Railroad News

2/22/2017    

Rail News: BNSF Railway

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) says its members are making "significant progress" toward implementing positive train control (PTC) and are on schedule to meet the December 2018 deadline.

The analyses were based on surveying APTA members and assessing the quarterly reports submitted to the FRA for the last quarter of 2016. It also showed that given the priority of PTC, there remains significant investment backlog for State of Good Repair (SOGR) and expansion projects, including upgrades and replacement to track, bridges, rolling stock and facilities. Since APTA's last quarterly report, the Federal Transit Administration has updated the SOGR for the public transit industry, which has increased to $90 billion.

2/22/2017    

Rail News: PTC

Three teams have been selected by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to compete for the design-build contract to build the Green Line Extension Project.

The teams were shortlisted following an evaluation of their Statements of Qualifications. MBTA said under the design-build contract, the project will be delivered by a single firm, which will work under a single contract for the design and construction of the Green Line Extension Project.

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 2/22/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
CSX Corp. yesterday announced it will eliminate about 1,000 management employees "through an involuntary separation program" that will be completed by mid- to late March.Enhanced separation benefits will be offered to those losing their jobs. A majority of the affected employees work in Jacksonville, Fla., across multiple locations and subsidiaries. However, some work in CSX's field organization will be affected, said company spokesman Gary Sease in an email."Upon further study and evaluation, we will know both the Jacksonville and field management employee impact," Sease said.CSX's headquarters is located in Jacksonville.The job cuts were announced at the same time CSX's board has been involved in discussions with hedge fund Mantle Ridge LP and former Canadian Pacific Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison about proposals that include Harrison becoming CEO of CSX. The board has scheduled a special shareholders' meeting to consider the proposals.Also yesterday, CSX announced that its Chairman and CEO Michael Ward and President Clarence Gooden will retire effective May 31. Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Fredrik Eliasson has been appointed president effective Feb. 15, replacing Gooden, who will assume the role of vice chairman until his retirement.Eliasson will maintain his current responsibilities in the new position. The changes are part of a senior leadership transition that CSX's board has been considering for more than a year, company officials said. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 2/22/2017

2/22/2017    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

2/22/2017    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

Legislation had been introduced into the U.S. Senate that would make permanent a tax credit used to repair and upgrade shortline and regional railroads.

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) introduced the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, S.407, on Feb. 16. The bill's cosponsors include Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Canadian Pacific is updating its logo to a design that the railroad says expresses strength and confidence while recognizing its past.

"I am excited to say that 'the beaver is back,'" said Keith Creel, president and CEO. "Thanks to a lot of hard work in the [p]ast few years, we have taken our rightful place as an industry leader and the time is right to re-connect with our past by bringing back this iconic symbol for Canada and for CP."

2/21/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

2/21/2017    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

Ottawa's planned Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project is expanding its scope with a proposal that would extend the project to the west, south and east. Stakeholders also explained a recommended procurement model for the project.

The Stage 2 Implementation report, as presented by city staff, provides recommendations that meet the directions given by Council in the "Stage 2 Light Rail Transit (LRT) Environmental and Functional Design Report," approved by City Council on July 8, 2015. The report updates changes in project scope, provides information on the final alignment adjustments, includes the recommended procurement model and the specific activities the city will undertake to prepare to implement Stage 2. The city said if the report is approved, it will allow for a competitive procurement process for all three Stage 2 extensions and the related supporting projects and permit the projects to be built within the city's affordability envelope.

CSX has appointed Fredrik J. Eliasson as president, effective Feb. 15, 2017. Michael J. Ward, chairman and CEO of CSX, and Clarence W. Gooden, president, will retire effective May 31, 2017.

Eliasson, who is currently CSX's chief sales and marketing officer, will maintain his current responsibilities in his new position. Gooden will assume the role of vice chairman until his retirement.

A $647-million Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for Caltrain's Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP) has been deferred until the Trump Administration develops a budget for Fiscal Year 2018.

Caltrain says electrification would be "the most transformative effort ever undertaken on the Caltrain Corridor." The agency is evaluating options for maintaining a viable project in the face of uncertainty about the timing of FFGA approval and the question about whether it will be approved at all.

2/21/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

2/21/2017    

Rail News: Intermodal

2/21/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

2/21/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 2/21/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
CSX Chairman and CEO Michael WardPhoto – CSX Corp.

2/21/2017    

Rail News: CSX Transportation