New Windsor VIA Rail Station officially opens

As part of the ongoing modernization of VIA Rail Canada facilities, the new VIA Rail Windsor Station is now open.

Archaeological work for Honolulu rail project ahead of schedule

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s (HART) archaeological inventory survey work for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project is ahead of schedule and all fieldwork is now slated for completion in early December.

NS Atlanta welding plant named in honor of late engineering executive

Norfolk Southern named its rail welding facility in Atlanta, Ga., after the late Hubert Rose, who retired from Norfolk Southern as senior assistant vice president maintenance-of-way and structures and planning in 1991, after a 43-year career with the company.

Chicago-St. Louis HSR gets environmental approval from feds and state

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have signed and issued the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the full build-out of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor.

FTA to expedite $25 million in funding for NJ Transit continued recovery

U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) have worked with the Federal Transit Administration to expedite $25 million in funding to New Jersey Transit that will aid in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

Sound Transit, Seattle to explore transit possibilities between downtown Seattle and Ballard

Sound Transit and the city of Seattle, Wash., have agreed to jointly study transit improvements between downtown Seattle and Ballard.

Agreement would put X Train on UP-owned track

Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), and Union Pacific signed a conditional agreement to provide passenger service on Union Pacific-owned right-of-way between Las Vegas, Nev., and Daggett, Calif.

BART unveils vision for future transit to meet growing demand

In response to its increasing capacity needs, San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit is drafting a three-phased plan to address sustainability and customer service objectives, while maintaining a safe and reliable rapid transit system.

New union agreements on CP and Central Railroad of Indiana

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), System Council 11 and Canadian Pacific reached a tentative five-year labor agreement covering approximately 450 employees who maintain and install railway signals and communications systems across Canada.

HDR lead designer for Dallas streetcar project

Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas, Texas, selected the Stacy and Witbeck/Carcon Joint Venture team, with HDR as lead designer, for the Dallas Streetcar Oak Cliff Line. This 1.6-mile streetcar line was the recipient of a $26 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant and will be the first modern streetcar in Dallas.

Cleveland Track Material awarded several projects on low vibration ties

Cleveland Track Material will deliver five guarded, tangential geometry, double crossovers with 39-41-foot track centers on low vibration concrete tie blocks for the 2nd Avenue and 7 Line Extension projects in New York City.

Harsco CFO resigns, interim CFO named

Harsco Corporation received the resignation of Stephen Schnoor, senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Barry Malamud, who currently serves as vice president and corporate controller, has been named as interim CFO and will assume the responsibilities of principal financial officer until a permanent CFO has been selected. Both changes are effective immediately.

NTSB praises Metrolink’s Commitment to Safety

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recognized Southern California’s Metrolink as a national leader in the Positive Train Control (PTC) effort.

First Nations and Alaskan Tribes show support for Alberta-Alaska rail link

Canada’s First Nations and Alaskan Tribes have expressed support for a new “purpose built” railway that would link Alaska with Yukon, northern British Columbia and northern Alberta to the rest of North America.

Amtrak substation repairs to be completed this week

Amtrak and New Jersey Transit are making repairs to an Amtrak-owned electrical substation in Kearny, N.J., which will be completed Friday, Nov.16.

Honolulu receives rail delivery despite project’s hold status

The first 3,000 tons of steel track for Honolulu’s rail system arrived on Oahu last week. The shipment, more than 13,000 tons of steel track and other track-related materials, was blessed at a ceremony held Tuesday at Kalaeloa Harbor.

West leg of Calgary’s LRT to open Dec. 10, 2012

Calgary Transit’s West light-rail transit line in Calgary, AB, Canada, will open for service on Dec. 10, 2012, meeting the original start of service that was promised in 2009.

DART to open two rail extensions in December

In Dallas, Texas, Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) 4.5-mile Blue Line extension from Downtown Garland Station to the new Downtown Rowlett Station will open Dec. 3.

LACMTA begins utility relocation work for Westside Subway Extension project

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Westside Subway Extension project started utility relocation work in Los Angeles’ Mid-Wilshire District.

Patriot Rail, TC&W name new executives

Patriot Rail Corp. hired George Avery Grimes, PE, Ph.D., to its management team as executive vice president and chief strategy officer. Grimes will be responsible for revenue growth through initiation and evaluation of strategic acquisitions, infrastructure investments and margin expansion opportunities. He will also be Patriot Rail’s liaison with Class 1 railroad strategic projects.

LOAD MORE