Railroad News

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) earlier this week held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its soon-to-open Blue Line light-rail extension.

The event's attendees included CATS Chief Executive Officer John Lewis, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, and University of North Carolina at Charlotte Chancellor Philip Dubois, according to CATS' Twitter account.

Metrolinx this spring will roll out a "click-and-collect" grocery shopping service at GO Transit commuter-rail stations — marking the first time the service will be offered at transit stations in Canada.

The Toronto-area agency is working with Loblaw Cos. Ltd. to establish the service, which enables riders to shop online and pick up groceries when they arrive at their GO station.

HNTB Corporation has brought on Edmond Hunter, CCM, as a senior transit and rail project manager.

A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found as many as two-thirds of commuter railroads required to install positive train control (PTC) by the end of the year have not allocated enough time to accomplish implementation or qualify for an extension.

Quebec Iron Ore Inc. (QIO) announced last week that the first train loaded with 16,500 metric tons of high-grade 66 percent Fe iron concentrate left the Bloom Lake Iron Ore Mine near Fermont, Quebec.

The first train represents a "tangible step toward realizing Bloom Lake's potential to become a major supplier of high quality iron ore to global markets," QIO officials said in a press release. QIO is a subsidiary of Champion Iron Ltd.

BNSF Railway Company plans to invest $110 million in its Nebraska network, where it moves nearly 2 million carloads of freight annually.

Dewberry will serve as the lead designer on a combination design-bid-build and design-build team for the L.K. Comstock & Company, Inc.'s $66 million installation of a second track for Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

A rail siding project along a Norfolk Southern Railway line in Central Bridge, New York, has qualified for a $200,000 grant through the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

The project calls for installing rail siding along the NS line to allow Hoober Feeds to receive ingredients by rail. The increase in shipments will enable Hoober Feeds to expand its operations, according to a press release issued by New York State Sen. James Seward.

Metro-North Railroad will launch an extensive three-year project to transform its White Plains station. The railroad said this work will improve the station's safety, appearance, cleanliness and accessibility.

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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 24, 2018.

Dewberry has obtained a design-build contract for MTA Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) second track expansion project on the Ronkonkoma Branch.

The firm will serve as the lead designer on L.K. Comstock & Co. Inc.'s design-bid-build and design-build team for the project. The design-build portion of the project includes major updates to two stations.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published a report on the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at railroads around the world.

Commonly known as drones, UAS can be deployed for inspecting track, assessing damage after natural disasters and a host of other applications.

Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill that would roll back a state law that prevents certain counties from purchasing, leasing, acquiring, constructing or operating a light-rail project.

Introduced by State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis), House Bill 1080 would repeal the current state law that prevents the Indianapolis area from exploring the option of pursuing light-rail as a mass transit option.

The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) is accepting applications through May 4, 2018, for a $15,000 grant to be awarded to a rail-focused educational institution.

State Sen. James L. Seward, representatives from Hoober Feeds and officials from Schoharie County announced a $200,000 state grant Feb. 26 that will pay for improvements to the rail line in Central Bridge, the New York State Senate announced.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has implemented free Wi-Fi service on all trains.

The "Wi-Fi Lite" service primarily is geared toward basic web, email and social media usage. Riders are prohibited from downloading large files or streaming video due to limited bandwidth.

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) later this year will halt commuter-rail service between Pleasant View and Ogden due to low ridership and the high cost of implementing positive train control (PTC).

The closure will start in August, the Standard-Examiner reported. Each day, about 35 southbound passengers use the Pleasant View station, which is the northern terminus of the FrontRunner commuter-rail line.