To prevent rail-related injuries and deaths to kids, Safe Kids Worldwide and Union Pacific (UP) are teaming up during Rail Safety Week to release a series of resources designed to “raise awareness, educate communities, and encourage parents to talk to their kids about rail safety from an early age.”
Amergin Asset Management (AAM) on Sept. 20 announced that its portfolio company Amergin Rail has acquired PNC Bank’s operating railcar portfolio, including the purchase of more than 6,000 railcars under management, which
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted for fourth-quarter 2023 the rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF), defined as “an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation’s largest railroads over a specified period of time.”
The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Office of Research, Development and Technology (RD&T) recently published four new technical reports that cover a variety of topics, including concrete crossties; the Operational Performance and Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) Analysis (OPRAM) software tool; moving block train control systems; and vehicle dynamics simulations.
For the first 37 weeks of 2023 (ending Sept. 16), total U.S. weekly rail traffic dipped 4.1% from the same point last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Sept. 20 report. Both Canada and the U.S. saw declines, while Mexico saw an increase.
The Government of Quebec on Sept. 19 announced C$60 million in funding to maintain and improve the condition of rail transport infrastructure in Quebec.
The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) recently announced the availability of two awards for students who have the intent to pursue a career in the railway engineering-maintenance industry.
Amtrak makes progress in bringing stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Also, Honolulu’s Skyline sees an increase in ridership; Caltrain completes three major milestones toward Electrification Program; and NJ Transit’s Walter Rand Transportation Center (WRTC) Improvement Project continues to advance.
Norfolk Southern (NS) on Sept. 18 announced an interim Value Assurance Program (VAP) to “compensate any reduction in value of eligible residential properties located in East Palestine, Ohio, and some surrounding communities following the February derailment.”
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) addresses extensive vandalism on subways. Also, Ontario upgrades two GO stations along Stouffville Line; and residents say the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is “unsafe and service isn’t great either,” according to a recent poll.