Railroad News

CSX this afternoon announced that its board unanimously appointed James Foote president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

He succeeds E. Hunter Harrison, who died Dec. 16 shortly after taking medical leave. Harrison had led the Class I since March. Foote — who joined CSX in October as executive vice president and chief operating officer — served as acting CEO in Harrison’s absence.

Cad Railway Industries Ltd. has acquired rail-car repair company Caltrax Inc. The transaction will enable Quebec-based Cad to reinforce its freight servicing capabilities and solidify its market position by gaining a network across Canada of on-site repair facilities, Cad officials said in a press release. In addition, Caltrax's mobile repair service units are expected to boost Cad's customer service. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Canadian rail contractor Allied Track Services has acquired Pittsburg Bottom Line Co., a Texas-based railroad bridge contractor. RR Mergers & Acquisitions advised Pittsburg Bottom Line on the sale. Allied Track Services provides maintenance of way and other related rail services from four locations across Canada, according to a press release issued by RR Mergers. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will be issued the first installment of federal grant, $100 million for the Green Line Extension (GLX) light-rail project.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will be issued the first installment of federal grant, $100 million for the Green Line Extension (GLX) light-rail project.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. completed the acquisition of CH2M. Jacobs says the move strengthens its position to provide innovative government, infrastructure and industrial professional services.

"This is a transformative step-change that brings together the industry's foremost expertise and services to fulfill our vision to provide leading-edge solutions for a more connected, sustainable world," said Jacobs Chairman and CEO Steve Demetriou. "Since our August announcement, we have held meetings with thousands of CH2M and Jacobs employees, and I cannot overstate the enthusiasm we share about our future together. Today, we are celebrating the creation of a new Jacobs with even greater aspirations to do meaningful work around the world, heartened by clients who have eagerly anticipated this combination."

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. completed the acquisition of CH2M. Jacobs says the move strengthens its position to provide innovative government, infrastructure and industrial professional services.

"This is a transformative step-change that brings together the industry's foremost expertise and services to fulfill our vision to provide leading-edge solutions for a more connected, sustainable world," said Jacobs Chairman and CEO Steve Demetriou. "Since our August announcement, we have held meetings with thousands of CH2M and Jacobs employees, and I cannot overstate the enthusiasm we share about our future together. Today, we are celebrating the creation of a new Jacobs with even greater aspirations to do meaningful work around the world, heartened by clients who have eagerly anticipated this combination."

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in mid-January will begin phasing out the sale of tokens at cashiers' booths and vending machines in Market-Frankford and Broad Street Line subway stations.

With token sales declining as riders move to the reloadable "Key" card fare payment system, about half of station vending machines on the lines have been removed. During a six-week period, SEPTA will remove the 40 remaining token machines from the lines, with token sales at all these locations expected to end in March.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week announced the state will pursue legal action to try to stop Iowa Pacific Holdings from storing thousands of rail cars in Adirondack Park.

The state's Department of Environmental Conservation has filed a petition for waivers and exemptions with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to support the state's application for "adverse abandonment."

North American rail volume for the week ending Dec. 16 climbed 7.8 percent to 733,320 carloads and intermodal units compared with volume in the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Thirteen U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads hauled 363,454 carloads during the week, a 6 percent year-over-year increase. Intermodal units totaled 369,866 units, up 9.7 percent, AAR officials said in a press release.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) last week tested a new device to detect bombs and explosives.

The testing, which took place at the 7th/Metro Station in downtown L.A., was part of Metro's ongoing efforts to test different technologies to improve security on the transit system, agency officials wrote in a blog post.

Kevin Flaherty, executive vice president for Maintenance of Way at Holland LP, will be retiring effective Dec. 31 after 15 years of leadership within the company and 40 years in the industry.

Holland, based in Crete, Ill., called Flaherty "a driving force" behind the progress it experienced during his tenure, as it grew six times over in revenue and number of employees. He helped expand Holland's fleet and presence on every Class 1 Railroad in North America, where Holland is a leading provider in contract welding and track measurement.

Kevin Flaherty, executive vice president for Maintenance of Way at Holland LP, will be retiring effective Dec. 31 after 15 years of leadership within the company and 40 years in the industry.

Holland, based in Crete, Ill., called Flaherty "a driving force" behind the progress it experienced during his tenure, as it grew six times over in revenue and number of employees. He helped expand Holland's fleet and presence on every Class 1 Railroad in North America, where Holland is a leading provider in contract welding and track measurement.

Several rail-related trade associations endorsed the tax-reform legislation passed by Congress yesterday.

Leaders of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), American Association of Port Authorities and Building America's Future issued statements saying they welcomed passage of the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act."

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dec. 20, 2017 – Edward R. Hamberger, Association of American Railroads President and CEO, released the following statement on final passage of tax reform legislation in Congress.

“Tax reform will make our customers and the freight railroads more globally competitive, and we applaud Congress for passing this legislation. Key provisions, namely the reduction of the corporate tax rate and full and immediate expensing for five years, will help support private investment across the 140,000-mile rail network and the entire economy. We look forward to moving on to other policy debates next year that affect our industry and our customers, especially in ensuring that NAFTA remains in place, in making the short line tax credit permanent and in comprehensively addressing U.S. infrastructure and transportation systems."

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has issued its annual sustainability report, which provides an update on the approach to the design, construction and operation of the state's future high-speed rail system.

The report highlights a range of topics including energy, natural resources, infrastructure, station communities, and business and management.

TransLink plans to study the feasibility of providing late-night SkyTrain service on Fridays and Saturdays.

The agency is studying the issue in response to requests from the public, municipal leaders, police and other community stakeholders, TransLink officials said in a press release.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has added free Wi-Fi service at 24 additional underground rail stations.

The agency now offers the service at 30 total underground stations. In April, WMATA first began providing Wi-Fi service at six stations.

The seven-year, $2 billion project to prepare a high-speed passenger-rail route between Chicago and St. Louis is in its final months, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

IDOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn told the The State Journal-Register this week that he expects the project — to upgrade track, grade crossings and technology to allow high-speed Amtrak trains on the corridor — will be completed on time and on budget.