Norfolk Southern’s Operations Division Safety and Service Committee recently recognized six Midwest Division railroaders, including Tim Hunt (center), for their commitment to safety. Pictured with Hunt are Wayne Strickland (left) and Cortez Mason, Mechanical. (NS Photograph)

Class I Briefs: NS, BNSF

Norfolk Southern (NS) recognizes six Midwest Division railroaders for their commitment to safety. Also, BNSF backs the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association’s training efforts.

Tri-Cities Intermodal (TCI) reports that it will develop an intermodal center in Wallula, Wash., to support local agriculture. (TCI Photograph)

TCI to Reinstate Temperature-Controlled Intermodal Rail Service in Eastern WA

Tri-Cities Intermodal (TCI) on Oct. 10 reported signing a lease/purchase agreement with Union Pacific (UP) to acquire the former Cold Connect warehouse and property, with plans to develop an adjacent intermodal ramp

Applications are due Dec. 18 for the second round of FTA’s Rail Vehicle Replacement Program grant funding. Utah Transit Authority received $60 million through the program earlier this year to buy 20 LRVs to replace older railcars and improve service, reliability, safety and accessibility.

FTA: Rail Vehicle Replacement Program Applications Welcome

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Oct. 10 reported that approximately $197 million in competitive grant funding is now available through its Rail Vehicle Replacement Program.

“SacRT’s order of eight additional S700 LRVs is a testament to our shared dedication to providing trains that elevate the passenger experience, promote long-term sustainability, and enhance operational availability,” said Michael Cahill, President of Siemens Mobility in North America.

Siemens Lands Another SacRT LRV Order

Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) in California has selected Siemens Mobility to supply eight additional S700 low-floor LRVs (light rail vehicles) for its 43-mile, 53-station system, bringing the total number on order to 36.

Caltrain expects to roll out electrified commuter rail service, including faster trains, less wait time at stations and a simplified schedule, starting September 2024. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Metrolink, Metrolinx, SCVTA

Caltrain releases a proposed service plan for its September 2024 Electrification Project rollout. Also, southern California’s Metrolink commuter rail service is launching a fare-free pilot program for students; Metrolinx provides a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique stations along Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT; and inflation and other factors boost the price tag of Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project.

Watco Issues Second-Annual Sustainability Report

Transportation and logistics provider Watco has released its 2022 Sustainability Report covering environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.

(CN Photograph)

CN Presents Winter Plan, Safety Awards

CN on Oct. 5 released its 2023-24 Winter Plan on the preparations under way to meet customer demand, as well as its 30th-annual Safe Handling Award honorees.

CN and Crowley are offering a new rail-to-vessel service, Mexico Gulf Express, from Canada to the Port of Tuxpan, Mexico.

Class I Briefs: CN, CSX, NS

CN partners with maritime and logistics company Crowley to offer Mexico Gulf Express service, and celebrates President and CEO Tracy Robinson’s latest achievement. Also, battery-electrics are coming to the CSX terminal at the Port of Baltimore; and Norfolk Southern (NS) launches an API Resource Platform, seeks an “Artist in Residence,” and announces a new video series hosted by Paul Duncan.

RailComm Transitions to Tracsis

Fairport, N.Y.-based RailComm has rebranded as Tracsis North America, following its 2022 acquisition by Tracsis PLC Group, a provider of software, hardware, data analytics/GIS and services for the rail, traffic data and

OLI Releases 50th Anniversary Annual Report

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) has published its 2022 Annual Report, celebrating 50 years of empowering the public “to make safe choices when driving or walking near tracks and trains.”

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