Railroad News

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) yesterday approved a $76.7 million joint funding agreement for a grade separation project in Santa Fe Springs, California.

The contribution will be matched by other local funding sources to complete the $155.3 million project, which calls for building an elevated overpass structure at Rosecrans and Marquardt avenues to separate motorist traffic from rail traffic.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) have reached a joint funding agreement for a grade separation project in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

The agreement calls for the allocation of $76.7 million in Proposition 1A bond funds, which will be matched by other local funding sources to complete the $155.3 million Rosecrans Avenue/Marquardt Avenue Grade Separation Project.

Thomas D. Loadman, senior vice president, Railroad Products and Services (RPS) at Koppers Holdings Inc., will retire Dec. 31, 2018, following 39 years at the company.

The company says that as of May 1, 2018, the RPS segment will be led by James A. Sullivan, senior vice president, Global Carbon Materials and Chemicals (CMC). Sullivan will also retain his previous responsibilities. Loadman will take on an advisory role to assist with the transition and other strategic projects aimed at identifying potential growth opportunities for Koppers for the remainder of 2018.

CN announced yesterday it has met all grain orders in western Canada for the third consecutive week and is now seeking additional export orders from grain companies.

"The decisive action we took in March to deploy more crews and locomotives has led to dramatic improvements in the movement of western Canadian grain," said Doug MacDonald, vice president of bulk at CN, said in a press release.

CN announced yesterday it has met all grain orders in western Canada for the third consecutive week and is now seeking additional export orders from grain companies.

"The decisive action we took in March to deploy more crews and locomotives has led to dramatic improvements in the movement of western Canadian grain," said Doug MacDonald, vice president of bulk at CN, said in a press release.

U.S. Rep. David Scott (D-GA-13) joined representatives from Tensar International Corporation, Genesee and Wyoming Inc., and other industry stakeholders on May 2 for a tour and discussion of public policy.

U.S. railroads moved 5 percent more carloads and intermodal units in April compared with rail traffic in the same month last year, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data.

Last month, U.S. roads originated 1,051,026 carloads, up 3.3 percent, and 1,099,000 containers and trailers, up 6.8 percent, compared with April 2017, according to an AAR press release.

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees recommended on May 2 the appointment of Steve Meyer to serve as UTA's interim executive director.

MTA New York City Transit President Andy Byford, recently arrived from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and working diligently to improve operations, has named two agency veterans to executive posts running North America's largest rapid transit network.

The Maryland Department of Transportation's Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) has been recognized as having the safest transit system out of the largest 12 U.S. transit agencies.

A study conducted by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) showed that MDOT MTA in 2017 had the fewest number of Part 1 crimes among the dozen agencies. Part 1 crimes are the most serious offensives such as homicide, rape and aggravated assault.

Metra yesterday kicked off a $29.4 million renovation and expansion of the mechanical shops that house its rail-car and locomotive rehab programs.

Kansas City Southern has been recognized as one of the 2018 CIO 100 for exemplifying operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

KCS will be honored at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards Ceremony to be held Aug. 15 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Each year, the IDG's CIO highlights technology innovation and business value delivered by the award winners.

Kansas City Southern has been recognized as one of the 2018 CIO 100 for exemplifying operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

KCS will be honored at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards Ceremony to be held Aug. 15 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Each year, the IDG's CIO highlights technology innovation and business value delivered by the award winners.

Canadian officials on Monday pledged more than CA$187 million for GO Transit's procurement of 53 bi-level coaches.

Union Pacific Railroad is partnering with two California air management districts to repower 10 low-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives into new Tier 4 switchers for its yard-switching locomotive fleet starting in fall.

The new switchers will reduce particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen emissions by more than 90 percent during operations when compared to older locomotives, UP officials said in a press release.

Union Pacific Railroad is partnering with two California air management districts to repower 10 low-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives into new Tier 4 switchers for its yard-switching locomotive fleet starting in fall.

The new switchers will reduce particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen emissions by more than 90 percent during operations when compared to older locomotives, UP officials said in a press release.

CN announced today it will buy 350 centerbeam cars to meet a growing demand from lumber-producing customers across the Class I's network.

The new, 73-foot riserless centerbeams will have a maximum load capacity of 286,000 pounds and are expected to be delivered starting in September, CN officials said in a press release.

CN announced today it will buy 350 centerbeam cars to meet a growing demand from lumber-producing customers across the Class I's network.

The new, 73-foot riserless centerbeams will have a maximum load capacity of 286,000 pounds and are expected to be delivered starting in September, CN officials said in a press release.