(R.J. Corman Railroad Company Photograph)

Pinsly, R.J. Corman, Transtar, W&LE Land ORDC Grants (UPDATED)

The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) has awarded rehabilitation project grants totaling more than $2.89 million to Pinsly Railroad Company’s Camp Chase Railway (CAMY), R.J. Corman Railroad Company’s Western Ohio Lines, Transtar’s East Ohio Valley Railway (EOVR), and Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE).

Amsted Digital Solutions IQ Series gateway mounted on a railcar truck. (Amsted Digital Solutions Photograph)

RailPulse, Amsted Team on Telematics

Amsted Digital Solutions has signed a multi-year agreement allowing RailPulse™—the coalition established in late 2020 to “facilitate and accelerate the adoption of GPS and other telematics technology across the North American railcar network”—to act

Engage for Good honors CSX for its partnership with and support for Wounded Warrior Project®’s (WWP) Drone Training Program, which provides veterans with initial training to become certified FAA drone pilots and with advanced training if they are already certified. (CSX Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CSX, NS, CPKC

CSX is recognized for its work helping veterans achieve post-military employment and holds its 2024 women in rail leadership event. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) hosts its annual short line conference and presents its second-annual Bulldog Legacy Scholarships; and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) will open its newest automotive facility in June.

(Union Pacific Photograph)

FRA Finalizes Dispatcher, Signal Employee Certification Rules

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on May 20 announced two final rules requiring freight railroads, Amtrak and commuter railroads to develop certification and training programs for train dispatchers and signal employees.

Pictured: May 17 unveiling and dedication of NSHR’s LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) and LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit) on the Lundy Warehouse rail siding in Pennsylvania. (NSHR Photograph)

Watch: NSHR Pays Tribute to America’s Armed Forces

Northumberland, Pa.-based North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates (NSHR) on May 17 unveiled and dedicated the LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) and LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit) to United States military service members—”past, present and fallen.”

Caltrain on May 11 held the third public tour of its new EMUs, which are scheduled to begin revenue service this September. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, CTA, Colorado

California’s Caltrain welcomes thousands to the third public tour of its new Stadler-built KISS bilevel EMUs (electric multiple-units). Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) marks the highest ridership week of 2024; and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs multiple transit-related bills into law, including one to advance Front Range Passenger Rail.

ITS Logistics U.S. Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index for May 2024. (Image Courtesy of ITS Logistics)

ITS Logistics Issues May Port/Rail Ramp Index

ITS Logistics on May 16 reported that “as demand shifts are spreading along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard to absorb Baltimore cargo,” Norfolk is finding “significant rate increases in dray and container storage

Pictured, left to right: Alex Denis, North County Transit District (NCTD Photograph); Nabanita Nag, Norfolk Southern (NS Photograph), Angel Martinez, STV (STV Photograph); Thomas J. McGuinness, STV (STV Photograph); and Andy Klinck, U.S. Rail & Logistics (USRL Photograph).

People News: NCTD, NS, STV, USRL

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) appoints Alex Denis as Chief Procurement Officer. Also, Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Nabanita Nag earns a corporate counsel award; professional services firm STV recruits Angel Martinez and Thomas J. McGuinness to oversee transportation infrastructure projects in the Northeast; and U.S. Rail & Logistics (USRL) taps Andy Klinck as Senior Vice President of Operations.

At the Port of Long Beach, Calif., dockworkers and terminal operators moved 750,424 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) last month, up 14.4% from April 2023. (POLB Photograph)

Intermodal Briefs: POLB, SC Ports

The Port of Long Beach, Calif., marked its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year cargo growth in April. Also, South Carolina Ports’ (SC Ports) rail-served inland ports in Dillon and Greer logged record volumes last month.

Hon. Perrin Beatty, PC, OC, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (left), presented the Canadian Business Leader of the Year award to CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson. (CN Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CN, NS, UP

CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson earns the Canadian Business Leader of the Year award. Meanwhile, the Canadian Class I unveils a transload facility in Michigan and announces the ratification of a new collective agreement for Unifor-affiliated CNTL drivers. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) and its CREATE Program partners mark their five-year commitment to STEM education in Chicago; and Union Pacific (UP) ranks on Fair360’s list of top companies for workplace fairness.

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