Railroad News

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and Sycuan Casino have signed a naming rights agreement for the Green Line light-rail route.

The route will be renamed the Sycuan Green Line. The pact will generate up to $25.5 million in nonfare revenue for MTS operations over 30 years, agency officials said in a press release.

Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) General Manager Neil McFarlane this week announced plans to retire in early 2018.

McFarlane joined the agency in 1991 and became general manager in 2010. During his time at TriMet, he helped grow the MAX light-rail system from a single 15-mile line to a five-line, 60-mile network.

BNSF Railway Co. yesterday named Farmrail System Inc. as its "Short Line of the Year" at the Class I's annual short-line conference.

A holding company for Grainbelt Corp. and Farmrail Corp., Farmrail System was recognized for its "entrepreneurial spirit and diligence in attracting new customers," BNSF officials said in a press release.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today announced the 2017 recipients of the Holden-Proefrock Award and 2016 Non-Accident Release (NAR) Grand Slam Awards, which are given annually to individuals and railroads that operate in the fields of hazardous materials.

AAR named Paul Williams of Norfolk Southern Railway as the Holden-Proefrock Award winner. For 34 years, Williams has worked to ensure the safe transport of hazardous materials by rail.

TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane will retire after more than seven years at the helm of Oregon's largest public transit provider.

McFarlane will retire in early 2018. He has been with TriMet since February 1991, serving as general manager since July 1, 2010.

TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane will retire after more than seven years at the helm of Oregon's largest public transit provider.

McFarlane will retire in early 2018. He has been with TriMet since February 1991, serving as general manager since July 1, 2010.

TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane will retire after more than seven years at the helm of Oregon's largest public transit provider.

McFarlane will retire in early 2018. He has been with TriMet since February 1991, serving as general manager since July 1, 2010.

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) citing a commitment to growth and teamwork, named Farmrail System its 2017 Shortline of the Year at its annual Shortline Conference.

"In less than one month, Farmrail was able to replace 8,400 crossties and more than 10,000 tons of ballast to revitalize a siding and capture new business," said Merril Lieb, assistant vice president, BNSF Shortline Development. "It is Farmrail's commitment to growth and teamwork with BNSF that led us to select them as our Shortline of the Year."

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) citing a commitment to growth and teamwork, named Farmrail System its 2017 Shortline of the Year at its annual Shortline Conference.

"In less than one month, Farmrail was able to replace 8,400 crossties and more than 10,000 tons of ballast to revitalize a siding and capture new business," said Merril Lieb, assistant vice president, BNSF Shortline Development. "It is Farmrail's commitment to growth and teamwork with BNSF that led us to select them as our Shortline of the Year."

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) citing a commitment to growth and teamwork, named Farmrail System its 2017 Shortline of the Year at its annual Shortline Conference.

"In less than one month, Farmrail was able to replace 8,400 crossties and more than 10,000 tons of ballast to revitalize a siding and capture new business," said Merril Lieb, assistant vice president, BNSF Shortline Development. "It is Farmrail's commitment to growth and teamwork with BNSF that led us to select them as our Shortline of the Year."

Construction is set to begin on a grade separation project in San Mateo, Calif., that has been a long sought goal of the city and Caltrain.

Work will begin Oct. 23 on Caltrain's 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project, which will bring improved safety for motorists and pedestrians, as well as a reduction in local traffic congestion once complete.

Construction is set to begin on a grade separation project in San Mateo, Calif., that has been a long sought goal of the city and Caltrain.

Work will begin Oct. 23 on Caltrain's 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project, which will bring improved safety for motorists and pedestrians, as well as a reduction in local traffic congestion once complete.

Construction is set to begin on a grade separation project in San Mateo, Calif., that has been a long sought goal of the city and Caltrain.

Work will begin Oct. 23 on Caltrain's 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project, which will bring improved safety for motorists and pedestrians, as well as a reduction in local traffic congestion once complete.

Kansas City Southern reported record third-quarter operating income, operating ratio and adjusted earnings per share, company officials announced today.

Operating income for third-quarter 2017 rose 17 percent to $234 million, adjusted earnings per share increased 21 percent to $1.35 and the operating ratio improved 2.5 points to 64.4 percent compared with third-quarter 2016 results, according to a KCS press release.

Kansas City Southern reported record third-quarter operating income, operating ratio and adjusted earnings per share, company officials announced today.

Operating income for third-quarter 2017 rose 17 percent to $234 million, adjusted earnings per share increased 21 percent to $1.35 and the operating ratio improved 2.5 points to 64.4 percent compared with third-quarter 2016 results, according to a KCS press release.

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Announces Annual Holden-Proefrock and Grand Slam Awards 

Washington, D.C. – October 20, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced the 2017 recipients of the Holden-Proefrock Award and the 2016 Non-Accident Release (NAR) Grand Slam Awards. The awards are given annually to individuals and railroads operating in hazardous material fields.

During the first nine months of 2017, the number of average weekday rides on TransLink's system increased 6.2 percent compared with ridership for the same period last year.

In September alone, ridership on the agency's Expo/Millennium SkyTrain line shot up 10.6 percent to 9.2 million boardings. SkyTrain's Canada Line logged 4 million boardings, marking a 4.6 percent increase.

The Port of Longview in Washington has entered into an agreement with International Raw Materials (IRM) to lease the port's Bridgeview Terminal, port officials announced yesterday.

IRM operated from the port between 1981 and 2001. Based in Philadelphia, IRM intends to use the terminal for the export of bulk minerals, fertilizers and grains.

After just more than a year since it announced what it called "a design breakthrough," Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has released the results of its new, reduced-contact wheel profile.

BART says the new wheel profile has shown as much as a 15-decibel decrease in interior noise on the current fleet. Additionally, BART says the new wheel profile will no longer rely on the wheel flange catching the rail to turn around corner, which will "drastically reduce the amount of wheel and erosion, and will stretch the life of our infrastructure by many years." The new wheel profile has been outfitted on 13 percent of BART's legacy fleet and the transit authority estimates 90 percent of the fleet will be converted by 2019.

After just more than a year since it announced what it called "a design breakthrough," Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has released the results of its new, reduced-contact wheel profile.

BART says the new wheel profile has shown as much as a 15-decibel decrease in interior noise on the current fleet. Additionally, BART says the new wheel profile will no longer rely on the wheel flange catching the rail to turn around corner, which will "drastically reduce the amount of wheel and erosion, and will stretch the life of our infrastructure by many years." The new wheel profile has been outfitted on 13 percent of BART's legacy fleet and the transit authority estimates 90 percent of the fleet will be converted by 2019.