Railroad News

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has appointed infrastructure consultant Paul Karas to be commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

Most recently, Karas served for four years as vice president and manager of RS&H Inc., a transportation buildings infrastructure consulting firm, according to a press release issued by the governor's office.

The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority on Saturday held a groundbreaking ceremony for a $1.5 billion light-rail extension between Glendora and Montclair, California.

The 12.3-mile line will be an extension of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (Metro) Gold Line light-rail route.

Members of the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART TD) voted to ratify the new national contract with the freight carriers, the union announced Dec. 1.

The contract will cover more than 35,000 SMART TD members employed by BNSF Railway Co., CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific Railroad and numerous smaller carriers, union officials said in a press release.

The Regional Plan Association (RPA) late last week unveiled a proposal for sweeping changes to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) subway and commuter-rail services in the New York City area.

The association recommends that the MTA expand the subway system into neighborhoods with densities to support fixed-rail transit, particularly in low-income areas where residents dependent on public transit. For example, in Queens, fewer than four in 10 residents live within walking distance to the subway, according to the report.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) late last week filed comments with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) called for a federal regulatory approach that recognizes the railroad industry's private investments in infrastructure and technology that improve safety and performance.

The AAR submitted its comments in response to the Trump administration's directive to reform industry regulations and processes.

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS CALLS ON U.S. DOT TO MODERNIZE AGENCY'S OVERARCHING REGULATORY APPROACH

Seeks Common Sense Regulations Based on Safety Successes, Not Prescribed Processes

Miami-Dade Transit yesterday placed its first new Hitachi Rail Italy train into passenger service.

The four-car consist is the agency's first new train to enter service since the Metrorail system opened in 1984, Miami-Dade County officials said in a press release.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) announced today that its membership has voted to ratify a new contract with the National Carriers Conference Committee, representing the nation's freight carriers.

The BLET is the third union among the six represented by the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) to ratify the five-year agreement, which covers rates of pay, health and welfare, and other fringe benefits for 25,000 BLET members nationwide.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors' approved a contract with Sepulveda Mobility Partners to study options for its Sepulveda Pass Corridor at the board's final meeting of 2017.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors' approved a contract with Sepulveda Mobility Partners to study options for its Sepulveda Pass Corridor at the board's final meeting of 2017.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors' approved a contract with Sepulveda Mobility Partners to study options for its Sepulveda Pass Corridor at the board's final meeting of 2017.

Britain's infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has introduced into operation the first two of three 150m (492-foot) long grinding trains, which Loram and Colas Rail are supplying under a £36-million (US$48.6-million) contract.

The trains will replace several older grinding machines that are coming to the end of their life. The new grinding trains can remove metal from the rail head at up to 25km/h (17.4 mph) and can travel between work sites at speeds of up to 110km/h (68.4 mph).

Britain's infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has introduced into operation the first two of three 150m (492-foot) long grinding trains, which Loram and Colas Rail are supplying under a £36-million (US$48.6-million) contract.

The trains will replace several older grinding machines that are coming to the end of their life. The new grinding trains can remove metal from the rail head at up to 25km/h (17.4 mph) and can travel between work sites at speeds of up to 110km/h (68.4 mph).

Britain's infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has introduced into operation the first two of three 150m (492-foot) long grinding trains, which Loram and Colas Rail are supplying under a £36-million (US$48.6-million) contract.

The trains will replace several older grinding machines that are coming to the end of their life. The new grinding trains can remove metal from the rail head at up to 25km/h (17.4 mph) and can travel between work sites at speeds of up to 110km/h (68.4 mph).

Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group, Sersa Total Track (STT) is teaming up with rail contractor, Remcan Projects LP in an effort to extend its capabilities, expertise and infrastructure across Canada.

Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group, Sersa Total Track (STT) is teaming up with rail contractor, Remcan Projects LP in an effort to extend its capabilities, expertise and infrastructure across Canada.

Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group, Sersa Total Track (STT) is teaming up with rail contractor, Remcan Projects LP in an effort to extend its capabilities, expertise and infrastructure across Canada.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John "Jack" Hellmann was presented with Progressive Railroading's Railroad Innovator Award today at the 2017 RailTrends® conference in New York City.

The award recognizes an individual's outstanding achievement in the rail industry.