DDOT: 20 responses on streetcar development

Washington, D.C.’s District Department of Transportation (DDOT) said Tuesday its Request for Information (RFI) involving streetcar system development received 20 responses, “far exceeding our expectations,” according to DDOT Director Terry Bellamy.

CN: More freight cars, containers, in 2012

CN Wednesday said it plans to begin acquiring more than 2,200 new freight cars and 1,300 containers by the end of this year “to support traffic growth and improve customer service.

Bombardier Chinese order is adjusted

Bombardier Transportation said Wednesday its Chinese joint venture, Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd., has accepted a variation order by the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MOR).

Train accidents down sharply in six months

Train accidents on U. S. railroads in this year’s first six months declined 22.8% to 811 compared with the same period in 2011, according to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Safety Analysis. They caused three fatalities, compared with six in the prior-year period, and 33 injuries, down from 101 a year ago.

BNSF touts Bakken field capacity expansion

BNSF Railway said Tuesday it has increased capacity this year to enable the railroad to haul 1 million barrels of oil per day out of the Williston Basin in North Dakota and Montana.

MBTA readies mobile app ticket purchasing

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Monday initiated a pilot project to allow passenger rail riders to purchase and display their tickets on smart phones.

Thales awarded Norwegian rail contract

Thales said Tuesday Jernbaneverket (JBV), the Norwegian rail administration, awarded a framework agreement to deliver a new interlocking system, The initial 33 million euro ($41.5 million) phase includes three signaling projects, involving the Sandnes-Stavanger line, the Ganddal cargo terminal, and Høvik station.

DOT: Prepare for new transit safety oversight

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is alerting U.S. transit operators “to prepare to meet new federal regulations that the Department plans on proposing in the near future. ” LaHood offered the notice in a letter dated Aug. 28.

Illinois bill sets rail construction authority

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association (MHSRA) says Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn recently signed state House Bill HB4078, strongly backed by the association, “which allows the Illinois Toll Highway Authority to use all of its existing powers to construct railroad tracks.” Such authority is generally, and often explicitly, banned in many states within the U.S.

MUNI E Line gets good initial reviews

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has been testing E-Embarcadero Line heritage trolley service, linking Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 with the city’s Caltrain Station, so far receiving warm reviews from riders and transit advocates.

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