Railroad News

The U.S. Senate confirmed Jeffrey Rosen as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on May 16. Rosen is the 18th deputy secretary in USDOT's 50-year history.

 

The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) and Federal Highway Administration have signed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) document for the Willmar Rail Connector and Industrial Park Access Project (Willmar Wye).

 

The government of Canada proposed legislation aimed at providing air passengers more protection and choice and improving the nation's freight rail system through investment and safety measures.

Transport Canada says the legislation, called the Transportation Modernization Act, is the result of more than a year of consultation, feedback and guidance from citizens and stakeholders across Canada. The Transportation Modernization Act would amend the existing Railway Safety Act.

Union Pacific plans to spend $48.1 million in Utah this year to improve its infrastructure. The state spending plan is part of the Class 1's $3.1-billion 2017 capital program.

 

Metra, Chicago's suburban passenger rail provider, broke ground a station at Romeoville, which will be a new stop along the Heritage Corridor Line.

"Getting a Metra stop has been a village goal for a long time, so we're very excited to break ground today," Romeoville Mayor John Noak said. "Having another transportation link to the city will be a great benefit for residents as well as businesses."

Rail News Home Railroading Supplier Spotlight 5/17/2017 Rail News: Railroading Supplier Spotlight
ANGI Energy Systems next month will ship equipment for a CNG fueling station for Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad.Photo – ANGI Energy Systems

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/17/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The development will include 70,000 square feet of office space.Photo – MARTA

Rail News Home Railroading People 5/17/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
The League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW) is seeking nominations for four three-year board positions to begin in fall.The positions are for scholarship chair, membership chair, awards chair and director. The nomination deadline is June 16, LRIW officials said in a press release."We are very excited to once again open these opportunities to women within the railroad industry," said LRIW President Jodi Heldt.LRIW's board is composed of 15 female industry professionals from across the United States and Canada. Four board members govern the executive committee."The LRIW was founded on the ideology that women in the railroading industry, no matter their professional level, have access to leadership positions where they can contribute to the industry, network, make a difference and grow professionally," said Heldt. "As the organization grows, we're seeking dynamic, talented women to continue our success."Interested applicants can visit the organization's website for more information, or contact Mary Schroll, LRIW parliamentarian.The LRIW 2017 Annual Conference will be held Sept. 18-19 in conjunction with Railway Interchange 2017 in Indianapolis. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

5/17/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/17/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad announced yesterday that its 2017 capital expenditure plans include $48 million worth of projects in Utah.UP's Utah plans include $40.3 million to maintain track and $4.2 million to maintain bridges, according to a company press release.Key projects will include $18.4 million to replace 146,327 ties on the rail line between Wells and Salt Lake City; $6.8 million to replace 55,546 ties between Lynndyl and Tooele; and $2.6 million to replace 4 miles of curve rail between Ogden, Utah, and Granger, Wyo.From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $221 million on its infrastructure in Utah."Union Pacific's targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities across Utah," said Wes Lujan, vice president—public affairs, Western region, in a press release. "Maintaining a healthy railroad is the foundation of our ability to serve customers and communities across the state."The Utah investment news is the latest of UP's state-by-state capex plans announced for 2017. The Class I expects to spend $3.1 billion across its network this year. The company has invested $51 billion in capital expenditures since 2000, contributing to a 40 percent decrease in derailments during the same time frame, UP officials said. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/17/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad announced yesterday that its 2017 capital expenditure plans include $48 million worth of projects in Utah.UP's Utah plans include $40.3 million to maintain track and $4.2 million to maintain bridges, according to a company press release.Key projects will include $18.4 million to replace 146,327 ties on the rail line between Wells and Salt Lake City; $6.8 million to replace 55,546 ties between Lynndyl and Tooele; and $2.6 million to replace 4 miles of curve rail between Ogden, Utah, and Granger, Wyo.From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $221 million on its infrastructure in Utah."Union Pacific's targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities across Utah," said Wes Lujan, vice president—public affairs, Western region, in a press release. "Maintaining a healthy railroad is the foundation of our ability to serve customers and communities across the state."The Utah investment news is the latest of UP's state-by-state capex plans announced for 2017. The Class I expects to spend $3.1 billion across its network this year. The company has invested $51 billion in capital expenditures since 2000, contributing to a 40 percent decrease in derailments during the same time frame, UP officials said. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

5/17/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 5/17/2017 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern Railway Co. will spend $24.6 million this year on construction and improvement projects on its rail line through Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.The work will be completed on its Pittsburg, Heavener and Shreveport subdivisions, according to a KCS press release.The Class I has planned rail, tie and crossing improvements between Neosho, Mo., and Blanchard, La. The work is expected to begin May 30 and continue through late August. In total, the project will include the replacement of 7.7 miles of rail and 90,000 ties, as well as improvements to more than 130 grade crossings."KCS, through its U.S. and Mexican subsidiaries, continues to invest in capital projects to expand network capacity, keep maintenance in a regular and healthy cycle, and enhance the safety of our operation," said President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ottensmeyer. "These investments also help us be an economic growth partner to our customers and the communities through which we operate." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 5/17/2017 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern Railway Co. will spend $24.6 million this year on construction and improvement projects on its rail line through Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.The work will be completed on its Pittsburg, Heavener and Shreveport subdivisions, according to a KCS press release.The Class I has planned rail, tie and crossing improvements between Neosho, Mo., and Blanchard, La. The work is expected to begin May 30 and continue through late August. In total, the project will include the replacement of 7.7 miles of rail and 90,000 ties, as well as improvements to more than 130 grade crossings."KCS, through its U.S. and Mexican subsidiaries, continues to invest in capital projects to expand network capacity, keep maintenance in a regular and healthy cycle, and enhance the safety of our operation," said President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ottensmeyer. "These investments also help us be an economic growth partner to our customers and the communities through which we operate." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/17/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Metra Executive Director and CEO Don Orseno (at far right) joined local officials for the groundbreaking ceremony.Photo – Village of Romeoville

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 5/17/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
Canadian transportation officials have introduced an amendment to the Railway Safety Act that would mandate the installation of locomotive voice and video recorders (LVVR) in cabs, Transport Canada announced yesterday.The proposal, included in the Transportation Modernization Act, was designed to improve the safety of rail transportation in Canada, Transport Canada officials said in a press release.The use of LVVR, or inward facing cameras, has been on the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's (TSB) Watchlist since 2012 in response to a fatal train accident in Burlington, Ontario. Following a joint study between Transport Canada and the TSB on the safety benefits of the technology, the TSB in September 2016 released a report that determined rail safety would be enhanced if the LVVR data could be collected and used for "proactive safety management" and accident or incident investigations.To address employee privacy concerns, the proposal announced yesterday would limit the purposes for which that data can be used. The amendments state LVVR data would only be used by:
• the TSB for accident and incident investigations;
• federally regulated companies to conduct analysis via random sampling to identify safety concerns as part of ongoing safety management; to determine the cause of a reportable accident/incident not being investigated by the TSB; and to address a prescribed safety threat; and
• Transport Canada, for policy development; to determine the cause of a reportable accident or incident not being investigated by the TSB; to address a safety threat; and to ensure compliance with provisions in the LVVR regime.Canadian Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Creel commended Canadian government officials for announcing the LVVR legislation. CP and Creel have long advocated for the use of LVVR."Having the ability to use this technology in a proactive manner will allow us to prevent incidents and improve rail safety – further protecting the public, our employees and the goods we transport for our customers," said Creel in a press release.The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) also announced its support for mandatory LVVR installation."This technology is working to increase safety in other jurisdictions where it has been deployed," said RAC President and CEO Michael Bourque in a press release. "This requirement addresses a key Transportation Safety Board recommendation that has been on its Watchlist since 2012."Teamsters Canada, however, are opposed to the measure. The labor organization called on Canada's Transport Minister Marc Garneau to further explain how workers privacy will be protected."Marc Garneau's proposal is an unprecedented violation of Canadians' privacy," said Doug Finnson, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, in a press release. "How can he possibly think that workers aren’t getting the short end of the stick?" Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/17/2017

Kansas City Southern Railway Co. is investing approximately $24.6 million in 2017 on construction and improvement projects on its Pittsburg, Heavener and Shreveport Subdivisions.

Rail, crosstie and crossing improvements are planned in 20 communities between Neosho, Mo. and Blanchard, La. The work is expected to begin May 30 and continue through late August.

5/16/2017    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 5/16/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) today kicked off its annual meeting by calling on Congress and the Trump administration to produce a federal infrastructure investment package that features the movement of freight.CAGTC used its new "Freight Can't Wait" booklet to highlight its point that a large-scale infrastructure package should address the movement of freight across the nation. The booklet features descriptions of 43 freight projects of regional and national significance in need of federal "partnership," according to a CAGTC press release."Dollar for dollar, direct federal investment in freight infrastructure yields a high return, creating construction jobs in the immediacy, and in the long term, bolstering the infrastructure that moves commerce," said Tim Lovain, CAGTC chairman and executive vice president of Crossroads Strategies.Making freight infrastructure investment the hallmark of the federal plan "presents a unique opportunity to both attract and retain domestic manufacturing and strengthen U.S. infrastructure — both of which are goals held by the administration," coalition officials said. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/16/2017