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Aug
30

USDOT funds Gulf Coast passenger-rail restoration

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/30/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The Gulf Coast region has been without Amtrak service since 2005, when Hurricane Katrina damaged the rail infrastructure there.Photo – Amtrak

The U.S. Department of Transportation yesterday announced a $4.36 million grant to the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) to help restore passenger rail service along parts of the Gulf Coast.

The award, which will be granted through the federal Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) program, will help fund operating expenses for the first year of service along the new rail line between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, SRC officials said in a press release.

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Aug
29

LA Angels join Amtrak, Operation Lifesaver to promote rail safety

Rail News Home Safety 8/29/2019 Rail News: Safety
Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney recently recorded a radio message in partnership with Pacific Surfliner to encourage fans to follow safety rules around railroad tracks and crossings.Photo – Pacific Surfliner

On Sept. 1, Amtrak, the Pacific Surfliner route and California Operation Lifesaver (CAOL) will hold a public education safety event in collaboration with the Los Angeles Angels baseball team in Anaheim.

The Pacific Surfliner will host a booth featuring rail safety experts from CAOL at Angel Stadium prior to the Angels' home game. Attendees will learn tips for staying safe around railroad tracks, including those used by the Pacific Surfliner between San Diego, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, railroad and CAOL officials said in a press release.

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Aug
29

BART partners with track workforce training program, hires more police officers

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/29/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Bay Area Rapid Transit and the Cypress Mandela Training Center offer a program to train workers on the basics of track and structure.Photo – BART

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) earlier this week announced it has renewed a partnership with Cypress Mandela Training Center Inc. in Oakland, California, to offer a railroad-specific workforce development program.

The 16-week program teaches basic skills needed to do track and structure work. The program features classroom and hands-on work, BART officials said in a press release.

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Aug
29

Caltrain proposes grade separation options

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/29/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Caltrain's launch of electrified service in 2022 is expected to increase train frequency and pose increased safety concerns at grade crossings.Photo – Caltrain Facebook

Caltrain has begun early planning for potential grade separations along its route in preparation for the launch of electrified service in 2022, which is expected to increase train frequency and pose increased safety concerns at grade crossings.

Caltrain yesterday held a meeting to gather public feedback on a potential grade separation at Scott Street in San Bruno, California.

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Aug
29

Canada considers rail line extension to Quebec marine terminal

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 8/29/2019 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
Transport Minister Marc GarneauPhoto – Transport Canada

Canada's Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced the government will invest CA$7.4 million to determine the feasibility of extending an existing rail line at Dolbeau-Mistassini to the rail and marine terminal at Baie-Comeau, Quebec.

An extension would give Canadian companies access to a deep seaport for exporting agricultural and forestry products, fertilizers, refined oil, chemical products and other goods overseas, Transport Canada officials said in a press release.

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Aug
29

AAR: U.S. rail traffic fell 5.9 percent in Week 34

The decline in U.S. railroads' carload and intermodal traffic continued during the week ending Aug. 24, with Association of American Railroads (AAR) data showing a 5.9 percent decrease to 532,483 units compared with the same week a year ago.

The railroads logged 261,031 carloads, down 5.3 percent, and 271,452 containers and trailers, down 6.5 percent compared to 2018.

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Aug
29

DART names Costello CFO, extends Amazon shuttle agreement

Rail News Home Railroading People 8/29/2019 Rail News: Railroading People
Dallas Area Rapid Transit Chief Financial Officer Joe Costello.Photo – DART

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) today announced the promotion of Joe Costello to chief financial officer.

Costello had been DART’s senior vice president of finance since 2014, and previously served as executive director and CFO of the Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois.

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Aug
29

VTA receives FTA funding allocation for Silicon Valley extension

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/29/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The BART Silicon Valley Phase II project is the first project to receive a funding allocation under FTA’s Expedited Project Delivery pilot program, FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams (second from left) announced.Photo – VTA

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams yesterday announced the allocation of $125 million to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Phase II project in California. 

The $5.81 billion, 6.5-mile extension of BART’s heavy-rail system from San Jose to Santa Clara is the first project to receive a funding allocation under FTA’s Expedited Project Delivery pilot program, VTA officials said in a press release. 

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Aug
28

Rail supplier news from RailWorks, TekTracking, Geopier, Mitsui Rail, Ricardo and Michael Baker (Aug. 28)

Rail News Home Railroading Supplier Spotlight 8/28/2019 Rail News: Railroading Supplier Spotlight
RailWorks Corp. signed a five-year contract with the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority to inspect and maintain more than 65 miles of freight-rail track in Southern California. The track segment includes 125 turnouts, 10 bridges, signals at 48 locations, seven grade crossings and 50 other communications assets, RailWorks officials said in a press release. Other infrastructure assets covered under the maintenance agreement include stormwater pump stations, trench access stairs, security cameras, vegetation and graffiti control.TekTracking has installed a wayside infrastructure asset condition monitoring site at a six-switch interlocking and a separate grade crossing location for an East Coast transit agency. The agency will now have access to real-time asset condition data collected in the field and then transmitted to MPEC Technology Ltd.’s Centrix analytics platform. The solution allows the agency to receive alerts when device performance degrades, as well as remotely diagnosis performance issues.Geopier Foundation Co. has launched a new intermediate foundation solution to stabilize weak track subgrades without the need to remove track, ties or ballast. The GeoSpike system is made of a set of polymer shells designed to be installed between ties. When rail cars pass over the system, energy is transferred through the GeoSpike down to a stronger bearing layer, creating greater support capacity and settlement control, Geopier officials said in a press release. Mitsui Rail Capital LLC (MRC) appointed Kevin Cook vice president of sales, marketing and business development. Prior to joining MRC, Cook spent 17 years as general manager at Midland Manufacturing, a producer of rail tank-car valves and equipment. Prior to his work at Midland, Cook held positions at ITT Engineered Systems, Grinnell Corp. and Tyco Flow Control, MRC officials said in a press release.Ricardo is supporting Riding Sunbeams Ltd.’s power generation research project aimed at building and connecting the world’s first full-scale community-owned solar farm to the rail network in the United Kingdom by 2020's end, Ricardo officials said in a press release. The Ricardo team is managing monitoring equipment and working with Birmingham University to commission and review the energy model simulating this system.Michael Baker International has named Douglas Peterson office executive. He will provide operational management, staff management and production and project oversight in the Boston office. Peterson has more than 26 years of experience as a structural engineer with a focus on transportation and rail projects. 

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Aug
28

Montreal transit agency recognized as project management award finalist

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/28/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Societe de transport de Montreal's project to acquire a fleet of MPM-10 Azur subway trains is a PMI-International Project of the Year award finalist.Photo – STM

The Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) announced yesterday that its project to acquire a fleet of MPM-10 Azur subway trains is in the running to win the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) International Project of the Year award.

STM is one of the three finalists for the award, which recognizes excellence in project management, STM officials said in a press release. 

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Aug
28

Metra to host vendor fair to showcase contractor diversity

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/28/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Metra's On Track to Success vendor fair will include an awards ceremony to recognize businesses that have provided “exceptional service” to Metra.Photo – Metra Facebook

Metra on Sept. 4 will host its On Track to Success vendor fair to offer workshops on upcoming engineering projects and networking opportunities for Chicago vendors. 

Attendees will be able to meet and speak with prime contractors, subcontractors, community organizations and other transportation agencies, as well as register as a Metra vendor, Metra officials said in a press release.

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Aug
28

UP recognized as 'military friendly' employer

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 8/28/2019 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad was recognized once again as a "Military Friendly Employer" by Victory Media, the publisher of G.I. Jobs.This year's designation was the fifth consecutive time the magazine recognized UP among employers that "create sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community after they transition into civilian life," UP officials said in a press release.More than 17 percent of UP employees have military experience, with some still active in the National Guard or Reserves. In the last five years, 24 percent of new hires were veterans.UP's veteran employee resource group dubbed UP VETS helps to attract, develop and retain veterans at the railroad.

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Aug
28

Former CSX leader Carpenter dies

Rail News Home Railroading People 8/28/2019 Rail News: Railroading People
Former CSX President and Chief Executive Officer Alvin "Pete" Carpenter died last week after battling cancer. He was 77.Carpenter served as CSX president and CEO from 1992 to 1999. He also served as vice chairman of railroad parent CSX Corp. until his retirement in 2001.A statement from CSX said the company is mourning Carpenter's death."Pete began his railroad career as a brakeman and worked his way up through the ranks to lead one of the largest railroads in the country," the statement reads. "During his tenure as president, his unique perspective and years of industry experience helped CSX achieve great success. He will be remembered by CSX employees as a thoughtful, adept leader."In 2001, Carpenter had a private street in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, named for him. Carpenter Way leads into a CSX parking lot in front of the entrance to the company's headquarters, according to Carpenter's obituary published in the Florida Times-Union.Carpenter is survived by his wife Marilyn, a daughter and three grandchildren.

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Aug
28

Metrolinx selects Mobilinix to design, operate Hurontario light rail

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/28/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Mobilinx is expected to begin design work on the Hurontario light-rail project shortly after a contract is awarded to the company in the fall.Photo – Metrolinx

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx earlier this week announced the agency has selected Mobilinx to design, build and finance the Hurontario light-rail project between Mississaugu and Brampton, Ontario, as well as operate and maintain the system.

IO and Metrolinx expect to award the contract in fall, with design work to begin shortly after, IO officials said in a press release. 

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Aug
28

Canada to fund rehab of Gaspesie railway link

Rail News Home Maintenance Of Way 8/28/2019 Rail News: Maintenance Of Way
Infrastructure Canada announced this week that it will spend CA$45.8 million to rehabilitate segments of the Gaspesie railway in Quebec.The funds will come from the government's Disaster Mitigation and Adaption Fund. The rail link most in need of repair is between Port-Daniel-Gascons and Gaspe, and has not been used since 2015.Coastal erosion that followed a major storm in December 2016 has made the railway segment worse, Infrastructure Canada officials said in a press release.The project involves repairing 10 parts of the railway over 79 miles between Port-Daniel-Gascons and Gaspe, as well as reinforcement work. In some locations, the railway will be relocated because of ground movement and shoreline erosion.The work will help re-establish rail transport to Gaspe. It will also increase the resilience of more than 55,000 Gaspesians against climate-change related erosion and reduce the cost of recovering from such incidents by 100 percent, Infrastructure Canada officials said.

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Aug
27

ACE to launch Saturday service

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/27/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Additional ACE service will be funded by California’s State Rail Assistance Program through Senate Bill 1.Photo – ACE Facebook

The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) last week announced that starting Sept. 7 it will add Saturday service to the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) commuter rail. 

Currently, ACE serves riders Monday to Friday from Stockton to San Jose, California, with 10 stops along the way. 

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Aug
27

Metra cancels Union Pacific West schedule changes

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 8/27/2019 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific determined that Metra’s proposed changes on UP West could result in conflicts between commuter and freight trains.Photo – Metra

Chicago commuter railroad Metra and Union Pacific Railroad have agreed to cancel a previously announced schedule change on the UP West line, which would have adjusted departure times of some trains on the line by Sept. 3. 

UP determined that the proposed changes on UP West could result in conflicts between commuter and freight trains along the busy rail corridor, Metra officials said in a press release.

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Aug
27

FTA proposes new definition of 'major' transit projects

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 8/27/2019 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The Federal Transit Administration is seeking public comment on its proposal to revise its project management oversight (PMO) rule, which guides federal oversight of large transit capital investments.The proposed changes would streamline the PMO regulation by reducing the number of projects subject to FTA project management oversight, FTA officials said in a press release.The agency published a notice of proposed rulemaking yesterday in the Federal Register.Under the proposal, the new rule would redefine a "major capital project" as a new rail transit or bus rapid transit project — or an extension, rehabilitation or modernization of an existing transit system — with a total project cost of $300 million or more and with a federal investment of $100 million or more.The previous threshold defined a major capital project as one costing $100 million or more, but did not include federal support as a factor. Comments on the proposed rule change are due Oct. 25.

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Aug
27

Vossloh sells locomotives business to CRRC subsidiary

Rail News Home M&A 8/27/2019 Rail News: M&A
Vossloh AG has signed a contract to sell its locomotive business unit to CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co. (CRRC ZELC), a subsidiary of the China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. Vossloh's board has approved the sale. The transaction is still subject to authorities' approval in Europe and China, specifically merger control and foreign trade law clearances as well as standard approvals required from the Chinese authorities. Completion is expected in the next few months, according to a Vossloh press release.The purchase price is subject to adjustment at the closing date, and is projected to amount to a low single-digit million figure, they said.Under the agreement, Vossloh is due to receive proceeds from the future sale of certain assets, resulting in expected cash inflow of 10 million euros over the next few years."We have found the optimal strategic partner for Vossloh Locomotives in CRRC ZELC, which has the necessary resources to successfully further develop the Locomotives business in the long term," said Vossloh Chief Executive Officer Andreas Busemann.Vossloh's locomotives business unit is the last one remaining from the original three units of the transportation division that Vossloh has been selling off since the decision was made to focus on rail infrastructure. The company sold its rail vehicles and electrical systems units in 2015 and 2017, respectively. The completed sale of the locomotive unit will conclude the group's restructuring.

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Aug
27

Canadian governments partner to fund Toronto rail projects

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/27/2019 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Canadian government officials announced a nearly CA$1.1 billion total investment in two rail projects in Toronto, including station construction in GO rail corridors.Photo – GO Transit Twitter

Canadian, Ontario and Toronto government officials yesterday announced a nearly CA$1.1 billion total investment in two rail projects in Toronto. 

One project calls for improving capacity at Bloor-Yonge Station, the Toronto Transit Commission’s busiest subway station. The CA$500 million project includes construction of an additional platform at the station and an electrical substation, as well as modifications to an existing platform, federal government officials said in a press release.

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