Railroad News

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 5/30/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Conductors, Trainpersons and Yardpersons (TCRC-CTY) announced yesterday that they've reached a tentative agreement for a contract that would cover 3,000 conductors and yard operations employees in Canada.Yesterday's news followed a May 27 announcement that TCRC-CTY had given CN a 72-hour strike notice that would have gone into effect at 4 a.m. today.Details of the tentative agreement are being withheld pending ratification by TCRC members, according to a CN press release."CN is very pleased to have reached this settlement with TCRC-CTY without a service disruption," said Mike Cory, CN executive vice president and chief operating officer. "This new agreement reinforces CN's commitment to working together with our employees and their representatives to address workplace issues in a mutually beneficial manner." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/30/2017

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 5/30/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Conductors, Trainpersons and Yardpersons (TCRC-CTY) announced yesterday that they've reached a tentative agreement for a contract that would cover 3,000 conductors and yard operations employees in Canada.Yesterday's news followed a May 27 announcement that TCRC-CTY had given CN a 72-hour strike notice that would have gone into effect at 4 a.m. today.Details of the tentative agreement are being withheld pending ratification by TCRC members, according to a CN press release."CN is very pleased to have reached this settlement with TCRC-CTY without a service disruption," said Mike Cory, CN executive vice president and chief operating officer. "This new agreement reinforces CN's commitment to working together with our employees and their representatives to address workplace issues in a mutually beneficial manner." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/30/2017

Former United Transportation Union (UTU) Vice President Bruce Wigent passed away on May 25. He was 73 years old.

 

Former United Transportation Union (UTU) Vice President Bruce Wigent passed away on May 25. He was 73 years old.

 

Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that it will add four new directors to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The new directors bring the board to 12 members, of which 11 are independent.

Robert J. Druten, Chairman of the Board of Directors made the announcement that Mitch Krebs, Lydia Beebe, Janet Kennedy and Henry Maier were elected to the board.

Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that it will add four new directors to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The new directors bring the board to 12 members, of which 11 are independent.

Robert J. Druten, Chairman of the Board of Directors made the announcement that Mitch Krebs, Lydia Beebe, Janet Kennedy and Henry Maier were elected to the board.

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/30/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The 9.3-mile extension is expected to open in March 2018.Photo – Charlotte Area Transit System

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 5/30/2017 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern today announced the addition of four new directors to its board effective immediately.The additions bring the board to 12 members, 11 of which are independent, KCS officials said in a press release.The new members are Mitch Krebs, Lydia Beebe, Janet Kennedy and Henry Maier. "The diverse backgrounds and wide range of expertise of these new directors substantially strengthens the Board's ability to oversee the achievement of our long-term strategic objectives," said KCS Chairman Robert Druten. "They also have very important insights relating to financial structure and capital allocation, strategy development, corporate governance, technology and cybersecurity, and transportation as well as international operating experience in Mexico, which further complement and enhance the skill sets of our other directors."Krebs is president and chief executive officer of Coeur Mining Inc., a global producer of silver and gold with mines in North and South America, including Mexico. Beebe has served in various executive roles at Chevron Corp., most recently as its chief governance officer. She is an adviser on corporate strategy and current serves as senior of counsel with the law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.Kennedy is president of Microsoft Canada, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. She has more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing of business solutions.Maier is president and CEO of FedEx Ground, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. Prior to assuming that role in 2013, Maier held various senior executive roles in marketing, communications and strategic planning. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/30/2017

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 5/30/2017 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern today announced the addition of four new directors to its board effective immediately.The additions bring the board to 12 members, 11 of which are independent, KCS officials said in a press release.The new members are Mitch Krebs, Lydia Beebe, Janet Kennedy and Henry Maier. "The diverse backgrounds and wide range of expertise of these new directors substantially strengthens the Board's ability to oversee the achievement of our long-term strategic objectives," said KCS Chairman Robert Druten. "They also have very important insights relating to financial structure and capital allocation, strategy development, corporate governance, technology and cybersecurity, and transportation as well as international operating experience in Mexico, which further complement and enhance the skill sets of our other directors."Krebs is president and chief executive officer of Coeur Mining Inc., a global producer of silver and gold with mines in North and South America, including Mexico. Beebe has served in various executive roles at Chevron Corp., most recently as its chief governance officer. She is an adviser on corporate strategy and current serves as senior of counsel with the law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.Kennedy is president of Microsoft Canada, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. She has more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing of business solutions.Maier is president and CEO of FedEx Ground, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. Prior to assuming that role in 2013, Maier held various senior executive roles in marketing, communications and strategic planning. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/30/2017

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., (G&W) announced that John C. Hellmann, president and CEO, was appointed chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., (G&W) announced that John C. Hellmann, president and CEO, was appointed chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

Rail News Home Positive Train Control 5/30/2017 Rail News: Positive Train Control
The funds will be used to implement PTC on Metra's Milwaukee North and West lines.Photo – Metra

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved Port Everglades' plans for a $437.5-million expansion to add new berths for larger cargo ships and install infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax container cranes.

The most expensive capital project in the port's history, the Southport Turning Notch Expansion project will lengthen the existing deepwater turn-around area for cargo ships from approximately 900 feet to 2,400 feet, which will allow for up to five new cargo berths. The existing gantry crane rails will be extended to the full length of the extended Turning Notch berth to utilize the existing cranes. The port in June will seek approval for a separate agreement to purchase three new Super Post-Panamax container gantry cranes, to be delivered in 2019, with an option to purchase as many as three more, from the county commission.

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved Port Everglades' plans for a $437.5-million expansion to add new berths for larger cargo ships and install infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax container cranes.

The most expensive capital project in the port's history, the Southport Turning Notch Expansion project will lengthen the existing deepwater turn-around area for cargo ships from approximately 900 feet to 2,400 feet, which will allow for up to five new cargo berths. The existing gantry crane rails will be extended to the full length of the extended Turning Notch berth to utilize the existing cranes. The port in June will seek approval for a separate agreement to purchase three new Super Post-Panamax container gantry cranes, to be delivered in 2019, with an option to purchase as many as three more, from the county commission.

Rail News Home Railroading People 5/30/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
John HellmannPhoto – Genesee & Wyoming Inc.

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 5/26/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed bipartisan legislation to eliminate certain regulations under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approved use of pesticides.H.R. 953 would eliminate "pointless duplication of regulation over the lawful use of pesticides," said House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) in a press release. "Under this bill, the use of pesticides will continue to be properly regulated, but without excessive burdens on communities, farmers, and private citizens, and without requirements that cause federal and state agencies to spend limited funds on red tape instead of on protecting public health," Shuster added.The bill was supported by a coalition of businesses and organizations that use pesticides. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/26/2017

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 5/26/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is requesting a $37.1 million budget for operating costs in fiscal-year 2018, up slightly over the board's FY2017 appropriations and 15 percent over FY2016.STB is seeking an increase in funding to fill staff vacancies, improve its information technology systems and continue to carry out directives under the STB Reauthorization Act enacted in December 2015.Additionally, the board is requesting $1.6 million to cover lease renewal and costs for a planned relocation of the staff's offices.The Freight Rail Customer Alliance (FRCA) yesterday issued a press release to advocate for an increased budget at STB."In this difficult budgetary environment, we are pleased that the Trump administration saw fit to provide an increase for the STB for FY2018, especially after Congress provided the STB with a needed funding increase for FY2017," said FRCA President David Sauer, chief operating officer and senior vice president of Dakota Gasification Co. "FRCA will work with the administration and the Congress to enact legislation appropriating the maximum possible funding for the STB," said FRCA Executive Director Ann Warner. "We need to help ensure that the efforts of the Board continue — particularly enhancing its IT infrastructure and data collection capabilities." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/26/2017

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/26/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The station will serve as the northern terminus of Brightline's route.Photo – Brightline

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/26/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
MBTA Acting General Manager Brian Shortsleeve (left) and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (right) in 2015.Photo – MBTA

Rail News Home Shippers 5/26/2017 Rail News: Shippers
The rail park is located on the Union Pacific Railroad.Photo – Permian Rail Park