Author: Douglas John Bowen

NJT adds (flood-resistant) storage capacity

Criticized for its response last fall to Superstorm Sandy, and the resultant damage to much of its rolling stock, New Jersey Transit has responded by securing storage space at two locations adjacent to its rail system but in more flood-resistant interior portions of the state.

U.S. carloads down, intermodal up, in latest week

Back to recent form: U.S. freight carload traffic for the week ending June 8, 2013, returned to its “mixed” trands, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday, June 13. U.S. freight carload traffic fell 2.8% measured against the comparable week in 2012, while intermodal continued its winning streak, up 2.5%.

MWAA: WMATA Silver Line to open in 2014

Revenue service for Phase One of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)’s Silver Line won’t commence until early 2014, news radio station WTOP said Wednesday, June 13, 2013. Service was to begin late this year.

KCS de Mexico lands Chrysler Group honors

Kansas City Southern said Wednesday, June 12, 2013 it was “pleased to announce that Chrysler Group LLC has honored Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) with its Supplier of the Year award in the Logistics category.”

Metro-North initiates Bronx R-O-W cleanup

MTA Metro-North Railroad said Wednesday, June 12, 2013 it will accelerate track work in the Bronx, encompassing drainage improvements, tie replacements, fencing repairs, and general cleanup of the wayside for nine weeks, stretching from July 1 through Labor Day.

Court dismisses chemical industry rail safety suit

The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. has turned aside a challenge by chemical makers to a Federal Railroad Administration regulation involving the safety of chemical shipments and by rail, including in relationship to implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).

Connecticut electrification bill’s impact doubted

Both houses of Connecticut’s state legislature have unanimously passed a bill calling for electrification of Metro-North Railroad’s Waterbury Branch and the Danbury Branch by 2023, bolstering access between Waterbury, Conn., and New York’s Grand Central Terminal.