Railroad News

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Associate Editor

From Jack Hellmann to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. employees July 1: "This morning we are excited to announce that G&W has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Brookfield Infrastructure and GIC, pending regulatory and shareholder approval. If approved, the sale is expected to close at the end of 2019 or early 2020. Brookfield and GIC are two of the most respected infrastructure investors in the world who have a long-term view of investing that is perfectly suited to long-lived rail assets. Not only will Brookfield/GIC support the continued execution of G&W’s growth strategy by our current management team, but they also will bring expertise from their ownership of other rail assets around the world ...”

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is expanding its use of new maps and communication tools to make it easier for riders to use transit.

In February, SEPTA released a transit map that depicts SEPTA’s bus and rail routes together as a single network. Now, SEPTA is adding frequency-based transit maps that will be installed at stations throughout the system, SEPTA officials said in a press release.

Amtrak will launch customer service improvements to its Auto Train service starting in January 2020, the railroad announced yesterday.

The train — on which riders can travel with their cars, vans, SUVs, motorcycles and other motorized vehicles — offers daily, nonstop rail service between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) promoted Chris Koloc to vice president of internal audit.

In his new role, Koloc will manage and review all audit functions, including operational audits, IT outsourced audits, incurred cost audits of contractors and proactive work, DART officials said in a press release.

Canadian Pacific today announced a record-setting second quarter, during which revenue climbed 13 percent to CA$1.98 billion compared with the same quarter a year ago.

The Class I posted adjusted income of CA$602 million, or CA$4.30 per share, from CA$453 million, or CA$3.16 per share, a year earlier.

Compiled by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Editor

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) last week began track and signal work on the Green Line between the Newton Highlands Station in Newton, Massachusetts, and Kenmore Station in Boston. 

During construction, which is expected to be completed by Dec. 20, crews will replace track, ties and ballast; build new signal equipment; replace cables; and repair catenary poles, MBTA officials said in a press release. 

Tomorrow morning, the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit will hold a hearing on the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) implementation of the Capital Investments Grant Program (CIG).

The hearing's purpose is to examine how the agency is implementing the CIG program. Scheduled to speak are FTA officials and representatives of the American Public Transportation Association, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, and the Kansas City Streetcar Authority, according to a press release issued by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) last week suspended an automatic door-opening feature two days after launching it on the Red Line trains.

Part of the Metrorail’s original design, the feature was launched July 7 to open doors more quickly and stop doors from opening on the wrong side of the platform as a result of operator error. During the rollout, operators remained responsible for manual door closings to ensure safe boardings.

Metro Transit in Minneapolis has selected veteran police officer Eddie Frizell as the agency's next police chief.

Frizell, who has served as the Minneapolis police inspector for the city’s First Precinct since 2017, will become chief Aug. 5, Metro Transit officials said in a press release. 

Canada has reached an agreement to sell 90 percent of its shares in federal Crown corporation Ridley Terminals Inc. (RTI) in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, to a company owned by Riverstone Holdings and AMCI Group, the Canada Development Investment Corp. (CDEV) announced last week.

The remaining 10 percent of Canada's shares in RTI will be transferred to a limited partnership owned by the Lax Kw'alaams Band and the Metlakatla First Nation at the close of sale, CDEV officials said in a press release.

Miner Enterprises Inc. will supply outlet gates and hatch covers for 3,800 new high-capacity grain hopper cars ordered by Canadian Pacific and CN. The new cars – 2,800 for CP and 1,000 for CN – are being built by National Steel Car Ltd., Miner officials said in a press release.

Sound Transit has selected Parsons to provide final design and construction engineering services for the $1.3 billion Federal Way Link Extension in Seattle, Parsons officials said in a press release. Parsons will work as part of a team led by Kiewit Corp. The contract includes 7.8 miles of dual-track, at-grade and elevated light-rail transit; three stations; rail systems; and associated ancillary facilities.

The Southern Rail Commission (SRC) will host a briefing today in Mobile, Alabama, to discuss the Gulf Coast regional passenger-rail service that's been proposed to operate between Mobile and New Orleans.

The meeting will include presentations from Amtrak, the Rail Passengers Association, Transportation for America and the commission.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) crews on Aug. 3 will begin construction on the second phase of positive train control (PTC) infrastructure along the Needham commuter-rail line. 

Needham Line service will be suspended on Saturdays through Oct. 12 to accommodate the work.