Author: Douglas John Bowen

House panel issues freight recommendations

In a rare display of bipartisan functionality on Capitol Hill, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation (Panel) announced Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, recommendations aimed at improving the efficiency of goods movement and strengthening the U.S. economy, involving a multimodal approach.

Ontario paying penalties to Bombardier

The back-and-forth decision-making involving the fate of Toronto’s Scarborough Line rehabilitation has cost Ontario at least C$68 million (US$65 million) in contract costs, including penalties, claimed by Bombardier Transportation, a Bombardier spokesman told Railway Age Monday, Oct. 28, 2013.

Wabtec sets EVP/CFO transition

Wabtec Corp. said Sunday, Oct. 27 , 2013 Patrick D. Dugan has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer effective Jan. 1, 2014. Dugan will succeed Alvaro Garcia-Tunon, who is retiring, though Garcia-Tunon will remain with the company as a strategic adviser.

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O’Leary named Alaska Railroad CEO

The Alaska Railroad Board of Directors has named Bill O’Leary President and CEO of the Alaska Railroad, succeeding Chris Aadnesen. O’Leary will start in his new position this Friday, Nov. 1, 2013.

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Mule Sidetracks eyes Ohio R-O-W buy

Right-of-way used by Ohio short line Youngstown & Southern Railroad (Y&SR), currently owned by the Columbiana County Port Authority (CCPA), may soon be sold to Mule Sidetracks LLC, a noncarrier, for an estimated $3 million.

BART removes ban on bicycles

Bicycles will be allowed aboard BART trains at all times, including rush hours, following a unanimous vote Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013 by the BART Board of Directors to lift existing restrictions.

Ackman to sell partial stake in CP

Pershing Square Capital Management founder William Ackman reportedly is selling roughly US$800 million of his investment in Canadian Pacific Railroad, or roughly 5.9 million shares.

Design team picked for DART Blue Line work

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has selected Blue Alliance Partners (BAP) as lead designer for the $101 million South Oak Cliff Extension 3 project, an extension of DART’s Blue Line light rail transit system. BAP is a joint venture of HNTB and Dikita Enterprises, Inc.

U.S., North American traffic rises, AAR says

North America’s largest railroads saw gains in both freight carload traffic and intermodal volume during the week ending Oct. 19, 2013, the Association of American Railroads reported Thursday, Oct. 24.