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Sep
07

CSX listening session postponed due to hurricane threat

The National Hurricane Center's latest projected track of Hurricane Irma has prompted the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to postpone its Sept. 12 listening session concerning CSX's rail service issues, the board announced yesterday.

The center has projected landfall in southern Florida early on Sept. 11. CSX's headquarters are based in Jacksonville, Fla.

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CSX
Sep
07

CSX listening session postponed due to hurricane threat

The National Hurricane Center's latest projected track of Hurricane Irma has prompted the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to postpone its Sept. 12 listening session concerning CSX's rail service issues, the board announced yesterday.

The center has projected landfall in southern Florida early on Sept. 11. CSX's headquarters are based in Jacksonville, Fla.

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Sep
07

STB reveals 'revenue adequate' Class Is for 2016

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 9/7/2017 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced yesterday that the Class Is that achieved "revenue adequacy" for 2016 were BNSF Railway Co., Norfolk Southern's combined railroad subsidiaries, Canadian Pacific's Soo Line Corp. and Union Pacific Railroad.A railroad is considered to be revenue adequate if it achieves a rate of return on net investment equal to at least the current cost of capital for the railroad industry for 2016, which the board determined to be 8.88 percent, according to an STB press release.The STB determined that those four Class Is achieved a rate of return on net investment equal to or greater than the agency's calculation of the cost of capital for the railroad industry.Soo Line is part of CP's U.S. operations.Congress requires the STB to conduct revenue adequacy determinations on an annual basis.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 9/7/2017


Sep
07

USDOT accepting TIGER applications for FY17

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is accepting Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant applications through Oct. 16 for Fiscal Year 2017 awards.

USDOT has $500 million available for the discretionary grant program and will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area or a region. The FY 2017 Appropriations Act specifies that TIGER Discretionary Grants may not be less than $5 million and not greater than $25 million, except that for projects located in rural areas the minimum TIGER Discretionary Grant size is $1 million.

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Sep
07

USDOT accepting TIGER applications for FY17

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is accepting Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant applications through Oct. 16 for Fiscal Year 2017 awards.

USDOT has $500 million available for the discretionary grant program and will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area or a region. The FY 2017 Appropriations Act specifies that TIGER Discretionary Grants may not be less than $5 million and not greater than $25 million, except that for projects located in rural areas the minimum TIGER Discretionary Grant size is $1 million.

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Sep
07

USDOT accepting TIGER applications for FY17

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is accepting Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant applications through Oct. 16 for Fiscal Year 2017 awards.

USDOT has $500 million available for the discretionary grant program and will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area or a region. The FY 2017 Appropriations Act specifies that TIGER Discretionary Grants may not be less than $5 million and not greater than $25 million, except that for projects located in rural areas the minimum TIGER Discretionary Grant size is $1 million.

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Sep
07

USDOT opens applications for TIGER grants

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 9/7/2017 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
In fiscal-year 2017, the department is offering $500 million through the TIGER grant program.Photo – USDOT

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) yesterday announced the availability of $500 million in discretionary grant funding through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 set aside $500 million for National Infrastructure Investments, also known as TIGER grants, according to a USDOT press release. As with previous TIGER rounds, funds will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that have a significant impact on the United States, a metropolitan area or a region.

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Sep
07

LIRR continues Ronkonkoma Double Track Project

Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) crews will conduct critical work to advance the LIRR's Ronkonkoma Branch Double Track Project during the weekends of Sept. 9-10 and 16-17.

The Double Track Project is a $387-million infrastructure project, funded over two capital programs that will add a second track to the 18-mile stretch from Farmingdale to Ronkonkoma by the end of 2018. The purpose of the project is to improve train service by allowing for half-hourly, off-peak service in both directions, increased reverse peak service and greater flexibility to minimize the impact of service disruptions along the branch.

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Sep
07

LIRR continues Ronkonkoma Double Track Project

Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) crews will conduct critical work to advance the LIRR's Ronkonkoma Branch Double Track Project during the weekends of Sept. 9-10 and 16-17.

The Double Track Project is a $387-million infrastructure project, funded over two capital programs that will add a second track to the 18-mile stretch from Farmingdale to Ronkonkoma by the end of 2018. The purpose of the project is to improve train service by allowing for half-hourly, off-peak service in both directions, increased reverse peak service and greater flexibility to minimize the impact of service disruptions along the branch.

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Sep
07

LIRR continues Ronkonkoma Double Track Project

Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) crews will conduct critical work to advance the LIRR's Ronkonkoma Branch Double Track Project during the weekends of Sept. 9-10 and 16-17.

The Double Track Project is a $387-million infrastructure project, funded over two capital programs that will add a second track to the 18-mile stretch from Farmingdale to Ronkonkoma by the end of 2018. The purpose of the project is to improve train service by allowing for half-hourly, off-peak service in both directions, increased reverse peak service and greater flexibility to minimize the impact of service disruptions along the branch.

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Sep
07

Colorado explores Front Range commuter line

A Colorado commission is exploring plans for a commuter rail line connecting cities along the state's Front Range.

 

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Sep
07

Colorado explores Front Range commuter line

A Colorado commission is exploring plans for a commuter rail line connecting cities along the state's Front Range.

 

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Sep
07

Colorado explores Front Range commuter line

A Colorado commission is exploring plans for a commuter rail line connecting cities along the state's Front Range.

 

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Sep
06

WMATA, VRE generate $600 million annually for Virginia, report says

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) rail system and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) provide more than $600 million each year to Virginia's general fund, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) announced yesterday.

The figure comes from a new report that evaluated the economic value of the two rail systems.

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Sep
06

BART to start testing trains on Berryessa Extension

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 9/6/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The Berryessa Extension is the first phase of the larger Silicon Valley Extension.Photo – Santa Clara VTA

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) today will begin testing trains along the Berryessa Extension running from Fremont to San Jose, California.

The first trains — which won't carry riders yet — will be used to test communication systems, tracks and software. This is known as the "static testing phase" and is a key step before opening the extension for passenger service, according to a press release issued by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

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Sep
06

Union Pacific replaces Deval diamond in 48 hours

Union Pacific credits teamwork and planning for the successful replacement of the 100,000-pound, five-track Deval diamond in a little over 48 hours.

Union Pacific says about 90 employees worked in 12-hour shifts through late-night hours and constant rain to replace the Deval diamond in Des Plaines, Ill., where three of UP's Harvard Subdivision tracks cross two Milwaukee Subdivision tracks. Crews used five track-hoes and four end-loaders to complete the $2-million task.

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Sep
06

Union Pacific replaces Deval diamond in 48 hours

Union Pacific credits teamwork and planning for the successful replacement of the 100,000-pound, five-track Deval diamond in a little over 48 hours.

Union Pacific says about 90 employees worked in 12-hour shifts through late-night hours and constant rain to replace the Deval diamond in Des Plaines, Ill., where three of UP's Harvard Subdivision tracks cross two Milwaukee Subdivision tracks. Crews used five track-hoes and four end-loaders to complete the $2-million task.

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Sep
06

Union Pacific replaces Deval diamond in 48 hours

Union Pacific credits teamwork and planning for the successful replacement of the 100,000-pound, five-track Deval diamond in a little over 48 hours.

Union Pacific says about 90 employees worked in 12-hour shifts through late-night hours and constant rain to replace the Deval diamond in Des Plaines, Ill., where three of UP's Harvard Subdivision tracks cross two Milwaukee Subdivision tracks. Crews used five track-hoes and four end-loaders to complete the $2-million task.

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Sep
06

Hurricane Harvey: RRB reminds rail workers of unemployment benefits

Rail News Home Labor 9/6/2017 Rail News: Labor
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) last week notified rail employees who are out of work due to Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath that they may qualify for unemployment benefits. To determine eligibility or file claims for benefits, affected railroaders can call RRB's telephone number or visit its website. Railroad unemployment benefits normally are paid for four or more days without work in 14-day registration periods, RRB officials said in a press release.Meanwhile, railroads in the Houston area are continuing to make repairs and resume service where possible. Union Pacific Railroad yesterday announced that its Baytown, Coleto Creek and Strang subdivisions have resumed service.The Class I's primary focus yesterday was working to open lines between Houston and Beaumont, Texas. Once that portion of track is opened, UP will be able to operate traffic directly from Livonia and Avondale, Louisiana, to Houston without the need to run trains through Pine Bluff, Arkansas.Houston METRO yesterday resumed regular service on all three of its light-rail lines. The agency last week restored limited service on its Red Line rail route.

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More News from 9/6/2017


Sep
06

Keith Parker steps down from MARTA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) General Manager and CEO Keith Parker will step down after nearly five years of service.

Led by MARTA Chairman Robbie Ashe, the board will vote to approve an interim general manager in an upcoming session and will launch a national search for a permanent chief executive.

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