Railroad News

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee last week approved a $71.8 billion transportation, housing and urban development funding bill for fiscal-year 2019.

The legislation provides $13.6 billion for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), marking a $141 million increase over FY 2018. That funding includes $2.6 billion for the FTA's Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program, which provides funding for major transit projects, such as new light-rail lines and commuter-rail systems.

The League of Railway Women (LRW) is accepting nominations for the 2018 Outstanding Woman of the Year Award.

Co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading, the award is presented annually to a woman who has made significant contributions to the rail industry through leadership, dedication and vision. Women working in the North American rail industry are eligible for the recognition.

Schenck Process is offering an online rail scale system it says saves time and improves productivity.

Norfolk Southern Railway is the latest railroad company to announce its membership in the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

Joining BiTA will help NS "identify opportunities where blockchain can be used to improve the transportation supply chain for our customers," said Fred Ehlers, NS' vice president information technology and chief information officer, in a press release.
 
A consortium of more than 250 transportation and logistics companies, BiTA seeks to cultivate a set of industry benchmarks, educate the market, and advance blockchain technology and its transportation and logistics applications within the supply chain.

Norfolk Southern Railway is the latest railroad company to announce its membership in the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

Joining BiTA will help NS "identify opportunities where blockchain can be used to improve the transportation supply chain for our customers," said Fred Ehlers, NS' vice president information technology and chief information officer, in a press release.
 
A consortium of more than 250 transportation and logistics companies, BiTA seeks to cultivate a set of industry benchmarks, educate the market, and advance blockchain technology and its transportation and logistics applications within the supply chain.

Two unions have informed Canadian Pacific (CP) of plans to initiate a strike beginning at 10 p.m. Eastern time on May 29.

New Jersey Transit has begun piloting new interactive touchscreen kiosks at certain commuter-rail and Hudson-Bergen light-rail stations.

The new technology — which now is in place at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and two light-rail stations — is part of the agency's attempt to improve communication with customers, NJ Transit officials said in a press release.

California has approved a $750,000 grant to help connect the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rail systems.

The grants will help fund planning for the ACE-BART connection, according to a press release issued by the Tri-Valley—San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority.

Kansas City Southern has promoted Ginger Adamiak to vice president of energy, industrial development and commercial innovation, the Class I announced yesterday.

Adamiak previously served as VP of energy and short-line relations. Her promotion is part of the KCS' realignment of its commercial innovation and industrial development functions to create one organization focused on developing new revenue streams, said Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer Brian Hancock in a press release.

Kansas City Southern has promoted Ginger Adamiak to vice president of energy, industrial development and commercial innovation, the Class I announced yesterday.

Adamiak previously served as VP of energy and short-line relations. Her promotion is part of the KCS' realignment of its commercial innovation and industrial development functions to create one organization focused on developing new revenue streams, said Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer Brian Hancock in a press release.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's (SEPTA) board yesterday approved a $749.62 million capital budget for fiscal-year 2019, which starts July 1.

The budget includes funds to renew critical infrastructure, replace aging vehicles and improve technology, SEPTA officials said in a press release. For example, the agency has set aside $42 million to improve signals, interlockings, dispatching and operations management systems, and other technologies.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the availability of $25.8 million in grant funds to support Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) projects.

BNSF Railway Co. has certified the Ceres Global Ag Corp.'s terminal site for development in Northgate, Saskatchewan.

The goal of the Class I's certification program is to identify business parks, logistics centers and other rail-served sites in its network that have a high potential for development.

BNSF Railway Co. has certified the Ceres Global Ag Corp.'s terminal site for development in Northgate, Saskatchewan.

The goal of the Class I's certification program is to identify business parks, logistics centers and other rail-served sites in its network that have a high potential for development.