Amtrak has applied for multiple federal grants to improve its Long Distance network. (Amtrak Photograph)

Amtrak Applies for FRA Grants to Upgrade Long-Distance Network, NEC Infrastructure

Amtrak on June 5 reported submitting grant applications to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for 16 proposed Long-Distance projects to improve service and for 14 proposed Northeast Corridor (NEC) projects to update infrastructure, improve stations and expand service. Total value: more than $8 billion.

Maryland DOT MTA has reached an agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 to decrease the amount of time it takes for rail and bus operators to achieve higher pay rates and ultimately advance to the top rate for their jobs.

Transit Briefs: Maryland DOT MTA, MBTA, NYMTA, OCTA, WMATA

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (Maryland DOT MTA) updates its rail and bus operator pay structure to boost recruitment. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) submits a revised track worker safety plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will test safety doors on subway platforms; Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) unveils a $57.3 billion long-range transportation plan; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches income-qualified reduced fare program.

Genesis Electronics Group, Inc.’s autonomous battery-electric Glīd road/rail vehicles (pictured) will now include a rail inspection system.

Supply Side: Harsco Corporation, GEGI

Harsco Corporation changes its legal name to Enviri Corporation. Also, Genesis Electronics Group, Inc. (GEGI) is adding rail testing and safety inspection capabilities to its experimental autonomous battery-electric Glīd road/rail vehicles.

Watco SVP of Sales for Terminals and Port Services Marc Massoglia (fourth from left) on April 11 attended with other stakeholders the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Port 10 Watco Rail Logistics’s new SIT yard in Texas. (Watco Photograph)

Port 10 Watco Rail Logistics Opens SIT Yard

Port 10 Watco Rail Logistics—a joint venture of transportation service and logistics company Watco, Pontikes Development and McNair Interests—has opened a new 420-car storage-in-transit (SIT) yard in Baytown, Tex. The joint venture in January 2022

(CN Screen Capture from the UN Vision 2045 Documentary Film Series)

Watch: CN in UN Vision 2045 Documentary Series

CN is part of a documentary film series that recognizes the United Nation’s 100th anniversary in 2045 and aims “to inspire businesses and people to take collective action to ensure a better future for all.”

Pictured, left to right: Dana Salloum, Alstom; Lee Caragiale and Mike Washington, HDR; and Michael Coleman, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.

People News: Alstom, HDR, SMART

Alstom elevates Dana Salloum to Chief Communications Officer. Also, HDR adds Lee Caragiale and Mike Washington to its Transportation Equity and Environmental Justice team; and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) elects Michael Coleman as General President.

Chart from Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s study on the Value of Northern Virginia Transit to the Commonwealth.

What Is Northern Virginia Transit’s Value to the Commonwealth?

Without transit in Northern Virginia, income and sales tax revenue in the commonwealth would drop by approximately $1.5 billion in 2025, representing a 5% decrease in general fund revenue, according to a new study released by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC).

Millerbernd Manufacturing, which has produced rings and cylinders for 90 years, intends to manufacture flanges, nozzles, protective housings and fitting plates for tank cars at its Winsted, Minn., facility (pictured).

Supply Side: Millerbernd Manufacturing Company, Siemens Mobility, Zephyr Rail

Winsted, Minn.-based Millerbernd Manufacturing Company receives Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) certification for tank car components. Also, Siemens Mobility acquires Italian software firm Optrail S.r.l.; and Zephyr Rail earns a spot on Zweig Group’s list of best AEI (architecture, engineering and construction) firms to work for.

OmniTRAX and the Short Line Safety Institute partnered to host local response teams on the Panhandle Northern Railroad. (OmniTRAX Photograph)

OmniTRAX Teams With SLSI for Emergency Response Training

OmniTRAX affiliate Panhandle Northern Railway (PNR) and the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) recently held a two-day railroad emergency response training in Borger, Tex., that combined a classroom-based emergency preparedness, reporting and response exercise with a simulated drill for first responders and railroad staff.

BNSF President and Chief Executive Officer Katie M. Farmer (BNSF Photograph)

IANA Honoring Farmer for Intermodal Achievement

The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) will present BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer with its 2023 Silver Kingpin Award at the Intermodal EXPO, to be held Sept. 11-13 in Long Beach, Calif.

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