Photo Courtesy of the Connell Interchange Coalition.

Gov. Inslee Includes $15MM in 2023-25 Budget for Connell Rail Interchange Project

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced Dec. 16 that nearly $15 million in funding is being included in the recently released 2023-25 Budget for the Connell Rail Interchange Project, following nearly 40 letters sent from various counties, ports, cities, railroads, EDCs, companies and other entities to the governor, the Office of Financial Management, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and various legislators in support of the infrastructure project.

KCS Holiday Express Raises More Than $215,000

Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced Dec. 19 that its 22nd KCS Holiday Express program raised more than $215,000 to benefit The Salvation Army in 20 communities across eight states where the train, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, stopped, welcoming almost 48,000 visitors.

"Americans deserve to have the best rail system in the world, and the investments we are announcing today will serve to modernize the NEC for generations of passengers," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Dec. 22.

USDOT Appoints Members to FTA’s TRACS

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Dec. 15 announced the appointment of 24 members to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS), which provides information, advice and recommendations on transit safety and other issues as determined by the Secretary of Transportation and the FTA Administrator.

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra

Transport Canada Announces Program to Enhance Rail Safety Engagement

The government of Canada announced a new rail safety funding program called the Program to Enhance Rail Safety Engagement to “encourage Indigenous and local communities to participate in rail safety initiatives in Canada,” as well as a Call for Proposals for the program, with up to $1.6 million in funding, open now until February 16, 2023, Transport Canada reported Dec. 15.

TransLink's Compass Mini-Trains attach to a keyring and offer an alternate way to pay for transit in Metro Vancouver.

Transit Briefs: TransLink, NYMTA, Metra, CTA

TransLink launches Compass Mini-Train as an alternate way to pay for transit in Metro Vancouver. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 11 unveil New York City subway Customer Service Centers; Metra approves contract to rebuild three electric line stations; and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announces plans to develop a new Control and Training Center on Chicago’s West Side.

L.B. Foster photo

Supply Side: L.B. Foster, CRW

L.B. Foster Company (L.B. Foster) has entered a partnership with The FUCHS Lubricants Co. (FUCHS) to develop friction management products for the rail industry. Also, CRW Consulting & Distribution, LLC (CRW) announces acquisition of CCI Inspection Services Inc. (CCI).

NJ Transit Authorizes Contract with Foley-Caterpillar for ALP-45 Maintenance Work

NJ Transit’s Board of Directors on Dec. 14 approved a contract with Piscataway, N.J.-based Foley-Caterpillar to perform key state-of-good-repair maintenance on the engines of its ALP-45 fleet, which will allow the dual-powered locomotives to “maintain their current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier III emissions standards and continue the environmental benefits they provide compared to the older locomotives they replaced.”

ACWR Will Acquire NS’s Piedmont Subdivision (UPDATED, 12/15)

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced Dec. 13 that it has decided to waive a 60-day advance labor notice requirement allowing Class III rail carrier Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway Company (ACWR) to acquire from Norfolk Southern (NS) the approximate 104-mile Piedmont Subdivision, beginning on or after Dec. 15.

Map of TC&W Railroad, which owns and operates the 37-mile Sisseton-Millbank Railroad in South Dakota.

Small-Road Briefs: Boise Cascade/Palmetto Railways, Sisseton-Millbank Railroad (UPDATED)

Boise Cascade Company (Boise Cascade) expands South Carolina footprint with new Colleton County facility, increasing the company’s distribution capacity with direct access to the Palmetto Railways Salkehatchie Subdivision rail line. Also, Governor Kristi Noem proposes $6.25 million to fund the repair of South Dakota’s Sisseton-Millbank Railroad.

Photograph Courtesy of CN, via Twitter

CN Secures Place on CDP ‘A List’

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has named CN to its annual A List for the seventh time, placing the railroad in the CDP group of companies being recognized for “leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change.”

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