Railroad News

By Michael Popke

The oldest tequila producer in the world has teamed with the largest railroad in Mexico to relaunch a train tourism experience that emphasizes both education and entertainment.

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) won the Rail Transit Team Achievement Award at the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) International Rail Rodeo, which was held June 8-11 in conjunction with the association's 2017 Rail Conference in Baltimore.

The award is given to the system with the highest rail operator and maintainer team combined score. The winning team members were Mike Gross, Gary Crandell, James Moon, Tenikia Jackson and John O'Connor, according to an APTA press release.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) isn’t just about gathering information from various sources and data streams, and then using those analyses to drive efficiencies and/or better manage operations. It’s also about using data to predict new market opportunities and build new business.

In a report titled “Driving Unconventional Growth through the Industrial Internet of Things,” Accenture officials note that in addition to tapping IIoT to boost operational efficiency, industrial companies such as railroads and many of the shippers they serve also “can benefit greatly by seeing it as a tool for finding growth in unexpected opportunities.”

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) isn’t just about gathering information from various sources and data streams, and then using those analyses to drive efficiencies and/or better manage operations. It’s also about using data to predict new market opportunities and build new business.

In a report titled “Driving Unconventional Growth through the Industrial Internet of Things,” Accenture officials note that in addition to tapping IIoT to boost operational efficiency, industrial companies such as railroads and many of the shippers they serve also “can benefit greatly by seeing it as a tool for finding growth in unexpected opportunities.”

R. J. Corman Railroad Co. LLC announced it is marking its 30th anniversary this year.

Rick Corman founded the company in January 1987 with the acquisition of the Bardstown Line. In August of that same year, he purchased the 100-mile Memphis Line, which operates from Clarksville, Tenn., to Bowling Green, Ky.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has signed legislation that enables the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) to seek funding for a potential 8.7-mile light-rail line in Las Vegas, local media reported late last week.

The line would connect McCarran International Airport to the city's downtown, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario (IO) have issued a request for qualifications for companies interested in building and financing a double-track project on GO Transit's Barrie Line.

The scope of work includes building a second track between Toronto's Union Station and a stop in Aurora, Ontario. The chosen firm also will perform grading, carry out track and signal upgrades, build noise and retaining walls, and expand bridges.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) last week opened a new Amtrak station along the Chicago-to-St. Louis higher-speed rail line.

Located in downtown Pontiac, Ill., the 1,350-square-foot building features a peaked roof, glass facade and free Wi-Fi. The station will serve passengers on Amtrak's Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle trains.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) yesterday released a transportation plan aimed at maintaining rush-hour commuter capacity to and from Manhattan during Amtrak's summer repair schedule at Penn Station.

The plan calls for adding MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) trains during rush hour at the station, as well as lengthening existing trains. In addition, the MTA will create a new bus and ferry network that's free to LIRR monthly and weekly ticketholders, and provide free morning subway transfers for LIRR passengers, agency officials said in a press release.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) yesterday announced the winners of its annual Rail Safety and Security Excellence Awards.

The awards ceremony, which took place at the APTA Rail Conference in Baltimore, recognized North American rail systems for excellence in safety and security programs and operations, APTA officials said in a press release.

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Senior Associate Editor

Unveiled last month, President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal-year 2018 federal budget would reduce the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) spending by 12.7 percent. On the chopping block: the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program, funding for Amtrak’s long-distance routes and the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, also known as New Starts.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver has formally launched a smart card fare payment system, the agency announced last week.

The "MyRide" system enable riders to load up to $200 to pay fares on RTD's trains and buses. Passengers with a MyRide card also receive a 25 cent discount per trip, RTD officials said in a press release.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) next week will kick off a track renewal project on a portion of its Route 15 trolley line.

Scheduled to begin June 18, the work will take place on Girard Avenue between Broad Street and Corinthian Avenue in North Philadelphia. Crews will excavate and replace  4,100 track feet and repave the track area.

GE today announced that John Flannery has been named chief executive officer effective Aug. 1 and chairman effective Jan. 1, 2018.

As CEO, Flannery succeeds Jeff Immelt, who will remain chairman until his retirement from GE on Dec. 31. In addition, Jeff Bornstein, chief financial officer, has been promoted to vice chairman.

6/12/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) late last week issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the first phase of its Red and Purple line modernization program.

The initial phase involves rebuilding four the oldest Red Line stations and making them accessible to people with disabilities. The initial phase also includes the construction of a rail bypass at a century-old junction where Red, Purple and Brown line trains intersect.