EPA emissions standard depending on their age or date of rebuilding; the tests were done for each variety.

It is important to note that Metra currently meets all EPA standards that have been established for rail engines. In terms of diesel exhaust exposure, Metra has performed similar studies for diesel exhaust components other than carbon soot and found that it is below OSHA permissible exposure limits for occupational standards.

While the testing was being conducted, the task force was subdivided into six working groups responsible for different areas. Each of those subgroups has met to begin outlining a strategy for addressing the issue:

• The Emissions Level Testing Group is responsible for establishing testing plans and reviewing testing results. The group determined that there are no regulatory exposure standards for carbon soot for Metra’s riders. The group will work to come up with a recommendation based on studies or guidelines.

• The Locomotive Group is responsible for reviewing locomotive engine options. That group will explore exhaust after treatment options, engine changes to turbochargers and possible injectors.

• The Car Group is responsible for reviewing the ventilation systems on cars. The group will explore filters, air intakes on cars, car pressurization and ventilation design of older cars for future changes during rehabilitation.

• The Ventilation Group is responsible for reviewing ventilation issues and procedures in the buildings that house downtown stations and buildings that have been built over tracks leading to the stations. That group is working with Amtrak, the owner of Union Station, to discuss contracts and agreements with building owners. Metra has already told its crews to shut down power and use standby power as much as possible when in the station.

• The Fuel Group is responsible for reviewing fuel and fuel additive options. Metra will switch to using Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel only on April 1, the earliest date that current fuel contracts will allow. Metra now uses some Low Sulfur Fuel and some Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel. The group discussed fuel additives and determined they are not currently a viable option.

The Funding Group will seek to identify funding options once Metra’s needs are determined. A large capital investment will be required. Only a small amount of funds are now available, which the group will pursue.

Highway ramp closing to make way for MARC parking lot

The Maryland Transit Administration said that starting December 20, 2010 at 9 a.m., the eastbound ramp to U.S. 40 at Smallwood Street would be closed to allow continued demolition of a section of the infamous "Highway to Nowhere." Traffic will be diverted to Mulberry Street for the duration of the project, which is expected to be complete by June 2011.

The highway section includes an abandoned bridge abutment, which is being removed to allow expansion of the parking lot for the West Baltimore MARC Station. The project has been under way since September, but work has so far been limited to the north side closer to Franklin Street. As work shifts to the south side, trucks will be staged in the roadway.

The ramp will reopen once demolition work is complete. Access to the MARC station parking lots and bus service in the area will be maintained. Signs will alert drivers and pedestrians to the changing traffic patterns.

Demolition of the "Highway to Nowhere" will reunite the communities of West Baltimore that have been physically separated since the highway’s construction in the early 1970s. The project will also make way for expanded parking at the West Baltimore MARC Station and pedestrian-friendly features such as landscaping and ornamental fencing coordinated with the City of Baltimore’s Pulaski Street streetscape project.

Gannett Fleming celebrates 95th anniversary

Gannett Fleming, an international planning, design and construction management firm, celebrates its 95th anniversary in 2010. Founded on Aug. 1, 1915, the firm has grown from a two-person office in Harrisburg, Pa., that specialized in water resources to an international, ISO 9001:2008 Certified company with more than 2,100 professionals.

The firm’s planners, engineers, designers, information technology specialists, program managers, construction managers and other professionals furnish professional services from more than 60 offices worldwide. During the past 95 years, the firm has completed projects in every U.S. state and more than 50 countries.

One of Gannett Fleming’s key contributions has been the design of many transit systems constructed in the U.S., including the Lindenwold Line in New Jersey, the Detroit People Mover in Michigan and the Market Street Elevated line for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Throughout the firm’s history, it has worked with the majority of transit agencies and freight rail companies in the U.S. to plan, design and build a variety of systems that help move people and goods.

Today, the firm’s Transit & Rail Practice is working on projects such as the PHXTM Sky Train project in Ariz., the Greater Richmond Transit Company bus operations and maintenance facility in Richmond, Va., the Pittsburgh North Shore Connector project in Pittsburgh, Pa., the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Rowlett Extension project in Dallas, Tex., the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter rail line extension in N.M. and new assignments implementing positive train control for several clients. In addition, the firm is positioned to further enhance the nation’s mobility with the integration of high-speed rail systems throughout the country.

Caltrain construction, maintenance update, Dec. 18 – 24

In the Bay Area, work on the San Bruno Grade Separation Project is under way. Work will take place Monday, December 20 through Thursday, December 23 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. This work includes continuation of the storm pipe installation along 1st Avenue, grading adjacent to the tracks between South Linden Avenue and Scott Street, drainage improvements near the I-380 overpass and preparation work for the construction of the future temporary station.

The $147-million project will elevate the Caltrain tracks above three existing at-grade street crossings at San Bruno, San Mateo and Angus avenues. A new, elevated Caltrain station will be constructed between San Bruno and San Mateo avenues, replacing the existing station at Sylvan Avenue.

Work will continue on the new pedestrian underpass at the Santa Clara station. The underpass will connect the north and southbound platforms, allowing two trains to pass through the station at the same time and improving safety for pedestrians in the station. The current temporary platform will be in use until approximately March 2011.

The work is part of an 18-month station improvement project that will add a new wider, longer center-boarding platform and extend the southern platform 150 feet.

Construction on a VTA project that will improve safety at eight grade crossings in Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Palo Alto continues. December 19-23, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 4 a.m., crews will work at the Rengstorff Avenue crossing in Mountain View and the Charleston Avenue crossing in Palo Alto.

December 20-23, crews will replace switch timbers in the San Francisco train yard while other crews will resurface the tracks between the Bayshore and South San Francisco stations and replace rail in the South San Francisco train yard and will weld, resurface the tracks and replace crossties between the Lawrence and Santa Clara stations.

December 18-19, crews tested radio communications and performed maintenance on switches near the San Jose Diridon station.

Watco Companies acquires Greens Port Industrial Park in Houston






Watco Companies has successfully acquired the
remaining interest in Greens Port Industrial Park (GPIP) located on the Houston
ship channel in Houston, Texas. Watco has owned a minority interest in the
property since 2004, when GPIP was originally acquired from AK Steel. Watco
acquired the General Partnership interest of GPIP from Charles Iupe, a Houston
based real estate developer who has been involved since 2004, along with all
other limited partnership interests.

Federal Signal names Midwest regional sales manager






Federal Signal’s
Environmental Solutions Group appointed Randy Dickens as the new sales manager
for the Midwest region of the United States for the group’s direct sales
channel, operating out of Seneca, Ill. In this new role, Dickens will be
responsible for managing and overseeing the growth of new unit sales for the Guzzler, Vactor HXX and Jetstream brands in the industrial, utility and construction
market segments in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

 

 

Winners of the Safe Railroad Contractor of the Year announced

The results of the 2010 NRC/RT&S/Commercial Insurance Associates Safe Railroad Contractor of the Year Awards have been announced. This year featured near record participation in the contest, with 45 total railroad contracting companies preparing entries.

Every one of these companies should be commended for their extensive efforts to promote and improve safety in the railroad contracting industry, and for subjecting their full safety program and range of practices to an extensive outside review. These companies represent the very best of the NRC and the entire railroad construction and maintenance industry.

The competition is getting tougher every year, and the judges have once again reported that the overall quality of submissions is rising. This reflects very well on the participating contractors, and speaks to the fact that the railroad contracting industry is safe and getting safer.

Special congratulations to the four category winners:

– Fritz-Rumer-Cooke Company of Columbus, Ohio – Ben Swope, Safety Officer.
– Mass Electric Construction Company of La Verne, California – Richard Guerrero, Safety Officer.
– SLC Commuter Rail Constructors (a JV of Stacy & Witbeck and Herzog Contracting Corp) of Salt Lake City, Utah – Bill Olsen, Safety Manager.
– PNR RailWorks of St. Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada – Helen Aherne, Corporate, Health & Safety Manager.

Full Results:

Category I (under 35 employees) – Winner: Fritz-Rumer-Cooke Company

Gold: Amtrac of Ohio
Gold: Coleman Industrial Construction
Gold: Sharp & Fellows
Gold: US Trackworks LLC

Silver: American Rail Marketing
Silver: CR Construction Company
Silver: Railroad Construction Company of S. Jersey

Category II (36-100 employees) – Winner: Mass Electric Construction Company

Gold: Balfour Beatty Rail – Gillette Division
Gold: Delta Railroad Construction
Gold: Georgetown Rail Equipment Co.
Gold: Herzog Services

Silver: Clayton Railroad Construction

Bronze: Armond Cassil Railroad Construction
Bronze: Colo Railroad Builders
Bronze: Midwest Mole
Bronze: Railroad Constructors, Inc.
Bronze: Swanson Contracting Company
Bronze: West Rail Construction Company

Category III (101-300 employees) – Winner: SLC Commuter Rail Constructors-Stacy & Witbeck/Herzog JV

Gold: J-Track LLC
Gold: Lone Star Railroad Contractors
Gold: RailWorks Track Services
Gold: Stacy and Witbeck
Gold: Stacy and Witbeck/Kiewit Western JV

Silver: Hamilton Construction Company
Silver: Railroad Construction Company
Silver: Railroad Controls Limited
Silver: Tranco Industrial Services

Bronze: All Railroad Services Corp.
Bronze: Atlas Railroad Construction

Category IV (301+ employees) – Winner: PNR RailWorks

Gold: Flatiron Construction Corporation
Gold: Herzog Contracting Corp.
Gold: Kiewit/Herzog/Parsons JV
Gold: Loram Maintenance of Way
Gold: RailWorks Track Systems

Silver: Kiewit Infrastructure West
Silver: Kiewit/Stacy and Witbeck/Reyes/Parsons JV

Bronze: Balfour Beatty Rail
Bronze: Holland LP

Certificates of Commendation:
ASTA Construction, Railway Equipment Services, SoPac Rail

$98-million grant signing on National Gateway Freight Rail Project


Work can now begin on improvements that will allow double-stacked trains to move freely from Northwest Ohio through Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland thanks to an agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Ohio Rail Development Commission, U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. The National Gateway Freight Rail Project received $98 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will help complete the first corridor project.

"This Recovery Act money will help move goods more efficiently among the four states and strengthen the economy up and down the east coast," said Secretary LaHood. "Moving more goods by rail means less congestion on our highways and reduced fuel emissions."

The National Gateway Initiative will allow trains to carry double-stacked containers, which will increase freight capacity and make the corridors a cost-effective option for major ports and shippers. This new project will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel usage, shorten transport times and expand access to rail services.

"This new initiative will give businesses a more competitive edge by giving them additional options for moving goods between the Midwest and our nation’s ports along the east coast," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.

The grant is part of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant program included in ARRA to promote innovative, multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects that provide significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, region or the nation.

 

Sound Transit Board adopts 2011 budget, sets path for major expansion

The Seattle-area’s Sound Transit Board of Directors adopted a 2011 budget that continues the momentum on major projects under way and sets a long-term path for delivering the bulk of Sound Transit 2 expansions approved by voters in 2008. The Board will continually evaluate options for completing the voter-approved ST2 system in the wake of agency revenue impacts from the continuing national recession.

"The budget we’re adopting today and the path forward for dealing with the recession will deliver what the voters asked for in 2008 – connecting regional jobs and housing with reliable transit options," said Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.

Sound Transit revenues expected through 2023 are $3.9 billion, or 25 percent, lower than forecasted in 2008 when voters approved the ST2 expansion plan. The ST2 plan included flexible provisions for delivering the projects during economic downturns including reducing the scope or delaying projects.

The adopted budget and long-term priorities emphasize:
• Achieving the voter intent of the ST2 plan to connect regional employment and housing centers.
• Continuing momentum on projects under way or near completion.
• Maintaining existing services and assets.

The ST2 plan included 36 miles of light rail expansions north to Lynnwood, Wash., east to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Overlake, Wash. and south to Federal Way, Wash., with the last of the expansions running by the 2023. The agency has cut project reserves, expanded some construction timelines and eliminated discretionary programs.

The new budget and long-terms plans include:
• Opening light rail from UW to Northgate by 2021.
• Opening light rail from Northgate to Lynnwood by 2023.
• Opening light rail between Seattle and Overlake by 2021.
• Working with the City of Seattle to open the First Hill Streetcar in Seattle by late 2013.
• Continuing studies to open light rail from SeaTac to South 200th Street earlier than planned – by 2016 and moving forward with High Capacity Transit studies from South 200th Street to South 272nd Street.
• Studying better access options to mass transit in South King and Pierce counties.

The Board will continually monitor agency revenues and could adjust timelines as and projects move through environmental studies and final design updates.

 

Work begins on MBTA Wonderland Station with $20-million grant

Work can begin on improvements to the Wonderland Station transit facility in Revere, Mass., thanks to an agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

The project received a $20-million TIGER grant that will revitalize the area surrounding the Wonderland Station and make it safer and easier for visitors using the station to walk or bike to the popular Wonderland beach nearby.

"This TIGER project will go a long way to enhance Revere Beach Reservation, a treasured asset, while also creating good local jobs," said Secretary LaHood. "Adding bike and safe pedestrian access to the beach from the transit station makes sense for the millions of summer beachgoers and other visitors to the area."

Wonderland Station serves the 26 communities of Boston’s North Shore and Revere’s historic beachfront. The project includes construction of an upper plaza over the station’s rail terminal that provides access to trains, a new busway and a 1,418-space parking garage; a central plaza that connects to an elevated pedestrian bridge; a crossing at Revere Beach Boulevard leading directly to the beach; and an ocean-front park landscaped with native trees and ground cover. Construction is scheduled to begin in late spring and be completed by June 2012.

"As with other TIGER and Recovery Act projects across the Commonwealth and the nation, we are creating needed jobs now on projects that will improve our quality of life for generations to come," said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. "Modernizing and reconfiguring the Wonderland Station will be a serious boost for the North Shore."

In addition to serving those who come from all over the world to visit the historic beach, the Wonderland Station – at the end of the MBTA’s Blue Line – also provides residents of Boston’s North Shore with direct access to Logan Airport, Boston Harbor, and Government Center.

 

Speaker Pelosi applauds $6 million for Central Subway in San Francisco

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) issued the following statement about the Department of Transportation awarding $6 million to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for the Central Subway/Third Street Light Rail project. Speaker Pelosi obtained the funds as part of the fiscal year 2010 appropriations process.

"For the thousands of San Franciscans who squeeze aboard the 30 Stockton bus each day, today’s announcement signals that we are one step closer to relieving congestion in one of our nation’s most-crowded urban corridors. By increasing transportation options between the vibrant heart of Chinatown and the economic engine of downtown, the Central Subway project will promote commerce, improve mobility and reduce air pollution for all of San Francisco.

"Over the last eight years, I have fought successfully to bring almost $100 million in federal funding to this project that makes San Francisco a transit-first model for the nation. Democrats in Congress will continue our urgent work to invest in our nation’s infrastructure, create jobs and spur economic development."

L.B. Foster completes tender offer for Portec Rail Products

L.B. Foster Company said that the United States District Court for the District of Columbia signed the Hold Separate Stipulation and Order and that L.B. Foster’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary, Foster Thomas Company, has completed its cash tender offer for Portec Rail Products, Inc.

The tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Portec expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 15, 2010. As of that time, the depositary for the offer advised that approximately 7.63 million shares, representing approximately 79.46 percent of Portec Rail’s outstanding shares, were validly tendered and not withdrawn in the offer. Foster Thomas Company has accepted for payment all validly tendered shares.

Foster Thomas Company is providing a subsequent offering period, which will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 21, 2010, unless the subsequent offering period is further extended. During this subsequent offering period, Portec Rail stockholders who did not previously tender their shares of common stock in the offer may do so and will promptly receive the same $11.80 per share as was paid during the initial offering period.

Houston METRO rail expansion receives $50 million

The Federal Transit Administration notified Congress of its intent to grant the Houston METRO $50 million for project development work on the North and Southeast light rail lines. The funds will come from the fiscal 2010 federal budget and are expected to be made available to METRO by December 17.

The release of the funds is significant. The NEW METRO has been working closely and cooperatively with the FTA since last September, when the FTA concluded that the prior administration had not followed appropriate procurement policies and procedures in entering into a contract to buy 103 rail vehicles from CAF USA.

METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia said "The NEW METRO understands that the FTA is our partner, and so we adopted a more proactive, cooperative approach in working with them. The release of $50 million is a clear sign we’re moving in the right direction. We especially want to thank our Congressional delegation for all their hard work in making this happen."

METRO President & CEO George Greanias also was pleased. "The rail expansion plan and budget for fiscal 2011 were prepared on the basis of earning the release of the $50 million," he said. "The receipt of the money will enable us to continue the pace we projected and keep the North and Southeast rail lines under construction."

Denver RTD withdraws consideration for Gold Line Federal Station relocation

The Regional Transportation District in Denver is no longer considering a proposed relocation of the FasTracks Gold Line rail station on Federal Boulevard after the Adams County Commissioners withdrew their support December 15 for the new location.

RTD received approval in June from the Federal Transit Administration to relocate the station from the east side of Federal Boulevard to the west, triggered by Adams County’s decision last year to incorporate into its comprehensive land-use plan a transit-oriented development on the west side of Federal Boulevard that incorporated a new location for the Gold Line station. The county and the developer both held a number of public meetings on the proposal.

"As always, we will support our stakeholders along all of our FasTracks corridors in their efforts to bring transit-oriented development that will revitalize their communities and improve quality of life," said Phil Washington, RTD general manager. "This effort was part of that pledge. In this case, our local partner feels that it can no longer support the new location without further study. But the Gold Line is an approved project and is already under contract, so with Adams County no longer explicitly supporting the change, we can no longer continue with it."

The Gold Line, an electrified commuter rail line that will be built from downtown Denver to Arvada and Wheat Ridge, Colo., is part of RTD’s FasTracks transit expansion program. FasTracks will build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county District. The FasTracks investment initiative is projected to create more than 10,000 construction-related jobs during the height of construction, and will pump billions of dollars into the regional economy

Rehab work to affect service on three D.C. Metro lines this weekend

December 17-19, Metro in Washington, D.C., will replace a track switch, and install new rail and communications cable in support of expanded cell phone coverage to improve long-term reliability and service. As a result of this work, trains on the Red, Blue and Orange lines will be single-tracking and riders should expect their trips to take up to 30 minutes longer than usual. 





Delays are expected on the Red Line between the Silver Spring and Wheaton Metrorail stations as Metro replaces track switches to improve rail system safety at the Forest Glen Metrorail station. The track switch replacement is work that has been recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board. Trains will share one track between these locations from 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, to closing on Sunday, Dec. 19. 





Customers traveling on the Blue Line between the Stadium-Armory and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metrorail stations should add 30 minutes to their travel time while personnel install communications cable in support of expanded cell phone coverage throughout the Metrorail system. Trains will share one track between these locations the entire weekend.




Customers traveling between the Braddock Road and Van Dorn Street Metrorail stations on the Blue Line should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time because of maintenance work related to the Wilson Bridge Project. Trains will share one track between these locations the entire weekend.





Customers traveling on the Orange Line between the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and West Falls Church-VT/UVA Metrorail stations should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time because Metro will weld new rail on the tracks in that area. Trains will share one track between these locations the entire weekend.

State of tracks makes Kettle Falls Railway inefficient

Parts of the track are in poor shape, says a recently released report on the Kettle Falls International Railway (KFR), the Grand Forks, Idaho, Gazette reports.

Entitled "City of Grand Forks Shortline Railway Business Case Final Report," the purpose of the report was to provide information to city council on the preservation of the local rail service and the state of some of the crossties on the train tracks, a major maintenance issue on the KFR. The last time a major crosstie replacement took place was in 1989, and because of the condition of some crossties and joints a train can only be operated at 10 miles per hour.

The railway services Danville, Wash., through Grand Forks and Christina Lake to Kettle Falls, Wash., The report stated that half of the portion of the track in the U.S. does not adhere to the minimum Federal Railroad Administration maintenance standards. Because of the slow speed, trains are unable to leave Kettle Falls for Grand Forks and return to Kettle falls in one trip.

Coun. Gene Robert said that a Class 1 standard allows for the current 10 mph while a Class 2 would allow for 25 mph.

"The point behind this that is important is, considering the notion that it is only a Class 1 category, it has an economic spin to it, in that it takes the train longer to do a round trip," he said. "Instead of doing it in one day, they would have to do it in two days."

The report stated because of that problem, operational costs are effectively twice as high. It said that "without immediate capital improvements," the line would eventually become unusable.

 

North River-Newcomb railroad returning

The old National Lead Industries railroad between Tahawus and North Creek, N.Y. could be running again, if Iowa Pacific Holdings of Chicago gets possession of it.

Iowa Pacific wants to buy the 28-mile railroad line that goes from North Creek to the National Lead titanium mines in Newcomb’s Tahawus hamlet, local media report. The railroad was constructed during World War II to transport titanium dioxide ore from the mines. It hasn’t been used since the mines closed in the 1980s. Iowa Pacific intends to operate the short line as part of the Upper Hudson River Railroad, which runs from North Creek to Canadian Pacific Railway tracks in Saratoga County.

Iowa Pacific Holdings President Ed Ellis said the company wants to buy the Tahawus line if it gets the contract to operate Upper Hudson, so it can move freight trains the additional five miles to Barton Mines in North River. Upper Hudson would then be able to transport garnet from the Barton Mines to market.

Warren County owns the 39-mile-long Upper Hudson line from North Creek south to Antone Mountain Road in Corinth. The Essex County Industrial Development Authority currently owns the Tahawus railroad line but is preparing to transfer it back to National Lead.

Newcomb Supervisor George Canon said the reopening of the line would be good for Essex County and Barton Mines.

"The ownership of the railway is with the IDA. The reason is for tax purposes. But the paperwork is all signed to transfer it," Canon said. "They (Iowa Pacific) need that five miles for Barton. That’s the important part of it. That would put that back on the taxes again."

Warren County had sought proposals for operating the Upper Hudson River Railroad because its contract with the present operator expires December 31. The Warren County Public Works Committee has voted to endorse the offer from Iowa Pacific Holdings.

The National Lead line runs through Essex, Warren and Hamilton counties, including the towns of Newcomb and Minerva in Essex.

County supervisors had hoped to make a decision on a railroad operator this month, but the final Board of Supervisor meeting of the year is scheduled for December 17 and two board leaders said no vote on the issue is expected.

Iowa Pacific and Pennsylvania-based Codorus Creek Railway were the two companies that made formal presentations to county leaders in November. Don Kress, president of Codorus Creek, said he has not heard anything from county officials. He said he has recently worked out a deal for U.S. Rail Corp. to operate freight trains on the line while Kress’ group runs passenger trains.

Kinder Morgan to invest up to $150 million in Watco Companies






Watco Companies, Inc., and Kinder
Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., reached an agreement whereby Kinder Morgan will
invest up to $150 million over the next year in Watco Companies in exchange for
a preferred equity position in the company. Kinder Morgan’s initial
investment will be $50 million upon closing, which is scheduled to occur in
January of 2011.