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Jun
29

Whirlpool Canada building at CN’s Calgary Logistics Park

Officials from Canadian National and Whirlpool Canada came together on June 28 to break ground on a new distribution center at the railroad's Calgary Logistics Park in Rocky View County, AB.

"We are very pleased to welcome Whirlpool Canada as a major tenant in our state-of-the-art Calgary Logistics Park," said Andrew Fuller, assistant vice-president of domestic intermodal at CN. "By locating at our Calgary Logistics Park, Whirlpool can provide customers with the supply chain and logistics flexibility they need to service their customers and increase their competitiveness."

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Jun
29

AAR recognizes Andrew Paul with Chafee environmental award

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has presented this year's John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award to Norfolk Southern Railway's Andrew Paul, the association announced yesterday.

The AAR issues the award annually in honor of the late senator from Rhode Island. Chafee was a strong advocate for environmental causes and the eco-friendly benefits of rail transportation.

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Jun
29

Gov. Cuomo declares state of emergency for MTA

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo today declared a state of emergency for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The move will allow the agency to speed up the purchase of material and equipment needed to repair tracks, signals, switches and other components, Cuomo said on Twitter.

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Jun
28

Freight Rail Industry Honors Norfolk Southern's Andrew Paul with Annual Chafee Environmental Stewardship Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Freight Rail Industry Honors Norfolk Southern’s Andrew Paul with Annual John H. Chafee Environmental Stewardship Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June, 28, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today announced that Norfolk Southern’s Andrew Paul has been awarded the 2017 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award. Named in honor of the late Rhode Island senator, a strong advocate for green causes and the ecofriendly benefits of rail transportation, the annual award recognizes a railroad employee who has demonstrated the highest level of environmental stewardship in the previous year.

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Jun
28

Rail supplier news from Siemens, Skanska, Savage, Nordco and L.B. Foster (June 28)

Rail News Home Railroading Supplier Spotlight 6/28/2017 Rail News: Railroading Supplier Spotlight
Siemens has acquired MRX Technologies Group, an Australian provider of monitoring systems for rail rolling stock and infrastructure. The acquisition is expected to close in July. Financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition will expand Siemens' offering in the field of predictive maintenance based on digitalization, according to a Siemens press release. MRX Technologies will operate in Siemens' Mobility Division as an independent affiliated company. Siemens in April launched its Digital Rail Services division, a business unit aimed at "digitalizing" the U.S. rail industry.Skanska has signed a $150 million contract with MTA New York City Transit to renovate four subway stations along the Astoria Line in Queens. The project calls for constructing new stairs, guard rails, automated fare collection areas, partitions, windscreens and canopy improvements. Skanska will perform electrical upgrades and rehabilitate the stations' structural concrete and steel. Construction began in April and is expected to wrap up in first-quarter 2019.Savage Saudi Arabia has entered into an agreement with crude-oil and natural-gas exporter Saudi Aramco to operate an industrial rail switching facility in Saudi Arabia. The rail operations will support Saudi Aramco's Wasit and Berri natural gas plants near the Jubail area. Savage will perform rail switching services using rail-car movers and three Tier 3-compliant locomotives. The company also will provide track maintenance and signaling system operations and maintenance. The services will help facilitate the transportation of molten sulphur by rail from Saudi Aramco's Wasit and Berri facilities to new mining and processing plants.The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) has completed installation of a Nordco Shuttlewagon Mobile Railcar Mover. The unit will be used as a rescue vehicle for light-rail cars in the event of a widespread power failure, Nordco officials said in a press release. The mover can tow maintenance-of-way equipment on RTD lines. The custom-designed Shuttlewagon NVX6030 was a collaborative effort between the RTD and Nordco engineering teams. The unit features a hydraulic winch system, vertical hydraulic coupler positioning and the ability to navigate light-rail cars through 90-foot radius curvature.Knorr-Bremse has agreed to distribute L.B. Foster Co.'s wheel flange lubrication systems for rail vehicles in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and South Africa. The systems help minimize wear, extend rail grinding intervals and prolong the service life of wheels, L.B. Foster officials said in a statement. As a result of the partnership, 240 TRAXX locomotives in South Africa are being equipped with wheel flange lubrication systems and solid sticks. Those locomotives are being built by Bombardier Transportation.

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Jun
28

Omnitrans names Baysden director of rail

Southern California transit agency Omnitrans has appointed Trischelle Baysden director of rail.

Omnitrans made the appointment as it prepares to launch the Arrow passenger-rail service between Redlands and San Bernardino, California. The route is slated to open in 2020.

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Jun
28

RTA: Crosstie production up, purchases down in May

Rail News Home Maintenance Of Way 6/28/2017 Rail News: Maintenance Of Way
In May, crosstie production rose 7.2 percent to 1.89 million units and purchases fell 2.4 percent to 2.3 million units from April levels, according to the Railway Tie Association (RTA).In comparison to year-ago levels, May production decreased 15.6 percent and purchases increased 2.9 percent, according to the RTA's monthly report.Production through May plunged 19.5 percent to 9.2 million units, while purchases dropped 12.7 percent to nearly 9 million units.Purchases are trending downward at a 7.8 percent annual rate, while production is trending lower and is down by an 11.4 percent annual rate.

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Jun
28

APTA recognizes Toronto Transit Commission as 'outstanding'

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 6/28/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The TTC last received the award in 1986.Photo – Toronto Transit Commission

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has named the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) its "outstanding public transportation system" for 2017.

The award recognizes the Toronto agency's "transformative change" over the past five years, TTC officials said in a press release. The TTC's efforts have included developing a five-year plan aimed at putting customers first.

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Jun
28

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending June 24, 2017

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 24, 2017.

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Jun
28

DERA reauthorization bill introduced

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators this week introduced the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2017, a measure that would reauthorize the federal clean-air program through fiscal-year 2022 at current funding levels.

The legislation also would ensure equal funding opportunities between large cities and rural areas, according to a press release issued by U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW).

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Jun
28

New York City A-train derails, injures 34

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 6/28/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
New York City Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro briefs reporters on the derailment.Photo – New York City Fire Department's Twitter account

An MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) A-line subway train derailed yesterday and injured at least 34 people.

None of the injuries were life-threatening, according to the New York City Fire Department's Twitter account.

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Jun
28

CSX crew members killed on Amtrak route near D.C.

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 6/28/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Railroad Administration are investing an accident in which two CSX crew members died after being struck last night by an Amtrak train near Washington, D.C.The incident occurred as the Amtrak train was approaching Union Station in Washington. In a statement, CSX confirmed the people on the track were CSX workers."CSX is deeply saddened to report that at approximately 11:50 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, June 27, two CSX employees tragically lost their lives when they were struck by an Amtrak train on the railroad tracks near the intersection of 9th Street and New York Avenue, N.E., in Washington, D.C.," CSX officials said. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of our employees."CSX management representatives responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The company is withholding the employees' names at this time, CSX officials said.Amtrak reported none of the train's passengers or crew were injured, according to local news media.The accident led to major delays of Amtrak and Maryland Transit Administration MARC Camden and Penn Line trains last night. Delays and/or slower trains will continue today, according to Amtrak and MARC service alerts.

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Jun
28

CSX crew members killed on Amtrak route near D.C.

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 6/28/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Railroad Administration are investing an accident in which two CSX crew members died after being struck last night by an Amtrak train near Washington, D.C.The incident occurred as the Amtrak train was approaching Union Station in Washington. In a statement, CSX confirmed the people on the track were CSX workers."CSX is deeply saddened to report that at approximately 11:50 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, June 27, two CSX employees tragically lost their lives when they were struck by an Amtrak train on the railroad tracks near the intersection of 9th Street and New York Avenue, N.E., in Washington, D.C.," CSX officials said. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of our employees."CSX management representatives responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The company is withholding the employees' names at this time, CSX officials said.Amtrak reported none of the train's passengers or crew were injured, according to local news media.The accident led to major delays of Amtrak and Maryland Transit Administration MARC Camden and Penn Line trains last night. Delays and/or slower trains will continue today, according to Amtrak and MARC service alerts.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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Jun
28

Ottawa extends RTG contract for Stage 2 LRT

The city of Ottawa and Rideau Transit Group Partnership (RTG) have extended existing contractual arrangements under a new agreement for Stage 2 of the Confederation Line.

The RTG is a consortium composed of SNC-Lavalin, ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc. and EllisDon. The consortium is currently delivering Stage 1 of the Confederation Line.

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Jun
28

Ottawa extends RTG contract for Stage 2 LRT

The city of Ottawa and Rideau Transit Group Partnership (RTG) have extended existing contractual arrangements under a new agreement for Stage 2 of the Confederation Line.

The RTG is a consortium composed of SNC-Lavalin, ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc. and EllisDon. The consortium is currently delivering Stage 1 of the Confederation Line.

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Jun
28

Ottawa extends RTG contract for Stage 2 LRT

The city of Ottawa and Rideau Transit Group Partnership (RTG) have extended existing contractual arrangements under a new agreement for Stage 2 of the Confederation Line.

The RTG is a consortium composed of SNC-Lavalin, ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc. and EllisDon. The consortium is currently delivering Stage 1 of the Confederation Line.

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Jun
28

Hall named FRA Deputy Administrator

The Federal Railroad Administration has named public relations practitioner Heath Hall as Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator, a post that does not require Senate confirmation.

Hall is known to USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao from her days with the Deputy DOT Secretary's office and the Peace Corps.

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Jun
28

Hall named FRA Deputy Administrator

The Federal Railroad Administration has named public relations practitioner Heath Hall as Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator, a post that does not require Senate confirmation.

Hall is known to USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao from her days with the Deputy DOT Secretary's office and the Peace Corps.

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Jun
28

Hall named FRA Deputy Administrator

The Federal Railroad Administration has named public relations practitioner Heath Hall as Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator, a post that does not require Senate confirmation.

Hall is known to USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao from her days with the Deputy DOT Secretary's office and the Peace Corps.

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Jun
28

Alene Tchourumoff appointed to replace Duininck on Metropolitan Council

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Alene Tchourumoff to serve as chair of the Metropolitan Council.

Tchourumoff currently serves as Minnesota's State Rail Director and the governor's office says she brings a decade of experience in infrastructure planning, transportation policy and finance to her new role. Tchourumoff will replace Outgoing Chair Adam Duininck.

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