Railroad News

Union Pacific (UP) continues its efforts to implement positive train control (PTC). The Class 1 released a progress report citing its accomplishments in the first quarter of 2017.

Union Pacific (UP) continues its efforts to implement positive train control (PTC). The Class 1 released a progress report citing its accomplishments in the first quarter of 2017.

Union Pacific (UP) continues its efforts to implement positive train control (PTC). The Class 1 released a progress report citing its accomplishments in the first quarter of 2017.

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Freight Rail Industry: Grade Crossing Safety Is on All of us

International Level Crossing Awareness Day Reminds the Public about the Dangers of Grade Crossings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 2, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today joins with the rail transportation community from more than 40 countries in calling for increased education about and attention to the dangers surrounding level crossings, also known as grade crossings, during the 9th annual International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD).  Such heightened focus is particularly important as schools across the U.S. close for the summer and travel season heats up. 

"For the freight rail industry, there is no higher priority than safety," said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. "While federal data shows that grade crossing fatalities have been trending downward, there are still far too many fatalities that occur in and around crossings and the overwhelming majority of them are preventable. As the industry continues to focus on making level crossings safer, it also supports critical initiatives like International Level Crossing Awareness Day, which draw people's attention to the dangers of grade crossings and raise awareness about how to stay safe near tracks."

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is preparing for less disruptive maintenance and planned capital work after a year of its SafeTrack program.

"SafeTrack was the most aggressive track renewal program in Metro's history, and it achieved its primary goals – but it all came with the cost of great inconvenience to our riders," said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. "Now, like every other mature transit system, we must do everything in our power to prevent another SafeTrack through a healthy program of preventive maintenance combined with planned capital projects."

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is preparing for less disruptive maintenance and planned capital work after a year of its SafeTrack program.

"SafeTrack was the most aggressive track renewal program in Metro's history, and it achieved its primary goals – but it all came with the cost of great inconvenience to our riders," said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. "Now, like every other mature transit system, we must do everything in our power to prevent another SafeTrack through a healthy program of preventive maintenance combined with planned capital projects."

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is preparing for less disruptive maintenance and planned capital work after a year of its SafeTrack program.

"SafeTrack was the most aggressive track renewal program in Metro's history, and it achieved its primary goals – but it all came with the cost of great inconvenience to our riders," said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. "Now, like every other mature transit system, we must do everything in our power to prevent another SafeTrack through a healthy program of preventive maintenance combined with planned capital projects."

6/2/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical

Caltrain will receive a grant for $21.68 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The grant will be used to dual equip seven Caltrain trains with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in order to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads meet the December 31, 2018 deadline to implement PTC systems in order to improve safety.

Caltrain will receive a grant for $21.68 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The grant will be used to dual equip seven Caltrain trains with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in order to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads meet the December 31, 2018 deadline to implement PTC systems in order to improve safety.

Caltrain will receive a grant for $21.68 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The grant will be used to dual equip seven Caltrain trains with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in order to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads meet the December 31, 2018 deadline to implement PTC systems in order to improve safety.

AECOM has released its first television commercial to show "infrastructure's power to connect communities," company officials said in a press release. Filmed by director John Singleton and created by Los Angeles advertising agency Battery, the ad is part of a new AECOM campaign that focuses on the human impacts of its clients' projects. The campaign is dubbed "Imagine it. Delivered." The commercial, which began airing yesterday, depicts a young surfer traveling on a Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) light-rail train from South Los Angeles to a beach in Santa Monica. AECOM has worked on rail projects with L.A. Metro, along with other major infrastructure projects throughout the world.

ZTR Control Systems announced a new partnership with Surtees Rail Group in South Africa. ZTR's products will be used to upgrade Surtees' fleet and eventually locomotive fleets throughout South Africa and beyond, said Surtees Director Tony Wood in a press release. ZTR offers the NEXSYS™III-i control system, which is designed to increase locomotive adhesion and integrate with automatic engine start-stop technology. Along with NEXSYS, ZTR and Surtees will offer a products and services aimed at extending the life of a locomotive by 15 to 20 years, according to the press release.

Metra police have charged with felony theft a suspect who was trespassing in one of the railroad's yards.

The suspect, Orlando Dampier, entered the yard Tuesday and stole $1,500 worth of copper wire, Metra officials said in a press release. He also is a suspect in multiple thefts from Metra property, and additional Metra Police charges are pending.

U.S. railroads moved 548,103 carloads and intermodal units during the week ending May 27, a 6.7 percent increase compared with the same week in 2016, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

The railroads logged 266,564 carloads, up 8 percent, and 281,539 intermodal containers and trailers, up 5.4 percent, compared with the same week a year ago.

Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) S-Line streetcar ridership grew 8 percent in 2017's first quarter compared with the same period last year.

Additionally, ridership in 2016 was up 15 percent year over year, UTA officials said in a press release.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) announced yesterday it has completed its acquisition of Atlantic Western Transportation Inc., the parent of Heart of Georgia Railroad Inc. (HOG).

Founded in 1999, HOG operates across Georgia on 219 miles of track leased from the Georgia Department of Transportation. The railroad connects with G&W's Georgia Southwestern Railroad at Americus, Ga., and with G&W's Georgia Central Railway at Vidalia, Ga., according to a G&W press release.

Officials from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), along with community leaders, broke ground on a new $7.5-million station.

The new station will be built on the same site of the current station at 2820 East 34th St. Called Campus Station due to its location nea the Tri-C Metro Campus, the station will serve the red, green and blue train lines as well as bus routes 15, 19 and 76.

Officials from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), along with community leaders, broke ground on a new $7.5-million station.

The new station will be built on the same site of the current station at 2820 East 34th St. Called Campus Station due to its location nea the Tri-C Metro Campus, the station will serve the red, green and blue train lines as well as bus routes 15, 19 and 76.