Wabtec Corporation has signed a $97 million contract to provide signaling and communication services for TEX Rail, a new commuter rail line being developed by the Fort Worth Transportation Authority. The authority expects to open the 27-mile, double-track line in 2018.
Under the contract, Wabtec will provide wayside signaling and communication services, including a control and command center, for the line.
3/1/2017
Rail News: Supplier Spotlight
3/1/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported weekly U.S. rail traffic, as well as volumes for February 2017.
Carload traffic in February totaled 1,044,040 carloads, up 6.7 percent or 65,141 carloads from February 2016. U.S. railroads also originated 1,068,439 containers and trailers in February 2017, up 1.8 percent or 19,350 units from the same month last year. For February 2017, combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations were 2,112,479, up 4.2 percent or 84,491 carloads and intermodal units from February 2016.
3/1/2017
Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
3/1/2017
Rail News: Mechanical
3/1/2017
Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
Thomas Prendergast, former chairman and and CEO of Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has joined STV Incorporated as executive vice president and chief strategic officer.
STV says he will work on strategic projects throughout the firm. He will also be responsible for forging and maintaining relationships with transit agencies across the country and in Canada and serve as principal on major transportation projects undertaken by the firm. He will report directly to Milo Riverso, president and CEO of STV.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Feb. 28 for the Paoli Station Accessibility Improvements Project, a $36 million initiative to improve accessibility, safety and provide operational flexibility at the Paoli Train Station.
In fiscal year 2016, 201,572 Amtrak passengers and approximately 740,000 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) passengers passed through the station. The current station facilities built in 1953 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, including the one-story brick station building, are not fully accessible and are in need of improvement. SEPTA and Amtrak have partnered to make modifications to the station and infrastructure at the station to bring into compliance with 2006 U.S. Department of Transportation Accessibility Standards.
2/28/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
2/28/2017
Rail News: Labor
2/28/2017
Rail News: Shippers
2/28/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
2/28/2017
Rail News: BNSF Railway
2/28/2017
Rail News: BNSF Railway
A rail worker notification system that notifies maintenance workers, as well as train operators has been awarded a U.S. patent.
STC, Inc., says its now patented EMTRAC Rail Worker Notification is comprised of two main components, the onboard Vehicle Computer Units and the Personal Notification Units carried by rail workers. Optional detection units may also be installed in wayside cabinets along the railway to extend communications or to enable real-time monitoring of vehicle and worker activity. The EMTRAC system also includes setup software so administrative personnel can configure the system according to specific agency requirements.
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE) will open in March 2018, seven months later than the previously scheduled opening of August 2017.