Railroad News

Amtrak yesterday unveiled its "Ready to Build" campaign, which features a series of short films showcasing five critical investments that Amtrak officials believe are key to developing a modern passenger-rail system.

The campaign emphasizes investments in major Amtrak rail stations, as well as in infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), where the majority of Amtrak-owned assets are located, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has awarded more than $3 million in industrial freight grants to eight projects.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has awarded more than $3 million in industrial freight grants to eight projects.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has awarded more than $3 million in industrial freight grants to eight projects.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) will conduct a peer review of two tunnel methods as part of a planned BART extension to Silicon Valley.

The peer review will commence this month by public transit agencies currently operating rail subway systems and weigh a single-bore and twin-bore tunnel options for the five-mile tunnel. SCVTA and BART expect the peer review to take several weeks.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) will conduct a peer review of two tunnel methods as part of a planned BART extension to Silicon Valley.

The peer review will commence this month by public transit agencies currently operating rail subway systems and weigh a single-bore and twin-bore tunnel options for the five-mile tunnel. SCVTA and BART expect the peer review to take several weeks.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) will conduct a peer review of two tunnel methods as part of a planned BART extension to Silicon Valley.

The peer review will commence this month by public transit agencies currently operating rail subway systems and weigh a single-bore and twin-bore tunnel options for the five-mile tunnel. SCVTA and BART expect the peer review to take several weeks.

Wabtec Corp. has acquired AM General Contractor, a manufacturer of safety systems for passenger-rail cars. AM primarily builds fire protection and extinguishing systems, including patented infrared technology. The company also provides aftermarket services and components for both rail and industrial markets. The acquisition will open up growth opportunities in an expanding retrofit market over the next five years, said Wabtec President and Chief Executive Officer Raymond Betler in a press release. Financial details of the transaction weren't disclosed.

Fort Worth & Western Railroad (FWRR) has selected Herzog Technologies Inc. to provide positive train control (PTC) hosting services, which are designed to simplify and accelerate PTC implementation. Herzog's hosting services also will help make the short line interoperable with its host railroads, company officials said in a press release. FWRR is implementing PTC on a number of locomotives as required by federal legislation. The railroad operates 276 miles of track through eight counties in North Central Texas.

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has launched its "UTA GoRide" mobile ticketing app, which enables riders to purchase light-rail, streetcar and bus fares on their smartphones.

The app enables riders to buy single-ride fares or day passes for themselves or other passengers. GoRide isn't yet available on UTA's FrontRunner commuter-rail routes.

Juan Reyes has been appointed chief counsel of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), according to a press release issued by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, a law firm where Reyes has served as partner.

As the principal legal adviser to the FRA, Reyes will manage a legal department of 50 attorneys and provide executive direction to the general law and safety law divisions, Seyfarth officials said.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has returned to service the first round of rail cars that were refurbished as part of the agency's recent subway improvement plan.

Before the R-160 cars re-entered service on the E line, crews replaced each trainset's "master controller," which is the system responsible for braking and accelerating the trains.

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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 30, 2017, as well as volumes for September 2017.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has begun considering a series of public-private partnerships to deliver new transportation projects faster than expected.

The partnerships, which will be established through competitive bids, could help accelerate three projects funded by the Measure M sales tax, Metro officials said in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Corp. has appointed Fredric Ehlers as chief information officer.

A 32-year railroad veteran, Ehlers will continue serving as vice president of information technology, a position he's held since 2013. Based in Atlanta, Ehlers also will continue reporting to Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer Cynthia Earhart, who previously served as CIO.

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Construction of Sound Transit's East Link light-rail tunnel has reached 30 percent completion, according to the transit agency. Excavation is expected to progress at approximately three to four feet per day.

Sound Transit is utilizing Sequential Excavation Method (SEM) to build the tunnel due to the short tunnel length and to minimize the impact of tunnel construction on neighboring homes and businesses. Sound Transit explains that SEM removes soil in small sections or bites using an excavator and support equipment. As soon as soil is removed, shotcrete is sprayed on the tunnel's perimeter and lattice girders made from steel reinforcing bar provide additional structural support for the tunnel.