Author: Douglas John Bowen

Freight traffic declines yet again in latest week

The slump continued for U.S. railroad freight traffic during the week ended February 21, compared with traffic in 2008, the Association of American Railroads reports. U.S carload freight fell 14.2% from the comparable week in 2008, with declines of 12.8% in the West and 16.0% in the East.

St. Louis eyes stimulus funds to soften transit cuts

Facing $45 million in service cuts targeted for light rail and bus operations by March 30, St. Louis officials are seeking ways to apply $12 million in federal stimulus funds to blunt the budget knife. The $12 million, if able to be applied to operations, “means that close to a quarter of the deficit will be resolved if this switch goes through, and that’s going to go to restoring service,” said D.J. Wilson, a spokesman for East West Gateway Council of Governments, in St. Louis.

Austin rail debut faces further delay

Austin, Tex.’s Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority says testing and training for its 32-mile passenger rail line is behind schedule, and could further delay the route’s operational debut, currently set for March 30.

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Portec pleased with 4Q, full-year results

Portec RailProducts, Inc. Thursday said its unaudited fourth-quarter net income was $1.5 million, or 16 cents a share, up 32% from $1.15 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Obama budget plan: More money for ‘high speed’ rail

The Obama Administration Thursday unveiled a budget plan that identifies $5 billion in funding over a five-year period for “high speed” passenger rail projects in the U.S., supplementing the $8 billion it provided in its stimulus package for a two-year period.

Obama budget plan: More money for HSR

The Obama Administration Feb. 26 unveiled a budget plan that identifies $5 billion in funding over a five-year period for “high speed” passenger rail projects in the U.S., supplementing the $8 billion it provided in its stimulus package for a two-year period.

Transit market buoys Wabtec fourth-quarter profit

Crediting strength in its transit and transportation markets, Wilmerding, Pa.-based Wabtec Corp. Wednesday said it posted fourth-quarter net income of $31.1 million, or 64 cents per share, on sales of $405.2 million. That compares with net income of $28.7 million, or 58 cents per share, on sales of $365.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, or a 9% jump in fourth-quarter profit. Per-share results were short of analyst expectations of 65 cents per share on revenue of $391 million.

Transit market buoys Wabtec 4Q08 profit

Crediting strength in its transit and transportation markets, Wilmerding, Pa.-based Wabtec Corp. Feb. 25 said it posted fourth-quarter net income of $31.1 million, or 64 cents per share, on sales of $405.2 million. That compares with net income of $28.7 million, or 58 cents per share, on sales of $365.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, or a 9% jump in fourth-quarter profit. Per-share results were short of analyst expectations of 65 cents per share on revenue of $391 million.

CN appeals STB mandate on EJ&E overpass costs

Canadian National has filed an appeal in U.S. federal court challenging a mandate issued by the Surface Transportation Board that it pay the majority of costs for two rail crossing upgrades on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co., which it acquired in January for $300 million.

Fort Worth authority eyes rail to the airport

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority has completed an environmental study assessing commuter rail service from southwest Fort Worth to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The proposed service, possibly using diesel multiple-unit (DMU) trains, would interface with existing DART light rail service at the Airport.