Twin Cities & Western Railroad (TC&W) rejected a proposal to relocate Minneapolis area freight rail service after reviewing a technical analysis prepared by a South Dakota engineering firm. The proposed relocation would move freight service from the Kenilworth Corridor to a St. Louis Park route to make way for the Metropolitan Council’s Southwest light-rail project.
Toronto City Council appointed Councilor Maria Augimeri as chair of the Toronto Transit Commission until the term expires November 30, 2014.
Canadian National‘s 2014 capital plan includes an investment of approximately CA$2.1 billion (US$1.9 billion) to continue to raise network safety and efficiency, improve service and grow the business.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is celebrating dual legal victories for Honolulu’s rail project.
Union Pacific Corporation Chairman James R. (Jim) Young, who worked his way from an entry-level finance position to chairman, president and chief executive officer, died Feb. 15, 2014, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 61 years old.
A lifelong Omaha resident and the oldest of six children, Young was elected Union Pacific Corporation chairman in January 2007. He served as president and chief executive officer from November 2005 until March 2012. Prior to those appointments, Young was Union Pacific Railroad president and chief operating officer, a position he had held since January 2004. He was elected a director of Union Pacific Corporation in February 2005.
“Jim was an icon at Union Pacific and in the railroad industry, a colleague and great friend,” said Jack Koraleski, Union Pacific president and CEO. “Jim’s vision and leadership took Union Pacific to unparalleled heights and his civic contributions made positive impacts on many communities across Nebraska and the entire Union Pacific system. Most importantly, he was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed.”
“We are deeply saddened by Jim Young’s passing,” said Steve Rogel, Union Pacific lead director. “Jim’s commitment to Union Pacific’s mission and values, his tireless energy and infectious enthusiasm helped make Union Pacific an industry leader and made a lasting impression on everyone he met.”
Young was named Railway Age Railroader of the Year in 2013.
“As Jim Young so aptly puts it, ‘Union Pacific has evolved from the company that built America by building the first transcontinental railroad to one that today is critical to the global supply chain,'” said Railway Age editor-in-chief William C. Vantuono in January 2013. “For his vital role in that evolution, he is a deserving recipient of our Railroader of the Year award. Under the leadership of Young and such key team members as Jack Koraleski, the current President and CEO, UP recently has started to see what its franchise can deliver for customers, employees, communities, and shareholders.”
Young began his railroad career with Union Pacific in 1978 and held a variety of management positions. In 1997, he was named vice president – Customer Service Planning and Quality; in 1998 was named senior vice president and corporate treasurer of Union Pacific Corporation; and in December 1999 was named chief financial officer of Union Pacific Corporation.
He was a member and past chairman of the board for the Association of American Railroads, the Joslyn Art Museum and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. He served on the boards of FXE Railroad in Mexico, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, The Knights of Aksarben Foundation, Heritage Services and Creighton University.
A graduate of the University of Nebraska Omaha, he and his wife, Shirley, established the Jim and Shirley Young Scholarship Program specifically designed to assist low-income students. The Youngs grew up in Omaha, graduated from Omaha South High School and led the community fundraising effort to install a new artificial turf field at the school’s Collin Field in 2009, marking the first time the school could host varsity football games since 1946.
He served as a Presbyterian Church Elder and coached youth football, basketball and baseball in Nebraska.
In addition to Shirley, Young is survived by three children and two grandchildren. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to pancreatic research in care of Dr. Jean Grem at the University of Nebraska Medical Center or the charity of their choice.
Union Pacific’s board of directors will elect a successor as chairman, as prescribed by the company’s governance policy.
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Piedmont Improvement Program (PIP), a $520-million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project to improve the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte, celebrated a major milestone with the laying of the first section of track.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) has begun work on the Santa Clara Pocket Track, a third light-rail track on Tasman Drive. This additional track will allow SCVTA to store light-rail trains and put them into service quickly to meet increased service demands.
The Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), promoted former chief operations officer of passenger service, Penny White, to president and chief operations officer. All daily X Train operations will now report to her, including the chief operating officer of rail operations, human resources, administrative and IT departments in addition to the X Train Vacations travel agency and on board services team.
A study of transit alternatives in the Minneapolis Midtown Corridor recommends a combination of rail in the Midtown Greenway and enhanced bus service on Lake Street as the best long-term transit solution for the corridor.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper released important details on the New Building Canada Plan, including support that will ensure small communities have stable, long-term access to funding for vital infrastructure projects.
The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) has named Paul J Ballard president and chief executive officer, effective April 14.
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority says that its 11.5-mile extension from Pasadena to Azusa is now more than halfway to project completion.
Late in 2013, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO) launched its 5.3-mile North Line and in its first full month of service (January), averaged 4,200 weekday boardings, which is 1,600 more than what was forecasted.
Design firm Perkins+Will was recently selected by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) to design eight stations for the fourth and final phase of the Honolulu Rail Transit project.
Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) is installing crane pads for the new Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) at Port Everglades, which is slated to open in the summer of 2014.
In the San Francisco area, a vegetation removal crew has started initial site clearing work along four Caltrain crossings as part of its San Mateo Bridge Replacement Project.
California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) Board of Directors approved right-of-way engineering and surveying contracts with five California firms.
Wabtec Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Fandstan Electric Group Ltd., a rail and industrial equipment manufacturer, for about $215 million. Wabtec expects the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2014, subject to closing conditions and competition authority clearance.
The province of Ontario, Canada, is making CA$5 million (US$ 4.5 million) in upgrades to the Etobicoke North GO Station, which will include extending the platform to accommodate 12-car trains; installing a raised mini platform that connects to on-board train ramps for increased accessibility; adding heated shelters and more lighting and creating 10 more accessible parking spaces.
Kansas City Southern (KCS) was prepared for a hard hit by Winter Storm Nika, which blanketed Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma with several inches of snow, while southern portions of the network experienced some snow, ice and unusually cold temperatures.