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Aug
10

In memoriam: Stephen Tobias, 72

Stephen C. Tobias, former Norfolk Southern vice chairman and chief operating officer and former member of the Canadian Pacific Board of Directors, died Aug. 7.

"Steve was COO for most of the years I was chairman, president and CEO. He was a tower of strength for me and the company. He was a great railroader and, I believe, the best operations man in the business," said David Good, former chairman, president and CEO of NS.

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Aug
09

Rail supplier news from AngelTrax, Road & Rail, RSI and Vertex (Aug. 9)

AngelTrax has relocated all operations into a renovated 40,000-square-foot facility, which will serve as the new headquarters for the company's expanded corporate offices, as well as its manufacturing, inventory and distribution centers. The expansion follows the debut of the new Vulcan™ Series high-definition cameras, IP cameras and DVRs, which were launched in the first quarter. With increasing demand for Vulcan Series systems, AngelTrax needed room to accommodate current and future growth, said President and Chief Executive Officer Richie Howard.

Road & Rail Services Inc. has received the Association of American Railroads' automotive quality excellence award for its efforts at a site in Talladega, Alabama. The company was recognized for the highest quality review score for origin facilities for the period covering June 2016 to May 2017. The AAR gives out only one such award each year, Road & Rail officials said in a press release. This marks the third time that Road & Rail has received the honor.

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Aug
09

Valley Metro honored for ridership data portal, Northwest light-rail extension

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/9/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The agency uses geographic information system (GIS) technology in its ridership data portal.Photo – Valley Metro

Valley Metro has been recognized for its use of geographic information system (GIS) technology in its ridership data portal.

GIS supplier Esri presented the agency with a 2017 special achievement in GIS award for the portal, which provides access to customized transit ridership reports. The data portal serves as a "model for the industry," Valley Metro officials said in a press release.

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Aug
09

Pittsburgh transit agency to open customer service center

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/9/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The new site will feature digital screens with real-time light-rail and bus information.Photo – Port Authority of Allegheny County

The Port Authority of Allegheny County next year plans to open a larger customer service center in downtown Pittsburgh.

The agency's board late last month approved amending an existing lease at the Heinz 57 Center to include a new 8,500-square-foot location. The lease will now run through 2030.

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Aug
09

RTA: Crosstie production down, purchases up in June

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 8/9/2017 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
In June, crosstie production fell 4.8 percent to 1.8 million units, while purchases rose 7.8 percent to 2.49 million units from May levels, according to the Railway Tie Association (RTA).In comparison to year-ago levels, June production plunged 29.1 percent and purchases slipped 5.6 percent, according to the RTA report.Production through June decreased 21.3 percent from year-ago levels to 11 million units, while purchases dropped 11.3 percent to 11.48 million units compared with the same period in 2016.Purchases are in a downward trend at a 9.8 percent annual rate, while production is trending lower at a 15 percent annual rate, according to RTA's report.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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Aug
09

Teamsters ratify new pact for CN conductors, yard crews

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 8/9/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Conductors, Trainpersons and Yardpersons union that represents CN conductors and yard crews in Canada has ratified a new collective agreement with the Class I.Retroactive to July 23, 2016, the three-year contract provides wage increases and benefit improvements to 3,000 conductors, according to a CN press release."This agreement is testament to the benefits of relationship building and we look forward to continuing to foster this relationship moving forward," said CN Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Cory. "Together, we reached this agreement without a labor disruption allowing us to continue providing quality service to our customers."

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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Aug
09

Teamsters ratify new pact for CN conductors, yard crews

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 8/9/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Conductors, Trainpersons and Yardpersons union that represents CN conductors and yard crews in Canada has ratified a new collective agreement with the Class I.Retroactive to July 23, 2016, the three-year contract provides wage increases and benefit improvements to 3,000 conductors, according to a CN press release."This agreement is testament to the benefits of relationship building and we look forward to continuing to foster this relationship moving forward," said CN Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Cory. "Together, we reached this agreement without a labor disruption allowing us to continue providing quality service to our customers."

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 8/9/2017


Aug
09

Union Pacific ranks No. 1 in Soy Transportation Council's report card

Union Pacific Railroad ranked as the top performer while Canadian Pacific ranked last in the Soy Transportation Coalition's (STC) seventh annual survey of Class I performance.

UP was regarded as the top performing railroad for the fifth time. Survey respondents ranked CP in seventh place for the six year in a row, STC officials said in a press release.

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Aug
09

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending August 5, 2017

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 5, 2017.

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Aug
09

KC Streetcar starts planning for extension to university

The Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSA) on Monday issued a notice to proceed on planning work for a southern extension to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

An HDR Engineering-led team will perform planning and engineering services. The planning work will include collecting data on area conditions and utilities, refining alignment details, determining station locations and updating cost estimates.

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Aug
09

Sen. Schumer demands FRA, FMCSA reverse sleep apnea rule withdrawal

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to reverse the withdrawal of pending regulation that would require sleep apnea testing of workers in safety critical roles.

"We don't want train engineers with undiagnosed sleep apnea, who actually hold lives in their hands, to fall asleep at the switch and we don't want big-rig drivers to doze off at the wheel. That's why NTSB's recommendations to get this done should be the law of the land and why I have pushed so hard on this subject for years. This abrupt and uncalled for withdrawal by [U.S. Department of Transportation] commemorates a disaster waiting to happen and that's why I'm now calling on the both of these agencies to get these rules and this process back on track," said Sen. Schumer.

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Aug
09

Sen. Schumer demands FRA, FMCSA reverse sleep apnea rule withdrawal

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to reverse the withdrawal of pending regulation that would require sleep apnea testing of workers in safety critical roles.

"We don't want train engineers with undiagnosed sleep apnea, who actually hold lives in their hands, to fall asleep at the switch and we don't want big-rig drivers to doze off at the wheel. That's why NTSB's recommendations to get this done should be the law of the land and why I have pushed so hard on this subject for years. This abrupt and uncalled for withdrawal by [U.S. Department of Transportation] commemorates a disaster waiting to happen and that's why I'm now calling on the both of these agencies to get these rules and this process back on track," said Sen. Schumer.

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Aug
09

Sorel to serve on SNC-Lavalin Executive Committee

SNC-Lavalin appointed Chantal Sorel to executive vice president, Capital. This appointment is in addition to her current role as managing director. Sorel will serve on the Executive Committee.

As Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Capital Sorel will continue to oversee all aspects of Capital, SNC-Lavalin's investment, project financing and asset management arm.

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Aug
09

Sorel to serve on SNC-Lavalin Executive Committee

SNC-Lavalin appointed Chantal Sorel to executive vice president, Capital. This appointment is in addition to her current role as managing director. Sorel will serve on the Executive Committee.

As Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Capital Sorel will continue to oversee all aspects of Capital, SNC-Lavalin's investment, project financing and asset management arm.

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Aug
09

Siemens' new locomotive hub to use 'Internet of Trains' technology

Siemens today will open a new, 44,000-square-foot locomotive service hub in Delaware that will use digital and predictive technology to remotely maintain the units for several railroad operators.

Located in New Castle, the facility will use "Internet of Trains" digital and predictive technology to train service technicians and remotely monitor more than 140 Siemens-built locomotives for customers across the United States, company officials said in a press release.

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Aug
09

Rising Stars: Danielle Ross, Spectrum Inc.

Danielle Ross, 35

Job description: Ross sets Spectrum’s direction and oversees operations. She assesses staffing needs, anticipates and plans for growth, and creates short- and long-term strategies for the marketing and manufacturing of the company's products.

Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish literature from Ohio State University

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Aug
09

With NAFTA renegotiations looming, railroads hope more freight crisscrosses the southern U.S. border

In May, Ferromex was named a Socially Responsible Enterprise by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy.Photo – Ferromex

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

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Aug
08

Cutting red tape: Nonpartisan group floats ideas to fast-track permitting process

The Hudson River rail tunnels were badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.Photo – Chuck Gomez/Amtrak

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

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Aug
08

Seattle slots funds for housing near new light-rail station

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 8/8/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The city is providing $15 million to build affordable homes near the future Roosevelt light-rail station.Photo – Sound Transit

The Seattle Office of Housing yesterday announced $15 million in funding to build affordable homes near Sound Transit's future Roosevelt light-rail station.

The office has joined Sound Transit in issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for the project. The RFP is for one of several transit-oriented development (TOD) plans that Sound Transit is advancing this year, Sound Transit officials said in a press release.

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Aug
08

West Coast port workers approve contract extension

Rail News Home Intermodal 8/8/2017 Rail News: Intermodal
The agreement will run through July 2022.Photo – ILWU

Longshore workers at 29 ports in California, Oregon and Washington officially ratified a three-year contract extension with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) announced late last week.

The union's coast balloting committee reviewed voting results from all longshore local unions and confirmed that 67 percent of members have approved the extension, ILWU officials said in a press release.

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