NJ Transit Gladstone Branch repairs to be completed Friday

Repairs to the New Jersey Transit Gladstone Branch of the Morris and Essex Lines will be completed on Friday, Nov. 30, with test trains scheduled to begin operations at that time.

Siemens to acquire Invensys Rail

Siemens has entered into an agreement to acquire Invensys Rail, the rail automation business of Invensys for approximately €2.2 billion (US$2.9 billion).

Steel Dynamics Structural and Rail Division to expand rail production

Steel Dynamics, Inc., plans to install a heat-treating system at its Columbia City, Ind., Structural and Rail Division (SRD). When operational, the system will be capable of producing up to 350,000 tons of standard-strength and head-hardened plain, carbon steel rails for North America’s railroad industry.

USDOT awards $3.2 million to the state of Washington

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $3.2 million to the state of Washington to enhance capacity and improve reliability for intercity passenger and freight rail in the Pacific Northwest.

AREMA to sponsor design competition

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) will sponsor a design competition for students of architecture or building sciences as a means to introduce students to the professional opportunities in the railway and rail transit industry.

Axion receives purchase order from BART

Axion International Holdings, Inc. received its third purchase order for an additional 270 switch ties from San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The 100-percent recycled ECOTRAX switch ties are to be installed BART’s 104 miles of tracks.

Metrolink sets ridership record

In California, Metrolink experienced record ridership this Thanksgiving holiday. Operating the same number of trains as last year, Metrolink reported 4,448 Thanksgiving Day riders; a 36 percent increase from 2011.

KCS celebrates 125th anniversary

Kansas City Southern celebrated its 125th anniversary of railroad operations on Nov. 27, by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Welding begins on TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Project

Crews began welding together the first section of rail for TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project in Oregon.

Canadian court dismisses Air Rail Link complaint

The Canadian Divisional Court has dismissed an action brought by Clean Train Coalition in reference to the Metrolinx Air Rail Link (ARL) in Toronto, ON.

Amtrak names two to executive and management positions

Amtrak named Bruce Pohlot chief engineer and Tom Quigley general manager, state-supported services. Both will report directly to D.J. Stadtler, vice president of operations, effective Dec. 10, 2012.

Stella-Jones signs definitive agreement for McFarland Cascade acquisition

Stella-Jones Inc. signed a definitive agreement to acquire the shares of McFarland Cascade Holdings, Inc., a provider of treated wood products based in the state of Washington.

REMSA sets officers and directors for 2013

The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) named new officers and directors for 2013.

Edmonton LRT hits tunnel construction milestone

In Edmonton, AB, Canada, tunneling crews working on the North Light Rail Transit (LRT) to Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) project broke through the wall at Churchill Station, connecting the North LRT with Edmonton’s existing light-rail network.

CTA releases 2013 budget recommendations

The Chicago Transit Authority proposed a $1.39 billion budget for 2013 that maintains current service levels, freezes base fares and calls for modest reductions in discounts for CTA passes to bring them in line with other major U.S. cities.

UP to increase speeds on south-central Kansas line

Recent track improvements will allow Union Pacific to increase the speed of its trains from 40 mph to 49 mph on nearly 22 miles of its rail line in Kansas between Wellington and the Kansas/Oklahoma border.

FTA approves $1.55 billion for Honolulu rail project

The Federal Transit Administration has notified Congress that it will sign a $1.55 billion full funding grant agreement (FFGA) with the city and county of Honolulu by the end of this year.

Santa Clara VTA proposing Los Gatos light-rail extension

In California, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is proposing to extend the existing Mountain View to Winchester light-rail line by 1.6 miles by way of the Vasona Light Rail Extension Project.

FRA launches effort to end electronic device distraction in rail industry

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo joined senior railroad industry leaders and labor officials to launch a collaborative effort to educate and raise awareness among rail industry employees of the dangers of using electronic devices on the job.

NJ Transit fully or partially restores service to all but one rail line

New Jersey Transit rail lines are running full or modified service effective Monday, November 19, with the exception of one line.

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