New York City subway system turns 108

October 27 will mark the 108th anniversary of the opening of New York City’s subway, which has become the essence of a growing city, nourishing skyscrapers, developing residential neighborhoods and just shortening the time it takes to get around.

NS’ Drake to retire, Wheeler and Evans named to key positions

Norfolk Southern Corp. announced that Timothy Drake, vice president engineering, is retiring, effective Oct. 31.

Parsons Brinckerhoff to analyze Detroit transit corridor alternatives

In Michigan, the Southeastern Council of Governments has awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff to perform an alternatives analysis (AA) for the Woodward Avenue rapid transit project in Detroit.

SFMTA opens bidding for Central Subway work

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has opened biding for a contract to construct the stations, track and operating systems for the Central Subway.

Feds award $18.5 million to upgrade rail and port infrastructure in South Jersey

The South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC) and its partners signed an $18.5 million federal stimulus grant October 23 that will create thousands of jobs by upgrading freight rail from South Jersey into the market heartland of America.

Pacer and UP enter into multi-year agreement

Pacer International, Inc., a North American freight transportation and global logistics services provider, has entered into a multi-year agreement to arrange, manage and provide intermodal freight transportation services for both automotive parts and freight-all-kinds shipments between the U.S., Mexico and Canada for Union Pacific.

Watco Transportation Services names regional VP of operations, general manager for AWRR

Chuck Littlefield has joined Watco Transportation Services as regional vice president of operations for the Gulf Region. Littlefield will be responsible for the continued development and improvement of safety, service, growth, people and efficien¬cy in all areas of the Gulf Region.

CSX, commonwealth of Pennsylvania celebrate National Gateway Phase One progress

CSX Corporation Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Ward joined federal, state and local officials from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania on October 23, to mark the midway point of progress on the first phase of projects for the National Gateway.

RTR Technologies delivers rail heating and control components Dulles Metrorail project

RTR Technologies Inc., designer and manufacturer of heating and deicing systems, is now completing delivery of third-rail heating systems and controls for the rail extension to Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia.

Metrolink to celebrate 20 years

The west coast’s largest commuter rail system, Metrolink, will celebrate 20 years of service on October 26. To date, Metrolink has transported more than 100 million people throughout Southern California.

RRF receives two FRA grants

The Railroad Research Foundation (RRF) has received two new federal grants from the Federal Railroad Administration; one related to the transportation of hazardous materials and the other to discourage employee distractions on the job. These grants support the central goals of the RRF to promote safety in the railroad industry.

CN’s Robert Noorigian to retire

Robert Noorigian, vice-president of investor relations at Canadian National, will retire at the end of this year.

NS improves in 2012 Newsweek Green Rankings

In the 2012 Newsweek Green Rankings, Norfolk Southern Corporation moved up 217 spots from its 2011 ranking to 181 on Newsweek’s U.S. 500 list.

Chicago-St. Louis HSR demos 110 mph speeds

The start of 110-mph rail service in Illinois was demonstrated between Dwight and Pontiac on the Chicago-St. Louis rail corridor on October 19.

Roberts Bank Corridor Combo Project underway

Construction of the Combo Project in Surrey, B.C., Canada, an investment along the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC), is now under construction.

HDR JV selected to provide pre-AFP design for Toronto interchange station

HDR Corporation, in a joint venture with VIA Architecture, has been selected by Metrolinx to provide pre-AFP design services for the Eglinton-Yonge Light Rail Transit Interchange Station in Toronto.

Invensys Rail names Adams as VP global major projects

Invensys Rail has appointed Russell Adams as its new vice president of global major projects.

DelDOT unveils $53 million third track project

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has now launched the Delaware Third Track Construction Project. The project involves the addition of a third track along a 1.5-mile segment between Ragan and Brandy Interlockings on the Northeast Corridor, south of Wilmington near Banning Park.

Washington UTC approves funds to improve safety at King County crossing

The state of Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has approved $20,000 from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to pay for upgrades at a railroad-highway grade crossing in King County.

CN, Tundra Energy Marketing partner on crude oil car loading terminal

Canadian National and Tundra Energy Marketing Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding to construct a crude oil rail car loading terminal near Cromer, MB, Canada,

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