Railroad News

Union Pacific (UP) has announced plans to spend an estimated $47 million on its Iowa network and about $63.3 million on its network in Oregon this year to improve safety, efficiency and customer service.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its annual 5-year plan for the Crossing Safety Improvement Program, which will roll out highway-rail safety projects throughout the state.

The province of Ontario yesterday announced plans to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) to select a team to design, build, finance, operate and maintain its GO Regional Express Rail (RER) project.

The contract will integrate rail operations and maintenance with the infrastructure and vehicle upgrades needed to deliver electrified service on the GO Transit rail network, according to a press release issued by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Ontario is adding new stations and performing upgrades across its GO Regional Express Rail (RER) network to prepare for additional all-day, two-way GO train service for commuters in the greater Toronto and Hamilton area.

BNSF Railway Co.'s $3.3 billion capital investment plan will put the railroad in a position to meet customers' growth and service expectations this year, President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Ice told the Surface Transportation Board (STB) last week.

Ice is one of two Class I executives to respond so far to the STB's recent request for 2018 service outlook reports, as the board looks into shippers' complaints about deteriorating freight-rail service.

BNSF Railway Co.'s $3.3 billion capital investment plan will put the railroad in a position to meet customers' growth and service expectations this year, President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Ice told the Surface Transportation Board (STB) last week.

Ice is one of two Class I executives to respond so far to the STB's recent request for 2018 service outlook reports, as the board looks into shippers' complaints about deteriorating freight-rail service.

The Port of New Orleans has given its blessing, and more, for a plan to redevelop a defunct city shipyard into an intermodal terminal.

A new joint venture has acquired the former Avondale shipyard, a 206-acre site that under Northrup Grumman Corp. constructed its last ship for the Navy in 2013 and was once the largest private employer in Louisiana.

Robert Sumwalt, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), offered insight on the status of important rail safety changes at the midpoint of the Most Wanted List 2017–2018 cycle in a March 26 blog post.

The NTSB released its 2017–2018 Most Wanted List in November 2016, following a new two-year cycle format rather than the previous annual timeline used.

Oregon's Portland Streetcar last week obtained permission from the Portland City Council to buy two new streetcars to boost service frequency.

Workforce development firm ConnectWork LLC has registered two new rail-related apprenticeships with the state of Maryland.

The programs will provide instruction for future rail-car remediators and rail-car mechanics. While the apprenticeships are open to all rail companies in Maryland, the programs will primarily serve the Baltimore region, specifically in the Tradepoint Atlantic corridor.

Union Pacific Railroad has announced a $65 million capital expenditure program for Nebraska and a $63.3 million capex program for Oregon this year.

The Class I's plans for Nebraska include $54.9 million to maintain track and $3 million to maintain bridges.

Union Pacific Railroad has announced a $65 million capital expenditure program for Nebraska and a $63.3 million capex program for Oregon this year.

The Class I's plans for Nebraska include $54.9 million to maintain track and $3 million to maintain bridges.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's (MARTA) board late last week confirmed Jeffrey Parker as general manager and chief executive officer.

Earlier this month, the agency named Parker as the sole finalist for the position. His confirmation followed a state-mandated 14-day waiting period, MARTA officials said in a press release.

Siemens and Alstom have entered into a business combination agreement to merge their rail operations, the companies announced late last week.

The measure follows the memorandum of understanding announced in September 2017. The business combination agreement sets the merger's terms and conditions, according to the companies' press release.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's (PANYNJ) board late last week authorized agreements with Jersey City that will make way for construction of a new power substation for the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail system.

The authority has agreed to turn the Washington Street Powerhouse over to Jersey City for possible future redevelopment. The aging powerhouse and adjacent substation had been the primary source of power for PATH, but it has "outlived its usefulness," PANYNJ officials said in a press release.

CN President and Chief Executive Officer JJ Ruest has informed the Surface Transportation Board (STB) of the railroad's plan to speed up its service in response to recent shipper complaints.

Earlier this month, the STB asked all Class Is operating in the United States to submit their service plans in response to shippers' complaints about a deterioration in rail service. Ruest, who earlier this month was named interim president and CEO after the sudden resignation of Luc Jobin, is the first Class I executive to respond to the STB.

CN President and Chief Executive Officer JJ Ruest has informed the Surface Transportation Board (STB) of the railroad's plan to speed up its service in response to recent shipper complaints.

Earlier this month, the STB asked all Class Is operating in the United States to submit their service plans in response to shippers' complaints about a deterioration in rail service. Ruest, who earlier this month was named interim president and CEO after the sudden resignation of Luc Jobin, is the first Class I executive to respond to the STB.

The $1.3 trillion fiscal-year 2018 omnibus appropriations bill that President Donald Trump signed late last week includes "significant increases" for public transit, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

The legislation increases Federal Transit Administration (FTA) program funding to $13.5 billion, which is above the $12.3 billion authorized level. The budget also includes major increases in Federal Railroad Administration commuter and intercity passenger-rail programs, APTA officials said in a press release.