FRA Proposes Changes to Freight Car Safety Standards (UPDATED 2/9)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in December 2023 proposed to amend the Freight Car Safety Standards (FCSS) to advance a freight rail safety provision of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Manufacturers of newly built freight cars placed into U.S. service will face restrictions. The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) weighed in this month, as did the Rail Security Alliance, which represents North American freight railcar manufacturers and component suppliers.

(Mass Coastal Photograph)

Mass Coastal Acquiring Bay Colony Assets

Massachusetts Coastal Railroad, LLC (Mass Coastal) is purchasing assets of Bay Colony Railroad, which serves North Dartmouth and Millis, Mass.

Kansas City Streetcar welcomed the newest member of its fleet, No. 807, on Feb. 2. It is the first of eight cars that CAF USA will deliver this year to support two extension projects. (Screen Grab Courtesy of KC Streetcar, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: KC Streetcar, NJT, AECOM

Kansas City Streetcar begins testing the first of eight new CAF USA-manufactured vehicles. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) will host the opening module of International Association of Public Transport’s (UITP) three-part global diploma course; and infrastructure consulting firm AECOM will help deliver numerous projects for U.S. transportation clients that have secured funding from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program.

“We are honoured to be named to this year’s #SPGSustainable1Yearbook as one of the top sustainability performers in the transportation industry,” CN reported via social media on Feb. 7. (CN Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CN/CPKC/UP, NS

CN, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Union Pacific (UP) are ranked in the S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2024. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) recognizes Johnnie L. Jenkins Jr. for 50 years of safe service.

Jeremy Bush, Director of Operations, TNW Corp.

TNW Corp. Appoints Ops Director, Recognized by BNSF

Jeremy Bush has been elevated to Director of Operations at Dallas, Tex.-based TNW Corp., which provides transportation, logistics, rail-served real estate, and railcar storage services. Also, the company’s logistics facility in Etter has been selected as a BNSF Premier Transload Site.

(Image Courtesy of FRA)

FRA Issues Report on Improving Tank Car Crash Energy Management

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has released a technical report aimed to help improve the puncture resistance of hazardous materials (hazmat) tank cars in the event of an accident or derailment.

“We are excited to announce the [Decatur] location of our second inland rail facility in Alabama, furthering our dedication to advancing logistics infrastructure in the region,” Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO John Driscoll said Feb. 7. (Alabama Port Authority Photograph)

Alabama Port Authority, CSX to Launch Decatur Rail Facility

The Alabama Port Authority and CSX on Feb. 7 reported partnering to establish a North Alabama intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) in Decatur.

Shawn Wilson, National Agency Coordination Leader for Transportation and Infrastructure, WSP

Shawn Wilson Joins WSP

Shawn Wilson, former Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (2016-23), has signed on as National Agency Coordination Leader for Transportation and Infrastructure at WSP, an engineering, environment and professional services consultancy.

(SFMTA Photograph)

Muni: Ridership Up 25% in 2023

Municipal Railway (Muni) public transit registered 433,000 riders in 2023, a 25% increase over 2022, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).

(Image Courtesy of BNSF)

BNSF Forms Public Infrastructure and Investments Team

BNSF on Feb. 6 reported that it is partnering with local communities and public agencies to advance safety infrastructure projects across its 28-state network through its newly assembled Public Infrastructure and Investments

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