Search Results for: railway supply

CN, Coalspur sign transportation agreement that includes rail line construction

Coalspur Mines Limited has reached a definitive agreement with Canadian National (CN) for the transportation of thermal coal from its Vista Coal Project to Ridley Terminals Inc., as well as final agreement with CN regarding the construction of the railway line to serve the mine.

The rail line construction agreement will govern the construction of a 6.5-kilometer (four-mile) long line providing CN access to Coalspur’s loading site. The rail line will enable Coalspur to load the entire train in one continuous load. Subject to regulatory approval, construction activity is expected to begin in Q3 2013 and be completed in early 2015. CN will ensure the rail line meets its design and construction specifications.

“We are very pleased to have finalized these contracts with CN,” said Gill Winckler, Coalspur president and CEO. “The agreements provide further clarity and stability over our operating costs in the initial years of mining at Vista. Rail and port logistics costs account for approximately 50 percent of Coalspur’s Freight on Board cash costs, which are now under contracted rates.

The definitive rail transportation agreement with CN is for a seven-year period, effective from Jan. 1, 2013 and extending through to Dec. 31, 2019. CN will supply the equipment to carry Coalspur’s coal to tidewater. The agreement includes transportation of up to 12 million tons per annum of coal and defined rates with agreed escalation and fuel surcharge calculations.

Canadian government introduces freight service bill, CN, CP respond

On Dec. 11, the Canadian government introduced the Fair Rail Freight Service Act bill, which will give companies that ship goods by rail the right to a service agreement with railways. It will also create an arbitration process to establish an agreement when commercial negotiations are not met.

KCS appoints vice president sales and marketing

Kansas City Southern has appointed Stephen Schollaert as vice president sales and marketing. In this position, he leads the carload business unit for The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) and reports to KCS executive vice president sales and marketing Patrick Ottensmeyer.

All Aboard Florida selects AMEC as its environmental engineering firm

All Aboard Florida (AAF), developer of the privately-owned, operated and maintained intercity passenger rail system that will connect South Florida to Orlando, has selected AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc., as the environmental engineering firm overseeing the design planning and environmental compliance and permitting efforts for the 230-mile passenger railway infrastructure.

Maintaining ballast below the ties

Optimal track conditions rely heavily on ballast maintenance.

Ballast doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. For those outside of the industry, the flashy signals, rail and crossties are what railroad lines are made of.

CP, Smart Sand to build frac sand facility

Smart Sand and Canadian Pacific Railway have entered into a long-term partnership, under which the two companies will supply and ship premium, Northern White frac sand to the unconventional oil and gas industry in North America producing regions (including the Bakken and Eagle Ford formations and the Utica and Marcellus Shales). The two companies also announced the partnership’s first initiative: building a new frac sand transload facility, expected to be the region’s largest, in Makoti, N.D., that will serve the Bakken formation in the Williston Basin beginning in early 2013.

Fascinating fasteners for keeping track tight

Small in size, fasteners keep a tight grip on track.

Keeping track in place is imporant to all railroads, whether it’s a Class 1, regional, shortline or transit line. The following pages highlight this year’s most advanced fastening systems and an overall market outlook.

Rail industry joins forces to target hiring 5,000 veterans in 2012

In collaboration with various sectors of the rail industry, the Association of American Railroads says that the nation’s major freight, intercity passenger, commuter railroads and rail supply companies expect to hire more than 5,000 veterans in 2012. The rail industry’s commitment is part of the White House Joining Forces initiative, a nationwide effort to recognize, honor and support America’s veterans and military families.

CN, CP mark Rail Safety Week Canada

With trespassing being the leading cause of rail-related fatalities in the United States, Canadian National is marking Rail Safety Week through May 6, 2012, with a public awareness campaign stressing the deadly risks of trespassing on railway tracks and property. CN police are urging the public to call CN Police at 1- 800-465-9239 to report unsafe behavior on railway property.