Railroad News

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (SDMTS) has ordered 45 new S70 light-rail vehicles (LRVs) from Siemens for use along its rail system.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released this year’s safety Watchlist and announced efforts to include government and industry leaders in conversations and efforts to enhance the safety of Canada’s transportation network.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) officials say they plan to present a stringent budget recommendation to the board’s Finance Committee at its Nov. 3 meeting.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Build America Bureau is urging applicants to submit proposals for as much as $850 million in Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grants.

 “Across the country, there are sidelined projects that are essential to America’s cities and our transportation network, and leveraging a FASTLANE grant from the Build America Bureau can move many of these projects forward,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “FASTLANE grants give us an opportunity to identify and invest strategically in those projects that are critical to keeping our nation’s economic engine running.”

Union Pacific will be performing track work along three of Metra's commuter lines throughout November.

On the UP West Line to Elburn, workers will be replacing insulated joints throughout the line. Metra notes that wear and tear can cause signal failures that disrupt rail traffic and delay trains. Welders will also be out across the line making repairs to the track and work on the Salt Creek Bridge in Villa Park that began in October will continue.

The Board of Directors of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) selected Krishniah N. Murthy as the authority's interim executive director and CEO.

Murthy will begin on Dec. 5 and his employment agreement is for one year. Murthy succeeds Dan Grabauskas, who resigned effective Aug. 18. HART ex-officio voting board member Michael D. Formby is acting executive director between Grabauskas' resignation and Murthy's start.

Knox Kershaw, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL-3) for a tour and discussion of rail and manufacturing issues at its long-held Montgomery, Ala., facility.

Local businesses, such as Central Steel Service, Inc., Loftis/Robbins, Inc., and railroad representatives from Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services and Norfolk Southern also participated in the event, which was coordinated by the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association.

Shareholders of Providence and Worcester Railroad Company (P&W) voted to approve the proposed acquisition of PWRR by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI).

In mid-August 2016, GWI revealed plans to acquire P&W for $126 million. Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, P&W will merge with Pullman Acquisition Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GWI, with P&W surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of GWI.

HDR, Inc., was selected in July 2016 to provide final design services for Sound Transit's Tacoma Link Expansion and expanded maintenance facility.

HDR says the final design will be custom tailored to the unique needs of Sound Transit and the city of Tacoma, where heavy traffic means bicycles, as well as cars.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Leslie S. Richards hosted a groundbreaking event Oct. 26 for improvements to the Mount Joy station on Amtrak's Keystone Corridor, the latest in a series of investments to improve service on the 104-mile line.