LRW ‘Member of the Year’ Nominations Open

The League of Railway Women (LRW) for the 25th year will honor an “outstanding” member for her contributions to the league and to the railroad industry. Nominations are now open. Since 1998,

Under FRA’s proposed rule for dispatcher certification, railroads would be required to have “formal processes for training prospective dispatchers, as well as verifying that each dispatcher has the requisite knowledge, skills, safety record, and abilities to safely perform all of the safety-related dispatcher duties mandated by federal laws and regulations, prior to certification.” (Union Pacific Photograph)

FRA: Comment Period Extended Again for Proposed Dispatcher, Signal Employee Certification Regs

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) on June 21 reported filing petitions with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requesting a 60-day extension of the comment period for two proposals that would require freight railroads, Amtrak and commuter railroads to develop certification programs for network dispatchers and signal employees. FRA on July 5 and again on Aug. 22 extended the comment period by 30 days and 15 days, respectively.

(Shutterstock.com/ TierneyMJ)

TSA Eyes Security Vetting for Certain Public Transportation, Railroad Employees (UPDATED Aug. 22)

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in May proposed vetting requirements for certain public transportation, railroad and over-the-road-bus (OTRB) employees under the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act). On Aug. 22, TSA reported extending the comment period for the proposal.

East Chicago Rail Terminal, East Chicago Transload, Oak Management Join Forces

East Chicago (Ind.) Rail Terminal LLC and sister company East Chicago Transload LLC have teamed with Portage, Ind.-based trucking firm Oak Management LLC to provide multi-modal transportation and logistics services. The partnership

Brightline now has schedule apps for the St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge and the New River Bridge in Fort Lauderdale to help mariners plan their trips.

Transit Briefs: Brightline, MBTA, St. Louis Metro Transit, NYMTA, CMAP

Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway launch St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge app. Also, municipalities face penalties for not following Massachusetts zoning laws intended to promote housing development near MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) stations; St. Louis, Mo., Metro Transit is seeking quotes for security gate and fence installation at light rail stations; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) latest fare increases are now in effect; and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is developing recommendations that could reshape transit in the region.

NS Issues East Palestine Progress Report

Norfolk Southern (NS) has released a six-month progress report outlining its efforts following the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment as well as its next steps. The 15-page report (download below) covers the

In August 2021, the STB Office of Environmental Analysis issued a Final EIS for the project, identifying the 88-mile Whitmore Park Alternative as the environmentally preferred route for the Uinta Basin Railway, one of three analyzed. It would extend from two terminus points in northeastern Utah’s Uinta Basin near Myton and Leland Bench to a connection with the existing Union Pacific Provo Subdivision near Kyune (see map above).

Court Halts Uinta Basin Railway Project

The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) December 2021 approval of the construction and operation of the Uinta Basin Railway was struck down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

In 2022, an STC program grant of up to $1.44 million went toward the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) Avalanche Control project.

FRA: Applications Open for STC Grant Program

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Aug. 18 reported that it will make available more than $139 million for projects that upgrade and safeguard rail infrastructure in Alaska, South Dakota and Wyoming through the Special Transportation Circumstances (STC) grant program.

Caltrain’s bilevel EMUs from Stadler operated under power from the overhead contact system (OCS) for the first time this spring. Earlier this month, the Caltrain Board approved exercising the options on its Stadler contract for four more EMUs. The commuter railroad will now order a Stadler battery-equipped EMU. (Caltrain Photograph)

Caltrain to Pilot Stadler BEMU

Caltrain will exercise a contract option with Stadler to purchase a battery-equipped electric multiple unit (BEMU) train comprising three passenger cars and one battery-head housing the battery and power equipment.

TriMet’s “A Better Red” project to completely replace the Portland International Airport MAX station and install a second track along the alignment, between the new station and Air Cargo Road, has hit its halfway mark. (TriMet Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, MDOT, Metrolinx, SEPTA, Trillium Line, TriMet

A recent poll finds community support for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) C Line (Green) extension to Torrance, Calif. Also, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) team on a new approach to transit-oriented development; the Ontario, Canada, government is investing in infrastructure upgrades at Metrolinx’s Aurora GO Station; six of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) 1940s-era PCC cars will return to service next month; the DMU Trillium Line’s hand-over to the city of Ottawa, Ontario, has been delayed again; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) is on schedule to reopen the MAX Red Line on Oct. 22.

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