5/16/2017
Rail News: Financials
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Rail News Home Financials 5/16/2017 Rail News: Financials
The railroad last raised fares in 2016.Photo – Caltrain
Railroad News
May
16
May
16
Caltrain has proposed increasing zone fares by 25 cents to help cover a projected $10 million operating budget shortfall.
The railroad's fares are based on the number of zones traveled. Under the proposal, the cost of traveling within one zone would remain the same, but fares for additional travel would increase by 25 cents per zone.
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May
16
5/16/2017
Rail News: Shippers
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May
16
Rail News Home Shippers 5/16/2017 Rail News: Shippers
The new loading system will be used to bring aggregates to the L.A. region.Photo – flickr.com
The new loading system will be used to bring aggregates to the L.A. region.Photo – flickr.com
Cemex USA last week announced plans to build a rail-served distribution terminal in Bell, Calif., and a new aggregate loading system at its quarry in Victorville, Calif.
The new loading system will be used to bring aggregates to the L.A. region, while the terminal is designed to accommodate an increase in construction projects in the area, according to a company press release.
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May
16
5/16/2017
Rail News: Mechanical
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May
16
5/16/2017
Rail News: Mechanical
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May
16
5/16/2017
Rail News: BNSF Railway
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May
16
Rail News Home BNSF Railway 5/16/2017 Rail News: BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway Co. has appealed an environmental review of the proposed Columbia River coal-export terminal in Washington state, according to reports in local news media.Last year, Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview LLC proposed the construction and operation of a terminal to export coal from the site of the former Reynolds Aluminum smelter in the city of Longview in Cowlitz County. The terminal would be served by BNSF.The project's Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) by the Washington Department of Ecology and Cowlitz County determined that diesel particulate emissions from trains serving the terminal would cause "an unavoidable increase" in the cancer risk rate for area residents, according to The Daily News.BNSF officials believe the FEIS "makes several faulty assumptions about BNSF's railway operations, resulting in conclusions that overstate, in a counterproductive manner, the potential health risks associated with railroad operations in Washington, and the United States," according to BNSF's "Inside Track" newsletter dated May 10."Our biggest concern with this new analysis is that it suggests diesel particulate emissions from locomotives substantially increase cancer risks in communities that are located by railroad tracks in Washington," the BNSF newsletter states. "No credible scientific studies have ever shown this to be the case."Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview operates a bulk materials port on the Columbia River. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/16/2017
BNSF Railway Co. has appealed an environmental review of the proposed Columbia River coal-export terminal in Washington state, according to reports in local news media.Last year, Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview LLC proposed the construction and operation of a terminal to export coal from the site of the former Reynolds Aluminum smelter in the city of Longview in Cowlitz County. The terminal would be served by BNSF.The project's Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) by the Washington Department of Ecology and Cowlitz County determined that diesel particulate emissions from trains serving the terminal would cause "an unavoidable increase" in the cancer risk rate for area residents, according to The Daily News.BNSF officials believe the FEIS "makes several faulty assumptions about BNSF's railway operations, resulting in conclusions that overstate, in a counterproductive manner, the potential health risks associated with railroad operations in Washington, and the United States," according to BNSF's "Inside Track" newsletter dated May 10."Our biggest concern with this new analysis is that it suggests diesel particulate emissions from locomotives substantially increase cancer risks in communities that are located by railroad tracks in Washington," the BNSF newsletter states. "No credible scientific studies have ever shown this to be the case."Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview operates a bulk materials port on the Columbia River. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/16/2017
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May
16
5/16/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
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May
16
Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/16/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The plan includes separating the agency's chairman and CEO positions into two separate roles.Photo – Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The plan includes separating the agency's chairman and CEO positions into two separate roles.Photo – Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) yesterday unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at improving New York City's subway system.
The plan includes efforts to advance legislation that would separate the agency's chairman and chief executive officer positions into two roles. Splitting the positions would enable MTA to strengthen the overall leadership team and achieve needed operational improvements, agency officials said in a press release.
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May
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5/16/2017
Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
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May
16
Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 5/16/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao yesterday addressed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Intrastructure Week forum.Photo – uschamber.com
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao yesterday addressed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Intrastructure Week forum.Photo – uschamber.com
President Donald Trump's infrastructure proposal will be announced in the next several weeks, and will include $200 billion in direct federal funds to leverage $1 trillion in infrastructure investment over the next 10 years, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao told the U.S. Chamber of Commerce yesterday.
The administration's goal will be to use federal funding "as an incentive to get projects underway and built more quickly with greater participation by state, local and private partners," Chao said in an address at the U.S. Chamber's forum to kick off "Infrastructure Week 2017."
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May
16
Rail News Home MOW May 2017 Rail News: MOW
Knox Kershaw Inc.’s KSF 940 Snow Fighter features specially designed wings to move heavy snow in harsh environments.Photo – Knox Kershaw Inc. It happens every spring: North American freight railroads and passenger-rail agencies begin to prepare for the upcoming winter. They review snow removal, switch heater and energy management options, and start to determine what they need to do to ensure they’re prepared, whatever the weather. Witness the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and its commuter-rail operator Keolis Commuter Services.Early this year, MBTA unveiled a series of investments (and a few operational changes) to demonstrate the passenger-rail system was prepared for severe winter weather. The agency purchased 52 new pieces of snow removal equipment, including 10 snow fighters. MBTA also outfitted its locomotives with new traction motors designed to withstand the coldest of cold weather. Crews also installed heaters on critical switches.Freight railroads and transit agencies aren't the only ones planning ahead in a weather context. Suppliers, too, prepare to serve railroads that operate in the continent's harshest climates.This month, a sampling of rail industry suppliers share information on products and equipment designed to help railroads contend with the challenges of operating in winter.Solutions range from snow fighters and snow plows to switch heaters and idle-reduction systems.Knox Kershaw Inc.: The KSF 940 Snow FighterDesigned to combat heavy snow and to operate in freezing temperatures, Knox Kershaw Inc.'s KSF 940 Snow Fighter has a 50,000-pound working weight and offers a pressurized cab featuring a second operator’s seat and joystick controls. It also includes specially designed wings, a plow and a broom built for moving heavy snow in the harshest environments.The cab has "unique window placement for unsurpassed operator visibility," the company says. The tilt-cab feature provides access to major components, and the side-mounted heater and A/C offer a clean roof line with no maintenance components on the roof.The four-season plow includes a heavy structural frame that can be used for snow or ballast. The bolt-on curl kits allow for plowing through deep of snow — high capacity, 36-inch snow wings clear snow 16 feet from the track center. The broom and auger motor are series driven with individual drives, allowing the snow switch cleaner to blow snow over 20 feet to either side.The power unit comes equipped with a 260-horsepower Cummins engine, Espar diesel-fired engine block heater and Arctic Fox hydraulic tank heater. Dual 8-D batteries offer "plenty of cranking power" for cold weather starts, the company says. The KSF 940 also can be converted into a ballast regulator and a brush cutter for year-round use.Railway Equipment Co.: Magnum product lineRailway Equipment Co.'s Magnum™ track switch heater product line includes gas hot air blowers, electric hot air blowers, electric rail heaters, fiberglass switch covers and snow detection systems. "Our most recent product advancement to The Magnum product line includes the utilization of an AC drive to reduce power demand during start-up," the company says. "We are also developing a new control module for the track switch heaters that will be backward compatible with current units."Railway Equipment Co.'s MagnumTM track switch heater line includes gas hot air blowers, electric hot air blowers, electric rail heaters, fiberglass switch covers and snow detection systems.Railway Equipment Co.
Knox Kershaw Inc.’s KSF 940 Snow Fighter features specially designed wings to move heavy snow in harsh environments.Photo – Knox Kershaw Inc. It happens every spring: North American freight railroads and passenger-rail agencies begin to prepare for the upcoming winter. They review snow removal, switch heater and energy management options, and start to determine what they need to do to ensure they’re prepared, whatever the weather. Witness the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and its commuter-rail operator Keolis Commuter Services.Early this year, MBTA unveiled a series of investments (and a few operational changes) to demonstrate the passenger-rail system was prepared for severe winter weather. The agency purchased 52 new pieces of snow removal equipment, including 10 snow fighters. MBTA also outfitted its locomotives with new traction motors designed to withstand the coldest of cold weather. Crews also installed heaters on critical switches.Freight railroads and transit agencies aren't the only ones planning ahead in a weather context. Suppliers, too, prepare to serve railroads that operate in the continent's harshest climates.This month, a sampling of rail industry suppliers share information on products and equipment designed to help railroads contend with the challenges of operating in winter.Solutions range from snow fighters and snow plows to switch heaters and idle-reduction systems.Knox Kershaw Inc.: The KSF 940 Snow FighterDesigned to combat heavy snow and to operate in freezing temperatures, Knox Kershaw Inc.'s KSF 940 Snow Fighter has a 50,000-pound working weight and offers a pressurized cab featuring a second operator’s seat and joystick controls. It also includes specially designed wings, a plow and a broom built for moving heavy snow in the harshest environments.The cab has "unique window placement for unsurpassed operator visibility," the company says. The tilt-cab feature provides access to major components, and the side-mounted heater and A/C offer a clean roof line with no maintenance components on the roof.The four-season plow includes a heavy structural frame that can be used for snow or ballast. The bolt-on curl kits allow for plowing through deep of snow — high capacity, 36-inch snow wings clear snow 16 feet from the track center. The broom and auger motor are series driven with individual drives, allowing the snow switch cleaner to blow snow over 20 feet to either side.The power unit comes equipped with a 260-horsepower Cummins engine, Espar diesel-fired engine block heater and Arctic Fox hydraulic tank heater. Dual 8-D batteries offer "plenty of cranking power" for cold weather starts, the company says. The KSF 940 also can be converted into a ballast regulator and a brush cutter for year-round use.Railway Equipment Co.: Magnum product lineRailway Equipment Co.'s Magnum™ track switch heater product line includes gas hot air blowers, electric hot air blowers, electric rail heaters, fiberglass switch covers and snow detection systems. "Our most recent product advancement to The Magnum product line includes the utilization of an AC drive to reduce power demand during start-up," the company says. "We are also developing a new control module for the track switch heaters that will be backward compatible with current units."Railway Equipment Co.'s MagnumTM track switch heater line includes gas hot air blowers, electric hot air blowers, electric rail heaters, fiberglass switch covers and snow detection systems.Railway Equipment Co.
Designed to handle the harsh railroad environment, the new control module will feature better resistance to lightning strikes and more robust push-button controls, the company says.
Railway Equipment Co. also offers remote monitoring on The Magnum product line. The Sno-NET® remote monitoring system allows users access to switch heater controls via a web browser, enabling personnel to make real-time, proactive decisions. The Sno-NET system communicates via a cellular modem to a railroad-specific server accessible by railroad personnel. Custom notifications are sent to the appropriate people when an intervention is needed to ensure switch reliability.
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May
15
5/15/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
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May
15
Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/15/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The line is the agency's second busiest rail route.Photo – L.A. Metro
The line is the agency's second busiest rail route.Photo – L.A. Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) last week marked the fifth anniversary of its Expo Line light-rail route.
The line has become the second busiest of Metro's four light-rail lines, agency officials said in a press release. Only the 22-mile Blue Line between downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach has more riders.
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May
15
5/15/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
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May
15
Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/15/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Trains pass through the Farragut West Station on the Orange and Blue Lines.Photo – WMATA/Larry Levine
Trains pass through the Farragut West Station on the Orange and Blue Lines.Photo – WMATA/Larry Levine
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) next month will increase fares and reduce service on its Metrorail system.
Peak period fares will rise 10 cents, while off-peak fares will increase 25 cents, effective June 25. The agency charges passengers based on a distance traveled; the new minimum fare for rides during peak hours will be $2.25, with a maximum of $6.
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May
15
5/15/2017
Rail News: Labor
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May
15
Rail News Home Labor 5/15/2017 Rail News: Labor
The Indiana & Ohio Railway (I&O) and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have reached a tentative contract, the union announced last week.If ratified, the agreement would govern rates of pay and work rules for 50 engineers, conductors and trainees, according to a BLET press release.Ballots have been mailed to members working for the I&O, with voting set to conclude June 12.The BLET organized the I&O in August 2001. I&O members belong to BLET Division 282.A subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc., the I&O is a 570-mile short line in western Ohio. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/15/2017
The Indiana & Ohio Railway (I&O) and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have reached a tentative contract, the union announced last week.If ratified, the agreement would govern rates of pay and work rules for 50 engineers, conductors and trainees, according to a BLET press release.Ballots have been mailed to members working for the I&O, with voting set to conclude June 12.The BLET organized the I&O in August 2001. I&O members belong to BLET Division 282.A subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc., the I&O is a 570-mile short line in western Ohio. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/15/2017
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May
15
5/15/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
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