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Jul
10

NCTD to buy five new Siemens locomotives

The new units are expected to reduce emissions by 90 percent compared to NCTD's existing locomotives.Photo – NCTD

The North County Transit District (NCTD) of San Diego has approved a $37 million order for five diesel-electric Siemens Charger locomotives.

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Jul
10

OmniTRAX affiliate acquires two rail lines from CSX

An OmniTRAX Inc. affiliate has acquired the Alabama & Tennessee River Railway LLC (ATN) and the Fulton County Railway LLC (FCR) from CSX.

The operations of ATN and FCR, which have been managed by OmniTRAX for several years, are expected to continue unchanged following the acquisition, OmniTRAX officials said in a press release.

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Jul
10

CSX announces senior exec changes

CSX Corp. has appointed Mark Wallace executive vice president sales and marketing, and Diana Sorfleet, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, the Class I announced yesterday.

Wallace joined CSX in March 2017 as executive VP corporate affairs and chief of staff, and was named executive VP and CAO in January.

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Jul
10

CSX announces senior exec changes

CSX Corp. has appointed Mark Wallace executive vice president sales and marketing, and Diana Sorfleet, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, the Class I announced yesterday.

Wallace joined CSX in March 2017 as executive VP corporate affairs and chief of staff, and was named executive VP and CAO in January.

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Jul
10

Retailers: Imports to set new record in July

Imports at the nation's major retail container ports are expected to set a new record this month, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates.

The results are being driven by increasing consumer demand and rising retail sales, NRF and Hackett officials said in a press release.

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Jul
10

From the editor: Of tariffs, tiffs and tipping points

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

On June 29, the Canadian government announced it would issue reciprocal surtaxes on CA$16.6 billion of imports of steel, aluminum and other products (from yogurt to ketchup to whiskey) from the United States. The surtaxes, which the Canadian government said were issued “in direct, measured and proportional response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum,” went into effect July 1.

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Jul
09

Amtrak expands pets-on-board program to Chicago-St. Louis trains

Rail News Home Amtrak 7/9/2018 Rail News: Amtrak
Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle trains are the final Midwestern routes to adopt the pet-friendly policy.Photo – amtrak.com

Amtrak is now allowing pets on trains along its Chicago-St.Louis corridor.

The national intercity passenger railroad's Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle trains are the final Midwestern routes to adopt the pet-friendly policy. Amtrak's entire Midwest network now allows pets on board, railroad officials said in a press release.

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Jul
09

U.S. Rep. Hurd tours UP's border protection facility in Texas

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) late last week toured Union Pacific Railroad's Clarks Park Yard U.S. Customs and Border Protection Facility in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Organized by the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC), the tour "highlighted the importance of border security and international trade" for UP and the rail industry, NRC officials said in a press release.

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Jul
09

U.S. Rep. Hurd tours UP's border protection facility in Texas

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) late last week toured Union Pacific Railroad's Clarks Park Yard U.S. Customs and Border Protection Facility in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Organized by the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC), the tour "highlighted the importance of border security and international trade" for UP and the rail industry, NRC officials said in a press release.

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Jul
09

Federal Transit Administration reaches golden anniversary

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/9/2018 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The agency was established as the Urban Mass Transportation Administration in July 1968.Photo – FTA's Twitter account

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) last week marked its 50th anniversary.

On July 1, 1968, the agency was established as the Urban Mass Transportation Administration to provide federal assistance for mass transit projects. In the 1970s, the administration's resources were broadened with the creation of an annual formula grant program through the National Mass Transportation Assistance Act.

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Jul
09

Short Line Safety Institute boots up new website

Today, the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) announced a newly redesigned website that was recently launched to better reflect the variety of programs and resources it offers to the short line industry.

Accessible at www.shortlinesafety.org, the new site provides fast and easy access to programs and support materials, including hazardous materials and safety culture resources, and downloadable safety tips, SLSI officials said in a press release.

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Jul
09

RTD slates public meetings on proposed fare changes

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/9/2018 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The meetings will take place throughout the Denver metropolitan area between July 16 and 26.Photo – Federal Transit Administration

The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) this month will host eight public meetings to provide an update on its fare pass program study and proposed changes to fare policies.

The meetings will take place throughout the Denver metropolitan area between July 16 and 26.

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Jul
09

Container maintenance facility coming to South Carolina inland port

Rail News Home Intermodal 7/9/2018 Rail News: Intermodal
CSX serves Inland Port Dillon in South Carolina.Photo – South Carolina Ports Authority

Container Maintenance Corp. late last month announced plans to establish a facility in Dillon County, South Carolina, near Inland Port Dillon, which ties into the Port of Charleston and is served by CSX.

To open in the third quarter, the facility will be used to provide container and chassis maintenance services for a variety of customers in the area. Container Maintenance offers repair, upkeep and depot services, and stores and redistributes intermodal equipment.

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Jul
09

Watco turns 35, preps for new grain service in Australia

On July 1, Watco Cos. LLC marked its 35th anniversary. The company was launched in 1983 by founder Dick Webb as an industrial switching operation in DeRidder, Louisiana.

Now, Watco has grown from one to more than 4,000 customers, from 14 to 5,200 employees, and from one to 202 operations, including 38 short lines. The company provides rail, switching, terminal and port, mechanical and other services in 37 states and four countries.

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Jul
09

Trump chooses former Metra Chair Oberman for open STB seat

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 7/9/2018 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
Martin ObermanPhoto – Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

President Donald Trump has nominated former Metra Chairman Martin Oberman as a Surface Transportation Board (STB) member.

If his nomination is approved by the Senate, Oberman will serve the remainder of a five-year term that expires Dec. 31, 2023. The open Democratic seat on the board was vacated by former STB Chairman Dan Elliott last year.

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Jul
09

Class I railroads continue the longer-train trend

Last year, Union Pacific Railroad set a record in all five of its train-length categories.Photo – Shutterstock/Baxtar

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

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Jul
06

Arizona DOT seeks input on state rail plan

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is soliciting public and stakeholder opinions on an update to its state rail plan.

ADOT is seeking comments by Aug. 10 on what the plan should include for both freight- and passenger-rail systems, department officials said in a press release.

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Jul
06

DCTA to offer free A-train rides for college students

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/6/2018 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Aimed at increasing ridership, the promotion will run Aug. 27 through Jan. 14, 2019.Photo – DCTA

In a bid to boost ridership, the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) next month will roll out a program to provide free A-train commuter-rail service for local college students, faculty and staff.

The promotion will run from Aug. 27 through Jan. 14, 2019. The agency is providing the free rides along its entire A-train alignment between the Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton, Texas, and the Downtown Denton Transit Center.

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Jul
06

SFRTA launches suicide prevention campaign

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 7/6/2018 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The agency is placing signs along its southern rail corridor to deter suicides and encourage people to call a local crisis line for help.Photo – tri-rail.com

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) is partnering with the regional 211 helpline and crisis lines to launch a new suicide prevention campaign.

As part of the effort, the agency is placing signs along its southern rail corridor to deter suicides and encourage people to call the 211 crisis line for help. The signs also will be installed in SFRTA's stations.

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Jul
06

NARBW taps Bennett McKim as president

Rail News Home Railroading People 7/6/2018 Rail News: Railroading People
McKim is the association's first president from Amtrak.Photo – National Association of Railway Business Women

The National Association of Railway Business Women (NARBW) has elected Amtrak veteran Melanie Bennett McKim as its 40th president.

She succeeds Laura Gutteridge Anos, who was elected president in 2016.

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