Railroad News

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

4/25/2017    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 4/25/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
CN raised its outlook for the year after reporting "solid" first-quarter results that included increases in revenue, earnings and volumes, the Class I's executives announced yesterday.CN's Q1 volume included a 14 percent increase in Western Canadian grain that moved over the network, despite more demanding winter conditions this year compared to 2016, President and Chief Executive Officer Luc Jobin said in a press release.Revenue rose 8 percent to 3.2 billion in Canadian dollars, net income increased 12 percent to CA$884 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) climbed 16 percent to CA$1.16 compared with last year's Q1 results.Adjusted net income rose 11 percent to CA$879 million, with adjusted diluted EPS increasing 15 percent to CA$1.15.Compared with the same period last year, carloadings for the quarter were up 9 percent and revenue ton-miles, 14 percent.CN posted an operating ratio of 59.4 percent, up 0.5 of a point from the prior-year quarter.Jobin described CN's results as a "solid response" in accommodating the strong demand during the first quarter."Our ongoing investments in people, equipment and infrastructure continue to position us well to leverage CN's industry-leading operational performance and superior customer service," Jobin said. "With a strong start in Q1 and an increased volume outlook for the rest of the year, I am pleased to announce an upward revision to our 2017 financial outlook."CN now aims to deliver a 2017 adjusted diluted EPS in the range of CA$4.95 to
CA$5.10, versus last year's adjusted diluted EPS  of CA$4.59. On Jan. 24, the company's financial outlook called for mid-single-digit growth this year.Additionally, the Class I raised its capital expenditures program by CA$100 million to CA$2.6 billion, of which CA$1.6 billion is still targeted toward track infrastructure projects. The additional capital investment will be used to purchase 22 locomotives and other projects to support growth.The increase in revenue was mainly attributable to higher volumes of Canadian and U.S. grain, frac sand, coal exports, overseas intermodal traffic, and finished vehicles; freight rate increases; and higher applicable fuel surcharge rates. Those factors were partly offset by the negative translation impact of a stronger Canadian dollar on U.S.-dollar-denominated revenues. Operating expenses rose 9 percent, primarily due to higher fuel prices and costs associated with higher volumes, partly offset by the positive translation impact of a stronger Canadian dollar on U.S.-dollar-denominated expenses. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 4/25/2017

Union Pacific (UP) plans to invest approximately $57 million in Nebraska infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of UP's $3.1-billion capital plan.

The Class 1 says the plan will fund a range of initiatives including $53 million to maintain railroad track and $721,000 to maintain bridges in the state.

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff has named Thomas Gibson Vice President and Western Regional Manager of its Transit and Rail practice, based in Sacramento. Gibson is responsible for technical and operational management, project delivery, staff acquisition and business growth.

Gibson has 37 years of experience in rail systems projects throughout the U.S. and internationally, including implementation of systems and track work for a major light rail transit extension in St. Louis, procurement and manufacturing of light rail vehicles under a contract for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), and implementation of systems for the Seoul, Korea subway lines 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. In addition, he was responsible for management and oversight of general engineering consultant services for a Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transit Administration (MARTA) five-year track and systems project.

Carlos Rojas has been named chief of police for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).

Rojas brings 27 years of extensive experience and leadership in community policing. Rojas comes to BART from the Santa Ana Police Department, where he served his last five years as chief. He is an advocate and educator in community oriented policing practices, having taught the practices to national police forces in Central America and mentored college students.

Pennsylvania's State Transportation Commission approved more than $40 million through two state programs to help fund freight rail projects across the state.

 

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Rail Industry Trends

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 4/24/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad plans to spend $26.8 million on infrastructure projects in Nevada this year.The Class I's projects in the state are expected to include $22.7 million to maintain railroad track and $1.8 million to maintain bridges, according to a UP press release.Key projects planned in 2017 include:
• replacing 60,854 ties on the rail line between Elko and Winnemucca at a cost of $7.5 million;
• replacing 15,406 ties on the line between Sparks and Floriston, Calif., at a cost of $2.2 million; and
• replacing 12,190 ties on the line between Verdi and Reno at a cost of $2.1 million."Union Pacific's targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities across Nevada," said Wes Lujan, UP's vice president of public affairs in the western region.From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $244 million to strengthen its infrastructure in Nevada. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 4/24/2017

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

Metra and Union Pacific Railroad (UP) joined state, county and local officials and members of the community in Maywood, Ill. to break ground on a $100-million project to remove two critical bottlenecks along the UP West Line.

Metra says the bottlenecks can be the source of delays for both freight and commuter trains.

4/24/2017    

Rail News: MOW

After five years of service for the California High-Speed Rail Authority Chief Executive Officer Jeff Morales announced that he will step down from his position early this summer after the Board of Directors is expected to select a replacement.

 

4/24/2017    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

4/24/2017    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 4/24/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
E. Hunter HarrisonPhoto – Progressive Railroading file photo