Railroad News

Weekly rail traffic on U.S. railroads continued to strengthen, to 526,970 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending May 13, a gain of 5.7 percent from the same week in 2016.

Overall traffic totaled 255,361 carloads, up 7 percent, while intermodal volume was 271,609 containers and trailers, ahead 4.4% from a year ago, according to data from the Association of American Railroads.

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/18/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The extension would run south to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.Photo – kcstreetcar.org

Just a day after announcing an aggressive initiative to fix delays, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) issued a Request for Proposals as part of a program to dramatically renovate subway stations in Manhattan.

 

Rail News Home Railroading People 5/18/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
Jeffrey RosenPhoto – acus.gov

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/18/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Local officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new station.Photo – Gov. Baker's Twitter account

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 5/18/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The proposed Transportation Modernization Act (Bill C49) introduced this week by Canada's Transport Minister Marc Garneau would reduce uncertainty in the rail industry, Canadian Pacific officials say, adding that they're continuing to review the legislation.CP officials are "cautiously optimistic" about the bill, according to a company press release."Like any piece of legislation, there are pieces that resonate with certain groups and other pieces that do not," said CP President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Creel.  "We continue to review the details and will consult with Transport Canada officials and other key stakeholders."Introduced by Garneau on Tuesday, the legislation would "provide a better experience for travelers and a transparent, fair, efficient and safer freight-rail system to facilitate trade and economic growth," according to a Transport Canada press release. Key measures addressing the freight industry include improving access, transparency, efficiency, and sustainable long-term investment in the freight-rail sector; and increasing the safety of transportation in Canada by requiring railways to install voice and video recorders in locomotives.Earlier in the week, Creel endorsed the bill's measure to mandate voice and video recorders in locomotive cabs. The bill also would replace temporary extended inter-switching with long-haul inter-switching (LHI), clarify language around "adequate and suitable" service, and retain the Maximum Revenue Entitlement (MRE) regime, with minor modifications, CP officials said."The proposed changes to the Maximum Revenue Entitlement should promote hopper car investments and that is good for the farmer, good for CP and for all Canadian exporters," said Creel. "The details on LHI need further review; however, a move to commercial, market-based fundamentals versus the current regulated approach to extended inter-switching is a step in the right direction," he added. "However, potential access to the Canadian network by U.S. based railroads via LHI without reciprocity is not good public policy as it could create an uneven playing field and disadvantage Canadian railways vis-a-vis those in the U.S., with a negative impact on jobs and investment."In terms of service, CP believes the bill to be "balanced and focused on what service level is reasonable given the specific facts and circumstances," the press release stated."We are supportive of anything that facilitates railway investment in the supply chain to enable additional capacity and efficiency," said Creel.Meanwhile, the proposed law also would lift ownership restrictions on CN to 25 percent from the current 15 percent, according to news reports."It was reasonable to increase that to 25 percent," Garneau said at a press conference this week, Bloomberg reported. "We felt that this wasn't fair to CN."Among those who could benefit by the law change is American billionaire and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who is the Class I's biggest single shareholder, Bloomberg reported.CN CEO Luc Jobin criticized the proposed inter-switching changes."Our initial view is that long haul inter-switching may have unintended consequences with respect to investment and could give U.S. railways access to the Canadian market at regulated rates — without reciprocity," Jobin said in a written statement reported by Bloomberg. However, CN endorsed other changes, including the requirement for locomotive voice and video recorders. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/18/2017

The U.S. Senate confirmed Jeffrey Rosen as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on May 16. Rosen is the 18th deputy secretary in USDOT's 50-year history.

 

The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) and Federal Highway Administration have signed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) document for the Willmar Rail Connector and Industrial Park Access Project (Willmar Wye).

 

The government of Canada proposed legislation aimed at providing air passengers more protection and choice and improving the nation's freight rail system through investment and safety measures.

Transport Canada says the legislation, called the Transportation Modernization Act, is the result of more than a year of consultation, feedback and guidance from citizens and stakeholders across Canada. The Transportation Modernization Act would amend the existing Railway Safety Act.

Union Pacific plans to spend $48.1 million in Utah this year to improve its infrastructure. The state spending plan is part of the Class 1's $3.1-billion 2017 capital program.

 

Metra, Chicago's suburban passenger rail provider, broke ground a station at Romeoville, which will be a new stop along the Heritage Corridor Line.

"Getting a Metra stop has been a village goal for a long time, so we're very excited to break ground today," Romeoville Mayor John Noak said. "Having another transportation link to the city will be a great benefit for residents as well as businesses."

Rail News Home Railroading Supplier Spotlight 5/17/2017 Rail News: Railroading Supplier Spotlight
ANGI Energy Systems next month will ship equipment for a CNG fueling station for Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad.Photo – ANGI Energy Systems

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/17/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The development will include 70,000 square feet of office space.Photo – MARTA

Rail News Home Railroading People 5/17/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
The League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW) is seeking nominations for four three-year board positions to begin in fall.The positions are for scholarship chair, membership chair, awards chair and director. The nomination deadline is June 16, LRIW officials said in a press release."We are very excited to once again open these opportunities to women within the railroad industry," said LRIW President Jodi Heldt.LRIW's board is composed of 15 female industry professionals from across the United States and Canada. Four board members govern the executive committee."The LRIW was founded on the ideology that women in the railroading industry, no matter their professional level, have access to leadership positions where they can contribute to the industry, network, make a difference and grow professionally," said Heldt. "As the organization grows, we're seeking dynamic, talented women to continue our success."Interested applicants can visit the organization's website for more information, or contact Mary Schroll, LRIW parliamentarian.The LRIW 2017 Annual Conference will be held Sept. 18-19 in conjunction with Railway Interchange 2017 in Indianapolis. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

5/17/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/17/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad announced yesterday that its 2017 capital expenditure plans include $48 million worth of projects in Utah.UP's Utah plans include $40.3 million to maintain track and $4.2 million to maintain bridges, according to a company press release.Key projects will include $18.4 million to replace 146,327 ties on the rail line between Wells and Salt Lake City; $6.8 million to replace 55,546 ties between Lynndyl and Tooele; and $2.6 million to replace 4 miles of curve rail between Ogden, Utah, and Granger, Wyo.From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $221 million on its infrastructure in Utah."Union Pacific's targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities across Utah," said Wes Lujan, vice president—public affairs, Western region, in a press release. "Maintaining a healthy railroad is the foundation of our ability to serve customers and communities across the state."The Utah investment news is the latest of UP's state-by-state capex plans announced for 2017. The Class I expects to spend $3.1 billion across its network this year. The company has invested $51 billion in capital expenditures since 2000, contributing to a 40 percent decrease in derailments during the same time frame, UP officials said. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/17/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad announced yesterday that its 2017 capital expenditure plans include $48 million worth of projects in Utah.UP's Utah plans include $40.3 million to maintain track and $4.2 million to maintain bridges, according to a company press release.Key projects will include $18.4 million to replace 146,327 ties on the rail line between Wells and Salt Lake City; $6.8 million to replace 55,546 ties between Lynndyl and Tooele; and $2.6 million to replace 4 miles of curve rail between Ogden, Utah, and Granger, Wyo.From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $221 million on its infrastructure in Utah."Union Pacific's targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities across Utah," said Wes Lujan, vice president—public affairs, Western region, in a press release. "Maintaining a healthy railroad is the foundation of our ability to serve customers and communities across the state."The Utah investment news is the latest of UP's state-by-state capex plans announced for 2017. The Class I expects to spend $3.1 billion across its network this year. The company has invested $51 billion in capital expenditures since 2000, contributing to a 40 percent decrease in derailments during the same time frame, UP officials said. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

5/17/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 5/17/2017 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern Railway Co. will spend $24.6 million this year on construction and improvement projects on its rail line through Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.The work will be completed on its Pittsburg, Heavener and Shreveport subdivisions, according to a KCS press release.The Class I has planned rail, tie and crossing improvements between Neosho, Mo., and Blanchard, La. The work is expected to begin May 30 and continue through late August. In total, the project will include the replacement of 7.7 miles of rail and 90,000 ties, as well as improvements to more than 130 grade crossings."KCS, through its U.S. and Mexican subsidiaries, continues to invest in capital projects to expand network capacity, keep maintenance in a regular and healthy cycle, and enhance the safety of our operation," said President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ottensmeyer. "These investments also help us be an economic growth partner to our customers and the communities through which we operate." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 5/17/2017 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern Railway Co. will spend $24.6 million this year on construction and improvement projects on its rail line through Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.The work will be completed on its Pittsburg, Heavener and Shreveport subdivisions, according to a KCS press release.The Class I has planned rail, tie and crossing improvements between Neosho, Mo., and Blanchard, La. The work is expected to begin May 30 and continue through late August. In total, the project will include the replacement of 7.7 miles of rail and 90,000 ties, as well as improvements to more than 130 grade crossings."KCS, through its U.S. and Mexican subsidiaries, continues to invest in capital projects to expand network capacity, keep maintenance in a regular and healthy cycle, and enhance the safety of our operation," said President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ottensmeyer. "These investments also help us be an economic growth partner to our customers and the communities through which we operate." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017