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May
17

Rail traffic rose 5.8 percent in Week 19

U.S. railroads posted a 5.8 percent increase in carload and intermodal traffic for the week ending May 12 compared with the same week in 2017, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data.

Total carloads for the week increased 5.3 percent to 267,196 units, while intermodal volume climbed 6.3 percent to 282,833 containers and trailers compared with the same period a year ago.

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May
17

Ashcroft Terminals will enhance rail links with federal funds

The Government of Canada's Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, has announced a CA$9.2 million (US7.18 million) investment for a project at Ashcroft Terminal that will improve terminal infrastructure.

 

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May
17

Wavetronix to acquire Island Radar, open new rail unit

Wavetronix, a supplier of radar traffic detection and monitoring technology, announced that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Island Radar Company LLC.

 

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May
17

LACMTA awarded $703.6M in grants for county transportation projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved $703.6 million in SB-1 funding for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) on May 16.

 

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May
17

Suppliers showcase products to help railroads tackle harsh winter weather

Harsco Rail’s Spreader Ditcher can clear 16-foot snow drifts and widen snow cuts with main wings and bank slopers.Photo – Harsco Rail

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

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May
16

FRA: We’ve got PTC funds available. Act now!

The Federal Railroad Administration on May 15 issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $250 million in Positive Train Control (PTC) Systems Grants.

 

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May
16

National Mediation Board reorganizes offices

The National Mediation Board (NMB) has reorganized.

The Office of Chief of Staff, the position of chief of staff and the position of assistant chief of staff have been eliminated, while two new offices have been created: Fiscal Services and Information Services.

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May
16

CN awards rail-car inspection contract to Duos Technologies

Duos Technologies Group Inc. has obtained a "multimillion-dollar" contract with CN to provide the Class I with high-resolution train imaging systems for security and mechanical inspection.

The award includes four complete rail inspection portals and deployment of Duos' first commercial thermal undercarriage inspection system, which recently was beta-tested at the rail-testing facility in Pueblo, Colorado, Duos Technologies officials said in a press release.

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May
16

Brightline forms partnership with Lyft

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/16/2018 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The rail company's three stations will feature designated Lyft pickup and drop-off zones.Photo – Brightline's Twitter account

Brightline has partnered with ride-hailing company Lyft to provide first- and last-mile services at its stations.

As part of the agreement, Brightline's three stations will feature designated Lyft pickup and drop-off zones. Brightline passengers will be able to use the Brightline mobile app to see their Lyft driver's estimated time of arrival and check the approximate cost of a ride.

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May
16

PANYNJ names Cetnar police department superintendent

Rail News Home Security 5/16/2018 Rail News: Security
Edward CetnarPhoto – Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has appointed Edward Cetnar superintendent of the Port Authority Police Department.

Cetnar succeeds Michael Fedorko, who announced his retirement last week after serving as superintendent since 2009.

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May
16

Trudeau pledges funding for Calgary's Green Line light-rail project

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/16/2018 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The 12.4-mile line will include 14 stations.Photo – calgary.ca

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday confirmed that the federal government will provide up to CA$1.53 billion toward the Green Line light-rail project in Calgary, Alberta.

The sum marks the Canadian government's largest contribution for an infrastructure project in Alberta, according to a press release issued by Trudeau's office.

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May
16

FTA certifies Maryland's transit-rail safety oversight program

Rail News Home Safety 5/16/2018 Rail News: Safety
The Maryland Department of Transportation will oversee transit-rail safety in the state.Photo – Guy Henderson / Maryland Transit Administration

Maryland is the latest state to achieve federal certification of a transit-rail safety oversight program.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) yesterday announced that Maryland's state safety oversight (SSO) program has been certified ahead of the April 15, 2019, deadline.

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May
16

AAR’s Hamberger to retire in early 2019

Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), has announced his upcoming retirement from the organization in early 2019.

 

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May
16

Canada will help fund grade separation project in Edmonton

The government of Canada will cover nearly half the costs of a street and safety project in Edmonton, Alberta, which will grade separate the top priority crossing in the city.

Canada will fund CA$39.8 million (US$31.1 million) for the 50th Street Widening Project, which will ease traffic congestion and improve safety along the corridor between 76th and 90th Avenue. The city says 50 Street provides access to adjacent developing industrial areas and functions as a major north-south commuter and goods movement corridor.

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May
16

Canada commits CA$1.53 billion to Calgary Green Line

The government of Canada has committed CA$1.53 billion (US$1.19 billion) in funding to Calgary's Green Line Light-Rail Project, the largest ever infrastructure investment made by the federal government to the province of Alberta.

In June 2017, the Calgary City Council approved the final alignment of the project, which will be 28.58 miles long and include 28 stations at full build out. Stage 1 of the light-rail project calls for the construction of 12.4 miles of track, 14 stations, a vehicle maintenance and storage facility, eight bridges, four tunnels, 70 low-floor light-rail vehicles and three park-and-ride facilities.

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May
16

FRA announces $250 million in PTC grants

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) yesterday issued a notice of funding opportunity for $250 million in grants to help fund the deployment of positive train control technology on freight, intercity passenger and commuter railroads.

Eligible projects for the grants include back-office systems; wayside, communications and onboard hardware equipment; software; equipment installation; spectrum; any component, testing and training for the implementation of PTC systems; and interoperability, according to an FRA press release.

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May
16

AAR's Hamberger to retire in 2019

Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger announced today he will retire from the organization early next year.

Having served in the role since 1998, Hamberger is the longest-tenured head of the 84-year-old association, according to an AAR press release.

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May
16

AAR gives Congress rail tech lesson

WASHINGTON – Technology class was in session for Congress Monday, courtesy of Class 1 railroads.

 

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May
15

Rail supplier news from GE, Savage, Kelso and Hanson (May 15)

Rail News Home Railroading Supplier Spotlight 5/15/2018 Rail News: Railroading Supplier Spotlight
GE is marking the 50th anniversary of its Locotrol® technologies.Photo – GE Transportation

GE Transportation this year marks the 50th anniversary of its Locotrol® technologies, which enable train engineers to control multiple locomotives remotely distributed within a train. The technology provides coordinated braking and traction power to facilitate quicker brake applications and releases. Deployed on 20,000 locomotives in 16 countries, Locotrol works with braking systems and locomotive control systems on both diesel-electric and electric locomotives, said GE Transportation Chief Digital Officer Laurie Tolson in a press release.

Savage Saudi Arabia has delivered seven locomotives and two locomotive booster units from the United States to Saudi Arabia's Eastern and Northern provinces. The units will support rail operations at Saudi Aramco and Ma'aden Wa'ad Al-Shamal Phosphate Co. facilities. Savage will own, operate and maintain the two Tier-3 compliant locomotives delivered to Saudi Aramco's Wasit and Berri gas plants in the Jubail area. Savage has an agreement to provide rail switching, track maintenance and track signaling system operations and maintenance for Saudi Aramco at the plants.

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May
15

Ohio panels OK rail-crossing projects in Sandusky, Wood counties

Rail News Home Safety 5/15/2018 Rail News: Safety
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and Ohio Rail Development Commission have approved plans directing Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX to install new warning devices at grade crossings in Sandusky and Wood counties.NS will install new flashing lights and roadway gates at the Nelson Street and Church Street rail crossings in the city of Clyde, Sandusky County. The railroad will also permanently close the rail crossing at the Amanda Street crossing, PUCO officials said in a press release.CSX will install new flashing lights and roadway gates at the Milton Road/Township Road 40 rail crossing in Milton Township, Wood County.Federal funding will be provided for the upgrades.To increase public safety during the construction of the projects, local governments may seek funding from the PUCO for the cost of safety improvements such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other enhancements at the project locations. Funding for such improvements comes from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and may not exceed $5,000 per project.The PUCO is responsible for evaluating Ohio's public grade crossings to determine the need for installing active warning devices.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 5/15/2018